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Mesothelioma and Asbestos

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

Symptoms of these diseases may 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 lung's outer the lining (pleura). It is the most frequent mesothelioma type, accounting for up 70% to 79% of diagnosed cases. The condition can cause chest pain, breath shortness, and a feeling of heaviness.

Exposure to asbestos, a group of minerals composed of microscopic fibers, typically causes this kind of cancer. Once inhaled, these fibers are absorbed into the lungs and cause irritation that causes scarring and DNA mutations. Pleura surrounds both the chest cavity and the lungs, and so irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma symptoms usually don't appear until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

The most common symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include chest pain and shortness of breath. Some patients may also suffer from chest tightness and coughing, or breathing difficulties. Patients with this type of cancer have a history of disease that includes asbestos case exposure at work. The most prevalent jobs that expose people to the risk of developing pleural cancer are manufacturing, construction and shipbuilding. People who have worked in the military are at a higher risk due to the widespread use of asbestos in Navy vessels and army bunkers.

The TNM (tumors lymph nodes, tumors, and metastases staging system) is the most popular staging system for the pleural adenocarcinoma. The stage a patient is in when they are diagnosed will aid their doctor in determining the most appropriate treatment plan for them. Patients who have pleural mesothelioma which is in stage three or four will have a worse outlook than those in a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma often spreads to the liver, diaphragm and/or a person's heart. This makes it more difficult to treat and increases the likelihood of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Contrary to pleural cancer which forms in the lung's lining it develops in a membrane that surrounds the abdominal cavity, which includes organs like the intestines and the liver. Like pleural mesothelioma, asbestos exposure is the cause of peritoneal mesothelioma. There are only 300-500 cases diagnosed annually, which is less than the pleural asbestosis.

Like pleural mesothelioma, the symptoms can take a long time to manifest. Most patients are afflicted with abdominal pain as well as a mass in the abdomen. This kind of mesothelioma can cause nausea, weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms can be mistaken for gastrointestinal problems which can lead to a misdiagnosis.

The doctors can detect mesothelioma through looking over the medical history of the patient and performing a physical examination. Imaging tests like X-rays or CT scans can be used to detect mesothelioma. These tests can show tumors and other symptoms of cancer that aren't visible on X-rays.

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

The most important mesothelioma-related risk factor is exposure to asbestos. People who have worked in jobs that involve asbestos, like plumbing or manufacturing, electrical work or construction, are at increased risk of developing the disease. However, even if individuals do not work in these areas they may be exposed to asbestos attorney through family members or through other sources. For this reason, anyone who is concerned that they might be at risk should talk to a doctor. If they have a history of asbestos exposure and mesothelioma is a concern, a specialist will help them find out more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos exposure is the primary mesothelioma risk factor, making up as much as 80 percent of all cases. Exposure to asbestos can happen through military service, work or living with those who worked with asbestos. Asbestos particles can be inhaled by those who are exposed to asbestos. They can cause irritation to the linings of the abdomen and trigger cancerous cells to grow in the mesothelium. After exposure to asbestos settlement, mesothelioma may occur between 15 and 60 years old.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and aging. People in their 40s or 50s are more at risk of developing mesothelioma as compared to people who are younger or more. Mesothelioma can take between 20 and 60 years to show signs of cancer after the first exposure. It is also important to know that mesothelioma is a possibility in people who have been exposed to asbestos settlement but did not deal with it directly. This is referred to as secondary or indirect asbestos exposure. It can be as hazardous as direct asbestos exposure.

Smoking increases the chance of mesothelioma developing, because it damages the mesothelium. It also makes it more susceptible. Additionally, mesothelioma can be worsened by certain diseases like pneumonia and asbestosis. 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 to work with asbestos for longer periods of time. Also, men are more likely to live with someone who worked with asbestos and carry stray asbestos lawyer fibers home on their clothing. Women are less likely to come into contact with asbestos and do not typically carry asbestos home on their clothing.

Diagnosis

It is difficult to recognize mesothelioma because its symptoms are often similar to other conditions. This could lead to patients being wrongly diagnosed.

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

Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance scan, or MRI test, which uses magnets and radio waves in order to produce a series of precise images of the insides of the body. Another way doctors can diagnose mesothelioma is by performing an operation called a biopsy. When a biopsy is performed doctors will remove a small piece of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum to be further examined. A pathologist can then examine the tissue with a microscope to see if it is contaminated with cancerous cells.

Mesothelioma is classified according to the mesothelial type involved, whether these cells are benign or malignant, and the location, type, and stage of the tumor. Certain types of mesothelioma are at greater chance of metastasizing or spreading therefore it is essential to establish a clear diagnosis to ensure that the doctors can treat it before it gets out-of-control.

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

Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnosis is a frightening prospect. But, it is crucial to remember that the disease can be treated, particularly in its earlier stages. Many people with mesothelioma live for a long time with the disease without it spreading to other parts of their body.

Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma in a number of ways. Asbestos fibres, tiny enough to be felt or seen with the naked eyes can be airborne, irritating the lung's lining (pleura). In time, the irritation causes the formation of scar tissue, which can cause changes in the structure of cells that can eventually grow into tumors.

The pleura covers the heart and lungs and also the abdomen. Mesothelium is composed of cells that react to asbestos, causing it to inflame and form scar tissue. These changes eventually result in malignant mesothelioma tumors.

The signs of pleural mesothelioma can include breathlessness and chest pain, or a buildup of fluid in the lung (pleural effusion). In rare cases, the cancer can be spread to the tissues around the heart and reproductive organs.

A doctor may request biopsy if imaging scans show the possibility of a lung tumor or stomach. In the course of the procedure, doctors remove a small amount of liquid or tumor for lab tests. The results can confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and determine the best treatment option.

There are a variety of treatment for mesothelioma, such as chemotherapy and surgery. Most doctors rely on the combination of these methods. Patients can also benefit by taking part in a clinical trial of new mesothelioma therapies. To learn more, patients should speak to mesothelioma experts who have expertise in treating the condition.