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Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that comes in thin, long fibres. Workers who are regularly exposed to asbestos are at risk of developing lung diseases like mesothelioma.

It can take years for symptoms to show up after exposure to asbestos. Different asbestos types may cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma can be found in the lung's outer lining, also known as the pleura. It is the most frequent mesothelioma form and is responsible for 70 to 79% of all diagnosed cases. The condition can cause chest pain, breath shortness and a feeling of heavyness.

This kind of cancer is typically caused by exposure to asbestos which is a cluster of minerals that are made up of microscopic fibres. The fibers, when inhaled cause irritation and DNA mutations. Pleura surrounds both the chest cavity as well as the lungs, which means that irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma symptoms are usually not apparent until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

The most common symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are chest discomfort and shortness of breath. Some patients may also feel tightness in their chest, coughing or difficulty breathing. People who suffer from this cancer usually have an history of exposure to asbestos in the workplace. The most prevalent jobs that put people at risk of developing pleural cancer are manufacturing, construction and shipbuilding. People who were in the military are at greater risk due the extensive use asbestos in Navy vessels and Army bunkers.

The most common staging method for pleural mesothelioma is the TNM (tumor lymph nodes, lymph nodes and metastases) staging system. The stage that a patient is in at the moment of diagnosis will determine the treatment plan they will receive. For instance, patients suffering from mesothelioma that is pleural in stage three or four have a worse prognosis than those with lower stages. Mesothelioma in stage four can be spread to the liver, heart, or diaphragm. This could make the cancer more difficult to treat, and increase the chances of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Unlike pleural mesothelioma, which develops in the lung lining, peritoneal mesothelioma is found in the peritoneum, an elongated membrane that covers the abdominal cavity and organs like the intestines and the liver. Like pleural mesothelioma, exposure to asbestos case (Recommended Web page) is the cause of peritoneal mesothelioma. The disease is much less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma, with just 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.

As with pleural asbestosis symptoms can take years to manifest. Patients typically have abdominal pain, and may have a mass in their abdomen. This kind of mesothelioma can cause nausea, weight loss, and fever. Many of these symptoms are similar to those experienced by gastrointestinal issues, which can result in incorrect diagnosis.

Generally, doctors can find mesothelioma through an exhaustive health history and physical examination. Imaging tests like X-rays and CT scans can be used to identify mesothelioma. These tests can detect tumors as well as other signs of cancer that are not evident on X-rays.

These tests enable doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and determine the stage and recommend treatment options. The stage is determined by the type of cell as well as whether the cancer has spread.

Asbestos exposure is the most important risk factor. People who have worked in jobs which require asbestos law, such as plumbing, manufacturing, electrical work or construction, are at greater risk of developing the disease. Even if an individual does not work in any of these areas they could still be exposed through family members and other sources. Anyone who suspects that they are at risk should talk to a doctor. A mesothelioma specialist can help those with a history with asbestos to learn more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos is the most significant risk factor for mesothelioma. It is responsible for as much as 80percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos may occur due to work, military service, or living with someone who used to work with asbestos. Asbestos particles can be inhaled by people who are exposed to it. The particles cause irritation to the linings of the abdomen, which causes cancerous cells to grow in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma may take between 15 and 60 years to develop following exposure to asbestos.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and the advancing age. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely be diagnosed with mesothelioma compared to those who are younger or older. This is because mesothelioma usually lasts between 20 and 60 years after the initial exposure before cancer symptoms appear. It is important to keep in mind that mesothelioma may develop in those who have been exposed to asbestos, but without having worked with it directly. This is referred to as secondary or indirect asbestos exposure and can be as dangerous as direct asbestos exposure.

Smoking increases the chance of mesothelioma developing, because it damages the mesothelium. It also makes it more prone to. In addition, mesothelioma may be worsened by certain diseases like pneumonia and asbestosis. It is also important to remember 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 work with it. Men are also more likely to live with someone who has had asbestos exposure and bring asbestos fibers from their workplace on their clothing. Women tend to have less contact with asbestos and don't typically carry asbestos home on their clothes.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is difficult to recognize because the symptoms are often similar to other conditions. This can lead to victims being wrongly diagnosed.

The first step to diagnose mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform an examination and write note of the medical history of the patient which includes asbestos exposure. Doctors will also order a CT scan or chest X-ray in order to look for abnormalities, lumps and evidence of exposure to asbestos law. These include plaques in the pleura, thickened pleura and calcium deposits.

Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram which examines the blood vessels and the heart, and a magnetic resonance imaging, also known as MRI test that uses magnets and radio waves to make a series of detailed images of the inside of the body. Another method doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma is to perform an operation called a biopsy. A surgical biopsy is when doctors remove a small amount of tissue from the peritoneum or pleura for further testing. A pathologist is then able to examine the tissue with microscopes to determine whether it has cancerous cells.

Mesothelioma is classified based on the type of mesothelial cell involved, whether those cells are benign or malignant, and the location of the tumor, the type, and the stage of the tumor. Certain types of mesothelioma are at a higher risk of metastasizing or spreading, so it's important to determine the type of mesothelioma so that doctors can treat it prior to it becoming out of control.

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

Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnose can be terrifying. It is crucial to remember that cancer can be treated, especially at its early stages. Many people with mesothelioma can endure the disease for many years without it spreading.

Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma through a variety of mechanisms. Asbestos fibers that are small enough to not be felt or seen by naked eyes can be airborne, causing irritation to the lung's lining (pleura). Over time, the irritation leads to the formation of scar tissue that eventually result in tumors.

The pleura is the area that surrounds the heart and lungs and also the abdomen. Mesothelium is made up of cells that react when exposed to asbestos. They inflame the tissue and cause it to become scarred. These changes can cause mesothelioma cancers.

Breathing problems, chest discomfort, or the accumulation of fluid on the lungs are all indications of the pleural msothelioma. In rare instances, the cancer can grow to the tissues surrounding the heart and reproductive organs.

A doctor will order a biopsy if imaging scans show the possibility of a lung tumor or stomach. During the procedure, doctors take a small sample of the fluid or tumor for lab tests. The results can confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis, and determine the best treatment option.

There are several types of mesothelioma treatments, which include chemotherapy, surgery, and immunotherapy. Most doctors utilize the combination of these methods. Participating in clinical trials of new mesothelioma treatment may also be beneficial to patients. Patients can learn more by consulting a mesothelioma specialist who has treated mesothelioma.