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Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that is made up of thin, long fibres. People who are regularly exposed to asbestos case (Going Listed here) risk developing lung diseases, such as mesothelioma.

It may take decades for symptoms to appear after asbestos exposure. Different types of asbestos can cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer of the outer lung lining, or pleura. It is the most prevalent mesothelioma type and accounts for 70% to 79% of all diagnosed cases. The condition can cause chest pain, breath shortness and a feeling of heavyness.

This type of cancer is often caused by exposure to asbestos, which is a cluster of minerals comprised of microscopic fibres. Once inhaled, these fibers cling to the lung and cause irritation that causes scarring and DNA mutations. Pleura is the lining of both the chest cavity as well as the lungs, so irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma typically doesn't manifest until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

The most commonly reported symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are chest pain and shortness of breath. Some patients also experience coughing, difficulty breathing, or chest tightness. Patients with this type of cancer have a history that includes asbestos exposure at work. The most prevalent jobs that expose people to the risk of pleural mesothelioma include manufacturing, construction, and shipbuilding. Individuals who have served in the military are at a greater risk due the extensive use asbestos in Navy vessels and bunkers for the Army.

The most popular staging system for pleural mesothelioma is the TNM (tumor lymph nodes, lymph nodes and metastases) staging system. The stage a patient is in when they are diagnosed will assist their doctor in determining the most appropriate treatment plan for them. Patients suffering from pleural mesothelioma who is in stage three or stage four will have a worse outlook than those in a less advanced stage. Mesothelioma in stage four is usually spread to the diaphragm, liver or even a person's heart. This can make the cancer more difficult to treat and increase the risk of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Unlike pleural cancer, which forms in the lining of the lung it develops in a membrane that surrounds the abdominal cavity, including organs such as the intestines and liver. As with pleural mesothelioma asbestos exposure is the cause of peritoneal msothelioma. The disease is much less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma, with around 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.

As with pleural asbestosis, symptoms can take several years to manifest. Patients generally suffer from abdominal pain and could also experience a mass in their abdomen. The symptoms of this kind of mesothelioma could also include nausea as well as weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms can be misinterpreted as gastrointestinal issues and can lead to a false diagnosis.

The doctors can detect mesothelioma through looking over the medical history of the patient and performing a physical examination. Imaging tests like X-rays or CT scans can be used to detect mesothelioma. These tests can reveal tumors as well as other signs of cancer which aren't visible on X-rays.

These tests enable doctors to identify mesothelioma, and determine the stage. They can also suggest treatments. The staging is determined by the type of cell and whether or whether the tumor has spread to other regions of the body.

The most important mesothelioma-related risk factor is exposure to asbestos. People who have been in occupations which require asbestos, such as plumbing, electrical work, manufacturing or construction, are at a higher risk of developing the disease. Even if they aren't employed in these areas, they can still be exposed to asbestos through relatives or other sources. Anyone who thinks they may be at risk should speak with a doctor. If they have a history of asbestos exposure and mesothelioma is a concern, a specialist will help them find out more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos is the most significant risk factor for mesothelioma. It accounts for up to the 80% of cases. Exposure to asbestos may occur through work, military service, or by living with a person who works with asbestos or has previously done so. When exposed to asbestos, the particles can be breathed into the abdomen and lungs. These particles irritate the linings of the lungs, causing cancerous cells to form in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma may take between 15 and 60 years to develop following exposure to asbestos.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics, and the advancing age. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely get mesothelioma than people younger or more senior. It takes mesothelioma between 20 and 60 years before it manifests cancer symptoms after the first exposure. It is important to remember that mesothelioma could develop in people who have been exposed to asbestos, but without having been directly exposed to it. This is referred to as indirect or secondary asbestos exposure. It can be as dangerous as direct asbestos litigation exposure.

Smoking can increase the likelihood of developing mesothelioma due to the fact that it damages the mesothelium and makes it more susceptible to asbestos. Mesothelioma can also be aggravated by certain illnesses, including asbestosis and pneumonia. It is also important to note that mesothelioma occurs more frequently for men than women. This is because men are more likely to be exposed to asbestos lawsuit and endure a a longer period of exposure than women. Also, men are more likely to live with someone who was exposed to asbestos and bring asbestos fibers from their workplace on their clothing. Women tend to be less exposed to asbestos, and they are less likely to carry asbestos on their clothes.

Diagnosis

It is difficult to recognize mesothelioma due to its symptoms being often similar to other diseases. This is why patients are sometimes wrongly diagnosed.

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

Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram, which examines the heart and blood vessels, and a magnetic resonance imaging, also known as MRI, test that uses magnets and radio waves to make a series of precise images of the inside of the body. Another way doctors can diagnose mesothelioma is by performing the procedure of a surgical biopsy. When a biopsy is performed, doctors remove a tiny piece of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum to be tested further. A pathologist can then examine the tissue with an magnifying glass to determine if it is a cancerous cell.

Mesothelioma is classified according to the type of mesothelial cells involved, whether the cells are malignant or benign and the location of the tumor, its type, and the stage of the tumor. Certain types of mesothelioma may be more likely to spread or metastasize, so it is important to have a clear diagnosis so that doctors can treat the disease before it becomes out of control.

Doctors can also run laboratory tests on tumors to determine specific genes, proteins and other factors which can help them identify the characteristics of the cancer and determine a treatment. These results are known as staging.

Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnose can be frightening. However, it's important to keep in mind that the cancer is treatable, particularly in its initial stages. Many people with mesothelioma live for many years with the disease without it spreading to other organs of their body.

Exposure to asbestos can trigger mesothelioma through a variety of ways. Asbestos fibers, too small to see or feel through the naked eye, can become airborne and irritate the lining of the lungs (pleura). Over time the irritation causes the formation of scar tissues that eventually result in tumors.

The Pleura is a covering that surrounds the abdomen, heart, and lungs. Mesothelium is composed of cells that respond when exposed to asbestos. They cause inflammation to the tissue and cause it to become scarred. In time, these changes can cause the development of malignant mesothelioma cancers.

Symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include breathlessness and chest pain as well as the accumulation of fluid in the lung (pleural effusion). In rare cases cancer may spread to the tissues that surround the reproductive organs and heart.

A doctor may request biopsy if imaging scans reveal a possible mass in the lungs or stomach. In the course of the procedure, doctors remove a small amount of fluid or tumor for laboratory testing. The results will confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis, and indicate the best treatment option.

There are a variety of treatment for mesothelioma, including chemotherapy and surgery. Most doctors use a combination of these treatments. Patients may also benefit from participating in a clinical study of new mesothelioma treatments. Patients can learn more about the trials by speaking with a mesothelioma doctor who has treated the disease.