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Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos, a natural mineral, naturally occurs in the form of thin, long fibers. People who are exposed to asbestos on a regular basis are at risk of developing mesothelioma or other types of lung diseases.

It could take a long time before symptoms begin to manifest after exposure to asbestos. Different asbestos types can cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma occurs in the outer lung lining, also known as pleura. It is the most common mesothelioma type and accounts for 70% to 79% of all diagnosed cases. The condition can cause chest pain, shortness of breathe and a feeling of heaviness.

Exposure to asbestos, a group of minerals made of microscopic fibers causes this kind of cancer. These fibers, when inhaled can cause irritation and DNA mutations. The pleura is the area that surrounds the lungs and chest cavity This means that these irritations can affect both the lungs and a person's heart. Mesothelioma symptoms usually don't appear until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

Shortness of breath and chest pain are the most frequent symptoms. Patients may also experience coughing, difficulty breathing, or chest tightness. People with this cancer have a history that includes asbestos lawyer exposure at work. The most common jobs that expose workers to the risk of pleural mesothelioma include construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding. People who have worked in the military may be at risk because of the extensive asbestos use in Navy ships and bunkers for the army.

The most commonly used 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 time of diagnosis can help determine the treatment plan they should receive. For example, patients with mesothelioma pleural stage three or four have a poorer prognosis than patients with a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma is often spread to the liver, diaphragm or even the heart of a patient. This makes it more difficult to treat and increases the likelihood of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Unlike pleural mesothelioma, which develops in the lung lining, peritoneal mesothelioma is found in the peritoneum - a membrane that lines the abdominal cavity as well as organs such as the intestines and liver. Like pleural mesothelioma, peritoneal mesothelioma is caused by asbestos exposure. The disease is less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma. There are only about 300-500 cases diagnosed each year.

As with pleural mesothelioma symptoms can take a long time to manifest. Patients usually suffer from abdominal pain and may have a mass in their abdomen. The symptoms of this kind of mesothelioma may also include nausea as well as weight loss and fever. A lot of these symptoms can be misinterpreted as digestive issues which can lead to a misdiagnosis.

Doctors can detect mesothelioma by reviewing the medical history of the patient and conducting a physical exam. Imaging tests like X-rays and CT scans can be used to detect mesothelioma. These tests can show cancerous tumors or other symptoms of cancer that aren't 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.

The most significant mesothelioma-related risk factor is asbestos exposure. People who have been in occupations 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 areas they may be exposed to asbestos through family members or through other sources. Anyone who thinks they're at risk should speak with a doctor. A mesothelioma specialist can help those who have had a history with asbestos to learn more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos exposure is the primary risk factor for mesothelioma making up as much as 80 percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos may occur through military service, work or living with those who worked with asbestos. asbestos settlement particles can be inhaled by those who are exposed to it. The particles cause irritation to the linings of the abdomen, which causes cancerous cells to develop in the mesothelium. After asbestos exposure mesothelioma can occur between 15 and 60 year.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and aging. The people in their 40s or 50s are at a higher risk of developing mesothelioma as compared to those who are younger or older. It is because mesothelioma generally takes 20 to 60 years from the initial exposure before cancer symptoms appear. It is also important to note that mesothelioma is a possibility in people who have been exposed to asbestos but did not deal with it directly. This is known as secondary or indirect asbestos exposure. It can be as dangerous as direct asbestos law exposure.

Smoking increases the risk of getting mesothelioma because it causes mesothelium damage and makes it more prone to asbestos. Additionally, mesothelioma can be caused by certain illnesses, such as pneumonia and asbestosis. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma compared to women. This is because men are more likely to work with asbestos and have more exposure than women. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who had worked with asbestos, and to have asbestos-containing fibers on their clothing. Women tend to be less in contact with asbestos, and they are less likely to carry asbestos legal on their clothing.

Diagnosis

It is difficult to identify mesothelioma because its symptoms are often similar to other conditions. This can result in patients being incorrectly diagnosed.

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

Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram, which examines the blood vessels and the heart, and a magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI, test, which makes use of radio waves and magnets to create precise images of the inside of the body. A surgical biopsy is a different way for doctors to diagnose mesothelioma. In a surgical biopsy doctors take a tiny part of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum, to be tested further. A pathologist can examine the tissue with microscopes to determine whether it contains cancerous cells.

The type of mesothelial cells involved as well as the benign or malignant nature of these cells as well as the location and stage of the tumor, are used to categorize the disease. Certain types of mesothelioma are more likely to grow or spread, so it is important to get a definite diagnosis so that doctors can treat the disease before it goes out of control.

Doctors may also conduct laboratory tests on tumors to determine particular proteins, genes and 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 may be frightening. But, it is crucial to remember that the disease is treatable, particularly in its earlier stages. Many mesothelioma patients live for many years with the disease, without spreading to other parts of their body.

Asbestos exposure can cause mesothelioma through a variety of mechanisms. Asbestos fibers that are too small to be felt or viewed by naked eyes, can become airborne, causing irritation to the lung's lining (pleura). Over time irritation can lead to formation of scar tissue which can cause changes in the cell structure that can eventually grow into tumors.

The pleura covers the lungs and heart and also the abdomen. Mesothelium is composed of cells that react when exposed to asbestos. They inflame the tissue and cause it to scar. These changes can eventually cause mesothelioma cancers.

A shortness of breath, chest pain or fluid accumulation on the lungs are all indications of the pleural Msothelioma. In rare instances cancer may spread to the tissues around the reproductive organs and heart.

If scans of imaging reveal an area of concern in the stomach or lungs the doctor will request biopsies. The procedure involves the removal of some of the fluid or tumor to allow for lab tests. The results will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and indicate the best treatment option.

There are several types of mesothelioma treatment, including chemotherapy, surgery and immunotherapy. Most doctors use the combination of these treatments. Participating in clinical trials of mesothelioma treatments that are new could be beneficial for patients. Patients can find out more by speaking with a mesothelioma doctor who has treated the disease.