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Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos is a mineral that naturally occurs in the form of thin, long fibers. Workers who are exposed asbestos regularly risk developing mesothelioma and other lung diseases of different types.

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

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer that affects the outer lung liner (pleura). It is the most common type of mesothelioma, making up 70 to 79% of all diagnosed cases. This condition causes chest discomfort, shortness of breath and a feeling of weightiness.

Exposure to asbestos, a group of minerals comprised of microscopic fibers causes this kind of cancer. When inhaled, these fibers, cause irritation and DNA mutations. Pleura is the lining of both the chest cavity as well as the lungs, which means that irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma symptoms usually don't appear until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

Chest pain and shortness breath are the most common symptoms. Patients may also feel tightness in their chest and coughing, or breathing difficulties. Patients with this type of cancer typically have previous exposure to asbestos in the workplace. The most prevalent jobs that expose people to the risk of developing pleural mesothelioma are manufacturing, construction, and shipbuilding. People who were in the military are at a greater risk due the widespread use of asbestos in Navy vessels and bunkers in the Army.

The most commonly used staging method for pleural mesothelioma is the TNM (tumor lymph nodes, lymph nodes and metastases) staging system. The stage that the patient is in at the time of diagnosis will help determine the treatment plan they should follow. Patients with pleural mesothelioma that is in stage three or four will have a less favorable prognosis compared to those who are in a less advanced stage. Mesothelioma in stage four can be spread to the heart, liver or diaphragm. This makes 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 a membrane that covers the abdominal cavity, which includes organs such as the intestines and liver. As with pleural mesothelioma asbestos exposure is the primary reason for peritoneal msothelioma. Only 300-500 cases are diagnosed each year, which is less than pleural asbestosis.

As with pleural asbestosis, symptoms can take a long time to show. Most patients are afflicted with abdominal pain as well as an abdominal mass. The symptoms of this kind of mesothelioma may also include nausea or weight loss, as well as fever. Many of these symptoms are similar to symptoms of gastrointestinal issues, which can result in confusion in diagnosis.

The doctors can detect mesothelioma through reviewing the medical history of the patient and conducting a physical exam. They can also use imaging tests like Xrays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to identify mesothelioma. These tests can show tumors and other indications of cancer that aren't visible on X-rays.

These test results enable doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and establish the stage. They can also suggest treatment options. The stage is determined by the type of cell and whether the cancer has spread.

Asbestos exposure is the main risk factor. People who have worked in asbestos-related occupations, like electrical or plumbing work, or in construction and manufacturing are more likely to develop the disease. Even if an individual is not employed in any of these areas they could be exposed to asbestos through family members or other sources. Anyone who suspects that they are at risk should talk to an expert. If they have an history of exposure to asbestos, a mesothelioma specialist can help them find out more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos is the main risk factor in mesothelioma. It accounts for as much as the 80% of cases. Exposure to asbestos can occur as a result of work, military service or by living with someone who is exposed to asbestos or was previously exposed to doing the same. Asbestos particles can be breathed in by those who are exposed to it. These particles can cause irritation to the linings, causing cancerous cells to develop in the mesothelium. After exposure to asbestos mesothelioma is likely to be diagnosed between 15 and 60 years.

Other risk factors include genetics, smoking and aging. 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 typically takes 20 to 60 years after the initial time of exposure before cancer symptoms appear. It is also important to know that mesothelioma may develop in people who were exposed to asbestos, but did not work with it directly. This is known as indirect or secondary exposure to asbestos, and it can be just as dangerous as direct exposure.

Smoking increases the chance of mesothelioma because it damages the mesothelium. It can also make it more vulnerable. Mesothelioma can also be aggravated by certain diseases, such as asbestosis and pneumonia. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma compared to women. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for a longer time and to have worked with it. Men are also more likely to live with someone who has worked with asbestos case [cool training] and carry stray asbestos fibers home on their clothing. Women are less likely to come into contact with asbestos attorney and rarely carry asbestos lawyer on their clothing.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is a difficult disease to identify because the symptoms often resemble other conditions. Due to this, patients are sometimes mistakenly diagnosed.

NYU Langone doctors will perform an examination of the body and document the patient's medical background, including asbestos lawsuit exposure. Doctors can also order an X-ray chest or CT scan to look for lumps and other abnormalities, and also to look for evidence of past asbestos exposure like plaques in the pleura (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the formation 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 a magnetic resonance imaging, also known as MRI, test, which makes use of magnets and radio waves to create detailed images of the inside of the body. Another method doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma is through an operation called a biopsy. When a biopsy is performed, doctors remove a tiny piece of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum to be examined further. A pathologist then examines the tissue using a magnifying glass to determine if it contains cancerous cells.

The type of mesothelial cell involved and the benign or malignant nature of these cells as well as the location the cancer, its type and the stage of the tumour, are used to classify the disease. Some types of mesothelioma are more likely to develop metastasis or spread which is why it is crucial to get a definite diagnosis to ensure that doctors are able to treat the disease before it gets out of control.

Doctors may also conduct tests in the lab on tumors to identify specific proteins, genes or other elements that can aid in describing cancer characteristics and plan treatment. These results are known as staging.

Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnosis is a frightening prospect. It is important to remember, however, that cancer can be treated especially at its early stages. A lot of people suffering from mesothelioma live with the disease for a long time without spreading.

Exposure to asbestos settlement can trigger mesothelioma via a variety of mechanisms. Asbestos particles, which are too small to be able to see or feel by the naked eye can be airborne and cause irritation to the lining of the lungs (pleura). In time irritation leads to formation of scar tissue which leads to changes in the cell structure that can eventually grow into tumors.

The pleura covers the lungs and the heart and the abdomen. Mesothelium consists of cells that react to exposure to asbestos and cause it to enflame and develop scar tissue. These changes eventually cause mesothelioma cancers.

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

If scans of imaging reveal a possible mass in the stomach or lungs the doctor will request biopsies. During the procedure, doctors remove tiny amounts of fluid or tumor for lab tests. The results will confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis and provide the best treatment option.

There are several types of mesothelioma treatments, including surgery, chemotherapy and immunotherapy. The majority of doctors use an amalgamation of these techniques. Enrolling in clinical trials of new mesothelioma treatment may also be beneficial for patients. To learn more about the trials, patients should speak with mesothelioma specialists who have experience treating the condition.