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Mesothelioma and Asbestos

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

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

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma occurs in the lung's outer lining or the pleura. It is the most common mesothelioma type, accounting for up 70% to 79% of diagnosed cases. People with this condition experience pain in the chest and breathlessness and may also feel a sensation of heaviness in the chest.

Exposure to Asbestos Legal, a class of minerals made of microscopic fibers causes this kind of cancer. These fibers, when inhaled, cause irritation and DNA mutations. The pleura covers the chest cavity and lungs and therefore, these irritations could affect both the lungs and the heart of a person. Mesothelioma typically doesn't manifest until 30 to 50 year after exposure.

Chest pain and shortness breath are the most frequently reported symptoms. Patients may also experience chest tightness and coughing, or breathing difficulties. People with this cancer have a history of disease that includes asbestos exposure at work. Construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding are among the most prevalent jobs which put people at risk danger of developing pleural melanoma. People who have worked in the military could be at a higher risk due to the widespread asbestos use in Navy ships and bunkers for the army.

The TNM (tumors lymph nodes, tumors, and metastases staging system) is the most commonly used staging system for pleural adenocarcinoma. The stage that the patient is in at the time of diagnosis can help determine the treatment plan they will receive. For instance, patients suffering from a pleural mesothelioma in stage three or four have a less favorable prognosis than patients with lower stages. Mesothelioma in stage four is usually spread to the diaphragm, the liver or even a person's heart. This can make it more difficult to treat and raises the chance of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

In contrast to pleural mesothelioma which is a lung-lining cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma forms in the peritoneum, a membrane that lines the abdominal cavity as well as organs like the intestines and the liver. Similar to pleural mesothelioma and peritoneal mesothelioma is caused by asbestos exposure. The disease is less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma, with around 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.

As with pleural asbestosis symptoms can take a long time to manifest. Patients typically experience abdominal pain, and may also have a lump in their abdomen. This type of mesothelioma may also cause nausea, weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms can be mistaken for gastrointestinal problems which can lead to a false diagnosis.

Doctors can detect mesothelioma by examining the patient's medical history and performing a physical examination. Imaging tests like X-rays or CT scans are a way to detect mesothelioma. These tests can show cancerous tumors or other signs of cancer that aren't visible on an X-ray.

These test results enable doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and establish the stage. They can also suggest treatments. The stage of the disease is determined based on the cell type and whether or not the tumor has spread to other areas of the body.

Asbestos exposure is the most important risk factor. People who have been in occupations which require asbestos, such as plumbing manufacturing, electrical work or construction, are at greater risk of developing the disease. However, even if individuals do not work in these fields, they can still be exposed to asbestos through family members or other sources. Anyone who believes they are at risk should consult a doctor. A mesothelioma specialist can assist those with a previous history of asbestos to find out more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos exposure is a major mesothelioma risk factor, making up as much as 80 percent of all cases. Exposure to asbestos can happen as a result of work, military service, or living with someone who used to work with asbestos. Asbestos particles are inhaled by those who are exposed to it. These irritate the linings and trigger cancerous cells to develop in the mesothelium. Following exposure to asbestos mesothelioma is likely to be diagnosed between 15 and 60 years old.

Other risk factors include genetics, smoking and aging. People in their 40s and 50s are at a higher risk of developing mesothelioma as compared to people who are younger or more. Mesothelioma can take between 20 and 60 years to show signs of cancer after the first exposure. It is also important to note that mesothelioma is a possibility in people who were exposed to asbestos but didn't work with it directly. This is known as secondary or indirect exposure to asbestos, and it can be just as dangerous as direct exposure.

Smoking increases a person's chances of developing mesothelioma since it damages the mesothelium and makes it more susceptible to asbestos. Mesothelioma can also be caused by certain diseases, such as asbestosis and pneumonia. It is also important to remember that mesothelioma is more common in males than females. This is due to the fact that men are more likely to work with asbestos and experience a a longer period of exposure than women. Also, men are more likely to live with someone who has had asbestos exposure and bring asbestos fibers that have escaped home on their clothing. Women tend to have less exposure to asbestos and rarely carry asbestos claim around on their clothes.

Diagnosis

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

The first step to diagnose mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform an examination and write down a patient's medical history which includes asbestos exposure. Doctors will also order an CT scan or chest X-ray to check for lumps, abnormalities and evidence of asbestos exposure. These include pleural plaques, thickened pleura and calcium deposits.

Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance scan or MRI test, which makes use of radio waves and magnets to create a series detailed images of the insides of the body. A surgical biopsy is yet another method for doctors to identify mesothelioma. During a surgical biopsy, doctors remove a small piece of tissue from the peritoneum or pleura to conduct further tests. A pathologist can then examine the tissue using a magnifying lens to determine if it contains cancerous cell.

The mesothelial type involved as well as the benign or malignant nature of those cells and the location the cancer, its type and the stage of the tumour, are used to classify the disease. Certain types of mesothelioma are at an increased risk of metastasizing or spreading, so it's important to establish a clear diagnosis so that doctors can treat it before it gets out of control.

Doctors can also perform tests in the lab on tumors to determine specific genes, proteins or other elements that can aid in describing cancer characteristics and determine the best treatment. These results are known as staging.

Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnosis can be a frightening prospect. It is crucial to remember that cancer can be treated, especially at its early stages. Many people with mesothelioma can live with the disease for many years without it expanding.

Exposure to asbestos may cause mesothelioma in many ways. Asbestos fibers, which are too small to be felt or seen by naked eyes are able to become airborne, causing irritation to the lining of the lung (pleura). In time, the irritation causes the formation of scar tissue, which can cause changes in the structure of cells that eventually develop into tumors.

The Pleura is a covering that protects the abdomen, heart, and lungs. Mesothelium is made up of cells that react to exposure to asbestos and cause it to enflame and form scar tissue. Overtime, these changes cause the development of malignant mesothelioma cancers.

Symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include breathing problems and chest pain as well as a buildup of fluid in the lung (pleural effusion). In rare cases cancer can spread to the tissues that surround the reproductive organs and heart.

If imaging scans reveal an area of concern in the stomach or lungs doctors will recommend a biopsies. The procedure involves the removal of small amounts of fluid or tumor for laboratory testing. The results can confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and determine the most effective treatment plan.

There are a variety of treatment for mesothelioma including chemotherapy and surgery. Most doctors utilize combinations of these treatments. Patients may also benefit from enrolling in a clinical trial of new mesothelioma treatments. Patients can learn more about the trials by speaking with a mesothelioma doctor who has treated the disease.