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Mesothelioma and Asbestos

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

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

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma occurs in the outer lung lining, or the pleura. It is the most frequent type of mesothelioma, making up 70% to 79% of all diagnosed cases. People with this condition experience pain in the chest and breathlessness and may experience a sensation of heaviness in the chest.

This kind of cancer is often caused by exposure to asbestos, which is a grouping of minerals comprised of microscopic fibres. Once inhaled, these fibers stick inside the lung and cause irritation that leads to scarring and DNA mutations. The pleura is the area that surrounds the chest cavity and lungs, so these irritations can affect both the lungs and a person's heart. Mesothelioma symptoms typically don't show until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

The most commonly reported symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are chest pain and breath shortness. Patients may also suffer from chest tightness, coughing or difficulty breathing. People with this cancer have a history that includes asbestos exposure at work. The most prevalent jobs that expose people to the risk of pleural mesothelioma include manufacturing, construction, and shipbuilding. People who have served in the military could be at risk due to the frequent asbestos usage in Navy ships and bunkers for the army.

The most common staging system for pleural mesothelioma is the TNM (tumor, lymph nodes and metastases) staging system. The stage a patient has when they are diagnosed will aid their doctor in determining the most effective treatment plan for them. For instance, patients who have a pleural mesothelioma in stage three or four have a poorer prognosis than those with lower stages. Stage four mesothelioma often spreads to the diaphragm, liver and/or a person's heart. This can make the cancer more difficult to treat and increase the chance of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Unlike pleural mesothelioma, which develops in the lung lining, peritoneal mesothelioma forms in the peritoneum -- an elongated membrane that covers the abdominal cavity and organs like the liver and intestines. Like pleural mesothelioma, peritoneal mesothelioma is caused by asbestos exposure. The disease is less common than pleural mesothelioma, with around 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.

Like pleural mesothelioma, symptoms can take years to show. Typically, patients experience abdominal pain and a mass in the abdomen. Symptoms of this type of mesothelioma could also include nausea or weight loss, as well as fever. A lot of these symptoms can be misinterpreted as gastrointestinal issues which can lead to a misdiagnosis.

Typically, doctors can identify mesothelioma after an exhaustive medical history and physical exam. They can also use imaging tests like Xrays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to help find mesothelioma. These tests can identify tumors as well as other signs of cancer that aren't evident on X-rays.

These tests enable doctors to diagnose mesothelioma, identify the stage and suggest treatment options. The stage is determined by the type of cell and whether the cancer has spread.

The most significant risk factor for mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos. People who have worked in professions that involve asbestos settlement, such as plumbing, manufacturing, electrical work or construction, are at a higher risk of developing the disease. However, even if individuals do not work in these fields, they can still be exposed to asbestos through relatives or other sources. Anyone who suspects that they may be at risk should talk to an expert. If they have any history of exposure to asbestos, a mesothelioma specialist can help them find out more about the risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos exposure is the main risk factor for mesothelioma, making up as much as 80 percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos can occur through work, military service, or living with someone who used to work with asbestos. Asbestos particles are inhaled by people who are exposed to it. These particles can cause irritation to the linings of the lungs, causing cancerous cells to form in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma can take between 15 and 60 years to develop after exposure to asbestos.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and aging. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely to get mesothelioma than people younger or older. This is because mesothelioma usually occurs between 20 and 60 years from the first exposure to asbestos lawyer before the first signs of cancer appear. It is also important to note that mesothelioma may develop in people who were exposed to asbestos, but did not work with it directly. This is called secondary or indirect exposure to asbestos and it can be just as dangerous as direct exposure.

Smoking can increase the likelihood of getting mesothelioma because it damages the mesothelium and makes it more prone to asbestos. Additionally, mesothelioma can be worsened by certain diseases like asbestosis and pneumonia. It is also important to remember that mesothelioma is more prevalent for men than women. This is because men are more likely to work with asbestos and have a longer period of exposure than women. Additionally, men are more likely to live with someone who has had asbestos exposure and bring stray asbestos fibers home on their clothing. Women tend to have less exposure to asbestos and rarely carry asbestos home on their clothes.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is a difficult disease to diagnose because the symptoms can be similar to other diseases. This is why patients are sometimes mistakenly diagnosed.

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

Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram which examines the heart and blood vessels, and a magnetic resonance imaging, also known as MRI, test that uses radio waves and magnets to create precise images of the inside of the body. A surgical biopsy is a different method doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma. In a surgical biopsy, doctors remove a tiny piece of tissue from pleura or the peritoneum, to be further examined. A pathologist can then examine the tissue with microscopes to determine if it is contaminated with cancerous cells.

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

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

Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnosis can be terrifying. However, it's important to remember that the cancer can be treated, particularly in its initial stages. Many people with mesothelioma live for years with the disease without it spreading to other areas of their body.

Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma through a variety of ways. Asbestos fibers that are tiny enough to be felt or observed through the naked eye are able to become airborne and irritate the lung's lining (pleura). Over time irritation leads to formation of scar tissue, which causes changes in the cell structure that eventually develop into tumors.

The pleura covers the lungs and heart and the abdomen. Mesothelium is composed of cells that react to exposure to asbestos compensation and cause it to enflame and create scar tissue. As time passes, these changes result in the growth of malignant mesothelioma tumors.

Symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include breathing problems and chest pain as well as a buildup of fluid on the lungs (pleural effusion). In rare instances cancer can spread to the tissues that surround the reproductive organs and the heart.

If imaging scans reveal an area of concern in the stomach or lungs the doctor will request a biopsies. During the procedure doctors remove some of the fluid or tumor to allow for tests in the laboratory. The results will confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis and indicate the most effective treatment plan.

There are several types of mesothelioma treatment, which include chemotherapy, surgery, and immunotherapy. Most doctors rely on an amalgamation of these techniques. Patients could also benefit from enrolling in a clinical trial of new mesothelioma treatment. To learn more, patients should speak with a mesothelioma specialist who has experience treating the condition.