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Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that comes in thin, long fibres. Workers who are exposed asbestos regularly risk developing mesothelioma and other lung diseases.

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

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer that affects the outer lung liner (pleura). It is the most frequent mesothelioma type and accounts for 70% to 79% of all 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.

Exposure to asbestos, a group of minerals made of microscopic fibers, typically causes this kind of cancer. When inhaled, these fibers, cause irritation and DNA mutations. Pleura covers both the chest cavity and the lungs, so irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma typically doesn't manifest until 30 to 50 year after exposure.

The most commonly reported symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include chest pain and breath shortness. Some patients have coughing problems, trouble breathing, or chest tightness. Patients with this type of cancer typically have previous exposure to asbestos in the workplace. The most common jobs that put people at risk of developing pleural mesothelioma are manufacturing, construction and shipbuilding. Individuals who have served in the military are at a greater risk due the widespread use of asbestos in Navy vessels and Army bunkers.

The most popular staging method for pleural mesothelioma is the TNM (tumor, lymph nodes and metastases) staging system. The stage a patient is in at diagnosis will assist their doctor in determining the most appropriate treatment plan for them. For instance, patients suffering from mesothelioma pleural stage three or four have a poorer prognosis than patients with lower stages. Stage four mesothelioma can be spread to the liver, heart, or diaphragm. This makes it more difficult to treat and increase the risk of complications for the patient.





Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Unlike pleural mesothelioma, which develops in the lung lining, peritoneal mesothelioma forms in the peritoneum -- it is a membrane that lines the abdominal cavity and organs like the intestines and liver. Similar to pleural mesothelioma and peritoneal mesothelioma can be caused by asbestos exposure. Only 300-500 cases are diagnosed each year which is lower than the pleural asbestosis.

Like pleural mesothelioma, the symptoms can take years to show. Typically, patients suffer from abdominal pain and a mass in the abdomen. This kind of mesothelioma can also cause nausea, weight loss, and fever. A lot of these symptoms can be misinterpreted as digestive issues and can lead to a misdiagnosis.

The doctors can detect mesothelioma through examining the patient's medical history and performing a physical examination. Imaging tests like X-rays and CT scans can be used to identify mesothelioma. These tests can show tumors, as well as other symptoms of cancer that aren't visible on X-rays.

These tests enable doctors to diagnose mesothelioma, determine the stage of the disease and suggest treatment options. The staging is determined by the cell type and whether or the cancer has spread to other parts of the body.

The most important mesothelioma-related risk factor is exposure to asbestos. People who have been in occupations that involve asbestos, like plumbing or electrical work, manufacturing or construction, are at greater risk of developing the disease. However, even if people do not work in these areas, they can still be exposed to asbestos through family members or other sources. Anyone who believes they may be at risk should consult a doctor. If they have a history of asbestos exposure and mesothelioma is a concern, a specialist will assist them in finding out more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos is the main mesothelioma-related risk factor. It is responsible for as much as 80percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos can occur as a result of work, military service, or living with someone who used to work with asbestos. When exposed to asbestos, particles can be breathed into the abdomen and lungs. These particles can cause irritation to the linings of the abdomen, which causes cancerous cells to develop 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. The people in their 40s or 50s are at a higher risk of developing mesothelioma as compared to people who are younger or more. It takes mesothelioma between 20 and 60 years to show signs of cancer after the first exposure. It is important to remember that mesothelioma is a possibility in people who were exposed to asbestos but did not engage directly with it. This is known as secondary or indirect exposure to asbestos, and it could be as hazardous as direct exposure.

Smoking increases a person's chances of developing mesothelioma due to the fact that it causes mesothelium damage and makes it more prone to asbestos. Furthermore, mesothelioma is caused by certain illnesses, such as pneumonia and asbestosis. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than women. This is because men are more likely to work with asbestos and have more exposure than women. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who has worked with asbestos and to have asbestos fibers on their clothing. Women tend to be less exposed to asbestos and they are less likely to carry asbestos on their clothes.

Diagnosis

It is difficult to identify mesothelioma because its symptoms are often similar to other conditions. Due to this, patients are often mistakenly diagnosed.

NYU Langone doctors will perform a physical examination and record the patient's medical background, including asbestos exposure. Doctors may also order an X-ray of the chest or CT scan to detect lumps or other abnormalities, as well as evidence of previous asbestos exposure like pleural plaques (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the formation of fluid between the lung and chest wall (known as pleural effusion).

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 the inside of the body. Another way for doctors to detect mesothelioma is by performing an operation called a biopsy. In a surgical biopsy doctors take a small amount of tissue from the pleura or peritoneum to conduct further tests. A pathologist will then look at the tissue with a magnifying glass to determine if it is a cancerous cells.

The mesothelial type involved, the malignant or benign nature of the cells as well as the location, type and stage of the tumor, are used to classify the disease. Certain types of mesothelioma are at a higher risk of spreading or metastasizing therefore it is essential to determine the type of mesothelioma to ensure that the doctors can treat it before it gets out-of-control.

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

Treatment

A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be terrifying. It is important to remember, however, that cancer can be treated, particularly in its initial stages. Many people with mesothelioma live for many years with the disease without it spreading to other organs of their body.

Asbestos exposure can cause mesothelioma by various mechanisms. Asbestos fibers, which are too small to see or feel with the naked eye, can become airborne and irritate the lining of the lungs (pleura). In time irritation can lead to formation of scar tissue which can cause changes in the structure of cells that can eventually grow into tumors.

The Pleura is a covering that covers the lungs, heart and abdomen. Mesothelium is made up of cells that react when exposed to asbestos. They inflame the tissue and cause it to scar. In time, these changes can result in the growth of malignant mesothelioma cancers.

A shortness of breath, chest discomfort or fluid buildup on the lungs are all indications of the pleural msothelioma. In rare instances the cancer may be spread to the tissues around the heart and reproductive organs.

A doctor will order biopsy if scans show a potential lung tumor or stomach. During the procedure doctors remove small amounts of liquid or tumor for lab tests. asbestos attorneys can confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and help determine the most effective treatment plan.

There are a variety of treatment for mesothelioma such as chemotherapy and surgery. The majority of doctors use an amalgamation of these techniques. Patients may also benefit from enrolling in a clinical trial of new mesothelioma treatments. Patients can learn more about the trials by consulting a mesothelioma expert who has treated the disease.