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Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos is a natural mineral that is made up of long, thin fibres. Workers who are exposed asbestos regularly are at risk of developing mesothelioma as well as other types of lung diseases.

The symptoms of these diseases may not be evident for a long time after exposure to asbestos. Different types of asbestos can cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

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

Exposure to asbestos, a class of minerals comprised of microscopic fibers, typically causes this kind of cancer. Once inhaled, these fibers stick inside the lung and cause irritation that causes scarring and DNA mutations. The pleura is the area that surrounds the chest cavity and lungs, so these irritations can 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 common symptoms. Patients may also suffer from chest tightness and coughing, or breathing difficulties. People with this cancer have a history of disease that includes asbestos exposure at work. The most frequent jobs that expose workers to the risk of pleural mesothelioma include construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding. Individuals who have served in the military are at greater risk due the widespread use of asbestos attorney in Navy vessels and Army bunkers.

The most popular staging system for pleural mesothelioma is the TNM (tumor lymph nodes, lymph nodes, and metastases) staging system. The stage a patient is in upon diagnosis will assist their doctor in determining the most appropriate treatment plan for them. Patients who have pleural mesothelioma which is in stage three or stage four will have a worse outlook than those in a less advanced stage. Stage four mesothelioma is often spread to the diaphragm, the liver or even the heart of a patient. This can make the cancer more difficult to treat and increase the chance of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Unlike pleural mesothelioma, which develops in the lung lining, peritoneal mesothelioma forms 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 mesothelioma can be caused by asbestos exposure. The disease is much less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma. There are only about 300-500 cases diagnosed each year.

As with pleural mesothelioma symptoms can take a long time to manifest. Typically, patients suffer from abdominal pain and an abdominal mass. This mesothelioma type can cause nausea, weight loss, and fever. Many of these symptoms can be mistaken for gastrointestinal problems and can lead to a mistaken diagnosis.

Typically, doctors can identify mesothelioma after a thorough medical history and physical exam. Imaging tests such as X-rays or CT scans can be used to detect mesothelioma. These tests can identify tumors as well as other signs of cancer which aren't evident on X-rays.

These test results enable doctors to identify mesothelioma, and determine the stage. They can also suggest treatments. The stage is determined by the type of cell and whether the cancer has spread.

The most significant mesothelioma risk factor is asbestos exposure. People who have worked in asbestos-related professions, such as electrical or plumbing work, or in construction, manufacturing and manufacturing, are more likely to develop the disease. However, even if individuals do not work in these fields they could be exposed to asbestos through family members or through other sources. Therefore, anyone who suspects they may be at risk should talk to a doctor. If they have an history of exposure to asbestos and mesothelioma is a concern, a specialist will assist them in finding out more about the risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos is the most significant risk factor for mesothelioma. It is responsible for as much as 80% of all cases. Exposure to asbestos can happen as a result of work, military service, or through living with a person who is exposed to asbestos or used to do the same. When exposed to asbestos, particles are able to be inhaled into lungs and abdomen. They can cause irritation to the linings of the abdomen and can cause cancerous cells to grow in the mesothelium. Following exposure to asbestos mesothelioma is likely to develop between 15 and 60 years old.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics, and the advancing age. People in their 40s or 50s are at a higher risk of developing mesothelioma compared to those younger or older. Mesothelioma can take between 20 and 60 years to manifest cancer symptoms after the first exposure. It is also important to know that mesothelioma may develop in those who were exposed to asbestos but did not engage directly with it. This is known as secondary or indirect asbestos exposure, and is just as harmful as direct asbestos exposure.

Smoking increases the risk of mesothelioma, as it damages the mesothelium. It can also make it more vulnerable. Mesothelioma is also aggravated by certain illnesses, including 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 has worked with asbestos and carry stray asbestos fibers home on their clothes. Women tend to have less exposure to Asbestos legal and do not typically carry asbestos on their clothes.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is difficult to recognize because the symptoms can be similar to other conditions. This could lead to patients being incorrectly diagnosed.

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

Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram which examines the heart and blood vessels and 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. A surgical biopsy is a different method for doctors to identify mesothelioma. During a surgical biopsy, doctors take a small amount of tissue from the pleura or peritoneum for further analysis. A pathologist will then look at the tissue with an magnifying glass to determine whether it contains cancerous cell.

The type of mesothelial cells involved, the malignant or benign nature of these cells and the location the cancer, its type and the stage of the cancer are used to classify the disease. Certain types of mesothelioma are at a higher risk of spreading or metastasizing and it's crucial to determine the type of mesothelioma to ensure that the doctors can treat it prior to it becoming out-of-control.

Doctors can also perform tests in the lab on tumors to identify specific genes, proteins, or other factors which can help them describe the characteristics of cancer and plan treatment. These results are referred to as staging.

Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnose can be terrifying. It is important to keep in mind that cancer can be treated, particularly in its initial stages. Many people with mesothelioma can endure the disease for a long time without expanding.

Asbestos exposure can cause mesothelioma through various mechanisms. Asbestos fibers, too small to detect or feel by the naked eye can be airborne and cause irritation to the lung's lining (pleura). As time passes the irritation can lead to the formation of scar tissues, which eventually lead to tumors.

The pleura surrounds the heart and lungs and the abdomen. Mesothelium is made up of cells that react to exposure to asbestos, causing it to inflame and create scar tissue. These changes can lead to malignant mesothelioma tumours.

Symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include breathlessness and chest pain, or an accumulation of fluid on the lung (pleural effusion). In rare instances cancer can spread to the tissues around the reproductive organs and heart.

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

There are many types of treatment for mesothelioma such as chemotherapy and surgery. Most doctors utilize combinations of these treatments. Patients may also benefit from enrolling in a clinical trial of new mesothelioma treatments. To learn more, patients should consult mesothelioma experts who have experience treating the condition.