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Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos, a mineral that occurs naturally in the form of thin, long fibers. Workers who are exposed asbestos regularly are at risk of developing mesothelioma as well as other lung diseases.

Symptoms of these diseases may not manifest for years after exposure to asbestos. Different asbestos types may cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma occurs in the lung's outer lining, or pleura. It is the most prevalent type of mesothelioma, making up 70 to 79% of all diagnosed cases. Patients with this disease feel chest pain and breathlessness and may also feel an ache or heaviness in the chest.

This type of cancer typically caused through exposure to asbestos, which is a cluster of minerals composed of microscopic fibers. When inhaled, these fibers are absorbed into the lung and cause irritation that causes scarring and DNA mutations. The pleura is the area that surrounds the lungs and chest cavity and therefore, these irritations could affect both the lungs as well as the heart of a person. Mesothelioma symptoms are usually not apparent until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

The most commonly reported symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include chest pain and shortness of breath. Some patients may also feel tightness in their chest, coughing or difficulty breathing. Patients with this type of cancer typically have previous exposure to asbestos lawyer in the workplace. Construction, manufacturing, and shipbuilding are the most prevalent jobs which put people at risk danger of developing pleural melanoma. People who served in the military are at greater risk due to the frequent use of asbestos in Navy vessels and bunkers in the Army.

The TNM (tumors lymph nodes, tumors, and metastases staging system) is the most commonly used staging system for the pleural cancer. The stage a patient has at diagnosis will assist their doctor in determining the most appropriate treatment plan for them. Patients suffering from pleural mesothelioma who is in stage three or four will suffer a more negative prognosis compared to those in a less advanced stage. Stage four mesothelioma often spreads to the diaphragm, the liver or even a person's heart. This can make it more difficult to treat and raises the risk of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

As opposed to pleural mesothelioma that develops in the lung lining, peritoneal mesothelioma develops in the peritoneum -- it is a membrane that lines the abdominal cavity and organs like the liver and intestines. As with pleural mesothelioma asbestos case exposure is the cause of peritoneal msothelioma. The disease is much less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma, and only about 300-500 cases diagnosed each year.

Like pleural mesothelioma, symptoms can take a long time to manifest. Patients generally suffer from abdominal pain and may also have a lump in their abdomen. The symptoms of this type of mesothelioma can also include nausea or weight loss, as well as fever. A lot of these symptoms are similar to symptoms of digestive issues, which could cause confusion in diagnosis.

Doctors can detect mesothelioma by reviewing the medical history of the patient and performing a physical examination. They can also use imaging tests like X-rays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to identify mesothelioma. These tests can detect tumors and other signs of cancer that aren't evident on X-rays.

These test results enable doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and determine the stage. They also offer treatment options. Staging is determined based on the cell type and whether or whether the cancer has spread to other regions of the body.

Asbestos exposure is the biggest risk factor. People who have worked in professions that involve asbestos, like plumbing manufacturing, electrical work or construction, are at increased risk of developing the disease. Even if they do not work in these fields they could be exposed to asbestos through family members or other sources. This is why anyone who believes they could be at risk should speak to an experienced doctor. A mesothelioma specialist can help those with a experience with asbestos to understand more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos is the primary risk factor in mesothelioma. It is responsible for as much as 80% of all cases. Exposure to asbestos may occur as a result of work, military service, or living with someone who used to work with asbestos. When exposed to asbestos, the particles can be inhaled into the abdomen and lungs. They can cause irritation to the linings of the abdomen and trigger cancerous cells to grow in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma can take anywhere between 15 and 60 years to develop after exposure to asbestos.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and age. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely be diagnosed with mesothelioma compared to those who are younger or older. It takes mesothelioma between 20 and 60 years to show signs of cancer after the first exposure. It is important to remember that mesothelioma can develop in people who were exposed to asbestos, but did not engage directly with it. This is referred to as indirect or secondary exposure to asbestos, and it could be as hazardous as direct exposure.

Smoking increases the risk of mesothelioma, because it damages the mesothelium. It also makes it more prone to. Furthermore, mesothelioma is caused by certain illnesses, such as pneumonia and asbestosis. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than females. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for a longer period of time and work with it. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who worked with asbestos settlement, and to have asbestos lawsuit-containing fibers on their clothing. Women are less likely to be exposed to asbestos claim, and they don't usually carry asbestos on their clothing.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is a difficult cancer to identify because the symptoms often resemble other diseases. This could lead to patients being wrongly diagnosed.

NYU Langone doctors will perform an examination of the body and document the patient's medical background, including asbestos exposure. Doctors will also order an CT scan or chest X-ray in order to look for abnormalities, lumps and evidence of exposure to asbestos. These include plaques on the pleura, pleura that are thickened and calcium deposits.

Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance scan, or MRI test, which makes use of radio waves and magnets in order to create a series of detailed images of the inside of the body. A surgical biopsy is yet another way for doctors to diagnose mesothelioma. A surgical biopsy is when doctors remove a small piece of tissue from the peritoneum or pleura for further analysis. A pathologist then examines the tissue using a magnifying glass to determine if it contains cancerous cell.

The type of mesothelial cell involved, the malignant or benign nature of these cells, as well as the location the cancer, its type and the stage of the tumor, are used to classify the disease. Certain mesothelioma types have a higher risk of metastasizing or spreading therefore it is essential to establish a clear diagnosis to ensure that the doctors can treat it prior to it becoming out-of-control.

Doctors may also conduct laboratory tests on tumors to determine specific genes, proteins and other factors that help them understand the cancer's characteristics and plan treatment. These results are referred to as staging.

Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnosis is terrifying. It is important to remember, however, that cancer can be treated, especially at its early stages. Many mesothelioma patients live for many years with the disease without it spreading to other areas of their body.

Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma through a variety of ways. Asbestos fibers, too small to be able to see or feel by the naked eye can be airborne and cause irritation to the lung's lining (pleura). As time passes, the irritation causes the formation of scar tissue which causes changes in the cell structure that eventually develop into tumors.

The Pleura is a protective layer that covers the lungs, heart and abdomen. Mesothelium consists of cells that react when exposed to asbestos. They cause inflammation of the tissue and cause it to become scarred. Overtime, these changes lead to the development of malignant mesothelioma tumors.

The symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are shortness of breath and chest pain as well as the accumulation of fluid on the lung (pleural effusion). In rare instances the cancer may be spread to the tissues around the heart and reproductive organs.

If scans of imaging reveal a possible mass in the stomach or lungs, a doctor will order biopsies. During the procedure, doctors will remove small amounts of the fluid or tumor for laboratory analysis. The results can confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and help determine the most effective treatment plan.

There are several types of mesothelioma treatment, including surgery, chemotherapy and immunotherapy. Most doctors utilize the combination of these methods. Patients could also benefit from taking part in a clinical trial of new mesothelioma treatment. To learn more, patients should speak to mesothelioma specialists who have experience treating the condition.