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Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos is a mineral that naturally forms in the form of long, thin fibers. People who are exposed to asbestos may develop lung diseases like mesothelioma.

It could take a long time for symptoms to appear after asbestos exposure. Different types of asbestos may cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer that occurs in the lung's outer lining (pleura). It is the most prevalent form of mesothelioma and accounts for 70% to 79% of all diagnosed cases. Patients with this disease suffer from chest pain and shortness of breath and may experience the sensation of weight in the chest.

Exposure to asbestos, a family of minerals composed of microscopic fibers causes this type of cancer. Once inhaled, these fibers are absorbed into the lungs and cause irritation that leads to scarring and DNA mutations. Pleura surrounds both the chest cavity as well as the lungs, which means that irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma symptoms are usually not apparent until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

Shortness of breath and chest pain are the most frequent symptoms. Patients may also experience chest tightness or coughing. They may also experience difficulty breathing. Patients with this cancer have a past that includes asbestos law exposure at work. The most prevalent jobs that put people at risk of developing pleural cancer are manufacturing, construction, and shipbuilding. People who have worked in the military are at an especially high risk due to the widespread use of asbestos in Navy ships and bunkers for the army.

The TNM (tumors, lymph nodes, and metastases staging system) is the most popular staging system for the pleural adenocarcinoma. The stage a patient has upon diagnosis will help their doctor determine the most appropriate treatment plan for them. For instance, patients who have mesothelioma that is pleural in stage three or four have a poorer prognosis than patients with lower stages. Mesothelioma in stage four is usually spread to the liver, diaphragm and/or a person's heart. This can make it more difficult to treat and increases the chance of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

In contrast to pleural mesothelioma which develops in the lung lining, peritoneal mesothelioma forms in the peritoneum, a membrane that lines the abdominal cavity and organs like 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 only about 300-500 cases diagnosed each year.

Like pleural mesothelioma, symptoms may take years to appear. Most patients experience abdominal pain and an abdominal mass. This mesothelioma type can also cause nausea, weight loss, and fever. Many of these symptoms can be misinterpreted as digestive issues, leading to a misdiagnosis.

Generally, doctors can find mesothelioma through a thorough health history and physical exam. Imaging tests like X-rays or CT scans can be used to identify mesothelioma. These tests can reveal tumors and other cancer signs that are not evident on X-rays.

The results of these tests allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and determine the stage and recommend treatment options. The staging is determined by the type of cell and whether or not the cancer has spread to other parts of the body.

The most significant mesothelioma risk factor is exposure to asbestos. People who have been in occupations that require asbestos, such as plumbing manufacturing, electrical work, or construction, are at increased risk of developing the disease. Even if a person does not work in one of these fields, he or she can be exposed to Asbestos Case through family members and other sources. This is why anyone who suspects they may be at risk should speak to an experienced doctor. If they have a history of asbestos claim exposure, a mesothelioma specialist can help them find out more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos exposure is a major risk factor for mesothelioma accounting for up to 80 percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos may occur through work, military service or by living with a person who is exposed to asbestos or has previously done such. Asbestos particles are inhaled by those who are exposed to asbestos. These particles can cause irritation to the linings and trigger cancerous cells to grow in the mesothelium. Following exposure to asbestos mesothelioma is likely to be diagnosed between 15 and 60 year.

Other risk factors include genetics, smoking and age. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely get mesothelioma than people younger or more senior. This is because mesothelioma usually takes 20 to 60 years from the initial exposure to asbestos before the first signs of cancer appear. It is also important to note that mesothelioma can develop in people who have been exposed to asbestos law, but did not deal with it directly. This is called secondary or indirect exposure to asbestos and it is just as harmful as direct exposure.

Smoking can increase the likelihood of developing mesothelioma since it damages the mesothelium, which makes it more susceptible to asbestos. Furthermore, mesothelioma is exacerbated by certain illnesses like pneumonia and asbestosis. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than females. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for a longer time and to work with asbestos for longer durations and to work with it. Also, men are more likely to live with someone who has had asbestos exposure and bring asbestos fibers that have escaped home on their clothes. Women tend to have less exposure to asbestos and do not typically carry asbestos around on their clothing.

Diagnosis

It is difficult to identify mesothelioma because its symptoms are often similar to other conditions. This can lead to victims being misdiagnosed.

NYU Langone doctors will perform a physical examination and record the patient's medical background, including 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 past asbestos exposure such as plaques on the pleura (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the accumulation of fluid between the lung and the chest wall (known as the pleural effusion).

Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram which examines the heart and blood vessels as well as a magnetic resonance imaging, also known as MRI test, which makes use of radio waves and magnets to make a series of detailed images of the interior of the body. Another way for doctors to detect mesothelioma is through an operation called a biopsy. In a surgical biopsy doctors take a small amount of tissue from the pleura or peritoneum for further testing. A pathologist can then examine the tissue with a magnifying glass to determine whether it contains cancerous cell.

The mesothelial type involved and the benign or malignant nature of these cells and the location the cancer, its type and the stage of the tumour, are used to classify the disease. Some types of mesothelioma are more likely to spread or metastasize and spread, therefore it is essential to get a definite diagnosis to ensure that doctors are able to treat the disease before it becomes out of control.

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

Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnose can be terrifying. It is important to remember, however, that cancer can be treated, especially at its early stages. Many mesothelioma patients live for a long time without the disease spreading to other organs of their body.

Exposure to asbestos case can cause mesothelioma through various mechanisms. Asbestos particles, which are too small to be able to see or feel through the naked eye, can become airborne and irritate the lung's lining (pleura). In time the irritation can lead to the formation of scar tissues and eventually tumors.

The pleura surrounds the heart and lungs, as well as the abdomen. Mesothelium consists of cells that react when exposed to asbestos. They cause inflammation of the tissue and cause it to become scarred. These changes can eventually result in malignant mesothelioma tumors.

The signs of pleural mesothelioma can include breathlessness and chest pain, or the accumulation of fluid on the lung (pleural effusion). In rare cases cancer may spread to the tissues surrounding the reproductive organs and heart.

A doctor may request a biopsy if imaging scans reveal a possible mass in the lungs or stomach. The procedure involves the removal of small amounts of fluid or tumor to allow for tests in the laboratory. The results will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and determine the best treatment option.

There are a variety of treatment for mesothelioma including chemotherapy and surgery. Most doctors utilize a combination of these treatments. Patients can also benefit by enrolling in a clinical trial of new mesothelioma therapies. To learn more about the trials, patients should speak with a mesothelioma specialist who has had experience treating the disease.