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Mesothelioma and Asbestos

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

It can take years for symptoms to show up after exposure to asbestos. Different types of asbestos may cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma, a form of cancer, that affects the outer lung lining (pleura). It is the most prevalent type of mesothelioma, making up between 70 and 79% of all diagnosed cases. This condition causes chest pain, breath shortness and a feeling heavyness.

Exposure to asbestos, a class of minerals comprised of microscopic fibers, typically causes this kind of cancer. Once inhaled, these fibers stick inside the lungs and cause irritation that causes scarring and DNA mutations. Pleura covers both the chest cavity as well as the lungs, which means that irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma is usually not symptomatic until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

The most frequent symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include chest pain and shortness of breath. Patients may also feel tightness in their chest or coughing. They may also experience difficulty breathing. People with this cancer have a history of disease that includes asbestos exposure at work. The most prevalent jobs that put people at risk of pleural mesothelioma include manufacturing, construction, and shipbuilding. Individuals who have served in the military are at a greater risk due the extensive use asbestos settlement in Navy vessels and bunkers for the Army.

The most commonly used staging system for pleural mysothelioma has been the TNM (tumor lymph nodes, lymph nodes and metastases) staging system. The stage that a patient is at at diagnosis will help their doctor determine the best treatment plan for them. Patients who have pleural mesothelioma which is in stage three or four will have a worse prognosis than those who are in a less advanced stage. Mesothelioma in stage four can develop into the heart, liver 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 develops in the lung lining, peritoneal mesothelioma is found in the peritoneum - it is a membrane that lines the abdominal cavity and organs such as the liver and intestines. Like pleural mesothelioma, exposure to asbestos is the cause of peritoneal mesothelioma. The disease is much less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma, with around 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.

As with pleural asbestosis symptoms can take years to manifest. Patients typically experience abdominal pain, and may have a mass in their abdomen. Symptoms of this type of mesothelioma can also include nausea as well as weight loss and fever. A lot of these symptoms are similar to those experienced by digestive problems, which can cause misdiagnosis.

Typically, doctors can identify mesothelioma after an extensive medical history and physical exam. Imaging tests like X-rays or CT scans can be used to detect mesothelioma. These tests can reveal tumors, as well as other symptoms of cancer that aren't visible on an X-ray.

These tests enable doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and determine the stage. They can also suggest treatment options. The stage is determined by the kind of cell and if the cancer has spread.

Asbestos exposure is the biggest risk factor. People who have been in occupations that require asbestos, like plumbing, manufacturing, electrical work or construction, are at greater risk of developing the disease. However, even if people aren't employed in these areas they may be exposed to asbestos through relatives or other sources. This is why anyone who is concerned that they might be at risk should speak to an experienced doctor. A mesothelioma expert can help those who have a experience with asbestos to understand more about their 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 work, military service, or through living with a person who works with asbestos or was previously exposed to doing such. When exposed to asbestos, the particles are able to be inhaled into abdomen and lungs. These irritate the linings and cause cancerous cells to develop in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma may take between 15 and 60 years to develop after exposure to asbestos.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and the advancing age. People in their 40s and 50s are at greater chance of developing mesothelioma to people who are younger or more. It takes mesothelioma between 20 and 60 years before it manifests cancer symptoms after the first exposure. It is important to keep in mind, too, that mesothelioma may occur in those who have been exposed to asbestos, but without having worked with it directly. This is referred to as secondary or indirect exposure to asbestos, and it could be as hazardous as direct exposure.

Smoking increases the chance of mesothelioma developing, because it damages the mesothelium. It can also make it more vulnerable. Mesothelioma can also be caused by certain diseases, such as asbestosis and pneumonia. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than women. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for a longer time and to work with asbestos for longer periods of time. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who been exposed to asbestos litigation, and to have asbestos litigation-containing fibers on their clothing. Women tend to be less exposed to asbestos and they don't usually carry asbestos case (this site) on their clothing.

Diagnosis

It is difficult to recognize mesothelioma because its symptoms are frequently similar to other illnesses. Because of this, victims are often mistakenly diagnosed.

NYU Langone doctors will perform an examination of the body and document the patient's medical history including asbestos exposure. Doctors will also order a CT scan or chest X-ray to check for lumps, abnormalities, and evidence of asbestos exposure. These include plaques in the pleura, thickened pleura and calcium deposits.

Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI test, which uses radio waves and magnets in order to produce a series of precise images of the inside of the body. A surgical biopsy is yet another method doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma. In a surgical biopsy doctors take a small amount of tissue from the pleura or peritoneum to conduct further tests. A pathologist can then examine the tissue using a magnifying lens to determine if it is a cancerous cells.

The type of mesothelial cell involved as well as the benign or malignant nature of the cells, as well as the location, type and stage of the tumour, are used to categorize the disease. Some types of mesothelioma are more likely to grow or spread and spread, therefore it is essential to establish a definitive diagnosis to ensure that doctors are able to treat the disease before it becomes out of control.

Doctors may also conduct tests in the lab on tumors in order to determine specific proteins, genes or other elements that can aid in describing the characteristics of cancer and plan treatment. These results are known as staging.

Treatment

A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be frightening. But, it is crucial to remember that the cancer is treatable, particularly in its earlier stages. Many mesothelioma patients live for a long time with the disease without it spreading to other organs of their body.

Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma by various mechanisms. Asbestos fibres, tiny enough to be felt or observed by naked eyes can be airborne, irritating the lining of the lung (pleura). As time passes, the irritation leads to the formation of scar tissue that eventually result in tumors.

The pleura is a protective covering that covers the abdomen, heart, and lungs. Mesothelium is composed of cells that react to asbestos and cause it to enflame and develop scar tissue. In time, these changes can lead to the development of malignant mesothelioma tumors.

A shortness of breath, chest discomfort or fluid buildup on the lungs are all signs of the pleural msothelioma. In rare cases cancer may spread to the tissues surrounding the reproductive organs as well as the heart.

If imaging scans show a possible mass in the stomach or lungs, a doctor will order a biopsies. During the procedure, doctors remove small amounts of the fluid or tumor for lab tests. The results will confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis and determine the best treatment option.

There are many types of treatment for mesothelioma including surgery and chemotherapy. Most doctors utilize an amalgamation of these techniques. Participating in clinical trials of mesothelioma treatments may be beneficial to patients. Patients can find out more by consulting a mesothelioma specialist who has treated the condition.