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Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos, a natural mineral, naturally forms in the form of thin, long fibers. Workers who are regularly exposed to asbestos may develop lung diseases such as mesothelioma.

The symptoms of these diseases might not manifest for years after exposure to asbestos. Different asbestos types can cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma is a type of cancer that develops in the outer lung lining (pleura). It is the most common type of mesothelioma, making up between 70 and 79% of diagnosed cases. Patients suffering from this condition experience pain in the chest and breathlessness, and they may feel the sensation of weight in the chest.

This kind of cancer is usually caused by exposure to asbestos which is a grouping of minerals that are composed of microscopic fibers. When inhaled, these fibers stick inside the lung and cause irritation which causes scarring and DNA mutations. Pleura surrounds both the chest cavity as well as the lungs, so irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma symptoms usually don't appear until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

Shortness of breath and chest pain are the most frequent symptoms. Some patients have coughing problems, trouble breathing, or chest tightness. Patients with this cancer have a history that includes asbestos exposure at work. Construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding are among the most common occupations which put people at risk danger of developing pleural melanoma. People who have served in the military could be at a higher risk because of the extensive asbestos usage in Navy vessels and bunkers for the army.

The most common staging system for pleural mesothelioma is the TNM (tumor, lymph nodes and metastases) staging system. The stage a patient has upon diagnosis will help their doctor determine the best treatment plan for them. Patients with pleural mesothelioma that is in stage three or stage four will suffer a more negative prognosis than those who are in a less advanced stage. Mesothelioma in stage four is usually spread to the diaphragm, the liver and/or a person's heart. This makes it more difficult to treat and increase the likelihood of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Contrary to pleural cancer that develops in the lung's lining, peritoneal cancer develops in the membrane that covers the abdominal cavity, including organs such as the intestines and the liver. Like pleural mesothelioma, peritoneal mesothelioma can be caused by asbestos exposure. The disease is less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma, with around 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.

As with pleural asbestosis symptoms can take several years to show. Patients generally experience abdominal pain, and may also have a lump in their abdomen. This type of mesothelioma may also cause nausea, weight loss, and fever. Many of these symptoms could be misinterpreted as gastrointestinal issues which can lead to a mistaken diagnosis.

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

These test results enable doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and establish the stage. They also offer treatment options. The stage is determined by the kind of cell and if the tumor has spread.

Asbestos exposure is the most important risk factor. People who have worked in professions that involve asbestos litigation, like plumbing manufacturing, electrical work, or construction, are at greater risk of developing the disease. Even if a person isn't employed in one of these fields they could be exposed to asbestos case - click the next web page, through family members or other sources. Anyone who suspects that they may be at risk should speak with 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 up to the 80% of cases. Exposure to asbestos may occur due to military service, work or living with people who have worked with asbestos lawyer. Asbestos particles are inhaled by those who are exposed to it. They can cause irritation to the linings of the abdomen and can cause cancerous cells to form in the mesothelium. After exposure to asbestos mesothelioma can develop between 15 and 60 year.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and aging. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely to get mesothelioma than people younger or more senior. It takes mesothelioma 20-60 years before it manifests cancer symptoms after the first exposure. It is important to keep in mind, too, that mesothelioma could occur in those who have been exposed to asbestos, but without having directly worked with it. This is known as secondary or indirect asbestos exposure, and is as dangerous as direct asbestos exposure.

Smoking increases a person's chances of getting mesothelioma because it damages the mesothelium and makes it more susceptible to asbestos lawyer. Mesothelioma can also be aggravated 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 longer periods of time and to have worked with it. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who has been exposed to asbestos, and to have asbestos fibers on their clothing. Women are less likely to be exposed to asbestos and they are less likely to carry asbestos on their clothes.

Diagnosis

It is difficult to recognize mesothelioma due to its symptoms being often similar to other diseases. Due to this, patients are often wrongly diagnosed.

The first step in diagnosing mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform a physical exam and take note of the medical history of the patient which includes asbestos exposure. Doctors can also order an X-ray chest or CT scan to detect lumps and other abnormalities, as well as evidence of past asbestos exposure such as 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 a magnetic resonance scan, or MRI test, which makes use of radio waves and magnets to produce a series of precise images of the inside of the body. A surgical biopsy is yet another way for doctors to diagnose mesothelioma. In a surgical biopsy doctors take a tiny part of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum, to be tested further. A pathologist can then examine the tissue under microscopes to determine if it is contaminated with cancerous cells.

Mesothelioma can be classified based on the type of mesothelial cells involved, whether those cells are benign or malignant, and the location of the tumor, the type, and the stage of the cancer. Some types of mesothelioma have a higher risk of spreading or metastasizing therefore it is essential to determine the type of mesothelioma so doctors can treat it before it gets out-of-control.

Doctors can also run tests in the lab on tumors to determine specific proteins, genes, or other factors which can help them identify the characteristics of the cancer and determine a treatment. These results are called staging.

Treatment

A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be a frightening prospect. It is important to keep in mind that cancer can be treated, particularly in its initial stages. Many patients with mesothelioma be afflicted for many years without it expanding.

Exposure to asbestos can trigger mesothelioma in many ways. Asbestos fibres, small enough to not be felt or observed through the naked eye are able to become airborne and irritate the lining of the lung (pleura). As time passes, the irritation leads to the formation of scar tissue and eventually tumors.

The pleura surrounds the lungs and heart, as well as the abdomen. Mesothelium is composed of cells that react when exposed to asbestos. They inflame the tissue and cause it to scar. As time passes, these changes result in the growth of malignant mesothelioma tumors.

The symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are breathing problems, chest pain or a buildup of fluid in the lung (pleural effusion). In rare instances, cancer can spread into the tissues surrounding the reproductive organs as well as the heart.

If scans of imaging reveal an area of concern in the stomach or lungs, a doctor will order a biopsies. In the course of the procedure, doctors remove some of the fluid or tumor for tests in the laboratory. The results will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma, and also determine the best treatment plan.

There are many types of treatment for mesothelioma, including surgery and chemotherapy. Most doctors use the combination of these treatments. Participating in clinical trials of mesothelioma treatments that are new could be beneficial for patients. To find out more, patients should consult mesothelioma specialists who have had experience treating the disease.