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Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that is found in thin, long fibres. People who are exposed to asbestos may develop lung diseases like mesothelioma.

It may take decades for symptoms to show up after exposure to asbestos. Different types of asbestos may cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma can be found in the lung's outer lining or pleura. It is the most common type of mesothelioma, making up 70 to 79% of all diagnosed cases. The condition can cause chest pain, shortness of breathe, and a feeling of weightiness.

This type of cancer usually caused by exposure to asbestos, which is a cluster of minerals composed of microscopic fibers. Once inhaled, the fibers stick inside the lungs and cause irritation that results in scarring and DNA mutations. The pleura is the area that surrounds the lungs and chest cavity, so these irritations can affect both the lungs as well as a person's heart. Mesothelioma symptoms are usually not apparent until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

Shortness of breath and chest pain are the most common symptoms. Patients may also experience difficulty breathing or chest tightness. Patients with this cancer have a history that includes asbestos exposure at work. Construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding are among the most frequent occupations that put people at high risk of developing pleural mesothelioma. Individuals who have been in the military are at risk due to the frequent asbestos usage in Navy vessels and army bunkers.

The TNM (tumors lymph nodes, tumors, and metastases staging system) is the most commonly used staging system used to treat pleural adenocarcinoma. The stage a patient is in at the moment of diagnosis will determine what treatment plan they will receive. Patients who have pleural mesothelioma which is in stage three or four will suffer a more negative outlook than those who are in a less advanced stage. Stage four mesothelioma is often spread to the liver, diaphragm and/or a person's heart. This makes the cancer more difficult to treat, and increase the chance of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

As opposed to pleural mesothelioma that develops in the lung lining, peritoneal mesothelioma is found in the peritoneum -- it is a membrane that lines the abdominal cavity and organs such as the intestines and liver. As with pleural mesothelioma asbestos exposure is the cause of peritoneal msothelioma. The disease is less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma, with only about 300-500 cases diagnosed each year.

Like pleural mesothelioma, the symptoms may take years to appear. Typically, patients suffer from abdominal pain and an abdominal mass. The symptoms of this type of mesothelioma can also include nausea or weight loss, as well as fever. A lot of these symptoms are similar to symptoms of gastrointestinal issues, which can result in confusion in diagnosis.

Doctors can detect mesothelioma by looking over the medical history of the patient and conducting a physical exam. They may also employ imaging tests such as X-rays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to help find mesothelioma. These tests can show tumors, as well as other signs of cancer that aren't visible on an X-ray.

The results of these tests allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and determine the stage and suggest treatment options. The stage is determined by the kind of cell and if the cancer has spread.

Asbestos exposure is the biggest risk factor. People who have worked in jobs that require asbestos, such as plumbing or manufacturing, electrical work or construction, are at increased risk of developing the disease. Even if someone isn't employed in any of these areas however, they may be exposed to asbestos through family members or other sources. This is why anyone who is concerned that they might be at risk should speak to a doctor. If they have any history of exposure to asbestos, a mesothelioma specialist can assist them in learning more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos exposure is a major risk factor for mesothelioma, which accounts for as much as 80 percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos can happen as a result of work, military service, or living with those who worked with asbestos. When exposed to asbestos attorney, particles can be inhaled into the abdomen and lungs. These particles can cause irritation to the linings and trigger cancerous cells to develop in the mesothelium. After exposure to asbestos lawyer mesothelioma is likely to occur between 15 and 60 year.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics, and age. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely to be diagnosed with mesothelioma compared to those who are younger or more senior. Mesothelioma can take between 20 and 60 years to manifest cancer symptoms after the first exposure. It is also important to know that mesothelioma is a possibility in those who were exposed to asbestos, but did not engage directly with it. This is known as secondary or indirect exposure to asbestos and it could be as hazardous as direct exposure.

Smoking increases the chance of mesothelioma since it damages mesothelium. It can also make it more vulnerable. In addition, mesothelioma may be worsened by certain diseases like pneumonia and asbestosis. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma compared to women. This is due to men being more likely to be exposed to asbestos and endure a an extended period of exposure than women. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who has been exposed to asbestos (please click the following post), and to carry asbestos fibers on their clothing. Women are less likely to come into exposure to asbestos and don't typically carry asbestos case home on their clothing.

Diagnosis

It is difficult to recognize mesothelioma because its symptoms are often similar to other diseases. This could lead to patients being misdiagnosed.

The first step in diagnosing mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform an examination and write note of the medical history of the patient including asbestos exposure. Doctors may also order an X-ray chest or CT scan to check for lumps and other abnormalities, and also to look for evidence of previous asbestos law exposure like plaques on the pleura (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the accumulation of fluid between the lung and chest wall (known as the pleural effusion).

Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram, which examines the heart and blood vessels and magnetic resonance imaging, also known as MRI, test that uses radio waves and magnets to create precise images of the inside of the body. Another way for doctors to detect mesothelioma is through the procedure of a surgical biopsy. In a surgical biopsy doctors remove a small amount of tissue from the pleura or peritoneum for further testing. A pathologist can then examine the tissue using a magnifying lens to determine if it is a cancerous cells.

The type of mesothelial cell involved, the malignant or benign nature of these cells, as well as the location and stage of the tumor, are used to categorize the disease. Certain types of mesothelioma are more likely to grow or spread which is why it is crucial to get a definite diagnosis so that doctors can treat the disease before it becomes out of control.

Doctors may also conduct laboratory tests on tumors to determine specific proteins, genes, or other factors that help them understand the cancer's characteristics and plan treatment. These results are referred to as staging.

Treatment

A diagnosis of mesothelioma may 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 areas of their body.

Exposure to asbestos can trigger mesothelioma via many mechanisms. Asbestos fibers, which are small enough to not be felt or seen with the naked eyes can be airborne, causing irritation to the lining of the lung (pleura). In time irritation leads to formation of scar tissue, which leads to changes in the structure of cells that can eventually grow into tumors.

The pleura surrounds the heart and lungs and also the abdomen. Mesothelium is made up of cells that react to asbestos and cause it to enflame and develop scar tissue. Overtime, these changes lead to the development of malignant mesothelioma tumors.

The symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are breathlessness, chest pain or a buildup of fluid on the lungs (pleural effusion). In rare cases cancer may spread to the tissues that surround the reproductive organs as well as the heart.

If imaging scans reveal an underlying mass in the stomach or lungs, a doctor will order biopsies. During the procedure, doctors will remove small amounts of the fluid or tumor for lab analysis. The results can confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma, and also determine the best treatment option.

There are a variety of treatment for mesothelioma including chemotherapy and surgery. The majority of doctors use a combination of these methods. Participating in clinical trials of new mesothelioma treatment may also be beneficial to patients. To learn more, patients should consult mesothelioma experts who have experience treating the condition.