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Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that is found in long, thin fibres. Workers who are regularly exposed to asbestos risk developing lung diseases like 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 cancer of the lung's outer lining or the pleura. It is the most common type of mesothelioma, making up between 70 and 79% of diagnosed cases. This condition causes chest discomfort, shortness of breath and a feeling of weightiness.

Exposure to asbestos, a class of minerals made of microscopic fibers causes this type of cancer. These fibers, when inhaled, cause irritation and DNA mutations. Pleura covers both the chest cavity and the lungs, which means that irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma usually doesn't show symptoms until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

Shortness of breath and chest pain are the most frequently reported symptoms. Some patients may also experience chest tightness and coughing, or breathing difficulties. Patients with this type of cancer typically have an history of exposure to asbestos in the workplace. Construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding are the most prevalent occupations which put people at risk risk of developing pleural mesothelioma. Individuals who have served in the military are at a greater risk due to the frequent use of asbestos case (this content) in Navy vessels and bunkers in the Army.

The TNM (tumors, lymph nodes, and metastases staging system) is the most common staging system used to treat the pleural cancer. The stage the patient is in at the time of diagnosis can help determine the treatment plan they should follow. For instance, patients who have mesothelioma pleural stage three or four have a less favorable prognosis than patients with a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma often spreads to the diaphragm, the liver or even a person's heart. This can make it more difficult to treat and raises the likelihood of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Unlike pleural mesothelioma, which develops in the lung lining, peritoneal mesothelioma forms in the peritoneum -- an elongated membrane that covers the abdominal cavity as well as organs such as the liver and intestines. Similar to pleural mesothelioma mesothelioma can be caused by asbestos exposure. There are only 300-500 cases diagnosed annually, which is less than pleural asbestosis.

As with pleural mesothelioma symptoms can take years to show. Patients usually experience abdominal pain, and could also experience a mass in their abdomen. This type of mesothelioma may cause nausea, weight loss, and fever. A lot of these symptoms are similar to those experienced by gastrointestinal issues, which can lead to incorrect diagnosis.

Doctors can identify mesothelioma by reviewing the medical history of the patient and performing a physical exam. They may also employ imaging tests like Xrays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to identify mesothelioma. These tests can detect tumors and other cancer signs which aren't visible on X-rays.

The results of these tests allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and determine the stage of the disease and suggest treatment options. The stage is determined by the type of cell as well as whether the tumor has spread.

Asbestos exposure is the biggest risk factor. People who have been exposed to asbestos in jobs, such as plumbing or electrical work, or in construction and manufacturing, are more likely to develop the disease. Even if they do not work in these fields, they can still be exposed to asbestos through family members or through other sources. Anyone who suspects that they may be at risk should consult a doctor. If they have a history of asbestos exposure and mesothelioma is a concern, a specialist will assist them in learning more about the risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos is the primary mesothelioma-related risk factor. It is responsible for as much as 80percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos claim may occur through work, military service or by living with someone who is exposed to asbestos or was previously exposed to doing so. Asbestos particles can be breathed in by people who are exposed to it. The particles cause irritation to the linings, causing cancerous cells to grow in the mesothelium. After asbestos exposure, mesothelioma may occur between 15 and 60 year.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and aging. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely get mesothelioma than people younger or more senior. It takes mesothelioma 20-60 years to manifest cancer symptoms after the first exposure. It is important to keep in mind that mesothelioma can develop in those who have been exposed to asbestos, but without having worked with it directly. This is known as indirect or secondary asbestos exposure, and is as dangerous as direct asbestos exposure.

Smoking increases the chance of mesothelioma as it damages the mesothelium. It also makes it more prone to. In addition, mesothelioma may be caused by certain illnesses, such as pneumonia and asbestosis. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than women. This is because men are more likely to work with asbestos attorney and experience a more exposure than women. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who had worked with asbestos and to have asbestos-containing fibers on their clothing. Women are less likely to come into contact with asbestos and rarely carry asbestos home on their clothing.

Diagnosis

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

The first step in identifying 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 may also request an CT scan or chest X-ray to check for lumps, abnormalities, and evidence of exposure to asbestos settlement. These include plaques in the pleura, thickened pleura and calcium deposits.

Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram which examines the blood vessels and the heart and magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI, test, which uses magnets and radio waves to create detailed images of the interior of the body. A surgical biopsy is another method for doctors to identify mesothelioma. During a surgery biopsy, doctors remove a tiny piece of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum to be examined further. A pathologist is then able to look at the tissue under microscopes to determine if it contains cancerous cells.

Mesothelioma is classified according to the type of mesothelial cell involved, whether these cells are malignant or benign and also the location of the tumor, its type, and the stage of the cancer. Certain types of mesothelioma are at a higher chance of metastasizing or spreading and it's crucial to establish a clear diagnosis so that doctors can treat it before it becomes out of control.

Doctors may also conduct tests in the laboratory on tumors in order to determine specific genes, proteins or other elements that can help them describe cancer characteristics and determine the best treatment. These results are referred to 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 earlier stages. Many mesothelioma patients live for years with the disease, without spreading to other parts of their body.

Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma by many mechanisms. Asbestos fibers that are too small to be felt or observed with the naked eyes are able to become airborne, causing irritation to the lung's lining (pleura). In time, the irritation leads to the formation of scar tissues and eventually tumors.

The pleura is the area that surrounds the lungs and heart and also the abdomen. Mesothelium is made up of cells that react when exposed to asbestos. They cause inflammation of the tissue and cause it to become scarred. As time passes, these changes result in the growth of malignant mesothelioma tumors.

Shortness of breath, chest discomfort, or the accumulation of fluid on the lungs are all indications of the pleural mesothelioma. In rare instances the cancer may grow to the tissues surrounding the heart and reproductive organs.

If imaging scans reveal a possible mass in the stomach or lungs, a doctor will order biopsies. In the course of the procedure, doctors remove some of the liquid or tumor for laboratory testing. The results can confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma, and also determine the best treatment option.

There are many types of mesothelioma treatment, including surgery, chemotherapy and immunotherapy. Most doctors utilize the combination of these methods. Patients may also benefit from taking part in a clinical trial of new mesothelioma treatments. To find out more, patients should speak to mesothelioma experts who have experience treating the condition.