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Mesothelioma and Asbestos

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

It could take a long time for symptoms to show up after exposure to asbestos. Different types of asbestos may cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer that affects the lung's outer the lining (pleura). It is the most prevalent form of mesothelioma and is responsible for 70 to 79% of all diagnosed cases. Patients suffering from this condition suffer from chest pain and breath shortness and may experience a sensation of heaviness in the chest.

This type of cancer typically caused by exposure to asbestos, which is a collection of minerals that are made up of microscopic fibres. Once inhaled, the fibers are absorbed into the lung and cause irritation that leads to scarring and DNA mutations. The pleura is the area that surrounds the lungs and chest cavity and therefore, these irritations could affect both the lungs and a person's heart. Mesothelioma is usually not symptomatic until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

Shortness of breath and chest pain are the most frequent symptoms. Patients may also experience difficulty breathing, or chest tightness. People with this cancer often have an history of exposure to asbestos in the workplace. Construction, manufacturing, and shipbuilding are the most frequent jobs that put people at a high chance of developing pleural mesothelioma. Individuals who have served in the military are at greater risk due the frequent use of asbestos in Navy vessels and Army bunkers.

The most common staging method for pleural mesothelioma is the TNM (tumor lymph nodes, lymph nodes and metastases) staging system. The stage the patient is in at the time of diagnosis will help determine what treatment plan they will receive. Patients who have pleural mesothelioma which is in stage three or stage four will suffer a more negative prognosis compared to those who are in a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma may spread to the liver, heart, or diaphragm. This can make it more difficult to treat and increases the risk of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Unlike pleural mesothelioma, which is a lung-lining cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma is found in the peritoneum -- an elongated membrane that covers the abdominal cavity and organs like the intestines and liver. Similar to pleural mesothelioma and peritoneal mesothelioma is caused by asbestos exposure. Only 300-500 cases are diagnosed each year, which is less than pleural asbestosis.

As with pleural mesothelioma symptoms may take years to appear. Most patients are afflicted with abdominal pain as well as an abdominal mass. The symptoms of this kind of mesothelioma could also include nausea as well as weight loss and fever. A lot of these symptoms can be misinterpreted as digestive issues, leading to a mistaken diagnosis.

Generally speaking, doctors can detect mesothelioma through a thorough medical history and physical exam. Imaging tests like X-rays and CT scans are a way to detect mesothelioma. These tests can detect tumors as well as other signs of cancer that are not visible on X-rays.

These test results allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and determine the stage and recommend treatment options. The staging is determined by the cell type and whether or whether the tumor has spread to other regions of the body.





Asbestos exposure is the biggest risk factor. People who have worked in jobs that require asbestos, like plumbing, manufacturing, electrical work or construction, are at a higher risk of developing the disease. Even if they aren't employed in these areas, they can still be exposed to asbestos through family members or other sources. For this reason, anyone who believes they could be at risk should talk to a doctor. A mesothelioma specialist can help those who have a previous history of asbestos to find out more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos is the main risk factor for mesothelioma. It is responsible for as much as 80percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos can occur as a result of military service, work, or living with people who have worked with asbestos. Asbestos particles are inhaled by people who are exposed to it. asbestos lawyers can cause irritation to the linings and trigger cancerous cells to form in the mesothelium. After exposure to asbestos mesothelioma is likely to be diagnosed between 15 and 60 year.

Other risk factors include genetics, smoking and aging. People in their 40s and 50s are more at risk of developing mesothelioma as compared to those younger or older. This is because mesothelioma typically takes 20 to 60 years from the initial exposure before the first signs of cancer appear. It is also important to know that mesothelioma can develop in those who were exposed to asbestos, but did not engage directly with it. This is called secondary or indirect exposure to asbestos, and it is just as harmful as direct exposure.

Smoking increases the risk of developing mesothelioma since it causes mesothelium damage and makes it more vulnerable to asbestos. Mesothelioma can also be caused by certain diseases, such as asbestosis and pneumonia. It is also important to note that mesothelioma is more prevalent in men than women. This is because men are more likely to be exposed to asbestos and endure a a longer period of exposure than women. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who has worked with asbestos and to have asbestos fibers on their clothing. Women tend to have less exposure to asbestos and rarely carry asbestos home on their clothes.

Diagnosis

It is difficult to diagnose mesothelioma because its symptoms are often similar to other diseases. Because of this, victims are sometimes wrongly diagnosed.

NYU Langone doctors will perform a physical examination and record the patient's medical background including asbestos exposure. Doctors may also request an CT scan or chest X-ray to check for abnormalities, lumps and evidence of exposure to asbestos. These include plaques on the pleura, pleura that are thickened and calcium deposits.

Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram, which examines the heart and blood vessels, and a magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI, test, which uses radio waves and magnets to make a series of precise images of the inside of the body. Another way for doctors to detect mesothelioma is by performing a surgical biopsy. In a surgical biopsy doctors remove a small amount of tissue from the peritoneum or pleura for further testing. A pathologist will then look at the tissue with a magnifying glass to determine if it contains cancerous cell.

Mesothelioma is classified according to the mesothelial type involved, whether those cells are benign or malignant, and the location of the tumor, the type, and the stage of the tumor. Some types of mesothelioma have an increased risk of metastasizing or spreading and it's crucial to determine the type of mesothelioma so doctors can treat it before it gets out of control.

Doctors can also perform tests in the lab on tumors to identify specific genes, proteins, or other factors which will help them identify cancer characteristics and plan treatment. These results are known as staging.

Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnosis can be terrifying. However, it's important to remember that the disease is treatable, especially in its earlier stages. Many mesothelioma patients live for a long time with the disease, without spreading to other parts of their body.

Exposure to asbestos can trigger mesothelioma in a number of ways. Asbestos fibers, which are too small to detect or feel by the naked eye can be airborne and cause irritation to the lung's lining (pleura). Over time irritation can lead to formation of scar tissue, which can cause changes in the cell structure that eventually develop into tumors.

The Pleura is a covering that covers the abdomen, heart, and lungs. Mesothelium is composed of cells that react when exposed to asbestos. They cause inflammation to the tissue and cause it to scar. Overtime, these changes result in the growth of malignant mesothelioma tumors.

The symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are breathlessness and chest pain, or a buildup of fluid in the lung (pleural effusion). In rare instances, the cancer can grow to the tissues surrounding the heart and reproductive organs.

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 small amounts of liquid or tumor for lab tests. The results can confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and help determine the most effective treatment plan.

There are many types of mesothelioma treatment options, which include chemotherapy, surgery, and immunotherapy. Most doctors utilize a combination of these treatments. Enrolling in clinical trials of mesothelioma treatments that are new could be beneficial for patients. Patients can learn more by consulting a mesothelioma expert who has treated the disease.