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Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos is a natural mineral that is made up of long, thin fibres. Workers who are regularly exposed to asbestos are at risk of developing lung diseases like mesothelioma.

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

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma is a type of cancer that affects the lung's outer the lining (pleura). It is the most prevalent mesothelioma that accounts for up between 70 and 79% of diagnosed cases. This condition causes chest pain, shortness of breathe and a feeling of heaviness.

This type of cancer often caused by exposure to asbestos, which is a collection of minerals composed of microscopic fibers. When inhaled, these fibers are absorbed into the lung and cause irritation that leads to scarring and DNA mutations. Pleura surrounds both the chest cavity and the lungs, which means that 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 experience chest tightness and coughing, or breathing difficulties. People with this cancer have a past that includes asbestos exposure at work. The most prevalent jobs that put people at risk of pleural mesothelioma include manufacturing, construction and shipbuilding. People who have worked in the military could be at a higher risk due to the widespread asbestos use in Navy ships and bunkers used by the army.

The TNM (tumors lymph nodes, tumors, and metastases staging system) is the most popular staging system used to treat the pleural adenocarcinoma. The stage the patient is in at the time of diagnosis will help determine the treatment plan they should receive. For example, patients with a pleural mesothelioma in stage three or four have a less favorable prognosis than those with lower stages. Mesothelioma in stage four can spread to the heart, liver or diaphragm. This can make it more difficult to treat and increases the chance of complications for patients.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

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

As with pleural asbestosis, symptoms can take several years to manifest. Most patients suffer from abdominal pain and a mass in the abdomen. This type of mesothelioma may cause nausea, weight loss and fever. A lot of these symptoms can be mistaken for gastrointestinal problems which can lead to a misdiagnosis.

The doctors can detect mesothelioma through examining the patient's medical history and conducting a physical exam. Imaging tests like X-rays or CT scans are a way to identify mesothelioma. These tests can identify tumors as well as other signs of cancer that are not evident on X-rays.

These test results enable doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and establish the stage. They can also suggest treatment options. The staging is determined by the type of cells and whether or the cancer has spread to other regions of the body.

The most important mesothelioma risk factor is asbestos exposure. People who have worked in jobs which require asbestos, like plumbing, manufacturing, electrical work, or construction, are at increased risk of developing the disease. Even if an individual does not work in one of these areas they could be exposed to asbestos to asbestos lawsuit through family members and other sources. Anyone who suspects that they're at risk should speak with a doctor. If they have a history of asbestos exposure and mesothelioma is a concern, a specialist will assist them in learning more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos exposure is the primary risk factor for mesothelioma, which accounts for as much as 80 percent of all cases. Exposure to asbestos can occur through work, military service, or living with people who have worked with asbestos. When exposed to asbestos, the particles are able to be inhaled into lungs and abdomen. These particles irritate the linings of the lungs, causing cancerous cells to grow in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma can take between 15 and 60 years to develop after exposure to asbestos.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and age. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely develop mesothelioma than those who are younger or older. This is because mesothelioma usually lasts between 20 and 60 years from the initial exposure to asbestos before cancer symptoms appear. It is also important to know that mesothelioma is a possibility in people who were exposed to asbestos, but did not deal with it directly. This is known as secondary or indirect asbestos (Trademarketclassifieds said) exposure. It can be as dangerous as direct asbestos exposure.

Smoking increases the risk of getting mesothelioma because it damages the mesothelium and makes it more vulnerable to asbestos. Mesothelioma can also be caused by certain illnesses such as asbestosis and pneumonia. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than females. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for longer periods of time and work with asbestos for longer periods of time. Also, men are more likely to live with someone who has worked with asbestos settlement and carry asbestos fibers that have escaped home on their clothes. Women tend to be less exposed to asbestos and don't typically carry asbestos case on their clothing.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is difficult to diagnose because the symptoms can be similar to other conditions. This could lead to patients being misdiagnosed.

The first step to diagnose mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform an examination and write note of the medical history of the patient which includes asbestos exposure. Doctors can also request an X-ray chest or CT scan to look for lumps or 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 accumulation of fluid between the lung and chest wall (known as the pleural effusion).

Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram which examines the blood vessels and the heart and magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI test, which makes use of magnets and radio waves to make a series of detailed images of the inside of the body. A surgical biopsy is yet another method for doctors to identify mesothelioma. During a surgical biopsy, doctors remove a small piece of tissue from the peritoneum or pleura to conduct further tests. A pathologist then examines the tissue with a magnifying glass to determine whether it contains cancerous cell.

Mesothelioma can be classified based on the mesothelial type involved, whether the cells are benign or malignant, and the location of the tumor, its type, and the stage of the cancer. Certain mesothelioma types have greater risk of spreading or metastasizing therefore it is essential to determine the type of mesothelioma so that doctors can treat it before it gets out-of-control.

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

Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnose can be frightening. But, it is crucial to remember that the disease is treatable, especially in its early stages. Many mesothelioma patients live for a long time with the disease without it spreading to other organs of their body.

Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma by various mechanisms. Asbestos fibers, which are too small to be felt or viewed through the naked eye can be airborne, irritating the lung's lining (pleura). Over time irritation leads to formation of scar tissue, which leads to changes in the structure of cells that can eventually grow into tumors.

The Pleura is a protective layer that protects the lungs, heart and abdomen. Mesothelium is made up of cells that react to asbestos which causes it to become inflamed and create scar tissue. These changes can eventually lead to malignant mesothelioma tumours.

A shortness of breath, chest discomfort or fluid buildup on the lungs are all signs of the pleural msothelioma. In rare cases, the cancer can spread to the tissues surrounding the heart and reproductive organs.

A doctor will order biopsy if scans show the possibility of a mass in the lungs or stomach. In the course of the procedure, doctors remove a small amount of fluid or tumor to allow for lab tests. The results will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and determine the best treatment option.

There are several types of mesothelioma treatments, which include chemotherapy, surgery, and immunotherapy. Most doctors use the combination of these treatments. Patients may also benefit from taking part in a clinical trial of new mesothelioma treatments. Patients can find out more by consulting a mesothelioma specialist who has treated the condition.