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Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos is a natural mineral that is made up of thin, long fibres. People who are regularly exposed to asbestos risk developing lung diseases, such as mesothelioma.

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

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer that affects the lung's outer lining (pleura). It is the most prevalent mesothelioma form and accounts for 70% to 79% of diagnosed cases. Patients suffering from this condition experience pain in the chest and breathlessness and may experience the sensation of weight in the chest.

Exposure to asbestos law, a group of minerals made of microscopic fibers causes this type of cancer. When inhaled, these fibers are absorbed into the lung and cause irritation that results in scarring and DNA mutations. Pleura surrounds both the chest cavity as well as the lungs, and 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 breath shortness. Patients may also suffer from chest tightness or coughing. They may also experience difficulty breathing. People with this cancer have a history that includes asbestos exposure at work. Manufacturing, construction, and shipbuilding are the most frequent jobs that put people at a high chance of developing pleural mesothelioma. People who were in the military are at greater risk due to the extensive use asbestos in Navy vessels and Army bunkers.

The TNM (tumors lymph nodes and metastases staging system) is the most popular staging system used for the pleural adenocarcinoma. The stage that a patient is at when they are diagnosed will aid their doctor in determining the most effective treatment plan for them. Patients with pleural mesothelioma that is in stage three or four will suffer a more negative prognosis compared to those who are in a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma is often spread to the diaphragm, liver or even a person's heart. This makes the cancer more difficult to treat and increase the chances of complications for patients.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

As opposed to pleural mesothelioma that develops in the lung lining, peritoneal mesothelioma develops in the peritoneum -- a membrane that lines the abdominal cavity and organs like the intestines and the liver. Similar to pleural mesothelioma and peritoneal mesothelioma is caused by asbestos exposure. The disease is much less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma, and just 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.

As with pleural mesothelioma symptoms may take years to appear. Patients usually suffer from abdominal pain and may have a mass in their abdomen. This mesothelioma type can also cause nausea, weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms can be mistaken for gastrointestinal problems, leading to a mistaken diagnosis.

Doctors can detect mesothelioma by looking over the medical history of the patient and performing a physical examination. They may also employ imaging tests like Xrays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to help find mesothelioma. These tests can identify tumors as well as other signs of cancer that aren't visible on X-rays.

These test results enable doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and determine the stage. They also offer treatment options. The stage of the disease is determined based on the cell type and whether or not the cancer has spread to other areas of the body.

Asbestos exposure is the main risk factor. People who have worked in jobs that require asbestos, such as plumbing, electrical work, manufacturing or construction, are at greater risk of developing the disease. However, even if individuals aren't employed in these areas they could be exposed to asbestos through relatives or other sources. This is why anyone who believes they could be at risk should speak to a doctor. If they have any history of exposure to asbestos, a mesothelioma specialist can assist them in finding out more about the risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos is the primary mesothelioma-related risk factor. It accounts for as much as 80% of all cases. Exposure to asbestos can occur as a result of military service, work, or living with people who have worked with asbestos. Asbestos particles are inhaled by people who are exposed to asbestos claim. The particles cause irritation to the linings of the lungs, causing cancerous cells to grow in the mesothelium. After exposure to asbestos mesothelioma is likely to occur between 15 and 60 years.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and the advancing age. The people in their 40s or 50s are at greater chance of developing mesothelioma to those who are younger or older. This is because mesothelioma usually occurs between 20 and 60 years from the first time of exposure before cancer symptoms appear. It is also important to know that mesothelioma can develop in those who were exposed to asbestos, but did not deal with it directly. This is referred to as indirect or secondary asbestos exposure. It can be as hazardous as direct asbestos exposure.

Smoking increases the risk of mesothelioma, since it damages mesothelium. It also makes it more susceptible. Mesothelioma is also aggravated by certain diseases, such as asbestosis and pneumonia. It is also important to remember that mesothelioma occurs more frequently for men than women. This is due to men being more likely to work with asbestos and experience a more exposure than women. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who been exposed to asbestos, and to carry asbestos fibers on their clothing. Women are less likely to come into exposure to asbestos settlement and rarely carry asbestos on their clothes.

Diagnosis

It is difficult to recognize mesothelioma due to its symptoms being often similar to other conditions. This can result in patients being wrongly diagnosed.

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

Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance image or MRI test, which uses magnets and radio waves in order to create a series detailed images of the insides of the body. Another method doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma is to perform a surgical biopsy. In a surgical biopsy doctors take a small amount of tissue from the peritoneum or pleura to conduct further tests. A pathologist then examines the tissue with an magnifying glass to determine whether it contains cancerous cell.

Mesothelioma is classified according to the type of mesothelial cells involved, whether the cells are malignant or benign and the location of the tumor, the type, and the stage of the tumor. Certain types of mesothelioma are at an increased risk of metastasizing or spreading therefore it is essential to establish a clear diagnosis so doctors can treat it before it becomes out of control.

Doctors may also conduct laboratory tests on a tumor to identify specific proteins, genes and other factors that help them understand the characteristics of the cancer and determine a treatment. These results are referred to as staging.

Treatment

A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be terrifying. It is important to remember that cancer can be treated, especially at its early stages. Many patients with mesothelioma be afflicted for many years without it spreading.

Exposure to Asbestos case can trigger mesothelioma via various mechanisms. asbestos claim fibres, small enough to not be felt or observed by naked eyes, can become airborne, irritating the lining of the lung (pleura). Over time the irritation causes the formation of scar tissues, which eventually lead to tumors.

The Pleura is a covering that surrounds the abdomen, heart, and lungs. Mesothelium is composed of cells that respond when exposed to asbestos law. They inflame the tissue and cause it to scar. As time passes, these changes cause the development of malignant mesothelioma cancers.

Breathing problems, chest discomfort, or the accumulation of fluid on the lungs are all indications of the pleural msothelioma. In rare cases, the cancer can be spread to the tissues around the heart and reproductive organs.

If scans of imaging reveal a possible mass in the stomach or lungs, a doctor will order biopsies. During the procedure, doctors take small amounts of the tumor or fluid for lab analysis. The results will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and determine the most effective treatment plan.

There are many types of mesothelioma treatments, including chemotherapy, surgery and immunotherapy. Most doctors rely on an amalgamation of these techniques. Enrolling in clinical trials of mesothelioma treatments may be beneficial to patients. Patients can learn more about the trials by consulting a mesothelioma specialist who has treated the disease.