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Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos, a natural mineral, naturally occurs in the form of long, thin fibers. Workers who are regularly exposed to asbestos risk developing lung diseases such as mesothelioma.

The symptoms of these diseases may not show up for decades after exposure to asbestos. Different asbestos types may cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma can be found in the lung's outer lining or the pleura. It is the most prevalent type of mesothelioma, making up 70 to 79% of all diagnosed cases. People with this condition feel chest pain and shortness of breath and may also feel the sensation of weight in the chest.

Exposure to asbestos, a class of minerals comprised of microscopic fibers causes this kind of cancer. When inhaled, these fibers cause irritation and DNA mutations. The pleura is the area that surrounds the chest cavity and lungs, so these irritations can 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.

The most common symptoms of pleural melanoma are chest pain and breath shortness. Patients may also experience coughing, difficulty breathing, or chest tightness. Patients with this type of cancer have a history that includes asbestos exposure at work. The most common jobs that expose workers to the risk of developing pleural mesothelioma are manufacturing, construction and shipbuilding. People who were in the military are at greater risk due the extensive use asbestos Legal in Navy vessels and bunkers for the Army.

The most popular staging method for pleural mesothelioma is the TNM (tumor lymph nodes, lymph nodes and metastases) staging system. The stage the patient is in at the time of diagnosis will help determine what treatment plan they should receive. For example, patients with a pleural mesothelioma in stage three or four have a worse prognosis than patients with a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma often spreads to the liver, diaphragm or even the heart of a patient. This makes it more difficult to treat and raises the chance of complications for patients.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Contrary to pleural cancer that develops in the lung's lining the peritoneal cancer is a result of a membrane that covers the abdominal cavity, including organs like the intestines and liver. Similar to pleural mesothelioma, asbestos exposure is the primary cause of peritoneal mesothelioma. The disease is less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma, and around 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.

As with pleural asbestosis symptoms can take several years to manifest. Typically, patients experience abdominal pain and an abdominal mass. This kind of mesothelioma can cause nausea, weight loss, and fever. Many of these symptoms could be mistaken for gastrointestinal problems, leading to a misdiagnosis.

Generally speaking, doctors can detect mesothelioma after a thorough health history and physical exam. They may also employ imaging tests such as X-rays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to identify mesothelioma. These tests can show tumors and other symptoms of cancer that aren't visible on an X-ray.

These test results enable doctors to identify mesothelioma, and determine the stage. They can also recommend treatment options. The stage is determined by the kind of cell and if the cancer has spread.

The most important risk factor for mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos. People who have worked in asbestos-related jobs, such as plumbing or electrical work, or in manufacturing and construction are more likely to develop the disease. However, even if people aren't employed in these fields, they can still be exposed to asbestos through family members or through other sources. Anyone who believes they are at risk should consult an expert. A mesothelioma expert can help those with a history with asbestos to learn more about their risk.

Risk Factors

asbestos compensation exposure is a major mesothelioma risk factor, making up as much as 80 percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos can occur as a result of work, military service, or by living with someone who is exposed to asbestos or was previously exposed to doing such. When exposed to asbestos, small particles can be inhaled into the lungs and abdomen. These particles can cause irritation to the linings and trigger cancerous cells to grow in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma can take anywhere between 15 and 60 years to develop after exposure to asbestos.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics, and the advancing age. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely develop mesothelioma than those who are younger or more senior. This is because mesothelioma typically lasts between 20 and 60 years from the first time of exposure before cancer symptoms appear. It is important to keep in mind, too, that mesothelioma could be present in people who have been exposed to asbestos without having directly worked with it. This is known as indirect or secondary asbestos exposure, and is as dangerous as direct asbestos exposure.

Smoking increases the chance of mesothelioma since it damages mesothelium. It also makes it more prone to. Mesothelioma is also aggravated by certain illnesses such as asbestosis and pneumonia. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than women. This is due to men being more likely to be exposed to asbestos and endure a a longer period of exposure than women. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who had been exposed to asbestos settlement, and to have asbestos-containing fibers on their clothing. Women are less likely to be exposed to asbestos and don't typically carry asbestos on their clothing.

Diagnosis

It is difficult to identify mesothelioma since its symptoms are often similar to other diseases. This could lead to patients being misdiagnosed.

NYU Langone doctors will perform an examination of the body and document the patient's medical background, including asbestos exposure. Doctors may also order an X-ray chest or CT scan to detect lumps or other abnormalities, as well as evidence of past asbestos exposure like pleural plaques (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the buildup of fluid between the lung and chest wall (known as the pleural effusion).

Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram which examines the blood vessels and the heart, and a magnetic resonance imaging, also known as MRI, test, which uses magnets and radio waves to create detailed images of the interior of the body. Another way for doctors to detect mesothelioma is to perform a surgical biopsy. During a surgical biopsy, doctors remove a small piece of tissue from the peritoneum or pleura for further analysis. A pathologist can look at the tissue under a microscope to see if it contains 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. Some types of mesothelioma have a higher chance of metastasizing or spreading and it's crucial 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 laboratory on tumors in order to determine specific proteins, genes or other elements that will help them identify the characteristics of cancer and plan treatment. These results are referred to as staging.

Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnosis can be an incredibly frightening prospect. But, it is crucial to remember that the cancer can be treated, particularly in its earlier stages. A lot of people suffering from mesothelioma be afflicted for many years without it spreading.

Exposure to asbestos can trigger mesothelioma in many ways. Asbestos fibers that are too small to be felt or viewed by naked eyes, can become airborne, causing irritation to the lung's lining (pleura). In time, the irritation causes the formation of scar tissue which causes 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 respond when exposed to asbestos. They cause inflammation of the tissue and cause it to scar. In time, these changes can result in the growth of malignant mesothelioma cancers.

Shortness of breath, chest pain or fluid accumulation on the lungs are all symptoms of pleural Msothelioma. In rare instances, the cancer can spread to the tissues surrounding the heart and reproductive organs.

A doctor will order biopsy if scans reveal a possible lung tumor or stomach. During the procedure doctors remove small amounts of fluid or tumor for lab tests. The results will confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis and determine the best treatment option.

There are a variety of treatment for mesothelioma, including surgery and chemotherapy. The majority of doctors employ combinations of these treatments. Enrolling in clinical trials of new mesothelioma treatment may also be beneficial to patients. Patients can find out more by consulting a mesothelioma expert who has treated the condition.