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Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that is found in thin, long fibres. People who are exposed to asbestos may develop lung diseases such as mesothelioma.

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

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma is a type of cancer that develops in the lung's outer lining (pleura). It is the most prevalent mesothelioma form and is responsible for 70 to 79% of all diagnosed cases. People with this condition feel chest pain and shortness of breath and may experience an ache or heaviness in the chest.

Exposure to asbestos, a group of minerals made of microscopic fibers, typically causes this kind of cancer. The fibers, when inhaled can cause irritation 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 are usually not apparent until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

Chest pain and shortness breath are the most common symptoms. Some patients may also feel tightness in their chest and coughing, or breathing difficulties. People with this cancer often have a history of exposure to asbestos in the workplace. Manufacturing, construction, and shipbuilding are the most common occupations which put people at risk risk of developing pleural mesothelioma. People who were in the military are at a higher risk due to the widespread use of asbestos in Navy vessels and bunkers in the Army.

The TNM (tumors, lymph nodes, and metastases staging system) is the most popular staging system used to treat pleural adenocarcinoma. The stage the patient is in at the time of diagnosis will help determine the treatment plan they should follow. Patients who have pleural mesothelioma which is in stage three or four will suffer a more negative prognosis compared to those in a less advanced stage. Mesothelioma in stage four can be spread to the liver, heart, or diaphragm. This makes it more difficult to treat and raises the chance of complications for patients.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

In contrast to pleural mesothelioma which is a lung-lining cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma develops in the peritoneum, a membrane that lines the abdominal cavity and organs like the intestines and liver. Like pleural mesothelioma, peritoneal mesothelioma is caused by asbestos exposure. The disease is less common than pleural mesothelioma. There are just 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.

Like pleural mesothelioma, symptoms may take years to appear. Patients usually experience abdominal pain, and could also experience a mass in their abdomen. This kind of mesothelioma can also cause nausea, weight loss, and fever. Many of these symptoms can be misinterpreted as gastrointestinal issues and can lead to a misdiagnosis.

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

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

Asbestos exposure is the most important risk factor. People who have worked in jobs that require asbestos, such as plumbing or manufacturing, electrical work or construction, are at increased risk of developing the disease. Even if an individual is not employed in any of these areas, he or she can still be exposed through family members and other sources. Anyone who believes they may be at risk should speak with a doctor. A mesothelioma expert can help those with a history with asbestos to learn more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos exposure is the main mesothelioma risk factor, which accounts for as much as 80 percent of all cases. Exposure to asbestos claim can occur through military service, work, or living with those who worked with asbestos law. Asbestos particles can be breathed in by those who are exposed to it. The particles cause irritation to the linings, causing cancerous cells to form in the mesothelium. After asbestos exposure mesothelioma is likely to develop between 15 and 60 years.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and aging. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely be diagnosed with mesothelioma compared to those who are younger or older. This is because mesothelioma usually takes 20 to 60 years from the first time of exposure before the first signs of cancer appear. It is also important to note that mesothelioma can develop in people who were exposed to asbestos, but did not deal with it directly. This is known as indirect or secondary asbestos exposure, and is 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. Mesothelioma is also aggravated by certain diseases, such as asbestosis and pneumonia. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than women. This is due to men being more likely to work with asbestos and experience a an extended period of exposure than women. Also, men are more likely to live with someone who had asbestos exposure and bring asbestos fibers from their workplace on their clothes. Women are less likely to come exposed to asbestos litigation and they don't usually bring asbestos home on their clothing.

Diagnosis

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

The first step in identifying mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform an examination and write note of the medical history of the patient, including asbestos exposure. Doctors may also order an X-ray of the chest or CT scan to look for lumps or other abnormalities, as well as evidence of past asbestos exposure like 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 magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI test, which makes use of magnets and radio waves to make a series of detailed images of the interior of the body. Another method doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma is through the procedure of a surgical biopsy. During a surgery biopsy, doctors remove a tiny part of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum to be tested further. A pathologist can examine the tissue with microscopes to determine if it contains cancerous cells.

The mesothelial type involved and the benign or malignant nature of these cells and the location the cancer, its type and the stage of the cancer are used to categorize the disease. Certain types of mesothelioma are at an increased chance of metastasizing or spreading therefore it is essential to get a definitive diagnosis to ensure that the doctors can treat it prior to it becoming out-of-control.

Doctors can also perform tests in the laboratory on tumors to determine specific genes, proteins or other elements that can aid in describing cancer characteristics and determine the best treatment. These results are known as staging.

Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnose can be frightening. It is crucial to remember, however, that cancer can be treated especially at its early stages. Many mesothelioma patients live for a long time with the disease without it spreading to other areas of their body.

Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma in a number of ways. asbestos case, Xn Ok 0bw 9hszid 2k 5jg link for more info, particles, which are too small to detect or feel through the naked eye, can be airborne and cause irritation to the lining of the lungs (pleura). As time passes, the irritation leads to the formation of scar tissue and eventually tumors.

The pleura is the area that surrounds the heart and lungs and the abdomen. Mesothelium is composed of cells that react to asbestos, causing it to inflame and form scar tissue. In time, these changes can lead to the development of malignant mesothelioma cancers.

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

If imaging scans reveal a possible mass in the lungs or stomach, a doctor will order biopsies. During the procedure, doctors take small amounts of the tumor or fluid for lab testing. The results will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and provide the most effective treatment plan.

There are a variety of treatment for mesothelioma, such as chemotherapy and surgery. Most doctors utilize a combination of these treatments. Participating in clinical trials for new mesothelioma treatment may also be beneficial for patients. Patients can learn more about the trials by consulting a mesothelioma specialist who has treated mesothelioma.