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Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos is a natural mineral that comes in thin, long fibres. People who are exposed to asbestos case are at risk of developing lung diseases, such as mesothelioma.

It may take decades before symptoms begin to manifest after exposure to asbestos. Different types of asbestos may cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

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

Exposure to asbestos, a group of minerals comprised of microscopic fibers causes this type of cancer. Once inhaled, these fibers stick inside the lungs and cause irritation that causes scarring and DNA mutations. Pleura surrounds both the chest cavity and 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 frequently reported symptoms. Patients may also experience difficulty breathing or chest tightness. Patients with this cancer have a history that includes asbestos exposure at work. The most prevalent jobs that expose workers to the risk of developing pleural cancer are manufacturing, construction and shipbuilding. Individuals who have been in the military are at an especially high risk because of the extensive use of asbestos in Navy vessels and army bunkers.

The most popular staging system for pleural mysothelioma has been the TNM (tumor, lymph nodes and metastases) staging system. The stage a patient has at diagnosis will assist their doctor in determining the most effective treatment plan for them. For instance, patients who have mesothelioma pleural stage three or four have a less favorable prognosis than those with lower stages. Stage four mesothelioma often spreads to the liver, diaphragm or even the heart of a patient. This can make it more difficult to treat and increase the likelihood of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Contrary to pleural cancer which forms in the lining of the lung, peritoneal cancer develops in the membrane that covers the abdominal cavity, including organs such as the liver and intestines. 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.

As with pleural mesothelioma symptoms can take years to show. Most patients are afflicted with abdominal pain as well as a mass in the abdomen. The symptoms of this kind of mesothelioma may also include nausea or weight loss, as well as fever. A lot of these symptoms are similar to symptoms of digestive problems, which can cause confusion in diagnosis.

Typically, doctors can identify mesothelioma through an exhaustive health history and physical exam. They can also utilize imaging tests such as X-rays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to help find mesothelioma. These tests can identify tumors and other signs of cancer which aren't visible on X-rays.

These tests enable doctors to identify mesothelioma, and determine the stage. They also offer treatments. The stage of the disease is determined based on the cell type and whether or not the cancer has spread to other regions of the body.

The most important mesothelioma risk factor is asbestos exposure. People who have been exposed to asbestos in occupations, like electrical or plumbing work, or in construction and manufacturing, are more likely to contract the disease. Even if they do not work in these areas they could be exposed to asbestos through family members or through other sources. Anyone who suspects that they are at risk should consult an expert. If they have a history of asbestos exposure, a mesothelioma specialist can help them find out more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos exposure is the primary risk factor for mesothelioma, accounting for up to 80 percent of all cases. Exposure to asbestos may occur as a result of work, military service, or by living with someone who works with asbestos or was previously exposed to doing so. When exposed to asbestos, small particles are able to be inhaled into lungs and abdomen. These particles irritate the linings of the abdomen, which causes cancerous cells to form in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma can take anywhere between 15 and 60 years to develop following exposure to asbestos.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics, and age. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely to get mesothelioma than people 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 important to keep in mind that mesothelioma can develop in people who have been exposed to asbestos, but without having directly worked with it. This is known as indirect or secondary exposure to asbestos. It is just as harmful as direct exposure.

Smoking increases the chance of mesothelioma because it damages the mesothelium. It also makes it more susceptible. In addition, mesothelioma may be exacerbated by certain illnesses like pneumonia and asbestosis. It is also important to know that mesothelioma is more common in men than women. This is due to men being more likely to work with asbestos and have a longer period of exposure than women. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who has been exposed to asbestos, and to have asbestos fibers on their clothing. Women are less likely to be exposed to asbestos case, and they are less likely to carry asbestos on their clothing.

Diagnosis

It is difficult to recognize mesothelioma since its symptoms are often similar to other diseases. This can lead to victims being misdiagnosed.

NYU Langone doctors will perform physical examinations and document the patient's medical background, including asbestos exposure. Doctors can also request an X-ray of the chest or CT scan to look for lumps and other abnormalities as well as evidence of asbestos exposure in the past such as plaques on the pleura (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the formation of fluid between the lung and chest wall (known as the pleural effusion).

Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI test, which uses radio waves and magnets in order to create a series of detailed images of the insides of the body. A surgical biopsy is another way for doctors to diagnose mesothelioma. During a surgery biopsy doctors will remove a small part of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum, to be examined further. A pathologist can then examine the tissue using a magnifying glass to determine if it contains cancerous cells.

The type of mesothelial cell involved, the malignant or benign nature of those cells and the location, type and stage of the tumour, are used to classify the disease. Certain mesothelioma types have a higher chance of metastasizing or spreading therefore it is essential to get a definitive diagnosis to ensure that the doctors can treat it before it becomes out of control.

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

Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnosis can be an incredibly frightening prospect. It is important to remember that cancer can be treated particularly in its early stages. A lot of people suffering from mesothelioma be afflicted for a long time without expanding.

Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma through a variety of ways. asbestos law fibers, which are too small to be able to see or feel with the naked eye, can be airborne and cause irritation to the lining of the lungs (pleura). Over time irritation leads to formation of scar tissue, which leads to changes in the structure of cells that eventually develop into tumors.

The Pleura is a protective layer that surrounds the lungs, heart and abdomen. Mesothelium is composed of cells that react when exposed to asbestos compensation. They cause inflammation of the tissue and cause it to scar. These changes can eventually cause mesothelioma cancers.

Shortness of breath, chest discomfort, or the accumulation of fluid on the lungs are all symptoms of the pleural mesothelioma. In rare cases cancer can spread to the tissues around the reproductive organs and heart.

A doctor may request biopsy if scans show a potential lung tumor or stomach. During the procedure, doctors take a small sample of the fluid or tumor for lab testing. The results will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and help determine the most effective treatment plan.

There are many types of treatment for mesothelioma, including chemotherapy and surgery. Most doctors use the combination of these treatments. Enrolling in clinical trials of mesothelioma treatments that are new could be beneficial to patients. To learn more, patients should speak to mesothelioma specialists who have expertise in treating the condition.