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Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos is a mineral that naturally occurs in the form of thin, long fibers. People who are exposed to asbestos are at risk of developing lung diseases like mesothelioma.

It could take a long time before symptoms begin to manifest after asbestos exposure. Different types of asbestos may cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma can be found in the outer lung lining, or the pleura. It is the most prevalent mesothelioma form and accounts for 70% to 79% of diagnosed cases. This condition causes chest pain, breath shortness and a feeling heaviness.

Exposure to asbestos, a group of minerals comprised of microscopic fibers, typically causes this kind of cancer. The fibers, when inhaled cause irritation and DNA mutations. Pleura covers both the chest cavity as well as the lungs, and so irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma symptoms typically don't show until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

The most common symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include chest pain and breath shortness. Patients may also experience chest tightness, coughing or difficulty breathing. Patients with this type of cancer typically have an history of exposure to asbestos in the workplace. Manufacturing, construction and shipbuilding are among the most common occupations that put people at high chance of developing pleural mesothelioma. Individuals who have served in the military are at greater risk due to the extensive use asbestos in Navy vessels and bunkers for the Army.

The TNM (tumors lymph nodes and metastases staging system) is the most common staging system used for pleural adenocarcinoma. The stage a patient has at diagnosis will aid their doctor in determining the most effective treatment plan for them. Patients who have pleural mesothelioma which is in stage three or stage four will have a worse prognosis than those who are in a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma can spread to the liver, heart, or diaphragm. This can make it more difficult to treat and increase the chance of complications for patients.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

As opposed to pleural mesothelioma that develops in the lung lining, peritoneal mesothelioma forms in the peritoneum - a membrane that lines the abdominal cavity as well as organs like the liver and intestines. Like pleural mesothelioma, asbestos exposure is the primary reason for peritoneal msothelioma. It is estimated that only 300-500 cases are diagnosed each year which is lower than pleural asbestosis.

Like pleural mesothelioma, the symptoms may take years to appear. Patients typically experience abdominal pain, and may also have a lump in their abdomen. This type of mesothelioma may cause nausea, weight loss, and fever. Many of these symptoms are similar to symptoms of digestive issues, which could lead to incorrect diagnosis.

Typically, doctors can identify mesothelioma through a thorough health history and physical exam. Imaging tests like X-rays or CT scans are a way to identify mesothelioma. These tests can reveal cancerous tumors or other indications of cancer that aren't visible on an X-ray.

These tests enable doctors to identify mesothelioma, and determine the stage. They also offer treatments. The stage is determined by the type of cell as well as whether the tumor has spread.

The most significant mesothelioma risk factor is asbestos exposure. People who have worked in asbestos-containing professions, such as electrical or plumbing work or in construction and manufacturing are more likely to develop the disease. Even if an individual isn't employed in one of these fields, he or she can be exposed to asbestos to asbestos through family members and other sources. Anyone who thinks they're at risk should speak with a doctor. If they have an history of exposure to asbestos litigation or mesothelioma, a specialist can help them find out more about the risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos exposure is a major risk factor for mesothelioma accounting for up to 80 percent of all cases. Exposure to asbestos can occur as a result of military service, work or living with someone who used to work with asbestos. Asbestos particles are inhaled by people who are exposed to asbestos. The particles cause irritation to the linings of the lungs, causing cancerous cells to form in the mesothelium. Following exposure to asbestos mesothelioma is likely to occur between 15 and 60 years old.

Other risk factors include genetics, smoking and aging. The people in their 40s or 50s are at greater risk of developing mesothelioma as compared to those who are younger or older. This is because mesothelioma usually takes 20 to 60 years after the initial exposure to asbestos before symptoms of cancer begin to manifest. It is important to keep in mind, too, that mesothelioma may occur in those who have been exposed to asbestos without having directly worked with it. This is referred to as indirect or secondary exposure to asbestos. It can be just as dangerous as direct exposure.

Smoking can increase the likelihood of getting mesothelioma because it damages the mesothelium, which makes it more prone to asbestos. Mesothelioma can also be aggravated by certain illnesses such as asbestosis and pneumonia. It is also important to know that mesothelioma occurs more frequently for men than women. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos legal for longer periods of time and work with asbestos Case (Misungprint.Com) for longer durations and to work with it. Additionally, men are more likely to live with someone who has was exposed to asbestos and bring asbestos fibers from their workplace on their clothes. Women are less likely to come into exposure to asbestos and do not typically carry asbestos on their clothes.

Diagnosis

It is difficult to identify mesothelioma since its symptoms are frequently similar to other illnesses. This can lead to victims being misdiagnosed.

The first step in diagnosing mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform an examination and write note of the medical history of the patient including asbestos exposure. Doctors can also request a chest X-ray or CT scan to detect lumps and other abnormalities as well as evidence of past asbestos exposure like plaques in the pleura (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the buildup of fluid between the lung and chest wall (known as pleural effusion).

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 create detailed images of the interior of the body. A surgical biopsy is another method for doctors to identify mesothelioma. In a surgical biopsy doctors take a small amount of tissue from the peritoneum or pleura for further analysis. A pathologist then examines the tissue with a magnifying lens to determine if it is a cancerous cell.

Mesothelioma is classified based on the type of mesothelial cell involved, whether these cells are benign or malignant and the location of the tumor, the type, and the stage of the tumor. Some types of mesothelioma have greater risk of spreading or metastasizing therefore it is essential to determine the type of mesothelioma so doctors can treat it prior to it becoming out of control.

Doctors may also conduct tests in the lab on a tumor to identify particular proteins, genes and other factors that help them understand the cancer's characteristics and plan treatment. These results are called staging.

Treatment

A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be terrifying. It is important to remember that cancer can be treated, especially at its early stages. Many people with mesothelioma live for a long time with the disease without it spreading to other organs of their body.

Exposure to asbestos claim may cause mesothelioma through a variety of ways. Asbestos fibers that are small enough to not be felt or seen through the naked eye can be airborne and irritate the lining of the lung (pleura). Over time, the irritation causes the formation of scar tissue which causes changes in the cell structure which eventually lead to tumors.

The pleura surrounds the heart and lungs and also the abdomen. Mesothelium is composed of cells that react to exposure to asbestos, causing it to inflame and develop scar tissue. As time passes, these changes cause the development of malignant mesothelioma tumors.

Breathing problems, chest pain or fluid accumulation on the lungs are all signs of pleural Msothelioma. In rare instances the cancer may spread to the tissues surrounding the heart and reproductive organs.

A doctor will order a biopsy if imaging scans reveal a possible lung tumor or stomach. The procedure involves the removal of some of the fluid or tumor for tests in the laboratory. The results can confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis and indicate the best treatment option.

There are many types of mesothelioma treatment, including chemotherapy, surgery and immunotherapy. Most doctors rely on a combination of these methods. Participating in clinical trials of mesothelioma treatments may be beneficial to patients. To find out more, patients should speak to mesothelioma specialists who have had experience treating the disease.