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Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos is a natural mineral that is found in long, thin fibres. Workers who are exposed to asbestos on a regular basis risk developing mesothelioma and other lung diseases of different types.

It may take decades before symptoms begin to manifest after exposure to asbestos. Different asbestos types may cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma, a form of cancer, that affects the outer lung liner (pleura). It is the most frequent mesothelioma that accounts for up 70% to 79% of all diagnosed cases. People with this condition experience pain in the chest and shortness of breath and may also feel the sensation of weight in the chest.

Exposure to asbestos, a family of minerals composed of microscopic fibers, usually causes this kind of cancer. When inhaled, these fibers are absorbed into the lungs and cause irritation that leads to scarring and DNA mutations. Pleura is the lining of both the chest cavity as well as the lungs, so irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma is usually not symptomatic until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

The most common symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include chest pain and shortness of breath. Patients may also experience coughing, difficulty breathing, or chest tightness. People with this cancer often have previous exposure to asbestos in the workplace. Construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding are the most common occupations which put people at risk chance of developing pleural mesothelioma. People who served in the military are at a greater risk due the frequent use of asbestos in Navy vessels and bunkers in the Army.

The TNM (tumors lymph nodes, tumors, and metastases staging system) is the most commonly used staging system used to treat the pleural cancer. The stage a patient has upon diagnosis will assist their doctor in determining the best treatment plan for them. For instance, patients suffering from mesothelioma that is pleural in stage three or four have a poorer prognosis than patients with lower stages. Stage four mesothelioma can spread to the heart, liver or diaphragm. This makes the cancer more difficult to treat, and increase the risk of complications for patients.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

As opposed to pleural mesothelioma that is a lung-lining cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma is found in the peritoneum, it is a membrane that lines the abdominal cavity as well as organs such as the intestines and liver. Similar to pleural mesothelioma and peritoneal mesothelioma is triggered by asbestos exposure. The disease is much less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma, and only about 300-500 cases diagnosed each year.

Like pleural mesothelioma, symptoms may take years to appear. The majority of patients suffer from abdominal pain and an abdominal mass. Symptoms of this type of mesothelioma may also include nausea as well as weight loss and fever. A lot of these symptoms are similar to those experienced by digestive issues, which could cause confusion in diagnosis.

Generally speaking, doctors can detect mesothelioma through an extensive health history and physical examination. Imaging tests such as X-rays or CT scans can be used to detect mesothelioma. These tests can reveal tumors and other symptoms of cancer that aren't visible on X-rays.

The results of these tests allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma, identify the stage and recommend treatment options. The stage is determined by the type of cell and whether the tumor has spread.

The most significant risk factor for mesothelioma is asbestos exposure. People who have been exposed to asbestos in occupations, like plumbing or electrical work, or in construction, manufacturing and manufacturing, are more likely to develop the disease. However, even if individuals do not work in these areas they may be exposed to asbestos through family members or other sources. Therefore, anyone who believes they could be at risk should speak to a doctor. A mesothelioma specialist can help those who have a previous history of asbestos to find out more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos exposure is the main risk factor for mesothelioma making up as much as 80 percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos law may occur due to work, military service, or by living with someone who is exposed to asbestos or was previously exposed to doing such. Asbestos particles can be breathed in by people who are exposed to it. These particles can cause irritation to the linings and trigger cancerous cells to develop in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma can take between 15 and 60 years to develop following exposure to asbestos.

Other risk factors include genetics, smoking and age. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely to be diagnosed with mesothelioma compared to those who are younger or older. It takes mesothelioma 20-60 years to show signs of cancer after the first exposure. It is also important to know that mesothelioma may develop in people who were exposed to asbestos but did not work with it directly. This is referred to as indirect or secondary 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, which makes it more vulnerable to asbestos. In addition, mesothelioma may be worsened by certain diseases like asbestosis and pneumonia. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than females. This is because men are more likely to be exposed to asbestos and endure a more exposure than women. 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 are less likely to be exposed to asbestos, and don't typically carry asbestos settlement on their clothing.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is a difficult disease to recognize because the symptoms are often similar to other conditions. Because of this, victims are sometimes mistakenly diagnosed.

NYU Langone doctors will perform physical examinations and document 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 pleural plaques, thickened pleura and calcium deposits.

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 uses magnets and radio waves to make a series of precise images of the inside of the body. Another way for doctors to detect mesothelioma is by performing the procedure of a surgical biopsy. In a surgical biopsy doctors remove a small piece of tissue from the peritoneum or pleura for further analysis. A pathologist can then examine the tissue with an magnifying glass to determine whether it contains cancerous cells.

The type of mesothelial cells involved and the benign or malignant nature of the cells as well as the location the cancer, its type and the stage of the tumor, are used to categorize the disease. Certain mesothelioma types have a higher risk of metastasizing or spreading and it's crucial to get a definitive diagnosis so doctors can treat it before it becomes out of control.

Doctors can also perform laboratory tests on tumors 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 diagnosis can be terrifying. It is crucial to remember that cancer can be treated, particularly in its early stages. Many mesothelioma patients live for many years with the disease, without spreading to other organs of their body.

Exposure to asbestos can trigger mesothelioma via a variety of mechanisms. asbestos case fibers, too small to see or feel by the naked eye can be airborne and cause irritation to the lung's lining (pleura). Over time the irritation can lead to the formation of scar tissue that eventually result in tumors.

The pleura is a protective covering that covers the abdomen, heart, and lungs. Mesothelium consists of cells that respond when exposed to asbestos. They cause inflammation to the tissue and cause it to scar. As time passes, these changes cause the development of malignant mesothelioma tumors.

A shortness of breath, chest discomfort or fluid buildup on the lungs are all indications of pleural mesothelioma. In rare instances the cancer may be spread to the tissues around the heart and reproductive organs.

A doctor will request a biopsy if imaging scans show the possibility of a tumor in the lungs or stomach. The procedure involves the removal of some of the liquid or tumor for tests in the laboratory. The results can confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and determine the best treatment plan.

There are many types of treatment for mesothelioma, such as chemotherapy and surgery. The majority of doctors employ the combination of these treatments. Participating in clinical trials for mesothelioma treatments may be beneficial to patients. To learn more, patients should consult mesothelioma specialists who have had experience treating the disease.