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Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that comes in thin, long fibres. 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 may cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer of the lung's outer lining or the pleura. It is the most prevalent mesothelioma type and is responsible for 70 to 79% of diagnosed cases. Patients suffering from this condition experience pain in the chest and breath shortness, and they may feel a sensation of heaviness in the chest.

This type of cancer often caused by 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 covers both the chest cavity as well as the lungs, and so irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma typically doesn't manifest until 30 to 50 year after exposure.

Shortness of breath and chest pain are the most common symptoms. Patients may also feel tightness in their chest, coughing or difficulty breathing. People with this cancer have a history of disease that includes asbestos exposure at work. The most frequent jobs that expose people to the risk of developing pleural cancer are manufacturing, construction and shipbuilding. People who served in the military are at greater risk due the widespread use of asbestos in Navy vessels and bunkers in the Army.

The TNM (tumors lymph nodes and metastases staging system) is the most common staging system for the pleural cancer. The stage a patient is in at the moment of diagnosis will determine what treatment plan they will receive. Patients who have pleural mesothelioma which is in stage three or stage four will have a less favorable outlook than those in a less advanced stage. Stage four mesothelioma often spreads to the liver, diaphragm or even the heart of a patient. This makes it more difficult to treat and increase the chance of complications for patients.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Unlike pleural cancer, which is found in the lining of the lung the peritoneal cancer is a result of the membrane that covers the abdominal cavity, including organs like the intestines and liver. Like pleural mesothelioma, peritoneal mesothelioma is triggered by asbestos exposure. The disease is less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma. There are only about 300-500 cases diagnosed each year.

As with pleural asbestosis, symptoms can take several years to show. The majority of 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 mistaken for gastrointestinal problems and can lead to a misdiagnosis.

Doctors can detect mesothelioma by looking over the medical history of the patient and conducting a physical exam. They may also employ imaging tests such as X-rays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to identify mesothelioma. These tests can identify tumors and other signs of cancer that are not visible on X-rays.

The results of these tests allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and determine the stage. They also offer treatment options. The stage is determined by the type of cell and whether the tumor has spread.

Asbestos exposure is the main risk factor. People who have been exposed to asbestos case in professions, such as plumbing or electrical work, or in manufacturing and construction, are more likely to contract the disease. However, even if individuals do not work in these areas, they can still be exposed to asbestos through family members or through other sources. For this reason, anyone who is concerned that they might be at risk should talk to an expert. If they have a history of asbestos exposure, a mesothelioma specialist can assist them in finding out more about the risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos is the main risk factor for mesothelioma. It is responsible for as much as the 80% of cases. Exposure to asbestos may occur due to military service, work, or living with someone who used to work with asbestos. Asbestos particles can be inhaled by those who are exposed to asbestos lawyer. These particles can cause irritation to the linings of the lungs, causing cancerous cells to grow in the mesothelium. After asbestos exposure mesothelioma is likely to develop between 15 and 60 years old.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and age. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely to get mesothelioma than people younger or more senior. This is because mesothelioma usually lasts between 20 and 60 years from the first time of exposure before cancer symptoms appear. It is important to remember that mesothelioma can develop in people who have been exposed to asbestos but did not work with it directly. This is called secondary or indirect exposure to asbestos and it could be as hazardous as direct exposure.

Smoking increases a person's chances of developing mesothelioma since 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 note that mesothelioma occurs more frequently for men than women. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for a longer time and to work with asbestos for longer durations and to work with it. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who worked with asbestos, and to have asbestos compensation-containing fibers on their clothing. Women are less likely to come exposed to asbestos and they are less likely to bring asbestos home on their clothes.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is difficult to recognize because the symptoms are often similar to other conditions. This could lead to patients being misdiagnosed.

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

Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram which examines the heart and blood vessels as well as a magnetic resonance imaging, also known as MRI test, which makes use of radio waves and magnets to make a series of precise images of the inside of the body. Another way doctors can diagnose mesothelioma is by performing an operation called a biopsy. A surgical biopsy is when doctors remove a small piece of tissue from the pleura or peritoneum to conduct further tests. A pathologist then examines the tissue under a magnifying glass to determine if it is a cancerous cell.

The type of mesothelial cell involved as well as the benign or malignant nature of those cells as well as the location, type and stage of the cancer are used to classify the disease. Certain types of mesothelioma may be more likely to spread or metastasize, so it is important to get a definite diagnosis to ensure that doctors are able to treat the disease before it gets out of control.

Doctors may also conduct tests in the laboratory on tumors to determine specific proteins, genes or other elements that can aid in describing cancer characteristics and plan treatment. These results are referred to as staging.

Treatment

A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be terrifying. It is important to keep in mind that cancer can be treated, particularly in its initial stages. Many people with mesothelioma live for years without the disease spreading to other organs of their body.

Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma in many ways. Asbestos fibres, tiny enough to be felt or seen by naked eyes can be airborne, causing irritation to the lung's lining (pleura). In time, the irritation causes the formation of scar tissue, which leads to changes in the structure of cells that can eventually grow into tumors.

The Pleura is a covering that protects the lungs, heart and abdomen. Mesothelium is composed of cells that react to asbestos lawsuit and cause it to enflame and create scar tissue. These changes can eventually result in malignant mesothelioma tumors.

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

A doctor will request biopsy if imaging scans show the possibility of a tumor in the lungs or stomach. During the procedure doctors remove some of the liquid or tumor for lab tests. The results will confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis, and determine the best treatment plan.

There are a variety of treatment for mesothelioma, including chemotherapy and surgery. The majority of doctors use an amalgamation of these techniques. Enrolling in clinical trials of mesothelioma treatments that are new could be beneficial for patients. Patients can learn more by consulting a mesothelioma specialist who has treated the disease.