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Mesothelioma and Asbestos

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

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

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma is a type of cancer that develops in the outer lung the lining (pleura). It is the most frequent type of mesothelioma, making up between 70 and 79% of diagnosed cases. Patients suffering from this condition feel chest pain and shortness of breath and may also feel a sensation of heaviness in the chest.

This type of cancer is usually caused by exposure to asbestos, which is a collection of minerals that are made up of microscopic fibres. Once inhaled, these fibers are absorbed into the lung and cause irritation which causes scarring and DNA mutations. Pleura covers both the chest cavity and the lungs, which means that irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma symptoms usually don't appear until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

Shortness of breath and chest pain are the most frequently reported symptoms. Some patients may also feel tightness in their chest, coughing or difficulty breathing. Patients with this type of cancer have a past that includes asbestos exposure at work. Manufacturing, construction and shipbuilding are among the most prevalent jobs that put people at high chance of developing pleural mesothelioma. People who were in the military are at a greater risk due to the extensive use asbestos in Navy vessels and Army bunkers.

The most popular staging system for pleural mysothelioma has been the TNM (tumor lymph nodes, lymph nodes and metastases) staging system. The stage a patient is in at diagnosis will aid their doctor in determining the best treatment plan for them. For example, patients with mesothelioma pleural stage three or four have a less favorable prognosis than those with a lower stage. Mesothelioma in stage four is usually spread to the diaphragm, liver or even the heart of a patient. This makes it more difficult to treat and raises the likelihood of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Unlike pleural cancer, that develops in the lung's lining, peritoneal cancer develops in a membrane that surrounds the abdominal cavity, which includes organs such as the intestines and the liver. Similar to pleural mesothelioma, exposure to asbestos is the cause of peritoneal mesothelioma. Only 300-500 cases are diagnosed each year which is lower than the pleural asbestosis.

As with pleural asbestosis, symptoms can take several years to manifest. Typically, patients suffer from abdominal pain and a mass in the abdomen. This mesothelioma type can cause nausea, weight loss, and fever. Many of these symptoms can be misinterpreted as gastrointestinal issues and can lead to a mistaken diagnosis.

Doctors can detect mesothelioma by examining the patient's medical history and performing a physical exam. They can also utilize imaging tests such as X-rays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to help find mesothelioma. These tests can identify tumors and other signs of cancer that aren't visible on X-rays.

These test results enable doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and determine the stage. They also offer treatment options. The stage is determined by the type of cell and whether the tumor has spread.

The most important mesothelioma risk factor is exposure to asbestos. People who have been exposed to asbestos in occupations, like 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 could be exposed to asbestos through family members or other sources. Anyone who thinks they're at risk should consult an expert. A mesothelioma specialist can assist those who have had a experience with asbestos to understand more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos is the most significant mesothelioma-related risk factor. It is responsible for as much as 80% of all cases. Exposure to asbestos may occur as a result of military service, work or living with those who worked with asbestos. When exposed to asbestos, small particles can be breathed into the lungs and abdomen. These particles can cause irritation to the linings and can cause cancerous cells to develop in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma can take between 15 and 60 years to develop following exposure to asbestos lawsuit.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and age. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely be diagnosed with mesothelioma compared to those who are younger or more senior. Mesothelioma can take between 20 and 60 years to manifest cancer symptoms after the first exposure. It is important to remember, too, that mesothelioma may occur in those who have been exposed to asbestos without having worked with it directly. This is referred to as indirect or secondary asbestos exposure and can be just as harmful as direct asbestos exposure.

Smoking can increase the likelihood of developing mesothelioma due to the fact that it causes mesothelium damage and makes it more susceptible to asbestos. In addition, mesothelioma may be caused by certain illnesses, such as pneumonia and asbestosis. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma compared to women. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for longer periods of time and to have worked with asbestos for longer durations and to work with it. Additionally, men are more likely to live with someone who worked with asbestos and carry stray asbestos fibers home on their clothing. Women tend to have less contact with asbestos claim and do not typically carry asbestos around on their clothes.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is difficult to recognize because the symptoms can be similar to other diseases. This can result in patients being misdiagnosed.

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 will also recommend an CT scan or chest X-ray in order to look for lumps, abnormalities and evidence of exposure to asbestos law. 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 that uses magnets and radio waves to create precise images of the inside of the body. Another way doctors can diagnose mesothelioma is to perform an operation called a biopsy. When a biopsy is performed doctors take a tiny piece of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum, to be tested further. A pathologist will then look at the tissue under a magnifying glass to determine if it is a cancerous cell.

The type of mesothelial cells involved and the benign or malignant nature of the cells and the location the cancer, its type and the stage of the cancer are used to categorize the disease. Certain mesothelioma types have greater risk of spreading or metastasizing, so it's important to get a definitive diagnosis to ensure that the doctors can treat it before it gets out of control.

Doctors may also conduct tests in the lab on tumors to determine specific proteins, genes or other elements that can help them describe cancer characteristics and determine the best treatment. These results are referred to as staging.

Treatment

A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be terrifying. It is important to remember, however, 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 can trigger mesothelioma in many ways. Asbestos fibers, too small to detect or feel by the naked eye can become airborne and cause irritation to the lung's lining (pleura). Over time irritation leads to formation of scar tissue, which leads to changes in the structure of cells which eventually lead to tumors.

The pleura surrounds the lungs and the heart and the abdomen. Mesothelium is made up of cells that react to exposure to asbestos, causing it to inflame and create scar tissue. These changes eventually lead to malignant mesothelioma tumours.

A shortness of breath, chest discomfort or fluid buildup on the lungs are all signs of pleural msothelioma. In rare instances, cancer can spread into the tissues that surround the reproductive organs as well as the heart.

A doctor will order biopsy if scans show the possibility of a lung tumor or stomach. During the procedure, doctors remove small amounts of the fluid or tumor for lab testing. The results can confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and help determine the best treatment option.

There are many types of treatment for mesothelioma including chemotherapy and surgery. Most doctors use a combination of these treatments. Enrolling in clinical trials of new mesothelioma treatment may also be beneficial to patients. Patients can learn more by speaking with a mesothelioma doctor who has treated the disease.