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Mesothelioma and Asbestos

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

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

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma, a form of cancer, that develops in the lung's outer lining (pleura). It is the most frequent mesothelioma type and is responsible for 70 to 79% of diagnosed cases. Patients with this disease experience pain in the chest and breathlessness, and they may feel an ache or heaviness in the chest.

Exposure to asbestos, a group of minerals comprised of microscopic fibers, typically causes this type of cancer. When inhaled, these fibers cling to the lungs and cause irritation that results in scarring and DNA mutations. The pleura covers the chest cavity and lungs, so these irritations can affect both the lungs as well as 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 common symptoms. Patients may also feel tightness in their chest and coughing, or breathing difficulties. Patients with this type of cancer typically have previous exposure to asbestos litigation in the workplace. Construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding are the most common jobs that put people at a high danger of developing pleural melanoma. Individuals who have served in the military are at a greater risk due to the widespread use of asbestos in Navy vessels and bunkers in the Army.

The TNM (tumors lymph nodes, tumors, and metastases staging system) is the most common staging system used for the pleural adenocarcinoma. The stage a patient is in upon diagnosis will help their doctor determine the most appropriate treatment plan for them. For instance, patients suffering from mesothelioma pleural stage three or four have a worse prognosis than those with a lower stage. Mesothelioma in stage four is usually spread to the diaphragm, the liver or even the heart of a patient. This makes it more difficult to treat and raises the likelihood of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Unlike pleural cancer, which is found in the lining of the lung, peritoneal cancer develops in a membrane that covers the abdominal cavity, which includes organs like the liver and intestines. Similar to pleural mesothelioma and peritoneal mesothelioma can be caused by asbestos exposure. The disease is less common than pleural mesothelioma, and only about 300-500 cases diagnosed each year.

As with pleural asbestosis, symptoms can take years to manifest. Typically, patients are afflicted with abdominal pain as well as a mass in the abdomen. The symptoms of this type of mesothelioma may also include nausea, weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms could be mistaken for gastrointestinal problems, leading to a misdiagnosis.

The doctors can detect mesothelioma through examining the patient's medical history and performing a physical exam. Imaging tests like X-rays or CT scans can be used to identify mesothelioma. These tests can identify tumors and other cancer signs which aren't evident on X-rays.

These test results allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma, determine the stage and recommend treatment options. The stage is determined by the type of cell as well as whether the cancer has spread.

The most significant risk factor for mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos attorney. People who have worked in jobs which require asbestos, like plumbing manufacturing, electrical work, or construction, are at a higher risk of developing the disease. Even if someone does not work in one of these fields however, they may still be exposed through family members and other sources. Anyone who suspects that they may be at risk should speak with an expert. If they have an history of exposure to asbestos, a mesothelioma specialist can assist them in finding out more about the risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos exposure is the primary risk factor for mesothelioma accounting for up to 80 percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos can occur due to work, military service, or living with people who have worked with asbestos. When exposed to asbestos, small particles can be inhaled into the lungs and abdomen. They can cause irritation to the linings of the abdomen and can 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 age. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely develop mesothelioma than those who are younger or more senior. It takes mesothelioma 20-60 years to show signs of cancer after the first exposure. It is important to remember that mesothelioma may develop in those who were exposed to asbestos but didn't deal with it directly. This is referred to as indirect or secondary asbestos exposure, and is as dangerous as direct asbestos legal exposure.

Smoking can increase the likelihood of getting mesothelioma because it causes mesothelium damage and makes it more vulnerable to asbestos. In addition, mesothelioma may be caused by certain illnesses, such as asbestosis and pneumonia. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than women. This is because men are more likely to work with asbestos and experience a more exposure than women. Additionally, men are more likely to live with someone who was exposed to asbestos and bring asbestos fibers that have escaped home on their clothes. Women are less likely to come exposed to asbestos, and they don't usually carry asbestos on their clothing.

Diagnosis

It is difficult to identify mesothelioma because its symptoms are often similar to other diseases. This can result in patients being incorrectly diagnosed.

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

Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI test, that uses magnets and radio waves in order to create a series detailed images of inside the body. A surgical biopsy is a different method for doctors to identify mesothelioma. A surgical biopsy is when doctors take a small amount of tissue from the pleura or peritoneum to conduct further tests. A pathologist will then look at the tissue under an magnifying glass to determine if it is a cancerous cells.

Mesothelioma is classified based on the type of mesothelial cell involved, whether those cells are malignant or benign and also the location, type, and stage of the tumor. Some types of mesothelioma have a higher risk of metastasizing or spreading, so it's important to establish a clear diagnosis to ensure that the doctors can treat it prior to it becoming out-of-control.

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

Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnose can be terrifying. However, it is important to remember that the disease is treatable, particularly in its early stages. Many mesothelioma patients live for a long time with the disease, without spreading to other areas of their body.

Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma by many mechanisms. Asbestos fibers, too small to detect or feel with the naked eye, can be airborne and cause irritation to the lung's lining (pleura). Over time the irritation causes the formation of scar tissue that eventually result in tumors.

The pleura is the area that surrounds the lungs and the heart and also the abdomen. Mesothelium is made up of cells that react to exposure to Asbestos Case and cause it to enflame and create scar tissue. Overtime, these changes result in the growth of malignant mesothelioma tumors.

Symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include shortness of breath and chest pain as well as an accumulation of fluid in the lungs (pleural effusion). In rare cases, 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 lungs or stomach, a doctor will order a biopsies. During the procedure, doctors will remove tiny amounts of fluid or tumor for laboratory tests. The results will confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis and determine the most effective treatment plan.

There are a variety of treatment for mesothelioma including surgery and chemotherapy. The majority of doctors employ a combination of these treatments. Participating in clinical trials for mesothelioma treatments may be beneficial for patients. To find out more, patients should consult a mesothelioma specialist who has experience treating the condition.