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Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that comes in thin, long fibres. People who are regularly exposed to asbestos risk developing lung diseases like mesothelioma.

The symptoms of these diseases may not show up for decades after exposure to asbestos litigation. Different asbestos types may cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma occurs in the lung's outer lining, also known as the pleura. It is the most frequent mesothelioma type, accounting for up 70% to 79% of diagnosed cases. The condition can cause chest discomfort, shortness of breath and a feeling heaviness.

This type of cancer usually caused by exposure to asbestos which is a collection of minerals that are comprised of microscopic fibres. The fibers, when inhaled can cause irritation and DNA mutations. Pleura surrounds both the chest cavity as well as the lungs, so irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma typically doesn't manifest until 30 to 50 year 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 an history of exposure to asbestos claim in the workplace. The most prevalent jobs that put people at risk of pleural mesothelioma include construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding. People who were in the military are at a greater risk due the widespread use of asbestos in Navy vessels and bunkers for the Army.

The most commonly used staging system for pleural mesothelioma is the TNM (tumor lymph nodes, lymph nodes and metastases) staging system. The stage the patient is in at the time of diagnosis will help determine what treatment plan they will receive. For example, patients with a pleural mesothelioma in stage three or four have a worse prognosis than patients with a lower stage. Mesothelioma in stage four is usually spread to the liver, diaphragm or even a person's heart. This can make it more difficult to treat and raises the risk of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Unlike pleural cancer, which forms in the lung's lining, peritoneal cancer develops in the membrane that covers the abdominal cavity, including organs like the liver and intestines. As with pleural mesothelioma asbestos exposure is the reason for peritoneal msothelioma. Only 300-500 cases are diagnosed each year, which is less than the pleural asbestosis.

Like pleural mesothelioma, the symptoms can take years to show. Patients typically experience abdominal pain, and may have a mass in their abdomen. The symptoms of this kind of mesothelioma could also include nausea as well as weight loss and fever. A lot of these symptoms are similar to those experienced by digestive problems, which can cause incorrect diagnosis.

Typically, doctors can identify mesothelioma through an exhaustive health history and physical examination. They may also employ imaging tests such as X-rays, 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.

The results of these tests allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma, determine the stage and recommend treatment options. Staging is determined based on the type of cells and whether or not the tumor has spread to other parts of the body.

The most important mesothelioma risk factor is exposure to asbestos case. People who have worked in jobs that involve asbestos, such as plumbing, electrical work, manufacturing or construction, are at a higher risk of developing the disease. Even if they aren't employed in these areas they could be exposed to asbestos through family members or other sources. This is why anyone who suspects they may be at risk should speak to an expert. If they have any history of exposure to asbestos settlement and mesothelioma is a concern, a specialist will assist them in finding out more about the risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos exposure is a major risk factor for mesothelioma, making up as much as 80 percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos may occur due to military service, work, or living with those who worked with asbestos. Asbestos particles can be inhaled by those who are exposed to it. The particles cause irritation to the linings of the lungs, causing cancerous cells to form in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma can take between 15 and 60 years to develop after exposure to asbestos.

Other risk factors include genetics, smoking and aging. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely get mesothelioma than people younger or older. It takes mesothelioma 20-60 years to show signs of cancer after the first exposure. It is important to note, too, that mesothelioma may develop in those who have been exposed to asbestos without having been directly exposed to it. This is known as secondary or indirect exposure to asbestos. It is just as harmful as direct exposure.

Smoking can increase the likelihood of developing mesothelioma since it damages the mesothelium and makes it more vulnerable to asbestos. Additionally, mesothelioma can be worsened by certain diseases like asbestosis and pneumonia. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than females. This is due to the fact that men are more likely to be exposed to asbestos and endure a a longer period of exposure than women. Also, men are more likely to live with someone who has was exposed to asbestos settlement and bring stray asbestos fibers home on their clothing. Women are less likely to come in contact with asbestos, and they don't usually bring asbestos home on their clothing.

Diagnosis

It is difficult to diagnose mesothelioma since its symptoms are frequently similar to other illnesses. This could lead to patients being wrongly diagnosed.

The first step in identifying mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform an examination and write down a patient's medical history, including asbestos exposure. Doctors will also recommend an CT scan or chest X-ray to check for abnormalities, lumps and evidence of exposure to asbestos. These include plaques on the pleura, pleura that are thickened and calcium deposits.

Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram, which examines the blood vessels and the heart, and a magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI test that uses magnets and radio waves to create detailed images of the inside of the body. A surgical biopsy is a different way for doctors to diagnose mesothelioma. In a surgical biopsy doctors will remove a small piece of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum to be examined further. A pathologist then examines the tissue with a magnifying lens to determine if it is a cancerous cell.

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

Doctors can also perform laboratory tests on tumors to determine specific proteins, genes or other elements that will help them identify cancer characteristics and plan treatment. These results are called staging.

Treatment

A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be frightening. It is crucial to remember, however, that cancer can be treated, particularly in its initial stages. Many mesothelioma patients live for many years without the disease spreading to other organs of their body.

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 lining of the lungs (pleura). Over time, the irritation leads to the formation of scar tissue, which eventually lead to tumors.

The Pleura is a covering that surrounds the lungs, heart and abdomen. Mesothelium consists of cells that react to asbestos which causes it to become inflamed and form scar tissue. As time passes, these changes lead to the development of malignant mesothelioma tumors.

A shortness of breath, chest discomfort or fluid buildup on the lungs are all symptoms of pleural mesothelioma. In rare instances the cancer may grow to the tissues surrounding the heart and reproductive organs.

A doctor will order biopsy if scans show a potential mass in the lungs or stomach. In the course of the procedure, doctors remove a small amount of fluid or tumor for laboratory testing. The results will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and determine the best treatment plan.

There are a variety of mesothelioma treatment options, including chemotherapy, surgery and immunotherapy. The majority of doctors employ combinations of these treatments. Patients can also benefit by taking part in a clinical trial of new mesothelioma treatments. To learn more about the trials, patients should speak to a mesothelioma specialist who has had experience treating the disease.