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Mesothelioma and Asbestos

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

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

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer that develops in the lung's outer liner (pleura). It is the most common type of mesothelioma, making up between 70 and 79% of diagnosed cases. Patients with this disease suffer from chest pain and breathlessness and may also feel the sensation of weight in the chest.

This type of cancer is typically caused by exposure to asbestos, which is a cluster of minerals that are comprised of microscopic fibres. Once inhaled, the fibers cling to the lungs and cause irritation that causes scarring and DNA mutations. Pleura surrounds both the chest cavity and the lungs, which means that irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma is usually not symptomatic until 30 to 50 year after exposure.

Chest pain and shortness breath are the most common symptoms. Some patients may also suffer from chest tightness or coughing. They may also experience difficulty breathing. People who suffer from this cancer usually have an history of exposure to asbestos in the workplace. The most common jobs that expose people to the risk of pleural mesothelioma include manufacturing, construction, and shipbuilding. Individuals who have been in the military could be at an especially high risk due to the widespread asbestos use in Navy ships and bunkers for the army.

The TNM (tumors lymph nodes, tumors, and metastases staging system) is the most popular 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. Patients with pleural mesothelioma that is in stage three or four will suffer a more negative prognosis compared to those who are in a lower stage. Mesothelioma in stage four can be spread to the heart, liver or diaphragm. This makes it more difficult to treat and raises the risk of complications for the patient.





Peritoneal Mesothelioma

As opposed to pleural mesothelioma that is a lung-lining cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma forms in the peritoneum - an elongated membrane that covers the abdominal cavity and organs such as the liver and intestines. Similar to pleural mesothelioma, asbestos exposure is the primary cause of peritoneal mesothelioma. The disease is less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma, and around 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.

As with pleural mesothelioma symptoms may take years to appear. Most patients are afflicted with abdominal pain as well as abdominal swelling. This mesothelioma type can also cause nausea, weight loss, and fever. Many of these symptoms can be misinterpreted as gastrointestinal issues, leading to a false diagnosis.

Generally speaking, doctors can detect mesothelioma after a thorough health history and physical exam. Imaging tests like X-rays or CT scans are a way to detect mesothelioma. These tests can show tumors, as well as other signs of cancer that aren't visible on an X-ray.

These tests enable doctors to identify mesothelioma, and determine the stage. They can also recommend treatments. The stage is determined by the type of cell and whether the cancer has spread.

Asbestos exposure is the main risk factor. People who have worked in jobs that require asbestos, such as plumbing, manufacturing, electrical work, or construction, are at increased risk of developing the disease. Even if they aren't employed in these fields, they can still be exposed to asbestos through relatives or other sources. Anyone who believes they are at risk should consult an expert. A mesothelioma specialist can help those who have a history with asbestos to learn more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos is the primary mesothelioma-related risk factor. It accounts for as much as 80percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos can occur as a result of military service, work, or living with those who worked with asbestos. When exposed to asbestos, small particles are able to be inhaled into abdomen and lungs. The particles cause irritation to the linings, causing cancerous cells to grow in the mesothelium. After exposure to asbestos, mesothelioma may be diagnosed between 15 and 60 years.

Other risk factors include genetics, smoking and age. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely to develop mesothelioma than those who are younger or more senior. Mesothelioma can take between 20 and 60 years before it manifests cancer symptoms after the first exposure. It is also important to know that mesothelioma may develop in people who have been exposed to asbestos but did not engage directly with it. This is known as secondary or indirect exposure to asbestos. It can be just as dangerous as direct exposure.

Smoking can increase the likelihood of developing mesothelioma due to the fact that it damages the mesothelium, which makes it more vulnerable to asbestos. Additionally, mesothelioma can be caused by certain illnesses, such as pneumonia and asbestosis. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than women. simply click the following page are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for a longer time and to work with it. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who worked with asbestos and to carry asbestos fibers on their clothing. Women are less likely to come into exposure to asbestos and don't typically carry asbestos home on their clothes.

Diagnosis

It is difficult to identify mesothelioma because its symptoms are frequently similar to other illnesses. Due to this, patients are often wrongly diagnosed.

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

Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance imaging or MRI test, which makes use of radio waves and magnets in order to create a series detailed images of inside the body. Another method doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma is through an operation called a biopsy. A surgical biopsy is when doctors remove a small amount of tissue from the peritoneum or pleura for further testing. A pathologist can examine the tissue with a microscope to see 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, its type, and the stage of the tumor. Some types of mesothelioma are more likely to develop metastasis or spread which is why it is crucial 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 to identify specific proteins, genes, or other factors which can aid in describing cancer characteristics and determine the best treatment. These results are referred to as staging.

Treatment

A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be frightening. It is important to keep in mind, however, that cancer can be treated, especially at its early stages. Many mesothelioma patients live for a long time without the disease spreading to other areas of their body.

Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma in many ways. Asbestos fibers, too small to see or feel with the naked eye, can be airborne and cause irritation to the lining of the lungs (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 heart and the abdomen. Mesothelium is composed of cells that react to exposure to asbestos which causes it to become inflamed and form scar tissue. These changes can eventually result in malignant mesothelioma tumors.

The symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are shortness of breath and chest pain as well as an accumulation of fluid in the lung (pleural effusion). In rare cases, cancer can spread into the tissues that surround the reproductive organs and the heart.

A doctor may request a biopsy if imaging scans show the possibility of a lung tumor or stomach. During the procedure doctors remove some of the liquid or tumor for lab tests. The results will confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis, and provide the most effective treatment plan.

There are many types of mesothelioma treatment, including chemotherapy, surgery and immunotherapy. The majority of doctors employ combinations of these treatments. Patients could also benefit from taking part in a clinical trial of new mesothelioma therapies. Patients can find out more by consulting a mesothelioma expert who has treated mesothelioma.