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Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that is made up of long, thin fibres. Workers who are exposed to asbestos regularly risk developing mesothelioma and other lung diseases of different types.

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

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma can be found in the lung's outer lining, or pleura. It is the most frequent form of mesothelioma and is responsible for 70 to 79% all diagnosed cases. People with this condition experience pain in the chest and breath shortness, and they may feel an ache or heaviness in the chest.

Exposure to asbestos, a group of minerals made of microscopic fibers causes this kind of cancer. When inhaled, these fibers are absorbed into the lungs and cause irritation that causes scarring and DNA mutations. Pleura covers 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.

Chest pain and shortness breath are the most common symptoms. Some patients also experience difficulty breathing, or chest tightness. Patients with this type of cancer typically have previous exposure to asbestos in the workplace. The most frequent jobs that expose people to the risk of pleural mesothelioma include manufacturing, construction, and shipbuilding. People who were in the military are at greater risk due to the extensive use asbestos 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 a patient has when they are diagnosed will aid their doctor in determining the most appropriate treatment plan for them. Patients with pleural mesothelioma that is in stage three or stage four will have a worse prognosis than those who are in a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma often spreads to the liver, diaphragm or even the heart of a patient. This makes it more difficult to treat and raises the chance of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

As opposed to pleural mesothelioma that is a lung-lining cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma is found in the peritoneum - an elongated membrane that covers the abdominal cavity as well as organs like the liver and intestines. Similar to pleural mesothelioma, asbestos exposure is the cause of peritoneal mesothelioma. There are only 300-500 cases diagnosed each year this is less than pleural asbestosis.

As with pleural asbestosis symptoms can take a long time to manifest. Typically, patients are afflicted with abdominal pain as well as an abdominal mass. This mesothelioma type can also cause nausea, weight loss, and fever. A lot of these symptoms can be misinterpreted as gastrointestinal issues and can lead to a misdiagnosis.

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 identify mesothelioma. These tests can identify tumors as well as other signs of cancer that are not visible on X-rays.

These test results allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma, identify the stage and recommend treatment options. Staging is determined based on the type of cell and whether or whether the tumor has spread to other parts of the body.

The most important risk factor for mesothelioma is asbestos exposure. People who have worked in jobs that involve asbestos compensation, like plumbing, manufacturing, electrical work or construction, are at a higher risk of developing the disease. Even if an individual is not employed in one of these areas, he or she can be exposed to asbestos through family members and other sources. Therefore, anyone who believes they could be at risk should talk to a doctor. A mesothelioma specialist can help those who have a history with asbestos to learn more about their risk.

Risk Factors

asbestos compensation exposure is the main risk factor for mesothelioma, which accounts for as much as 80 percent of all cases. Exposure to asbestos may occur through work, military service, or living with someone who used to work with asbestos. Asbestos particles are inhaled by people who are exposed to asbestos. They can cause irritation to the linings of the abdomen and trigger cancerous cells to grow in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma can take anywhere between 15 and 60 years to develop following exposure to asbestos.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics, and age. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely to develop mesothelioma than those who are younger or older. It takes mesothelioma between 20 and 60 years to manifest cancer symptoms after the first exposure. It is important to remember, too, that mesothelioma could develop in people who have been exposed to asbestos, but without having directly worked with it. This is called indirect or secondary exposure to asbestos. It is just as harmful as direct exposure.

Smoking increases the risk of getting mesothelioma because it damages the mesothelium and makes it more vulnerable to asbestos. In addition, mesothelioma may be worsened by certain diseases like pneumonia and asbestosis. It is also important to note that mesothelioma occurs more frequently for men than women. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for a longer time and to have worked with Asbestos case for longer durations and to work with it. Men are also more likely to live with someone who worked with asbestos and carry asbestos legal fibers that have escaped home on their clothing. Women are less likely to be exposed to asbestos and they are less likely to bring asbestos home on their clothing.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is difficult to identify because the symptoms often resemble other diseases. This is why patients are sometimes mistakenly diagnosed.

The first step in identifying mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform a physical exam and take down a patient's medical history including asbestos exposure. Doctors will also recommend an CT scan or chest X-ray in order to look for lumps, abnormalities, 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 blood vessels and the heart, and a magnetic resonance imaging, also known as MRI, test, which makes use of radio waves and magnets to make a series of detailed images of the inside of the body. A surgical biopsy is yet another method doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma. When a biopsy is performed doctors take a tiny piece of tissue from pleura or the peritoneum, to be tested further. A pathologist will then look at the tissue using an magnifying glass to determine whether it contains cancerous cell.

Mesothelioma is classified based on the type of mesothelial cell involved, whether these cells are malignant or benign and the location, type, and stage of the tumor. 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 can also run tests in the lab on tumors to determine specific genes, proteins, or other factors that help them understand the characteristics of the cancer and determine a treatment. These results are called staging.

Treatment

A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be terrifying. It is important to remember that cancer can be treated, particularly in its early stages. Many patients with mesothelioma survive for many years without the disease spreading to other parts of their body.

Asbestos exposure can cause mesothelioma by various mechanisms. Asbestos particles, which are too small to be able to see or feel through the naked eye, can become airborne and irritate the lung's lining (pleura). In time irritation leads to formation of scar tissue which leads to changes in the cell structure that eventually develop into tumors.

The pleura is a protective covering that covers the lungs, heart and abdomen. Mesothelium consists of cells that react to asbestos, causing it to inflame and develop scar tissue. These changes can eventually lead to malignant mesothelioma tumours.

The symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are shortness of breath and chest pain, or an accumulation of fluid on the lung (pleural effusion). In rare cases cancer may spread to the tissues surrounding the reproductive organs and the heart.

If scans of imaging reveal an area of concern in the lungs or stomach doctors will recommend a biopsies. In the course of the procedure, doctors remove a small amount of fluid or tumor for tests in the laboratory. The results can confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and determine the best treatment option.

There are a variety of mesothelioma treatments, including chemotherapy, surgery and immunotherapy. The majority of doctors employ the combination of these treatments. Enrolling in clinical trials of mesothelioma treatments that are new could be beneficial for patients. To find out more, patients should speak to mesothelioma specialists who have had experience treating the disease.