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Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos, a mineral that naturally occurs in the form of long, thin fibers. Workers who are regularly exposed to asbestos are at risk of developing lung diseases such as mesothelioma.

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

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma is a type of cancer that occurs in the outer lung lining (pleura). It is the most common type of mesothelioma, making up 70 to 79% of all diagnosed cases. People with this condition experience pain in the chest and breathlessness and may also feel the sensation of weight in the chest.

This kind of cancer is usually caused by exposure to asbestos, which is a collection of minerals comprised of microscopic fibres. When inhaled, these fibers stick inside the lungs and cause irritation that results in scarring and DNA mutations. Pleura is the lining of both the chest cavity as well as the lungs, and so irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma symptoms are usually not apparent until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

Chest pain and shortness breath are the most common symptoms. Some patients also experience difficulty breathing, or chest tightness. Patients with this type of cancer typically have a history of exposure to asbestos in the workplace. The most prevalent jobs that expose workers to the risk of pleural mesothelioma include construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding. People who have served in the military may be at a higher risk due to the frequent asbestos use in Navy ships and bunkers used by the army.

The TNM (tumors lymph nodes and metastases staging system) is the most common staging system used to treat the pleural cancer. The stage that a patient is in at the time of diagnosis can help determine what treatment plan they should receive. Patients suffering from pleural mesothelioma who is in stage three or four will suffer a more negative outlook than those in a less advanced stage. Stage four mesothelioma is often spread to the diaphragm, liver and/or a person's heart. This could make the cancer more difficult to treat and increase the chances of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

As opposed to pleural mesothelioma that develops in the lung lining, peritoneal mesothelioma develops in the peritoneum - an elongated membrane that covers the abdominal cavity and organs such as the liver and intestines. As with pleural mesothelioma asbestos exposure is the primary cause of peritoneal msothelioma. There are only 300-500 cases diagnosed each year this is less than pleural asbestosis.

As with pleural asbestosis, symptoms can take years to show. Patients generally suffer from abdominal pain and may also have a lump in their abdomen. This type of mesothelioma may cause nausea, weight loss and fever. A lot of these symptoms are similar to those experienced by digestive issues, which could cause misdiagnosis.

Generally, doctors can find mesothelioma through a thorough medical history and physical exam. They may also employ imaging tests such as X-rays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to detect mesothelioma. These tests can show tumors and other indications of cancer that aren't visible on X-rays.

These test results allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma, determine the stage and suggest treatment options. Staging is determined based on the type of cells and whether or the cancer has spread to other areas of the body.

The most important risk factor for mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos. People who have worked in asbestos-containing occupations, like electrical or plumbing work or in manufacturing and construction, are more likely to develop the disease. However, even if people do not work in these fields they may be exposed to asbestos through family members or through other sources. Anyone who believes they're at risk should consult an expert. If they have any history of exposure to asbestos and mesothelioma is a concern, a specialist will assist them in learning more about the risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos exposure is a major risk factor for mesothelioma, accounting for up to 80 percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos can happen as a result of work, military service or through living with a person who works with asbestos or used to do the same. When exposed to asbestos, particles can be breathed into the lungs and abdomen. These particles can cause irritation to the linings, causing cancerous cells to develop in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma can take anywhere between 15 and 60 years to develop after exposure to asbestos.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and aging. The people in their 40s or 50s are at a higher risk of developing mesothelioma compared to people who are younger or more. This is because mesothelioma usually takes 20 to 60 years after the initial exposure before symptoms of cancer begin to manifest. It is important to remember that mesothelioma may develop in those who were exposed to asbestos, but did not work with it directly. This is called 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 due to the fact that it damages the mesothelium, which makes it more vulnerable to asbestos lawyer. In addition, mesothelioma may be exacerbated by certain illnesses like asbestosis and pneumonia. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than females. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for a longer time and to work with it. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who had been exposed to asbestos compensation, and to carry asbestos fibers on their clothing. Women tend to be less exposed to asbestos and don't typically bring asbestos home on their clothing.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is a difficult cancer to identify because the symptoms are often similar to other diseases. This is why patients are sometimes wrongly diagnosed.

NYU Langone doctors will perform a physical examination and record the patient's medical history including asbestos exposure. Doctors can also order an X-ray chest or CT scan to check for lumps and other abnormalities, as well as evidence of previous asbestos exposure such as plaques in the pleura (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the buildup of fluid between the lung and the chest wall (known as the pleural effusion).

Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram, which examines the blood vessels and the heart, and a magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI, test, which uses radio waves and magnets to create precise images of the inside of the body. A surgical biopsy is a different method doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma. A surgical biopsy is when doctors take a small amount of tissue from the pleura or peritoneum to conduct further tests. A pathologist will then look at the tissue under an magnifying glass to determine if it contains cancerous cell.

The type of mesothelial cell involved and the benign or malignant nature of those cells as well as the location the cancer, its type and the stage of the cancer are used to categorize the disease. Certain mesothelioma types have greater risk of metastasizing or spreading, so it's important to establish a clear diagnosis to ensure that the doctors can treat it prior to it becoming out of control.

Doctors may also conduct tests in the lab on a tumor to identify specific genes, proteins and other factors that can help them describe the cancer's characteristics and plan treatment. These results are known as staging.

Treatment

A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be an incredibly frightening prospect. It is important to remember, however, that cancer can be treated particularly in its early stages. Many patients with mesothelioma be afflicted for a long time, without expanding.

Exposure to asbestos may cause mesothelioma through a variety of ways. asbestos case, Click Webpage, fibers that are too small to be felt or observed with the naked eyes can be airborne, causing irritation to the lung's lining (pleura). As time passes, the irritation leads to the formation of scar tissue that eventually result in tumors.

The Pleura is a covering that surrounds the lungs, heart and abdomen. Mesothelium consists of cells that respond when exposed to asbestos. They inflame the tissue and cause it to become scarred. In time, these changes can cause the development of malignant mesothelioma cancers.

Symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include breathing problems and chest pain, or the accumulation of fluid in the lung (pleural effusion). In rare cases the cancer may grow to the tissues surrounding the heart and reproductive organs.

A doctor will order biopsy if scans reveal a possible lung tumor or stomach. During the procedure, doctors remove tiny amounts of tumor or fluid for lab tests. The results can confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and help determine the best treatment plan.

There are a variety of treatment for mesothelioma including chemotherapy and surgery. Most doctors utilize the combination of these methods. Enrolling in clinical trials of mesothelioma treatments that are new could be beneficial for patients. Patients can learn more about the trials by consulting a mesothelioma expert who has treated the condition.