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Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that is made up of thin, long fibres. People who are exposed to asbestos regularly are at risk of developing mesothelioma or other types of lung diseases.

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

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma can be found in the lung's outer lining also known as the pleura. It is the most prevalent mesothelioma type and accounts for 70% to 79% of diagnosed cases. This condition causes chest discomfort, shortness of breath, and a feeling of heavyness.

This type of cancer is typically caused through exposure to asbestos, which is a collection of minerals that are made up of microscopic fibres. These fibers, when inhaled can cause irritation 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 is usually not symptomatic until 30 to 50 year after exposure.

Chest pain and shortness breath are the most frequent symptoms. Patients may also experience coughing, difficulty breathing, or chest tightness. People who suffer from this cancer usually have previous exposure to asbestos in the workplace. The most frequent jobs that expose workers to the risk of developing pleural mesothelioma are manufacturing, construction, and shipbuilding. People who were in the military are at a greater risk due the extensive use asbestos in Navy vessels and bunkers for the Army.

The TNM (tumors lymph nodes and metastases staging system) is the most common staging system used for the pleural adenocarcinoma. The stage a patient is in at diagnosis will help their doctor determine the best treatment plan for them. For example, patients with mesothelioma that is pleural 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 makes it more difficult to treat and increases the chance of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Unlike pleural cancer, which forms in the lung's lining the peritoneal cancer is a result of a membrane that covers the abdominal cavity, including organs such as the liver and intestines. Similar to pleural mesothelioma, asbestos exposure is the cause of peritoneal mesothelioma. Only 300-500 cases are diagnosed each year this is less than pleural asbestosis.

As with pleural asbestosis symptoms can take years to manifest. Patients usually have abdominal pain, and could also experience a mass in their abdomen. The symptoms of this kind of mesothelioma can also include nausea as well as weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms could be mistaken for gastrointestinal problems which can lead to a misdiagnosis.

Doctors can identify mesothelioma by looking over the medical history of the patient and conducting a physical exam. Imaging tests like X-rays and CT scans can be used to detect mesothelioma. These tests can reveal cancerous tumors or other signs of cancer that aren't visible on an X-ray.

The results of these tests allow doctors to identify mesothelioma, and determine the stage. They also offer treatment options. The stage is determined by the kind of cell and if the tumor has spread.

Asbestos exposure is the main risk factor. People who have worked in professions that require asbestos, like plumbing or manufacturing, electrical work or construction, are at increased risk of developing the disease. Even if a person is not employed in one of these fields they could still be exposed through family members or other sources. For this reason, anyone who suspects they may be at risk should talk to an expert. A mesothelioma specialist can help those who have had a history with asbestos to learn more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos is the primary mesothelioma-related risk factor. It is responsible for as much as 80% of all cases. Exposure to asbestos can happen as a result of military service, work, or living with people who have worked with asbestos lawsuit. When exposed to asbestos, small particles can be breathed into the lungs and abdomen. The particles cause irritation to the linings of the lungs, causing cancerous cells to form 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. The people in their 40s or 50s are at a higher risk of developing mesothelioma compared to people who are younger or more. It takes mesothelioma 20-60 years before it manifests cancer symptoms after the first exposure. It is important to remember that mesothelioma can develop in those who were exposed to asbestos but did not deal with it directly. This is known as indirect or secondary exposure to asbestos. It can be just as dangerous as direct exposure.

Smoking increases the chance of mesothelioma since it damages mesothelium. It also makes it more susceptible. In addition, mesothelioma may be caused by certain illnesses, such as asbestosis and pneumonia. It is also important to note that mesothelioma is more prevalent for men than women. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for longer periods of time and to have worked with asbestos for longer periods of time. Also, men are more likely to live with someone who worked with asbestos and carry stray asbestos (find more information) fibers home on their clothes. Women tend to have less exposure to asbestos compensation and do not typically carry asbestos home on their clothing.

Diagnosis

It is difficult to recognize mesothelioma since its symptoms are often similar to other conditions. Because of this, victims are sometimes mistakenly diagnosed.

NYU Langone doctors will perform a physical examination and record the patient's medical history, including asbestos exposure. Doctors will also recommend a CT scan or chest X-ray to look for lumps, abnormalities and evidence of asbestos exposure. These include plaques on the pleura, pleura that are thickened and calcium deposits.

Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram which examines the blood vessels and the heart, and a magnetic resonance imaging, also known as MRI, test that uses radio waves and magnets to create detailed images of the inside of the body. A surgical biopsy is yet another method for doctors to identify mesothelioma. In a surgical biopsy doctors will remove a small part of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum, to be examined further. A pathologist will then look at the tissue under a magnifying glass to determine whether it contains cancerous cell.

The mesothelial type involved, the malignant or benign nature of those cells as well as the location the cancer, its type and the stage of the cancer are used to classify the disease. Certain types of mesothelioma are more likely to spread or metastasize, so it is important to have a clear diagnosis to ensure that doctors are able to treat the disease before it goes out of control.

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

Treatment

A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be frightening. But, it is crucial to remember that the cancer is treatable, particularly in its early stages. Many people with mesothelioma can be afflicted for a long time without spreading.

asbestos settlement exposure can cause mesothelioma through a variety of mechanisms. Asbestos particles, which are too small to detect or feel by the naked eye can become airborne and irritate the lung's lining (pleura). Over time the irritation causes the formation of scar tissues, which eventually lead to tumors.

The pleura covers the lungs and the heart and the abdomen. Mesothelium is made up of cells that react to asbestos, causing it to inflame and develop scar tissue. As time passes, these changes lead to the development of malignant mesothelioma tumors.

Symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include breathlessness and chest pain as well as a buildup of fluid on the lung (pleural effusion). In rare instances, cancer can spread into the tissues surrounding the reproductive organs and the heart.

If imaging scans show an underlying mass in the stomach or lungs the doctor will request biopsies. During the procedure doctors remove some of the fluid or tumor for lab tests. The results can confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis and determine the most effective treatment plan.

There are a variety of mesothelioma treatment, which include chemotherapy, surgery, and immunotherapy. Most doctors rely on an amalgamation of these techniques. Patients may also benefit from taking part in a clinical trial of new mesothelioma therapies. Patients can learn more about the trials by consulting a mesothelioma specialist who has treated the condition.