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Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos is a natural mineral that comes in long, thin fibres. Workers who are exposed to asbestos case regularly risk developing mesothelioma and other lung diseases of different types.

It could take a long time for symptoms to appear after asbestos exposure. Different asbestos types may cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer of the outer lung lining, also known as the pleura. It is the most frequent mesothelioma type, accounting for up between 70 and 79% of all diagnosed cases. This condition causes chest pain, breath shortness and a feeling of heavyness.

Exposure to asbestos, a family of minerals made of microscopic fibers, usually causes this type of cancer. These fibers, when inhaled can cause irritation and DNA mutations. The pleura covers the chest cavity and lungs and therefore, these irritations could affect both the lungs as well as the heart of a person. Mesothelioma symptoms are usually not apparent until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

Chest pain and shortness breath are the most common symptoms. Patients may also experience chest tightness, coughing or difficulty breathing. People with this cancer have a history that includes asbestos exposure at work. Manufacturing, construction, and shipbuilding are the most prevalent occupations that put people at high danger of developing pleural melanoma. People who were in the military are at a higher risk due to the frequent use of asbestos in Navy vessels and bunkers for the Army.

The TNM (tumors lymph nodes and metastases staging system) is the most common staging system used to treat the pleural adenocarcinoma. The stage a patient is in at the time of diagnosis will help determine what treatment plan they will receive. Patients with pleural mesothelioma that is in stage three or four will have a worse outlook than those who are in a lower stage. Mesothelioma in stage four can develop into the liver, heart, or diaphragm. This makes the cancer more difficult to treat, and increase the chances of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

In contrast to pleural cancer, that develops in the lining of the lung it develops in a membrane that surrounds the abdominal cavity, including organs like the liver and intestines. Like pleural mesothelioma, asbestos exposure is the primary cause of peritoneal msothelioma. The disease is less common than pleural mesothelioma, with only about 300-500 cases diagnosed each year.

As with pleural asbestosis, symptoms can take a long time to manifest. Typically, patients experience abdominal pain and an abdominal mass. The symptoms of this kind of mesothelioma could also include nausea, weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms are similar to those of digestive issues, which could lead to misdiagnosis.

The doctors can detect mesothelioma through reviewing the medical history of the patient and performing a physical examination. They can also use imaging tests like X-rays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to identify mesothelioma. These tests can reveal cancerous tumors or other signs of cancer that aren't visible on an X-ray.

These tests enable doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and establish the stage. They can also suggest treatments. The stage of the disease is determined based on the cell type and whether or the tumor has spread to other parts of the body.

The most significant mesothelioma risk factor is exposure to asbestos. People who have been in occupations that require asbestos, like plumbing or manufacturing, electrical work, or construction, are at a higher risk of developing the disease. Even if they aren't employed in these areas, they can still be exposed to asbestos through relatives or other sources. Anyone who suspects that they are at risk should talk to a doctor. A mesothelioma specialist can assist those with a history with asbestos to learn more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos exposure is the main risk factor for mesothelioma accounting for up to 80 percent of all cases. Exposure to asbestos may occur due to work, military service, or living with people who have worked with asbestos. Asbestos particles can be inhaled by people who are exposed to it. These particles can cause irritation to the linings of the lungs, causing cancerous cells to grow in the mesothelium. After exposure to asbestos, mesothelioma may occur between 15 and 60 year.

Other risk factors include genetics, smoking and aging. People in their 40s and 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 important to remember that mesothelioma may develop in those who have been exposed to asbestos without having been directly exposed to it. This is referred to as indirect or secondary asbestos exposure, and is as dangerous as direct asbestos exposure.

Smoking increases the chance of mesothelioma as it damages the mesothelium. It also makes it more susceptible. Mesothelioma can also be aggravated by certain diseases, such as asbestosis and pneumonia. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than women. This is due to the fact that men are 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 worked with asbestos and to have asbestos fibers on their clothing. Women tend to be less exposed to asbestos and they don't usually bring asbestos home on their clothing.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is difficult to diagnose because the symptoms can be similar to other diseases. Due to this, patients are often misdiagnosed.

NYU Langone doctors will perform an examination of the body and document the patient's medical history including asbestos lawsuit exposure. Doctors can also request an X-ray chest or CT scan to look for lumps and other abnormalities and also to look for evidence of asbestos exposure in the past such as plaques in the pleura (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the buildup of fluid between the lung and the 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, which uses radio waves and magnets to make a series of detailed images of the interior of the body. Another way for doctors to detect mesothelioma is to perform an operation called a biopsy. During a surgery biopsy doctors will remove a small part of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum, to be tested further. A pathologist can then examine the tissue using a magnifying glass to determine if it is a cancerous cell.

The type of mesothelial cells involved, the malignant or benign nature of those cells as well as the location, type and stage of the tumour, are used to classify the disease. Certain types of mesothelioma are more likely to spread or metastasize and spread, therefore it is essential to have a clear diagnosis so doctors can treat the disease before it gets out of control.

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

Treatment

A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be frightening. It is crucial to remember that cancer can be treated, particularly in its early stages. Many people with mesothelioma can be afflicted for a long time, without spreading.

Exposure to Asbestos Case can cause mesothelioma in a number of ways. Asbestos fibers, too small to detect or feel with the naked eye, can become airborne and irritate the lung's lining (pleura). In time the irritation can lead to the formation of scar tissue, which eventually lead to tumors.

The pleura is the area that surrounds the lungs and the heart and the abdomen. Mesothelium is composed of cells that react to asbestos which causes it to become inflamed and create scar tissue. In time, these changes can cause the development of malignant mesothelioma cancers.

The signs of pleural mesothelioma can include breathing problems and chest pain, or the accumulation of fluid on the lungs (pleural effusion). In rare instances cancer can spread to the tissues surrounding the reproductive organs and the heart.

A doctor will request biopsy if imaging scans reveal a possible lung tumor or stomach. The procedure involves the removal of small amounts of fluid or tumor to allow for tests in the laboratory. The results will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and indicate the most effective treatment plan.

There are many types of treatment for mesothelioma, including surgery and chemotherapy. Most doctors utilize combinations of these treatments. Patients can also benefit by participating in a clinical study of new mesothelioma treatment. Patients can find out more by consulting a mesothelioma specialist who has treated the disease.