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Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos, a natural mineral, naturally occurs in the form of thin, long fibers. People who are regularly exposed to asbestos may develop lung diseases such as mesothelioma.

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

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma, a form of cancer, that develops in the lung's outer liner (pleura). It is the most prevalent mesothelioma type, accounting for up between 70 and 79% of diagnosed cases. The condition can cause chest pain, breath shortness and a feeling heaviness.

This type of cancer is usually caused through exposure to asbestos, which is a grouping of minerals that are comprised of microscopic fibres. When inhaled, these fibers stick inside the lungs and cause irritation that leads to scarring and DNA mutations. The pleura is the area that surrounds the chest cavity and lungs This means that these irritations can affect both the lungs and the heart of a person. Mesothelioma symptoms usually don't appear until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

The most commonly reported symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are chest pain and breath shortness. Patients may also suffer from chest tightness, coughing or difficulty breathing. People with this cancer have a past that includes asbestos exposure at work. The most prevalent jobs that expose people to the risk of developing pleural cancer are manufacturing, construction, and shipbuilding. People who have served in the military are at a higher risk because of the extensive asbestos usage in Navy vessels and bunkers used by the army.

The most commonly used staging system for pleural mesothelioma is the TNM (tumor, lymph nodes and metastases) staging system. The stage a patient has upon diagnosis will aid their doctor in determining the best treatment plan for them. For example, patients with a pleural mesothelioma in stage three or four have a worse prognosis than patients with lower stages. Stage four mesothelioma is often spread to the diaphragm, liver and/or a person's heart. This makes it more difficult to treat and raises the risk of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

In contrast to pleural mesothelioma which develops in the lung lining, peritoneal mesothelioma is found in the peritoneum -- an elongated membrane that covers the abdominal cavity and organs such as the intestines and the liver. Similar to pleural mesothelioma mesothelioma is triggered by asbestos exposure. The disease is much less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma, and just 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.

As with pleural asbestosis, symptoms can take several years to manifest. Most patients experience abdominal pain and an abdominal mass. Symptoms of this type of mesothelioma could also include nausea, weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms are similar to those of gastrointestinal issues, which can cause confusion in diagnosis.

Doctors can detect mesothelioma by looking over the medical history of the patient and conducting a physical exam. They can also utilize imaging tests like X-rays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to help find mesothelioma. These tests can reveal tumors and other signs of cancer that aren't evident on X-rays.

These test results enable doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and establish the stage. They can also suggest treatment options. The stage is determined by the kind of cell and if the tumor has spread.

Asbestos exposure is the biggest risk factor. People who have worked in asbestos-containing occupations, like electrical or plumbing work, or in construction and manufacturing, are more likely to contract the disease. Even if an individual is not employed in any of these areas however, they may still be exposed to asbestos through family members and other sources. For this reason, anyone who believes they could be at risk should speak to an expert. A mesothelioma specialist can help those who have had a experience with asbestos to understand more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos is the primary risk factor for mesothelioma. It is responsible for as much as 80percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos can happen as a result of work, military service, or by living with a person who is exposed to asbestos law or used to do the same. Asbestos particles can be breathed in by people who are exposed to it. They can cause irritation to the linings of the abdomen and can cause cancerous cells to grow in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma may take between 15 and 60 years to develop following exposure to asbestos.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and age. The people in their 40s or 50s are at greater chance of developing mesothelioma to those who are younger or older. It takes mesothelioma between 20 and 60 years before it manifests cancer symptoms after the first exposure. It is important to keep in mind, too, that mesothelioma may be present in those who have been exposed to asbestos without having worked with it directly. This is referred to as 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 lawyer. Additionally, mesothelioma can be exacerbated by certain illnesses like asbestosis and pneumonia. It is also important to remember that mesothelioma is more common in males than females. This is due to men being more likely to work with asbestos and have a longer period of exposure than women. Additionally, men are more likely to live with someone who has worked with Asbestos Legal and carry asbestos lawsuit fibers that have escaped home on their clothing. Women are less likely to come in contact with asbestos law, and they don't usually bring asbestos legal home on their clothing.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is a difficult cancer to diagnose because the symptoms are often similar to other diseases. This could lead to patients being incorrectly diagnosed.

The first step to diagnose mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform an examination of the body and take notes on the medical history of a patient including asbestos exposure. Doctors can also order a chest X-ray or CT scan to detect lumps and other abnormalities, and also to look for evidence of previous asbestos exposure like plaques on the pleura (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the formation of fluid between the lung and chest wall (known as the pleural effusion).

Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram, which examines the heart and blood vessels, and a magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI, test, which makes use of radio waves and magnets to make a series of precise images of the inside of the body. A surgical biopsy is a different way for doctors to diagnose mesothelioma. During a surgical biopsy, doctors remove a small amount of tissue from the peritoneum or pleura for further analysis. A pathologist is then able to examine the tissue with microscopes to determine if it contains cancerous cells.

The type of mesothelial cells involved, the malignant or benign nature of the cells as well as the location the cancer, its type and the stage of the tumour, are used to categorize the disease. Certain mesothelioma types have an increased chance of metastasizing or spreading, so it's important to get a definitive diagnosis so that doctors can treat it prior to it becoming out-of-control.

Doctors can also perform tests in the lab on tumors in order to determine specific proteins, genes, or other factors which can help them describe cancer characteristics and determine the best treatment. These results are called staging.

Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnose can be frightening. However, it's important to keep in mind that the cancer is treatable, especially in its earlier stages. Many patients with mesothelioma be afflicted for many years without it spreading.

Asbestos exposure can trigger mesothelioma via many mechanisms. Asbestos fibres, tiny enough to be felt or seen by naked eyes can be airborne and irritate the lung's lining (pleura). As time passes, the irritation causes the formation of scar tissue which can cause changes in the structure of cells that can eventually grow into tumors.

The pleura covers the lungs and heart, as well as the abdomen. Mesothelium is made up of cells that react to asbestos and cause it to enflame and develop scar tissue. In time, these changes can result in the growth of malignant mesothelioma tumors.

A shortness of breath, chest discomfort, or the accumulation of fluid on the lungs are all symptoms of the pleural msothelioma. In rare instances, cancer can spread into the tissues that surround the reproductive organs as well as the heart.

A doctor will request a biopsy if imaging scans reveal a possible tumor in the lungs or stomach. During the procedure doctors remove small amounts of liquid or tumor for tests in the laboratory. The results will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and help determine the best treatment option.

There are a variety of mesothelioma treatment, including chemotherapy, surgery and immunotherapy. Most doctors rely on a combination of these methods. Participating in clinical trials for mesothelioma treatments that are new could be beneficial to patients. To learn more about the trials, patients should speak to a mesothelioma specialist who has experience treating the condition.