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Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos is a natural mineral that is made up of thin, long fibres. People who are regularly exposed to asbestos may develop lung diseases, such as mesothelioma.

It can take years for symptoms to show up after asbestos exposure. Different types of asbestos may cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer that develops in the lung's outer liner (pleura). It is the most prevalent mesothelioma form and accounts for 70% to 79% of all diagnosed cases. People with this condition feel chest pain and shortness of breath and may experience the sensation of weight in the chest.

This kind of cancer is often caused through exposure to asbestos, which is a grouping of minerals that are comprised of microscopic fibres. Once inhaled, these fibers stick inside the lungs and cause irritation that causes scarring and DNA mutations. Pleura is the lining of both the chest cavity as well as the lungs, which means that irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma usually doesn't show symptoms until 30 to 50 year after exposure.

Shortness of breath and chest pain are the most common symptoms. Some patients may also suffer from chest tightness, coughing or difficulty breathing. People with this cancer often have an history of exposure to asbestos in the workplace. The most prevalent jobs that expose people to the risk of developing pleural mesothelioma are manufacturing, construction and shipbuilding. Individuals who have served in the military are at greater risk due to the extensive use asbestos settlement in Navy vessels and bunkers in the Army.

The most common staging method for pleural mesothelioma is the TNM (tumor lymph nodes, lymph nodes, and metastases) staging system. The stage a patient is in at the moment of diagnosis will determine the treatment plan they should receive. For instance, patients who have a pleural mesothelioma in stage three or four have a worse prognosis than patients with a lower stage. Mesothelioma in stage four can be spread to the heart, liver or diaphragm. This can make the cancer more difficult to treat and increase the chance of complications for patients.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Unlike pleural mesothelioma, which develops in the lung lining, peritoneal mesothelioma develops in the peritoneum - a membrane that lines the abdominal cavity as well as organs such as the liver and intestines. Similar to pleural mesothelioma mesothelioma is caused by asbestos lawsuit exposure. The disease is less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma, and just 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.

As with pleural asbestosis symptoms can take years to show. Typically, patients are afflicted with abdominal pain as well as a mass in the abdomen. The symptoms of this kind of mesothelioma could also include nausea as well as weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms are similar to those of digestive issues, which could result in misdiagnosis.

Doctors can detect mesothelioma by examining the patient's medical history and conducting a physical exam. They can also use imaging tests like X-rays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to detect mesothelioma. These tests can show cancerous tumors or other symptoms of cancer that aren't apparent on an X-ray.

The results of these tests allow doctors to identify mesothelioma, and determine the stage. They can also recommend treatment options. The staging is determined by the type of cells and whether or whether the tumor has spread to other parts of the body.

Asbestos exposure is the main risk factor. People who have worked in jobs which require asbestos, such as plumbing or electrical work, manufacturing or construction, are at increased risk of developing the disease. Even if a person does not work in one of these areas, he or she can be exposed to asbestos through family members and other sources. For this reason, anyone who believes they could be at risk should talk to an expert. If they have any history of exposure to asbestos, a mesothelioma specialist can assist them in learning more about the risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos exposure is a major risk factor for mesothelioma accounting for up to 80 percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos can happen through military service, work, or living with people who have worked with asbestos. Asbestos particles can be breathed in by those who are exposed to it. These irritate the linings and cause cancerous cells to develop in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma may take between 15 and 60 years to develop following exposure to Asbestos Case.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and age. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely to be diagnosed with mesothelioma compared to those who are younger or more senior. This is because mesothelioma typically lasts between 20 and 60 years after the initial exposure to asbestos compensation before symptoms of cancer begin to manifest. It is important to note, too, that mesothelioma may occur in people who have been exposed to asbestos, but without having been directly exposed to it. This is called indirect or secondary exposure to asbestos. It could be as hazardous as direct exposure.

Smoking increases the chance of mesothelioma as it damages the mesothelium. It also makes it more prone to. Mesothelioma can also be aggravated by certain diseases, such as asbestosis and pneumonia. It is also important to note that mesothelioma is more prevalent in men than women. 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 have lived with someone who has worked with asbestos and to have asbestos-containing fibers on their clothing. Women are less likely to come in contact with asbestos, and they don't usually carry asbestos on their clothing.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is difficult to diagnose because the symptoms are often similar to other diseases. This could lead to patients being wrongly diagnosed.

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

Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram which examines the heart and blood vessels, and a magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI, test, which uses magnets and radio waves to make a series of detailed images of the inside of the body. A surgical biopsy is a different method doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma. During a surgical biopsy, doctors remove a small amount of tissue from the pleura or peritoneum for further testing. A pathologist will then look at the tissue under an magnifying glass to determine whether it contains cancerous cells.

Mesothelioma can be classified based on the type of mesothelial cell involved, whether those cells are benign or malignant, and the location of the tumor, the type, and the stage of the tumor. Certain types of mesothelioma are at greater chance of metastasizing or spreading therefore it is essential to establish a clear diagnosis so that doctors can treat it before it gets out-of-control.

Doctors can also run tests in the laboratory on a tumor to find particular proteins, genes and other factors which can help them identify the cancer's characteristics and plan treatment. These results are referred to as staging.

Treatment

A diagnosis of mesothelioma may be terrifying. But, it is crucial to keep in mind that the cancer is treatable, especially in its earlier stages. Many people with mesothelioma live for many years with the disease without it spreading to other organs of their body.

Asbestos exposure can trigger mesothelioma via a variety of mechanisms. Asbestos fibers, too small to be able to see or feel with the naked eye, can become airborne and irritate the lining of the lungs (pleura). In time the irritation can lead to the formation of scar tissue and eventually tumors.

The pleura is a protective covering that surrounds the lungs, heart and abdomen. Mesothelium is composed of cells that react to exposure to asbestos and cause it to enflame and develop scar tissue. As time passes, these changes cause the development of malignant mesothelioma tumors.

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

If imaging scans reveal an area of concern in the lungs or stomach doctors will recommend a biopsies. During the procedure, doctors take tiny amounts of fluid or tumor for lab tests. The results will confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis and indicate the best treatment option.

There are a variety of treatment for mesothelioma such as chemotherapy and surgery. The majority of doctors employ combinations of these treatments. Enrolling in clinical trials of mesothelioma treatments may be beneficial for patients. To learn more about the trials, patients should consult mesothelioma experts who have had experience treating the disease.