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Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos is a mineral that occurs naturally in the form of thin, long fibers. People who are regularly exposed to asbestos are at risk of developing lung diseases such as mesothelioma.

Symptoms of these diseases may not show up for decades after exposure to asbestos. Different asbestos types can cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma occurs in the outer lung lining, also known as the pleura. It is the most common type of mesothelioma, making up 70 to 79% of all diagnosed cases. This condition causes chest pain, shortness of breathe and a feeling of weightiness.

This kind of cancer is typically caused through exposure to asbestos, which is a collection of minerals that are made up of microscopic fibres. When inhaled, these fibers cause irritation and DNA mutations. Pleura is the lining of both the chest cavity and the lungs, and so irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma is usually not symptomatic until 30 to 50 year after exposure.

The most commonly reported symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include chest discomfort and shortness of breath. Patients may also suffer from chest tightness, coughing or difficulty breathing. Patients with this type of cancer typically have a history of exposure to asbestos in the workplace. Manufacturing, construction and shipbuilding are the most common jobs which put people at risk danger of developing pleural melanoma. People who have worked in the military could be at an especially high risk because of the extensive asbestos usage in Navy ships and bunkers used by the army.

The TNM (tumors lymph nodes and metastases staging system) is the most common staging system used to treat the pleural cancer. The stage that a patient is at at diagnosis will aid their doctor in determining the best treatment plan for them. For instance, patients who have mesothelioma that is pleural in stage three or four have a worse prognosis than patients with lower stages. Stage four mesothelioma may develop into the heart, liver or diaphragm. This can make it more difficult to treat and raises the risk of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Contrary to pleural cancer which forms in the lining of the lung, peritoneal cancer develops in a membrane that covers the abdominal cavity, including organs like the intestines and liver. Similar to pleural mesothelioma and peritoneal mesothelioma is caused by asbestos exposure. Only 300-500 cases are diagnosed each year this is less than the pleural asbestosis.

As with pleural asbestosis, symptoms can take a long time to show. Patients usually suffer from abdominal pain and could also experience a mass in their abdomen. The symptoms of this kind of mesothelioma may also include nausea or weight loss, as well as fever. Many of these symptoms are similar to those of digestive issues, which could cause incorrect diagnosis.

Typically, doctors can identify mesothelioma through an extensive health history and physical exam. They may also employ imaging tests such as X-rays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to identify mesothelioma. These tests can reveal tumors, as well as other signs of cancer that aren't apparent on an X-ray.

The results of these tests allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and determine the stage of the disease and suggest treatment options. Staging is determined based on the cell type and whether or not the cancer has spread to other areas of the body.

Asbestos exposure is the main risk factor. People who have been in occupations which require asbestos, such as plumbing, manufacturing, electrical work, or construction, are at increased risk of developing the disease. However, even if people do not work in these fields they may be exposed to asbestos legal through relatives or other sources. For this reason, anyone who is concerned that they might be at risk should talk to a doctor. A mesothelioma specialist can help those who have a experience with asbestos lawyer to understand more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos exposure is the primary risk factor for mesothelioma, accounting for up to 80 percent of all cases. Exposure to asbestos can happen through work, military service or by living with a person who works with asbestos or used to do such. When exposed to asbestos, particles can be inhaled into the lungs and abdomen. The particles cause irritation to the linings of the abdomen, which causes cancerous cells to form in the mesothelium. Following exposure to asbestos mesothelioma is likely to develop between 15 and 60 year.

Other risk factors include genetics, smoking and aging. People in their 40s or 50s are at a higher risk of developing mesothelioma as compared to those younger or older. It takes mesothelioma 20-60 years before it manifests cancer symptoms after the first exposure. It is important to note, too, that mesothelioma may be present in people who have been exposed to asbestos, but without having been directly exposed to it. This is referred to as secondary or indirect exposure to asbestos. It can be just as dangerous as direct exposure.

Smoking can increase the likelihood of getting mesothelioma because it causes mesothelium damage and makes it more vulnerable to asbestos. Mesothelioma can also be caused by certain diseases, such as asbestosis and pneumonia. It is also important to know that mesothelioma is more prevalent in males than females. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for longer periods of time and to have worked with asbestos for longer periods of time. Additionally, men are more likely to live with someone who had asbestos exposure and bring stray Asbestos case fibers home on their clothes. Women tend to have less exposure to asbestos and don't typically carry asbestos on their clothing.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is a difficult disease to recognize because the symptoms often resemble other conditions. This can lead to victims being misdiagnosed.

NYU Langone doctors will perform a physical examination and record the patient's medical history, including asbestos case exposure. Doctors may also order a chest X-ray or CT scan to look for lumps and other abnormalities and also to look for evidence of past asbestos exposure such as plaques on the pleura (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the formation of fluid between the lung and the chest wall (known as pleural effusion).

Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram which examines the heart and blood vessels, and a magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI, test, which makes use of magnets and radio waves to make a series of detailed images of the interior of the body. Another way doctors can diagnose mesothelioma is through a surgical biopsy. During a surgery biopsy, doctors remove a tiny part of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum to be further examined. A pathologist then examines the tissue with an magnifying glass to determine if it contains cancerous cell.

The type of mesothelial cells involved as well as the benign or malignant nature of these cells as well as the location, type and stage of the tumor, are used to classify the disease. Certain types of mesothelioma may be more likely to develop metastasis or spread and spread, therefore it is essential to get a definite diagnosis so that doctors can treat the disease before it becomes out of control.

Doctors may also conduct tests in the laboratory on a tumor to identify particular proteins, genes, or other factors that can help them describe the cancer's characteristics and plan treatment. These results are referred to as staging.

Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnosis is a frightening prospect. It is crucial to remember, however, that cancer can be treated, especially at its early stages. Many patients with mesothelioma live with the disease for a long time without spreading.

Exposure to asbestos can trigger mesothelioma via many mechanisms. Asbestos fibers, which are too small to be able to see or feel with the naked eye, can be airborne and cause irritation to the lining of the lungs (pleura). Over time the irritation causes the formation of scar tissue that eventually result in tumors.

The Pleura is a protective layer that covers the lungs, heart and abdomen. Mesothelium is composed of cells that react to exposure to asbestos which causes it to become inflamed and develop scar tissue. Overtime, these changes cause the development of malignant mesothelioma cancers.

A shortness of breath, chest discomfort, or the accumulation of fluid on the lungs are all signs of pleural Msothelioma. In rare instances, cancer can spread into the tissues surrounding the reproductive organs and the heart.

A doctor may request biopsy if scans show a potential lung tumor or stomach. In the course of the procedure, doctors remove small amounts of fluid or tumor for tests in the laboratory. The results can confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis, and provide the most effective treatment plan.

There are a variety of treatment for mesothelioma such as chemotherapy and surgery. The majority of doctors employ combinations of these treatments. Enrolling in clinical trials of mesothelioma treatments may be beneficial to patients. Patients can learn more by consulting a mesothelioma expert who has treated the disease.