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Mesothelioma and Asbestos

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

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

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma occurs in the lung's outer lining, or pleura. It is the most prevalent mesothelioma type, accounting for up between 70 and 79% of all diagnosed cases. People with this condition suffer from chest pain and breathlessness and may experience an ache or heaviness in the chest.

Exposure to asbestos, a class of minerals composed of microscopic fibers, usually causes this type of cancer. When inhaled, these fibers stick inside the lung and cause irritation that results in scarring and DNA mutations. The pleura covers the chest cavity and lungs, so these irritations can affect both the lungs and the heart of a person. Mesothelioma usually doesn't show symptoms until 30 to 50 year after exposure.

Shortness of breath and chest pain are the most common symptoms. Patients may also feel tightness in their chest or coughing. They may also experience difficulty breathing. Patients with this cancer have a history that includes asbestos case exposure at work. The most common jobs that put people at risk of pleural mesothelioma include manufacturing, construction and shipbuilding. People who were in the military are at a higher risk due to the frequent use of asbestos in Navy vessels and bunkers in the Army.

The most common staging method for pleural mesothelioma is the TNM (tumor, lymph nodes and metastases) staging system. The stage that a patient is at when they are diagnosed will help their doctor determine 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 those in a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma can be spread to the liver, heart, or diaphragm. This can make the cancer more difficult to treat, and increase the chance of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

In contrast to pleural cancer, that develops in the lining of the lung, peritoneal cancer develops in the membrane that covers the abdominal cavity, which includes organs like the intestines and the liver. Like pleural mesothelioma, asbestos exposure is the primary cause of peritoneal mesothelioma. There are only 300-500 cases diagnosed annually which is lower than pleural asbestosis.

As with pleural asbestosis, symptoms can take years to show. The majority of patients are afflicted with abdominal pain as well as abdominal swelling. The symptoms of this type of mesothelioma could also include nausea or weight loss, as well as fever. Many of these symptoms can be mistaken for gastrointestinal problems, leading to a false diagnosis.

Doctors can identify mesothelioma by examining the patient's medical history and performing a physical examination. Imaging tests such as X-rays or CT scans can be used to detect mesothelioma. These tests can detect tumors and other signs of cancer that are not visible on X-rays.

The results of these tests allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and determine the stage. They can also recommend treatments. The stage is determined by the kind of cell and if the tumor has spread.

The most important risk factor for mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos legal. People who have been in occupations that require asbestos law, like plumbing or manufacturing, electrical work or construction, are at increased risk of developing the disease. Even if a person does not work in one of these fields however, they may still be exposed through family members or other sources. This is why anyone who is concerned that they might be at risk should speak to an expert. A mesothelioma specialist can assist those who have had a experience with asbestos to understand more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos is the primary risk factor in mesothelioma. It accounts for as much as 80% of all cases. Exposure to asbestos can occur through military service, work or living with someone who used to work with asbestos. When exposed to asbestos, particles can be breathed into the abdomen and lungs. They can cause irritation to the linings of the abdomen and cause cancerous cells to grow in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma can take anywhere between 15 and 60 years to develop following exposure to asbestos.

Other risk factors include genetics, smoking and aging. The people in their 40s or 50s are at a higher risk of developing mesothelioma as compared 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 can occur in those who have been exposed to asbestos litigation, but without having directly worked with it. This is referred to as 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 causes mesothelium damage and makes it more prone to asbestos. Mesothelioma can also be caused by certain diseases, such as asbestosis and pneumonia. It is also important to know that mesothelioma is more common in males than females. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for a longer time and to have worked with asbestos for longer durations and to work with it. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who worked with asbestos and to carry asbestos fibers on their clothing. Women are less likely to come in contact with asbestos, and they are less likely to carry asbestos Case on their clothing.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is difficult to identify because the symptoms can be similar to other diseases. Due to this, patients are sometimes mistakenly diagnosed.

NYU Langone doctors will perform physical examinations and document the patient's medical history including asbestos exposure. Doctors can also request an X-ray chest or CT scan to detect lumps and other abnormalities, and also to look for evidence of previous asbestos exposure such as plaques on the pleura (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the accumulation of fluid between the lung and chest wall (known as pleural effusion).

Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram which examines the blood vessels and the heart and magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI, test, which makes use of radio waves and magnets to make a series of detailed images of the interior of the body. Another way doctors can diagnose mesothelioma is through an operation called a biopsy. When a biopsy is performed doctors take a tiny part of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum to be further examined. A pathologist then examines the tissue under an magnifying glass to determine if it is a cancerous cells.

Mesothelioma is classified based on the type of mesothelial cells involved, whether those cells are malignant or benign and the location of the tumor, its type, and the stage of the tumor. Certain types of mesothelioma may be more likely to spread or metastasize, so it is important to establish a definitive diagnosis so that doctors can treat the disease before it goes out of control.

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

Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnosis can be terrifying. However, it's important to remember that the cancer can be treated, particularly in its initial stages. Many patients with mesothelioma be afflicted for a long time without spreading.

Exposure to asbestos can trigger mesothelioma through a variety of ways. Asbestos fibres, tiny enough to be felt or viewed with the naked eyes can be airborne, causing irritation to the lung's lining (pleura). In time the irritation causes the formation of scar tissues, which eventually lead to tumors.

The pleura covers the heart and lungs and also the abdomen. Mesothelium is made up of cells that react to exposure to asbestos which causes it to become inflamed and create scar tissue. As time passes, these changes lead to the development of malignant mesothelioma tumors.

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

If scans of imaging reveal an area of concern in the stomach or lungs the doctor will request biopsies. The procedure involves the removal of some of the fluid or tumor for tests in the laboratory. The results will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma, and also determine the best treatment plan.

There are a variety of treatment for mesothelioma, including chemotherapy and surgery. Most doctors utilize the combination of these treatments. Participating in clinical trials of mesothelioma treatments may be beneficial for patients. Patients can learn more about the trials by speaking with a mesothelioma doctor who has treated the disease.