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Mesothelioma and Asbestos

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

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

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma, a form of cancer, that affects the lung's outer the lining (pleura). It is the most common type of mesothelioma, making up between 70 and 79% of all diagnosed cases. Patients suffering from this condition experience pain in the chest and breathlessness and may experience a sensation of heaviness in the chest.

Exposure to asbestos, a class of minerals composed of microscopic fibers, typically causes this kind of cancer. These fibers, when inhaled can cause irritation and DNA mutations. Pleura surrounds both the chest cavity and the lungs, so irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma symptoms usually don't appear until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

Chest pain and shortness breath are the most frequent symptoms. Some patients may also feel tightness in their chest and coughing, or breathing difficulties. Patients with this type of cancer typically have previous exposure to asbestos law in the workplace. Manufacturing, construction and shipbuilding are among the most prevalent jobs that put people at high danger of developing pleural melanoma. People who have worked in the military may be at a higher risk because of the extensive asbestos use in Navy vessels and bunkers used by the army.

The most commonly used staging method for pleural mesothelioma is the TNM (tumor, lymph nodes and metastases) staging system. The stage a patient is in at the moment of diagnosis will determine the treatment plan they should follow. For instance, patients who have a pleural mesothelioma in stage three or four have a worse prognosis than those in a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma often spreads to the liver, diaphragm or even a person's heart. This makes it more difficult to treat and raises the risk of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Contrary to pleural cancer that develops in the lining of the lung the peritoneal cancer is a result of a membrane that surrounds the abdominal cavity, which includes organs like the intestines and liver. Similar to pleural mesothelioma mesothelioma can be caused by asbestos exposure. Only 300-500 cases are diagnosed annually this is less than pleural asbestosis.

As with pleural asbestosis, symptoms can take a long time to show. Typically, patients experience abdominal pain and an abdominal mass. This kind of mesothelioma can cause nausea, weight loss, and fever. Many of these symptoms could be misinterpreted as gastrointestinal issues and can lead to a false diagnosis.

Doctors can identify mesothelioma by looking over the medical history of the patient and conducting a physical exam. Imaging tests like X-rays or CT scans are a way to detect mesothelioma. These tests can reveal tumors and other signs of cancer that are not visible on X-rays.

These test results allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma, determine the stage and recommend treatment options. The stage is determined by the type of cell and whether the tumor has spread.

Asbestos exposure is the most important risk factor. People who have worked in jobs that require asbestos, like plumbing manufacturing, electrical work or construction, are at a higher risk of developing the disease. Even if someone does not work in any of these areas, he or she can be exposed to asbestos through family members or other sources. Anyone who believes they may be at risk should talk to an expert. A mesothelioma specialist can help those who have a previous history of asbestos to find out more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos exposure is a major mesothelioma risk factor, which accounts for as much as 80 percent of all cases. Exposure to asbestos can happen due to work, military service or by living with someone who is exposed to asbestos case - related, or has previously done so. Asbestos particles can be breathed in by those who are exposed to asbestos. These irritate the linings and trigger cancerous cells to grow in the mesothelium. After asbestos exposure mesothelioma is likely to occur between 15 and 60 year.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and age. People in their 40s and 50s are at greater risk of developing mesothelioma as compared to those who are younger or older. Mesothelioma can take between 20 and 60 years to show signs of cancer after the first exposure. It is also important to note that mesothelioma can develop in those who were exposed to asbestos, but did not engage directly with it. This is known as secondary or indirect exposure to asbestos, and it can be just as dangerous as direct exposure.

Smoking can increase the likelihood of developing mesothelioma due to the fact that it causes mesothelium damage and makes it more prone to asbestos. Additionally, mesothelioma can be caused by certain illnesses, such as pneumonia and asbestosis. It is also important to note that mesothelioma occurs more frequently for men than women. This is due to the fact that men are more likely to work with asbestos and have more exposure than women. Also, men are more likely to live with someone who worked with asbestos and carry asbestos fibers from their workplace on their clothes. Women tend to have less contact with asbestos compensation and do not typically carry asbestos on their clothing.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is a difficult cancer to identify because the symptoms can be similar to other conditions. This can result in patients being misdiagnosed.

NYU Langone doctors will perform physical examinations and document the patient's medical history including asbestos exposure. Doctors can also request an X-ray of the chest or CT scan to check for lumps and other abnormalities, as well as evidence of previous asbestos exposure like plaques in the pleura (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the accumulation of fluid between the lung and chest wall (known as pleural effusion).

Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram which examines the blood vessels and the heart and magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI, test that uses radio waves and magnets to make a series of precise images of the inside of the body. Another way for doctors to detect mesothelioma is to perform a surgical biopsy. When a biopsy is performed doctors will remove a small piece of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum to be tested further. A pathologist can then look at the tissue under a microscope to see if it contains cancerous cells.

Mesothelioma can be classified based on the mesothelial type involved, whether those cells are malignant or benign, and the location of the tumor, its type, and the stage of the tumor. Certain mesothelioma types have a higher risk of metastasizing or spreading and it's crucial to establish a clear diagnosis so doctors can treat it before it gets out of control.

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

Treatment

A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be a frightening prospect. However, it's important to keep in mind that the cancer can be treated, particularly in its earlier stages. Many people with mesothelioma can be afflicted for many years without it spreading.

Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma by various mechanisms. Asbestos fibers that are tiny enough to be felt or observed by naked eyes, can become airborne, causing irritation to the lining of the lung (pleura). As time passes, the irritation causes the formation of scar tissue which leads to changes in the cell structure which eventually lead to tumors.

The pleura covers the lungs and the heart and also the abdomen. Mesothelium consists of cells that react to exposure to asbestos, causing it to inflame and develop scar tissue. These changes eventually cause mesothelioma cancers.

The symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are shortness of breath and chest pain, or the accumulation of fluid on the lungs (pleural effusion). In rare cases, the cancer can be spread to the tissues around the heart and reproductive organs.

A doctor will request a biopsy if imaging scans show a potential mass in the lungs or stomach. In the course of the procedure, doctors remove small amounts of liquid or tumor for lab tests. The results will confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis, and provide the most effective treatment plan.

There are many types of treatment for mesothelioma, including chemotherapy and surgery. Most doctors use a combination of these treatments. Patients can also benefit by taking part in a clinical trial of new mesothelioma therapies. To learn more about the trials, patients should speak with a mesothelioma specialist who has experience treating the condition.