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Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos, a mineral that occurs naturally in the form of long, thin fibers. People who are exposed to asbestos on a regular basis are at risk of developing mesothelioma as well as other lung diseases of different types.

It may take decades for symptoms to appear after exposure to asbestos. Different asbestos types can cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma occurs in the outer lung lining, or pleura. It is the most frequent mesothelioma form and is responsible for 70 to 79% all diagnosed cases. The condition can cause chest pain, breath shortness and a feeling of weightiness.

Exposure to asbestos, a group of minerals composed of microscopic fibers, usually causes this type of cancer. When inhaled, these fibers are absorbed into the lung and cause irritation that causes scarring 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 is usually not symptomatic until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

The most common symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are chest discomfort and shortness of breath. Patients may also experience coughing, difficulty breathing or chest tightness. People with this cancer have a history that includes asbestos exposure at work. Manufacturing, construction and shipbuilding are among the most common occupations that put people at a high chance of developing pleural mesothelioma. People who served in the military are at a higher risk due to the extensive use asbestos in Navy vessels and Army bunkers.

The TNM (tumors, lymph nodes, and metastases staging system) is the most popular staging system used for pleural adenocarcinoma. The stage that a patient is at when they are diagnosed will assist their doctor in determining the most effective treatment plan for them. For example, patients with a pleural mesothelioma in stage three or four have a poorer prognosis than those in lower stages. Stage four mesothelioma may spread to the heart, liver or diaphragm. This could make the cancer more difficult to treat, and increase the risk of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

In contrast to pleural cancer, which is found in the lung's lining the peritoneal cancer is a result of a membrane that surrounds the abdominal cavity, which includes organs like the liver and intestines. Similar to pleural mesothelioma and peritoneal mesothelioma can be caused by asbestos exposure. The disease is much less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma, and around 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.

As with pleural asbestosis, symptoms can take several years to show. Most patients are afflicted with abdominal pain as well as a mass in the abdomen. Symptoms of this type of mesothelioma may also include nausea, weight loss and fever. A lot of these symptoms can be mistaken for gastrointestinal problems, leading to a mistaken diagnosis.

Typically, doctors can identify mesothelioma through a thorough health history and physical examination. Imaging tests like X-rays and CT scans are a way to identify mesothelioma. These tests can reveal tumors and other signs of cancer that aren't visible on X-rays.

These tests enable doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and determine the stage. They also offer treatments. The stage of the disease is determined based on the type of cell and whether or the cancer has spread to other areas of the body.

Asbestos exposure is the main risk factor. People who have worked in asbestos lawyer-containing jobs, such as electrical or plumbing work or in manufacturing and construction, are more likely to develop the disease. Even if a person is not employed in one of these areas however, they may be exposed to asbestos through family members or other sources. For this reason, anyone who suspects they may be at risk should talk to an experienced doctor. A mesothelioma specialist can help those with a history with asbestos to learn more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos is the main risk factor in mesothelioma. It is responsible for up to 80% of all cases. Exposure to asbestos can happen through work, military service or by living with a person who is exposed to asbestos or has previously done so. Asbestos particles are inhaled by those who are exposed to asbestos. The particles cause irritation to the linings, causing cancerous cells to grow in the mesothelium. After exposure to asbestos, mesothelioma may develop between 15 and 60 year.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and aging. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely be diagnosed with mesothelioma compared to those who are younger or more senior. This is because mesothelioma typically lasts between 20 and 60 years from the first exposure before the first signs of cancer appear. It is important to remember, too, that mesothelioma can occur in people who have been exposed to asbestos, but without having worked with it directly. This is known as secondary or indirect exposure to asbestos. It can be just as dangerous as direct exposure.

Smoking increases the risk of mesothelioma, because it damages the mesothelium. It can also make it more vulnerable. Mesothelioma can also be caused by certain illnesses such as asbestosis and pneumonia. It is also important to know that mesothelioma is more common for men than women. This is because men are 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 worked with Asbestos case [rice-mccain.technetbloggers.de] and to carry asbestos fibers on their clothing. Women tend to have less contact with asbestos and rarely carry asbestos on their clothing.

Diagnosis

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

The first step in identifying 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 may also request an CT scan or chest X-ray in order to look for abnormalities, lumps and evidence of asbestos legal exposure. These include plaques in the pleura, thickened pleura and calcium deposits.

Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram, which examines the heart and blood vessels, and a magnetic resonance imaging, also known as MRI test that uses radio waves and magnets to make a series of detailed images of the interior of the body. Another way doctors can diagnose mesothelioma is to perform an operation called a biopsy. A surgical biopsy is when doctors remove a small amount of tissue from the pleura or peritoneum to conduct further tests. A pathologist then examines the tissue with a magnifying lens to determine whether it contains cancerous cell.

Mesothelioma is classified based on the mesothelial type involved, whether the cells are malignant or benign and also the location of the tumor, its type, and the stage of the tumor. Certain types of mesothelioma are more likely to spread or metastasize, so it is important to have a clear diagnosis so doctors can treat the disease before it goes out of control.

Doctors may also conduct 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 referred to as staging.

Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnosis can be terrifying. However, it is important to remember that the disease is treatable, especially in its early stages. Many people with mesothelioma can endure the disease for many years without it spreading.

Exposure to asbestos legal can trigger mesothelioma in many ways. Asbestos fibers, which are too small to be felt or observed by naked eyes are able to become airborne, causing irritation to the lung's lining (pleura). In time the irritation causes the formation of scar tissues and eventually tumors.

The pleura is the area that surrounds the lungs and the heart, as well as the abdomen. Mesothelium consists of cells that react to exposure to asbestos and cause it to enflame and create scar tissue. As time passes, these changes cause the development of malignant mesothelioma tumors.

The symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are shortness of breath and chest pain, or an accumulation of fluid in the lungs (pleural effusion). In rare cases, the cancer can be spread to the tissues around the heart and reproductive organs.

A doctor will order a biopsy if imaging scans show a potential tumor in the lungs or stomach. During the procedure, doctors will remove a small sample of the fluid or tumor for lab analysis. The results will confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis, and determine the best treatment option.

There are several types of mesothelioma treatments, which include chemotherapy, surgery, and immunotherapy. Most doctors rely on a combination of these methods. Patients may also benefit from enrolling in a clinical trial of new mesothelioma treatments. Patients can learn more about the trials by consulting a mesothelioma specialist who has treated the disease.