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Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos, a natural mineral, naturally forms in the form of thin, long fibers. Workers who are regularly exposed to asbestos are at risk of developing lung diseases, such as mesothelioma.

It may take decades before symptoms begin to manifest after asbestos exposure. Different asbestos types can cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma is a type of cancer that develops in the outer lung the lining (pleura). It is the most common type of mesothelioma, making up 70 to 79% of all diagnosed cases. People with this condition suffer from chest pain and breath shortness and may experience the sensation of weight in the chest.

This type of cancer is often caused by exposure to asbestos which is a grouping of minerals comprised of microscopic fibres. These fibers, when inhaled cause irritation and DNA mutations. Pleura covers both the chest cavity and the lungs, and so irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma is usually not symptomatic until 30 to 50 year after exposure.

The most commonly reported symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are chest pain and shortness of breath. Patients may also experience coughing, difficulty breathing, or chest tightness. People who suffer from this cancer usually have a history of exposure to asbestos in the workplace. Manufacturing, construction and shipbuilding are the most common jobs which put people at risk risk of developing pleural mesothelioma. Individuals who have served in the military are at a greater risk due the frequent use of asbestos in Navy vessels and Army bunkers.

The most popular staging system for pleural mesothelioma is the TNM (tumor lymph nodes, lymph nodes, and metastases) staging system. The stage the patient is in at the time of diagnosis can help determine the treatment plan they should receive. For instance, patients suffering from mesothelioma that is pleural in stage three or four have a worse prognosis than those with a lower stage. Mesothelioma in stage four is usually spread to the diaphragm, the liver or even a person's heart. This could make the cancer more difficult to treat and increase the chances of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Unlike pleural cancer, which is found in the lung's lining it develops in a membrane that covers the abdominal cavity, which includes organs such as the intestines and the liver. Similar to pleural mesothelioma mesothelioma can be caused by asbestos exposure. The disease is less common than pleural mesothelioma, and just 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.

As with pleural asbestosis, symptoms can take a long time to manifest. Patients typically experience abdominal pain, and may have a mass in their abdomen. This type of mesothelioma may cause nausea, weight loss and fever. A lot of these symptoms can be misinterpreted as gastrointestinal issues which can lead to a mistaken diagnosis.

Typically, doctors can identify mesothelioma through a thorough health history and physical examination. Imaging tests like X-rays or CT scans are a way to detect mesothelioma. These tests can reveal tumors, as well as other indications of cancer that aren't visible on an X-ray.

These tests enable doctors to diagnose mesothelioma, identify the stage and suggest 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 been in occupations that require asbestos, like plumbing, electrical work, manufacturing or construction, are at greater risk of developing the disease. However, even if individuals aren't employed in these fields, they can still be exposed to asbestos through family members or through other sources. This is why anyone who is concerned that they might be at risk should talk to an expert. If they have an history of exposure to asbestos, a mesothelioma specialist can assist them in finding out more about the risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos exposure is the primary risk factor for mesothelioma accounting for up to 80 percent of all cases. Exposure to asbestos can happen due to military service, work, or living with people who have worked with asbestos lawsuit. When exposed to asbestos, small particles are able to be inhaled into lungs and abdomen. These particles can cause irritation to the linings and can cause cancerous cells to develop in the mesothelium. After asbestos claim exposure mesothelioma can be diagnosed between 15 and 60 year.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and aging. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely to get mesothelioma than people younger or more senior. It takes mesothelioma between 20 and 60 years to manifest cancer symptoms after the first exposure. It is also important to know that mesothelioma can develop in people who have been exposed to asbestos attorney but didn't engage directly with it. This is known as indirect or secondary asbestos exposure, and is just as harmful as direct asbestos exposure.

Smoking increases a person's chances of developing mesothelioma since it causes mesothelium damage and makes it more prone to asbestos. Furthermore, mesothelioma is exacerbated by certain illnesses like pneumonia and asbestosis. It is also important to know that mesothelioma is more common in males than females. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for a longer period of time and to work with it. Men are also more likely to live with someone who was exposed to asbestos and bring asbestos fibers that have escaped home on their clothes. Women are less likely to come into contact with asbestos and do not typically carry asbestos around on their clothing.

Diagnosis

It is difficult to diagnose mesothelioma because its symptoms are frequently similar to other illnesses. This can result in patients being misdiagnosed.

The first step to diagnose mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform an examination of the body and take down a patient's medical history, including asbestos exposure. Doctors can also request an X-ray chest or CT scan to detect lumps and other abnormalities, as well as evidence of asbestos exposure in the past such as plaques on the pleura (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the buildup of fluid between the lung and the chest wall (known as pleural effusion).

Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram which examines the blood vessels and the heart and magnetic resonance imaging, also known as MRI test that uses radio waves and magnets to create detailed images of the interior of the body. A surgical biopsy is another way for doctors to diagnose mesothelioma. In a surgical biopsy doctors remove a small piece of tissue from the peritoneum or pleura for further analysis. A pathologist is then able to look at the tissue under a microscope to see if it is contaminated with cancerous cells.

The type of mesothelial cell involved and the benign or malignant nature of the cells, as well as the location and stage of the cancer are used to classify the disease. Certain types of mesothelioma may be more likely to spread or metastasize and spread, therefore it is essential to have a clear diagnosis so doctors can treat the disease before it becomes out of control.

Doctors can also perform laboratory tests on tumors in order to determine specific proteins, genes or other factors that will help them identify cancer characteristics and determine the best treatment. These results are known as staging.

Treatment

A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be terrifying. It is important to keep in mind that cancer can be treated, especially at its early stages. Many patients with mesothelioma survive for a long time with the disease without it spreading to other areas of their body.

Exposure to asbestos case can cause mesothelioma in a number of ways. Asbestos fibers, too small to be able to see or feel by the naked eye can become airborne and cause irritation to the lining of the lungs (pleura). As time passes the irritation can lead to the formation of scar tissues and eventually tumors.

The pleura is the area that surrounds the lungs and the heart and the abdomen. Mesothelium is made up of cells that react to asbestos, causing it to inflame and form scar tissue. These changes can cause mesothelioma cancers.

Breathing problems, chest pain or fluid accumulation on the lungs are all symptoms of pleural Msothelioma. In rare instances cancer can spread to the tissues that surround the reproductive organs as well as the heart.

A doctor will request biopsy if imaging scans reveal a possible tumor in the lungs or stomach. During the procedure, doctors will remove a small sample of the fluid or tumor for lab testing. The results will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and help determine the best treatment option.

There are a variety of treatment for mesothelioma including chemotherapy and surgery. Most doctors utilize combinations of these treatments. Patients can also benefit by taking part in a clinical trial of new mesothelioma treatment. To find out more, patients should speak to a mesothelioma specialist who has had experience treating the disease.