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Mesothelioma and Asbestos

asbestos legal is a natural mineral that is made up of long, thin fibres. People who are exposed to asbestos may develop lung diseases such as mesothelioma.

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

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer that affects the lung's outer liner (pleura). It is the most frequent mesothelioma that accounts for up 70% to 79% of all diagnosed cases. Patients with this disease experience pain in the chest and breath shortness and may experience an ache or heaviness in the chest.

Exposure to asbestos, a family of minerals composed of microscopic fibers, typically causes this kind of cancer. The fibers, when inhaled cause irritation and DNA mutations. Pleura is the lining of both the chest cavity and the lungs, and so irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma is usually not symptomatic 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. People with this cancer have a history that includes asbestos exposure at work. Construction, manufacturing, and shipbuilding are the most prevalent jobs which put people at risk risk of developing pleural mesothelioma. People who have served in the military are at risk due to the frequent asbestos lawsuit usage in Navy vessels and army bunkers.

The TNM (tumors, lymph nodes, and metastases staging system) is the most popular staging system for the pleural adenocarcinoma. The stage that a patient is in at the time of diagnosis can help determine the treatment plan they should follow. Patients suffering from pleural mesothelioma who is in stage three or stage four will have a less favorable prognosis than those in a less advanced stage. Stage four mesothelioma can be spread to the heart, liver or diaphragm. This makes it more difficult to treat and raises the likelihood of complications for patients.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Unlike pleural cancer, which is found in the lung's lining it develops in a membrane that surrounds the abdominal cavity, including organs such as the liver and intestines. Like pleural mesothelioma, asbestos exposure is the cause of peritoneal mesothelioma. The disease is less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma, with only about 300-500 cases diagnosed each year.

As with pleural asbestosis symptoms can take years to manifest. Patients typically suffer from abdominal pain and could also experience a mass in their abdomen. Symptoms of this type of mesothelioma could also include nausea or weight loss, as well as fever. Many of these symptoms could be misinterpreted as gastrointestinal issues, leading to a false diagnosis.

Generally speaking, doctors can detect mesothelioma after an exhaustive health history and physical exam. They may also employ imaging tests like X-rays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to identify mesothelioma. These tests can show cancerous tumors or other indications of cancer that aren't visible on X-rays.

The results of these tests allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and determine the stage. They can also recommend treatment options. The stage is determined by the type of cell and whether the tumor has spread.

The most significant mesothelioma-related risk factor is asbestos exposure. People who have been in occupations which require asbestos, such as plumbing manufacturing, electrical work or construction, are at increased risk of developing the disease. Even if an individual does not work in any of these areas however, they may be exposed to asbestos through family members or other sources. This is why anyone who suspects they may be at risk should talk to a doctor. If they have any history of exposure to asbestos, a mesothelioma specialist can assist them in learning more about the risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos exposure is the primary risk factor for mesothelioma, accounting for up to 80 percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos can occur due to work, military service or through living with a person who works with asbestos or has previously done so. When exposed to asbestos, particles can be breathed into the lungs and abdomen. These particles can cause irritation to the linings, causing cancerous cells to develop in the mesothelium. After exposure to asbestos, mesothelioma may develop between 15 and 60 years old.

Other risk factors include genetics, smoking and aging. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely to get mesothelioma than people younger or older. It is because mesothelioma generally takes 20 to 60 years after the initial time of exposure before symptoms of cancer begin to manifest. It is important to note that mesothelioma can develop in those who have been exposed to asbestos without having directly worked with it. This is called secondary or indirect exposure to asbestos. It is just as harmful as direct exposure.

Smoking increases the risk of developing mesothelioma due to the fact that it damages the mesothelium, which makes it more susceptible to asbestos. In addition, mesothelioma may be exacerbated by certain illnesses like pneumonia and asbestosis. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma compared to 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 live with someone who worked with asbestos and carry asbestos fibers that have escaped home on their clothing. Women are less likely to come into exposure to asbestos and don't typically carry asbestos on their clothing.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is difficult to diagnose because the symptoms often resemble other conditions. This is why patients are often mistakenly diagnosed.

The first step to diagnose mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform an examination and write notes on the medical history of a patient, including asbestos exposure. Doctors will also recommend a CT scan or chest X-ray in order to look for lumps, abnormalities and evidence of asbestos exposure. These include plaques in the pleura, thickened pleura and calcium deposits.

Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram which examines the blood vessels and the heart, and a magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI test, which uses magnets and radio waves to make a series of detailed images of the inside of the body. Another way doctors can diagnose mesothelioma is to perform an operation called a biopsy. During a surgery biopsy doctors will remove a small piece of tissue from pleura or the peritoneum to be further examined. A pathologist can look at the tissue under microscopes to determine if it is contaminated with cancerous cells.

Mesothelioma can be classified based on the type of mesothelial cells involved, whether those cells are benign or malignant and also the location of the tumor, the type, and the stage of the cancer. Certain types of mesothelioma may be more likely to grow or spread, so it is important to get a definite diagnosis so that doctors can treat the disease before it goes out of control.

Doctors may also conduct tests in the lab on a tumor to identify specific genes, proteins, or other factors that help them understand the characteristics of the cancer and determine a treatment. These results are referred to as staging.

Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnosis can be terrifying. However, it's important to remember that the cancer is treatable, especially in its earlier stages. Many patients with mesothelioma live with the disease for a long time, without spreading.

Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma through various mechanisms. Asbestos fibres, small enough to not be felt or viewed through the naked eye, can become airborne, causing irritation to the lining of the lung (pleura). As time passes, the irritation causes the formation of scar tissue which can cause changes in the structure of cells which eventually lead to tumors.

The Pleura is a protective layer that surrounds the lungs, heart and abdomen. Mesothelium is made up of cells that react when exposed to asbestos compensation. They inflame the tissue and cause it to become scarred. These changes eventually lead to malignant mesothelioma tumours.

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

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

There are many types of treatment for mesothelioma including chemotherapy and surgery. Most doctors use combinations of these treatments. Participating in clinical trials for new mesothelioma treatment may also be beneficial to patients. To learn more about the trials, patients should consult a mesothelioma specialist who has expertise in treating the condition.