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Mesothelioma and Asbestos

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

The symptoms of these diseases may not be evident for a long time after exposure to asbestos claim. Different asbestos types can cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

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

Exposure to asbestos, a class of minerals made of microscopic fibers, usually causes this type of cancer. When inhaled, these fibers cause irritation and DNA mutations. The pleura covers the chest cavity and lungs This means that these irritations can affect both the lungs and a person's heart. Mesothelioma is usually not symptomatic until 30 to 50 year after exposure.

The most common symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are chest discomfort and shortness of breath. Patients may have coughing problems, trouble breathing or chest tightness. Patients with this type of cancer have a history of disease that includes asbestos exposure at work. The most frequent jobs that expose people to the risk of pleural mesothelioma include manufacturing, construction, and shipbuilding. People who were in the military are at a greater risk due to the extensive use asbestos in Navy vessels and bunkers for the Army.

The TNM (tumors, lymph nodes, and metastases staging system) is the most common staging system used to treat the pleural adenocarcinoma. The stage a patient is in when they are diagnosed will assist their doctor in determining the best 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 may spread to the liver, heart, or diaphragm. This can make the cancer more difficult to treat, and increase the risk of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

In contrast to pleural mesothelioma which is a lung-lining cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma develops in the peritoneum, a membrane that lines the abdominal cavity as well as organs like the intestines and the liver. As with pleural mesothelioma asbestos exposure is the cause of peritoneal msothelioma. The disease is less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma, with just 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.

As with pleural asbestosis symptoms can take a long time to manifest. Typically, patients experience abdominal pain and abdominal swelling. Symptoms of this type of mesothelioma could also include nausea, weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms can be misinterpreted as gastrointestinal issues, leading to a false diagnosis.

Generally, doctors can find mesothelioma after an exhaustive health history and physical examination. Imaging tests like X-rays and CT scans can be used to detect mesothelioma. These tests can reveal cancerous tumors or other signs of cancer that aren't visible on X-rays.

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

The most important mesothelioma-related risk factor is exposure to asbestos. People who have worked in professions that involve asbestos, like plumbing, manufacturing, electrical work or construction, are at a higher risk of developing the disease. Even if they do not work in these fields they could be exposed to asbestos through family members or through other sources. Anyone who believes they're at risk should consult a doctor. If they have any history of exposure to asbestos or mesothelioma, a specialist can help them find out more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos is the most significant risk factor in mesothelioma. It accounts for as much as the 80% of cases. Exposure to asbestos can occur due to military service, work or living with someone who used to work with asbestos. Asbestos Case particles can be breathed in by people who are exposed to it. These particles can cause irritation to the linings and trigger cancerous cells to form in the mesothelium. After asbestos exposure, mesothelioma may be diagnosed between 15 and 60 years old.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and age. People in their 40s and 50s are more at risk of developing mesothelioma as compared to people who are younger or more. Mesothelioma can take between 20 and 60 years to show signs of cancer after the first exposure. It is also important to know that mesothelioma is a possibility in those who were exposed to asbestos but didn't deal with it directly. This is known as indirect or secondary exposure to asbestos case and it is just as harmful as direct exposure.

Smoking increases the risk of getting mesothelioma because it damages the mesothelium and makes it more vulnerable to asbestos. Additionally, mesothelioma can be worsened by certain diseases like pneumonia and asbestosis. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than women. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for longer periods of time and to work with asbestos attorney for longer periods of time. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who had been exposed to asbestos, and to carry asbestos fibers on their clothing. Women are less likely to come into exposure to asbestos case and do not typically carry asbestos home on their clothes.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is difficult to recognize because the symptoms are often similar to other diseases. This can result in patients being misdiagnosed.

The first step in diagnosing mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform an examination of the body and take note of the medical history of the patient, including asbestos exposure. Doctors will also recommend an CT scan or chest X-ray to check for lumps, abnormalities, and evidence of exposure to asbestos. These include plaques in the pleura, thickened pleura and calcium deposits.

Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance scan or MRI test, which makes use of radio waves and magnets to create a series of detailed images of inside the body. A surgical biopsy is another way for doctors to diagnose mesothelioma. In a surgical biopsy doctors remove a small amount of tissue from the pleura or peritoneum for further testing. A pathologist can examine the tissue with microscopes to determine whether it contains cancerous cells.

Mesothelioma is 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 cancer. Some types of mesothelioma have a higher risk of metastasizing or spreading, so it's important to get a definitive diagnosis to ensure that the doctors can treat it before it becomes out-of-control.

Doctors can also perform laboratory tests on tumors to identify specific proteins, genes or other elements that will help them identify cancer characteristics and plan treatment. These results are referred to as staging.

Treatment

A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be frightening. However, it's important to remember that the disease is treatable, particularly in its initial stages. Many people with mesothelioma live for a long time without the disease spreading to other parts of their body.

Exposure to asbestos compensation can cause mesothelioma through a variety of ways. Asbestos fibers, which are small enough to not be felt or viewed with the 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 which eventually lead to tumors.

The pleura surrounds the lungs and the heart, as well as the abdomen. Mesothelium consists of cells that react to exposure to asbestos which causes it to become inflamed and develop scar tissue. As time passes, these changes cause the development of malignant mesothelioma tumors.

Breathing problems, chest discomfort or fluid buildup on the lungs are all signs of pleural Msothelioma. In rare cases, the cancer can grow to the tissues surrounding the heart and reproductive organs.

If imaging scans show an area of concern in the stomach or lungs doctors will recommend biopsies. During the procedure doctors remove a small amount of fluid or tumor to allow for lab tests. The results can confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis and indicate the best treatment plan.

There are a variety of treatment for mesothelioma such as chemotherapy and surgery. Most doctors utilize the combination of these treatments. Patients can also benefit by taking part in a clinical trial of new mesothelioma therapies. To learn more, patients should consult mesothelioma specialists who have experience treating the condition.