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Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that is made up of long, thin fibres. Workers who are exposed asbestos on a regular basis are at risk of developing mesothelioma as well as other lung diseases.

The symptoms of these diseases may not manifest for years after exposure to asbestos. Different asbestos types can cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma can be found in the outer lung lining, also known as pleura. It is the most common mesothelioma form and accounts for 70% to 79% of diagnosed cases. This condition causes chest discomfort, shortness of breath and a feeling of heavyness.

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

Shortness of breath and chest pain are the most frequent symptoms. Patients may also experience chest tightness and coughing, or breathing difficulties. Patients with this cancer have a history of disease that includes asbestos case exposure at work. The most prevalent jobs that put people at risk of developing pleural mesothelioma are construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding. Individuals who have been in the military could be at a higher risk because of the extensive use of asbestos 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 pleural adenocarcinoma. The stage a patient is in at the time of diagnosis can help determine what treatment plan they should receive. For instance, patients who have mesothelioma that is pleural in stage three or four have a worse prognosis than those in lower stages. Mesothelioma in stage four can develop into the heart, liver or diaphragm. This makes it more difficult to treat and raises the likelihood of complications for patients.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

In contrast to pleural mesothelioma which develops in the lung lining, peritoneal mesothelioma is found in the peritoneum, it is a membrane that lines the abdominal cavity as well as organs such as the liver and intestines. Similar to pleural mesothelioma and peritoneal mesothelioma is triggered by asbestos exposure. The disease is less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma. There are around 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.

Like pleural mesothelioma, the symptoms can take years to show. Most patients experience abdominal pain and abdominal swelling. The symptoms of this kind of mesothelioma can also include nausea, weight loss and fever. A lot of these symptoms can be mistaken for gastrointestinal problems and can lead to a misdiagnosis.

Typically, doctors can identify mesothelioma after a thorough health history and physical exam. They can also utilize imaging tests like Xrays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to identify mesothelioma. These tests can detect tumors and other signs of cancer that aren't evident on X-rays.

These test results enable doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and determine the stage. They also offer treatments. The stage of the disease is determined based on the type of cell and whether or the cancer has spread to other regions of the body.

Asbestos exposure is the biggest risk factor. People who have been in occupations which require asbestos, like plumbing or manufacturing, electrical work or construction, are at greater risk of developing the disease. Even if they aren't employed in these fields they could be exposed to asbestos through relatives or other sources. Therefore, anyone who believes they could be at risk should speak to an expert. If they have an history of exposure to asbestos and mesothelioma is a concern, a specialist will help them find out more about the risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos is the main risk factor for mesothelioma. It is responsible for up to 80percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos can happen as a result of military service, work or living with people who have worked with asbestos. When exposed to asbestos compensation, particles are able to be inhaled into lungs and abdomen. They can cause irritation to the linings of the abdomen and trigger cancerous cells to develop in the mesothelium. Following exposure to asbestos mesothelioma can be diagnosed between 15 and 60 years.

Other risk factors include genetics, smoking and age. People in their 40s and 50s are at a higher chance of developing mesothelioma to those who are younger or older. It is because mesothelioma generally lasts between 20 and 60 years from the initial time of exposure before cancer symptoms appear. It is also important to note that mesothelioma is a possibility in people who were exposed to asbestos but did not work with it directly. This is referred to as secondary or indirect asbestos exposure, and is just as harmful as direct asbestos exposure.

Smoking increases the risk of getting mesothelioma because it damages the mesothelium, which makes it more vulnerable to asbestos. Mesothelioma can also be aggravated by certain illnesses such as 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 longer periods of time and work with asbestos for longer durations and to work with it. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who has worked with asbestos and to carry asbestos fibers on their clothing. Women are less likely to come into contact with asbestos and rarely carry asbestos home on their clothes.

Diagnosis

It is difficult to identify mesothelioma due to its symptoms being frequently similar to other illnesses. This is why patients are often misdiagnosed.

The first step in diagnosing mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform a physical exam and take down a patient's medical history, including asbestos attorney exposure. Doctors can also order a chest X-ray or CT scan to detect lumps or other abnormalities, as well as evidence of asbestos exposure in the past like plaques on 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 blood vessels and the heart, and a magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI, test that uses radio waves and magnets to create precise images of the inside of the body. Another way doctors can diagnose mesothelioma is by performing an operation called a biopsy. During a surgical biopsy, doctors remove a small piece of tissue from the pleura or peritoneum for further testing. A pathologist will then look at the tissue with a magnifying lens to determine if it contains cancerous cells.

Mesothelioma is classified according to the type of mesothelial cell involved, whether these cells are malignant or benign, and the location of the tumor, the type, and the stage of the cancer. Some types of mesothelioma are more likely to grow or spread and spread, therefore it is essential to establish a definitive diagnosis so doctors can treat the disease before it goes out of control.

Doctors can also perform tests in the lab on tumors to determine specific proteins, genes or other elements that can help them describe cancer characteristics and determine the best treatment. These results are known as staging.

Treatment

A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be frightening. But, it is crucial to remember that the cancer can be treated, particularly in its initial stages. A lot of people suffering from mesothelioma live with the disease for a long time without expanding.

Asbestos exposure can cause mesothelioma through various mechanisms. Asbestos particles, which are too small to see or feel by the naked eye can become airborne and irritate the lung's lining (pleura). Over time irritation leads to formation of scar tissue, which can cause changes in the cell structure that can eventually grow into tumors.

The pleura is the area that surrounds the lungs and heart, as well as the abdomen. Mesothelium consists of cells that respond when exposed to asbestos. They cause inflammation of the tissue and cause it to scar. These changes eventually cause mesothelioma cancers.

Symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include shortness of breath and chest pain, or an accumulation of fluid in the lung (pleural effusion). In rare cases cancer may spread to the tissues that surround the reproductive organs and heart.

A doctor will order a biopsy if imaging scans show a potential tumor in the lungs or stomach. During the procedure, doctors remove small amounts of the fluid or tumor for lab testing. The results can confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and determine the best treatment option.

There are a variety of treatment for mesothelioma, including surgery and chemotherapy. Most doctors use a combination of these treatments. Patients can also benefit by participating in a clinical study of new mesothelioma treatments. Patients can find out more by consulting a mesothelioma expert who has treated the disease.