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Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos, a natural mineral, naturally occurs 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.

Symptoms of these diseases may not be evident for a long time after exposure to Asbestos Case. Different types of asbestos claim can cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma occurs in the lung's outer lining, also known as the pleura. It is the most common mesothelioma type and accounts for 70% to 79% of all diagnosed cases. This condition causes chest pain, shortness of breathe, and a feeling of heaviness.

Exposure to asbestos, a group of minerals composed of microscopic fibers, typically causes this type of cancer. When inhaled, these fibers are absorbed into the lung and cause irritation that results in 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 usually doesn't show symptoms until 30 to 50 year after exposure.

Chest pain and shortness breath are the most frequently reported symptoms. Some patients may also suffer from chest tightness and coughing, or breathing difficulties. People with this cancer have a history of disease that includes asbestos exposure at work. Manufacturing, construction and shipbuilding are among the most common jobs that put people at high chance of developing pleural mesothelioma. People who served in the military are at greater risk due the extensive use asbestos in Navy vessels and Army bunkers.

The most popular 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 moment of diagnosis will determine what treatment plan they will receive. Patients with pleural mesothelioma that is in stage three or stage four will suffer a more negative outlook than those in a less advanced stage. Mesothelioma in stage four is usually spread to the liver, diaphragm or even a person's heart. This makes the cancer more difficult to treat and increase the risk of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

In contrast to pleural cancer, which forms in the lung's lining the peritoneal cancer is a result of a membrane that covers the abdominal cavity, which includes organs like the intestines and liver. Similar to pleural mesothelioma and peritoneal mesothelioma is caused by asbestos exposure. Only 300-500 cases are diagnosed annually which is lower than pleural asbestosis.

Like pleural mesothelioma, the symptoms can take a long time to manifest. Typically, patients are afflicted with abdominal pain as well as a mass in the abdomen. This mesothelioma type can cause nausea, weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms are similar to symptoms of gastrointestinal issues, which can lead to confusion in diagnosis.

Doctors can detect mesothelioma by examining the patient's medical history and performing a physical examination. Imaging tests such as X-rays or CT scans can be used to detect mesothelioma. These tests can show tumors, as well as other signs of cancer that aren't visible on X-rays.

These tests enable doctors to diagnose mesothelioma, 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 asbestos-related occupations, like electrical or plumbing work or in construction and manufacturing are more likely to contract the disease. Even if someone isn't employed in one of these fields, he or she can be exposed to asbestos through family members or other sources. This is why anyone who suspects they may be at risk should talk to an expert. If they have an history of exposure to asbestos, a mesothelioma specialist can assist them in learning more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos is the primary risk factor for mesothelioma. It accounts for up to 80percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos litigation can happen due to work, military service, or by living with a person who works with asbestos or was previously exposed to doing so. Asbestos particles can be inhaled by people who are exposed to asbestos. These particles irritate the linings, causing cancerous cells to form in the mesothelium. After asbestos exposure mesothelioma can be diagnosed between 15 and 60 years old.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics, and the advancing age. The people in their 40s or 50s are at a higher chance of developing mesothelioma to those who are younger or older. It takes mesothelioma 20-60 years to show signs of cancer after the first exposure. It is also important to know that mesothelioma may develop in those who were exposed to asbestos but did not work with it directly. This is known as secondary or indirect asbestos litigation exposure. It can be as dangerous as direct asbestos exposure.

Smoking increases a person's chances of developing mesothelioma due to the fact that it causes mesothelium damage and makes it more prone to asbestos. Mesothelioma is also aggravated by certain diseases, such as asbestosis and pneumonia. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than women. This is due to men being more likely to work with asbestos and experience a more exposure than women. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who had been exposed to asbestos, and to have asbestos-containing fibers on their clothing. Women tend to have less exposure to asbestos and don't typically carry asbestos around on their clothing.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is a difficult disease to diagnose because the symptoms often resemble other diseases. This could lead to patients being incorrectly diagnosed.

NYU Langone doctors will perform an examination of the body and document the patient's medical background including asbestos exposure. Doctors may also order a chest X-ray or CT scan to look for lumps and other abnormalities and also to look for evidence of previous asbestos exposure such as 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 a magnetic resonance image or MRI test, that uses radio waves and magnets in order to create a series detailed images of the inside of the body. A surgical biopsy is another way for doctors to diagnose mesothelioma. In a surgical biopsy doctors will remove a small part of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum, to be examined further. A pathologist can look at the tissue under a microscope to see if it is contaminated with cancerous cells.

The type of mesothelial cells involved as well as the benign or malignant nature of these cells, as well as the location, type and stage of the tumor, are used to classify the disease. Certain types of mesothelioma are at a higher risk of spreading or metastasizing and it's crucial to determine the type of mesothelioma to ensure that the doctors can treat it prior to it becoming out of control.

Doctors can also run laboratory tests on a tumor to identify particular proteins, genes, or other factors which can help them identify the characteristics of the cancer and determine a treatment. These results are known as staging.

Treatment

A diagnosis of mesothelioma may be frightening. It is important to remember that cancer can be treated particularly in its initial stages. Many people with mesothelioma live for many years with the disease, without spreading to other parts of their body.

Exposure to asbestos may cause mesothelioma through a variety of ways. Asbestos fibers, too small to be able to see or feel through the naked eye, can become airborne and cause irritation to the lung's lining (pleura). Over time, the irritation leads to the formation of scar tissue that eventually result in tumors.

The pleura is the area that surrounds the lungs and heart, as well as the abdomen. Mesothelium is composed of cells that react when exposed to asbestos. They inflame the tissue and cause it to scar. As time passes, these changes lead to the development of malignant mesothelioma tumors.

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

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

There are many types of treatment for mesothelioma such as chemotherapy and surgery. The majority of doctors employ the combination of these treatments. Patients can also benefit by participating in a clinical study of new mesothelioma treatment. To find out more, patients should speak to mesothelioma specialists who have had experience treating the disease.