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Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos is a mineral that occurs naturally in the form of long, thin fibers. Workers who are exposed asbestos regularly are at risk of developing mesothelioma as well as other lung diseases.

The symptoms of these diseases might not be evident for a long time after exposure to asbestos. Different asbestos types may cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer of the outer lung lining, or pleura. It is the most frequent mesothelioma that accounts for up between 70 and 79% of all diagnosed cases. The condition can cause chest pain, breath shortness, and a feeling of heaviness.

This type of cancer typically caused by exposure to asbestos law, which is a collection of minerals composed of microscopic fibers. Once inhaled, the fibers are absorbed into the lung and cause irritation which leads to scarring and DNA mutations. The pleura surrounds the lungs and chest cavity This means that these irritations can affect both the lungs as well as a person's heart. Mesothelioma symptoms usually don't appear until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

The most frequent symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include chest pain and shortness of breath. Patients may also experience difficulty breathing, or chest tightness. People who suffer from this cancer usually have previous exposure to asbestos law in the workplace. Manufacturing, construction and shipbuilding are among the most frequent occupations that put people at high danger of developing pleural melanoma. People who have served in the military are at an especially high risk due to the widespread use of asbestos 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 a patient is in at diagnosis will help their doctor determine the best treatment plan for them. For instance, patients suffering from a pleural mesothelioma in stage three or four have a less favorable prognosis than those in a lower stage. Mesothelioma in stage four can be spread to the heart, liver or diaphragm. This can make it more difficult to treat and increases the risk of complications for patients.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Unlike pleural mesothelioma, which is a lung-lining cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma forms in the peritoneum, an elongated membrane that covers the abdominal cavity and organs like the intestines and the liver. Like pleural mesothelioma, peritoneal mesothelioma is triggered by asbestos case exposure. It is estimated that only 300-500 cases are diagnosed each year this is less than pleural asbestosis.

As with pleural mesothelioma symptoms can take years to show. Typically, patients are afflicted with abdominal pain as well as an abdominal mass. This kind of mesothelioma can cause nausea, weight loss, and fever. Many of these symptoms could be mistaken for gastrointestinal problems and can lead to a false diagnosis.

Doctors can detect mesothelioma by reviewing the medical history of the patient and performing a physical examination. Imaging tests such as X-rays or CT scans are a way to identify mesothelioma. These tests can reveal tumors as well as other signs of cancer that aren't evident on X-rays.

These tests enable doctors to diagnose mesothelioma, determine the stage of the disease and suggest treatment options. The stage is determined by the kind of cell and if the tumor has spread.

The most significant mesothelioma-related risk factor is exposure to asbestos. People who have been exposed to asbestos litigation in professions, such as electrical or plumbing work, or in manufacturing and construction, are more likely to develop the disease. Even if they aren't employed in these fields, they can still be exposed to asbestos compensation through family members or other sources. Anyone who thinks they are at risk should consult a doctor. A mesothelioma specialist can help those who have a history with asbestos to learn more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos exposure is a major risk factor for mesothelioma, accounting for up to 80 percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos may occur through work, military service or through living with a person who works with asbestos or was previously exposed to doing the same. When exposed to asbestos, small particles can be breathed into the lungs and abdomen. These particles irritate the linings of the abdomen, which causes cancerous cells to form in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma can take anywhere between 15 and 60 years to develop following exposure to asbestos.

Other risk factors include genetics, smoking and aging. People in their 40s and 50s are at a higher risk of developing mesothelioma as compared to people who are younger or more. This is because mesothelioma usually takes 20 to 60 years from the first exposure to asbestos before the first signs of cancer appear. It is important to note, too, that mesothelioma may be present in people who have been exposed to asbestos without having directly worked with it. This is called secondary or indirect exposure to asbestos. It can be just as dangerous as direct exposure.

Smoking increases the chance of mesothelioma developing, since it damages mesothelium. It also makes it more susceptible. In addition, mesothelioma may be exacerbated by certain illnesses like asbestosis and pneumonia. It is also important to remember that mesothelioma occurs more frequently in males than females. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos lawyer for a longer period of time and to work with it. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who has worked with asbestos, and to carry asbestos fibers on their clothing. Women are less likely to come exposed to asbestos and they don't usually bring asbestos home on their clothing.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is a difficult cancer to diagnose because the symptoms can be similar to other conditions. This could lead to patients being incorrectly diagnosed.

The first step in diagnosing mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform a physical exam 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 lumps, abnormalities, and evidence of exposure to asbestos. These include pleural plaques, thickened pleura and calcium deposits.

Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram which examines the blood vessels and the heart and magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI, test, which makes use of magnets and radio waves to create precise images of the inside of the body. Another method doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma is to perform a surgical biopsy. During a surgery biopsy doctors take a tiny piece of tissue from pleura or the peritoneum to be examined further. A pathologist then examines the tissue using an magnifying glass to determine if it is a cancerous cells.

Mesothelioma is classified based on the mesothelial type involved, whether those cells are malignant or benign and the location of the tumor, the type, and the stage of the tumor. Some types of mesothelioma are more likely to develop metastasis or spread, so it is important to have a clear diagnosis so that doctors can treat the disease before it becomes out of control.

Doctors may also conduct tests in the lab on a tumor to find specific proteins, genes and other factors which can help them identify the characteristics of cancer and plan treatment. These results are known as staging.

Treatment

A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be frightening. It is important to keep in mind that cancer can be treated, particularly in its initial stages. Many mesothelioma patients live for a long time with the disease without it spreading to other areas of their body.

Exposure to asbestos can trigger mesothelioma in a number of ways. Asbestos fibers that are small enough to not be felt or observed through the naked eye can be airborne, irritating the lining of the lung (pleura). In time irritation can lead to formation of scar tissue which causes changes in the cell structure that can eventually grow into tumors.

The pleura is the area that surrounds the lungs and the heart and also the abdomen. Mesothelium is made up of cells that react to asbestos and cause it to enflame and form scar tissue. In time, these changes can cause the development of malignant mesothelioma tumors.

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

If imaging scans show a possible mass in the lungs or stomach doctors will recommend biopsies. The procedure involves the removal of small amounts of fluid or tumor for laboratory testing. The results can confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and indicate the best treatment plan.

There are a variety of mesothelioma treatment, which include chemotherapy, surgery, and immunotherapy. Most doctors utilize a combination of these methods. Patients may also benefit from participating in a clinical study of new mesothelioma therapies. Patients can learn more by speaking with a mesothelioma doctor who has treated mesothelioma.