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Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos is a natural mineral that comes in long, thin fibres. People who are exposed to asbestos on a regular basis are at risk of developing mesothelioma as well as other lung diseases.

Symptoms of these diseases may not show up for decades after exposure to asbestos. Different asbestos types may cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer of the outer lung lining, or pleura. It is the most frequent form of mesothelioma and accounts for 70% to 79% of all diagnosed cases. This condition causes chest discomfort, shortness of breath and a feeling weightiness.

Exposure to asbestos, a class of minerals comprised of microscopic fibers, usually causes this type of cancer. Once inhaled, these fibers cling to the lungs and cause irritation that results in scarring and DNA mutations. The pleura covers the chest cavity and lungs This means that these irritations can affect both the lungs and a person's heart. Mesothelioma typically doesn't manifest until 30 to 50 year after exposure.

Shortness of breath and chest pain are the most frequently reported symptoms. Some patients also experience coughing, difficulty breathing, or chest tightness. People with this cancer often have a history of exposure to asbestos in the workplace. The most common jobs that expose workers to the risk of pleural mesothelioma include manufacturing, construction, and shipbuilding. People who have worked in the military are at risk due to the frequent asbestos usage in Navy vessels and bunkers used by the army.

The TNM (tumors lymph nodes and metastases staging system) is the most common staging system for pleural adenocarcinoma. The stage a patient has at diagnosis will assist their doctor in determining the best treatment plan for them. Patients with pleural mesothelioma that is in stage three or stage four will have a less favorable prognosis than those in a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma is often spread to the diaphragm, the liver or even a person's heart. This makes the cancer more difficult to treat, and increase the chances of complications for patients.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

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

As with pleural asbestosis symptoms can take years to show. Most patients experience abdominal pain and abdominal swelling. This mesothelioma type can cause nausea, weight loss and fever. A lot of these symptoms are similar to symptoms of digestive problems, which can lead to incorrect diagnosis.

Generally speaking, doctors can detect mesothelioma by conducting an extensive health history and physical exam. They may also employ imaging tests like X-rays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to help find mesothelioma. These tests can identify tumors and other cancer signs that are not evident on X-rays.

These test results enable doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and establish the stage. They can also recommend treatment options. The stage of the disease is determined based on the type of cells and whether or whether the tumor has spread to other parts of the body.

The most significant mesothelioma risk factor is exposure to asbestos lawsuit. People who have worked in professions which require asbestos settlement, like plumbing electrical work, manufacturing or construction, are at greater risk of developing the disease. Even if an individual is not employed in one of these fields they could still be exposed through family members or other sources. For this reason, anyone who is concerned that they might be at risk should talk to an experienced doctor. A mesothelioma specialist can help those who have a previous history of asbestos (Continue) to find out more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos exposure is a major risk factor for mesothelioma, accounting for up to 80 percent of all cases. Exposure to asbestos may occur as a result of military service, work, or living with someone who used to work with asbestos. When exposed to asbestos, small particles can be breathed into the lungs and abdomen. These irritate the linings and can cause cancerous cells to develop in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma can take anywhere between 15 and 60 years to develop after exposure to asbestos.

Other risk factors include genetics, smoking and age. People in their 40s and 50s are at a higher risk of developing mesothelioma as compared to those who are younger or older. This is because mesothelioma usually takes 20 to 60 years from the initial time of exposure before the first signs of cancer appear. It is important to note that mesothelioma may 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 and can be as dangerous as direct asbestos exposure.

Smoking increases the risk of getting mesothelioma because it causes mesothelium damage and makes it more vulnerable to asbestos. Mesothelioma is also aggravated by certain illnesses such as asbestosis and pneumonia. It is also important to remember that mesothelioma is more common for men than women. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for longer periods of time and 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 clothing. Women tend to be less exposed to asbestos lawsuit and they don't usually carry asbestos on their clothes.

Diagnosis

It is difficult to identify mesothelioma since its symptoms are frequently similar to other illnesses. This could lead to patients being incorrectly diagnosed.

NYU Langone doctors will perform physical examinations and document the patient's medical history including asbestos exposure. Doctors can also order a chest X-ray or CT scan to detect lumps or other abnormalities, as well as evidence of asbestos exposure in the past such as plaques in the pleura (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the formation of fluid between the lung and the chest wall (known as the pleural effusion).

Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance scan, or MRI test, which makes use of radio waves and magnets in order to produce a series of precise images of inside the body. A surgical biopsy is a different way for doctors to diagnose mesothelioma. During a surgical biopsy, doctors remove a small piece of tissue from the pleura or peritoneum for further testing. A pathologist then examines the tissue under an magnifying glass to determine whether it contains cancerous cells.

Mesothelioma is classified based on the type of mesothelial cell involved, whether the cells are benign or malignant, and the location of the tumor, the type, and the stage of the cancer. Some types of mesothelioma have an increased risk of metastasizing or spreading, so it's important to determine the type of mesothelioma so that doctors can treat it before it becomes out of control.

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

Treatment

A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be terrifying. It is important to remember that cancer can be treated particularly in its early stages. A lot of people suffering from mesothelioma live with the disease for a long time without spreading.

Asbestos exposure can cause mesothelioma by many mechanisms. Asbestos fibers, too small to detect 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 tissue, which eventually lead to tumors.

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

Symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include breathing problems, chest pain or a buildup of fluid in the lung (pleural effusion). In rare cases the cancer may grow to the tissues surrounding the heart and reproductive organs.

A doctor will order a biopsy if imaging scans show a potential mass in the lungs or stomach. During the procedure, doctors will remove tiny amounts of fluid or tumor for lab testing. The results will confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis, and provide the best treatment option.

There are a variety of treatment for mesothelioma such as chemotherapy and surgery. The majority of doctors employ the combination of these treatments. Patients may also benefit from enrolling in a clinical trial of new mesothelioma treatments. To learn more about the trials, patients should speak with a mesothelioma specialist who has experience treating the condition.