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Mesothelioma and Asbestos

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

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

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma occurs in the lung's outer lining, also known as pleura. It is the most prevalent mesothelioma form and is responsible for 70 to 79% all diagnosed cases. This condition causes chest pain, shortness of breathe, and a feeling of heaviness.

Exposure to asbestos, a family of minerals comprised of microscopic fibers, typically causes this kind of cancer. Once inhaled, these fibers cling to the lung and cause irritation that results in scarring and DNA mutations. The pleura surrounds the lungs and chest cavity, so these irritations can affect both the lungs and a person's heart. Mesothelioma usually doesn't show symptoms until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

Chest pain and shortness breath are the most frequently reported symptoms. Some patients also experience coughing, difficulty breathing or chest tightness. Patients with this type of cancer have a history of disease 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 have served in the military could be at a higher risk because of the extensive asbestos usage in Navy vessels and army bunkers.

The most common staging system for pleural mesothelioma is the TNM (tumor lymph nodes, lymph nodes and metastases) staging system. The stage that a patient is at when they are diagnosed will assist their doctor in determining the most appropriate treatment plan for them. For instance, patients who have mesothelioma pleural stage three or four have a less favorable prognosis than patients with lower stages. Stage four mesothelioma often spreads to the diaphragm, the liver or even a person's heart. This can make it more difficult to treat and raises the chance of complications for patients.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

In contrast to pleural cancer, that develops in the lining of the lung, peritoneal cancer develops in a membrane that surrounds the abdominal cavity, which includes organs such as the intestines and liver. Similar to pleural mesothelioma mesothelioma is caused by asbestos exposure. It is estimated that only 300-500 cases are diagnosed each year, which is less than pleural asbestosis.

Like pleural mesothelioma, symptoms can take a long time to manifest. Most patients suffer from abdominal pain and abdominal swelling. Symptoms of this type of mesothelioma can also include nausea or weight loss, as well as fever. Many of these symptoms can be mistaken for gastrointestinal problems, leading to a misdiagnosis.

Doctors can detect mesothelioma by looking over the medical history of the patient and conducting a physical exam. Imaging tests such as X-rays or CT scans are a way to detect mesothelioma. These tests can reveal tumors, as well as other symptoms of cancer that aren't visible on an X-ray.

The results of these tests allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and establish the stage. They can also suggest treatments. The staging is determined by the type of cell and whether or whether the tumor has spread to other regions of the body.

The most important risk factor for mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos. People who have worked in professions which require asbestos, such as plumbing electrical work, manufacturing or construction, are at a higher risk of developing the disease. Even if they aren't employed in these areas they could be exposed to asbestos through family members or through other sources. Anyone who believes they may be at risk should talk to an expert. A mesothelioma specialist can assist those who have a experience with asbestos to understand more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos is the primary risk factor for mesothelioma. It accounts for up to 80% of all cases. Exposure to asbestos can happen due to work, military service, or through living with a person who works with asbestos or has previously done such. When exposed to asbestos, the particles are able to be inhaled into lungs and abdomen. These particles can cause irritation to the linings, causing cancerous cells to form in the mesothelium. After exposure to asbestos, mesothelioma may develop between 15 and 60 years.

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 older. This is because mesothelioma usually takes 20 to 60 years from the initial time of exposure before symptoms of cancer begin to manifest. It is important to note that mesothelioma may develop in those who have been exposed to asbestos, but without having worked with it directly. This is referred to as indirect or secondary Asbestos Case exposure and can be just as harmful as direct asbestos exposure.

Smoking increases the chance of mesothelioma developing, as it damages the mesothelium. It can also make it more vulnerable. Furthermore, mesothelioma is worsened by certain diseases like pneumonia and asbestosis. It is also important to know that mesothelioma is more common for men than women. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for a longer period of time and to have worked with it. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who has worked with asbestos and to have asbestos lawsuit-containing fibers on their clothing. Women are less likely to come in contact with asbestos, and they are less likely to bring asbestos home on their clothing.

Diagnosis

It is difficult to recognize mesothelioma due to its symptoms being often similar to other conditions. This can lead to victims being wrongly diagnosed.

NYU Langone doctors will perform physical examinations and document the patient's medical background, including asbestos exposure. Doctors can also request an X-ray chest or CT scan to look for lumps and other abnormalities, and also to look for evidence of previous asbestos exposure such as pleural plaques (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the accumulation of fluid between the lung and chest wall (known as pleural effusion).

Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram, which examines the heart and blood vessels, and a magnetic resonance imaging, or 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 for doctors to identify mesothelioma. When a biopsy is performed doctors take a tiny part of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum, to be examined further. A pathologist can then examine the tissue with microscopes to determine if it has cancerous cells.

Mesothelioma is classified based on the type of mesothelial cells 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 grow or spread and spread, therefore it is essential to establish a definitive diagnosis so doctors can treat the disease before it gets out of control.

Doctors may also conduct tests in the lab on tumors to determine specific genes, proteins, or other factors which can aid in describing cancer characteristics and determine the best treatment. These results are referred to as staging.

Treatment

A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be a frightening prospect. It is crucial to remember, however, that cancer can be treated particularly in its early stages. Many people with mesothelioma can live with the disease for a long time without spreading.

Exposure to asbestos can trigger mesothelioma through a variety of ways. Asbestos fibers that are tiny enough to be felt or observed with the naked eyes can be airborne, causing irritation to the lining of the lung (pleura). Over time, the irritation leads to the formation of scar tissue and eventually tumors.

The Pleura is a protective layer that surrounds the abdomen, heart, and lungs. Mesothelium is composed of cells that respond when exposed to asbestos. They inflame the tissue and cause it to become scarred. As time passes, these changes result in the growth of malignant mesothelioma tumors.

The signs of pleural mesothelioma can include breathlessness and chest pain as well as an accumulation of fluid on the lungs (pleural effusion). In rare cases cancer can spread to the tissues that surround the reproductive organs and heart.

If imaging scans reveal an area of concern in the lungs or stomach, a doctor will order biopsies. In the course of the procedure, doctors remove some of the fluid or tumor to allow for laboratory testing. The results can confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis, and provide the best treatment option.

There are a variety of mesothelioma treatments, including surgery, chemotherapy and immunotherapy. The majority of doctors use an amalgamation of these techniques. Patients may also benefit from taking part in a clinical trial of new mesothelioma treatments. To learn more, patients should speak to mesothelioma experts who have had experience treating the disease.