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Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos is a natural mineral that is found in long, thin fibres. People who are exposed to asbestos risk developing lung diseases like mesothelioma.

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

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma occurs in the lung's outer lining also known as the pleura. It is the most prevalent mesothelioma type and is responsible for 70 to 79% of diagnosed cases. People with this condition experience pain in the chest and breath shortness and may experience an ache or heaviness in the chest.

This type of cancer typically caused by exposure to asbestos, which is a grouping of minerals that are composed of microscopic fibers. The fibers, when inhaled, cause irritation and DNA mutations. The pleura surrounds the lungs and chest cavity and therefore, these irritations could affect both the lungs and the heart of a person. Mesothelioma typically doesn't manifest until 30 to 50 year after exposure.

The most commonly reported symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are chest pain and shortness of breath. Some patients also experience coughing, difficulty breathing or chest tightness. People with this cancer have a history of disease that includes asbestos exposure at work. Construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding are among the most prevalent occupations that put people at high danger of developing pleural melanoma. Individuals who have been in the military may be at risk due to the frequent asbestos usage in Navy ships and bunkers used by the army.

The TNM (tumors lymph nodes and metastases staging system) is the most common staging system used to treat the pleural cancer. The stage a patient is in at the time of diagnosis will help determine what treatment plan they should receive. Patients suffering from pleural mesothelioma who is in stage three or four will have a less favorable prognosis compared to those who are in a less advanced stage. Stage four mesothelioma often spreads to the diaphragm, liver or even the heart of a patient. This can make the cancer more difficult to treat, and increase the chance of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Contrary to pleural cancer which is found in the lining of the lung, peritoneal cancer develops in a membrane that covers the abdominal cavity, including organs such as the liver and intestines. Like pleural mesothelioma, exposure to asbestos is the reason for peritoneal msothelioma. 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 manifest. The majority of patients suffer from abdominal pain and abdominal swelling. This kind of mesothelioma can cause nausea, weight loss, and fever. Many of these symptoms could be mistaken for gastrointestinal problems and can lead to a mistaken diagnosis.

Doctors can identify mesothelioma by examining the patient's medical history and conducting a physical exam. They can also use imaging tests such as X-rays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to identify mesothelioma. These tests can detect tumors and other cancer signs that aren't visible on X-rays.

asbestos attorney allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and determine the stage of the disease and suggest treatment options. The stage of the disease is determined based on the cell type and whether or whether the cancer has spread to other regions of the body.

The most significant risk factor for mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos. People who have worked in jobs that require asbestos, like plumbing, manufacturing, electrical work or construction, are at increased risk of developing the disease. Even if an individual does not work in any of these areas, he or she can still be exposed to asbestos through family members and other sources. For this reason, anyone who is concerned that they might be at risk should speak to an expert. If they have a history of asbestos exposure and mesothelioma is a concern, a specialist will assist them in learning more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos exposure is a major risk factor for mesothelioma accounting for up to 80 percent of all cases. Exposure to asbestos can occur due to military service, work or living with someone who used to work with asbestos. Asbestos particles can be breathed in by those who are exposed to asbestos. These particles can cause irritation to the linings and can cause cancerous cells to develop in the mesothelium. After asbestos exposure, mesothelioma may develop between 15 and 60 year.





Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and the advancing age. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely to be diagnosed with mesothelioma compared to those who are younger or older. It takes mesothelioma 20-60 years to show signs of cancer after the first exposure. It is important to remember that mesothelioma is a possibility in people who have been exposed to asbestos but did not work with it directly. This is called secondary or indirect exposure to asbestos, and it could be as hazardous as direct exposure.

Smoking increases the chance of mesothelioma developing, because it damages the mesothelium. It also makes it more prone to. Furthermore, mesothelioma is caused by certain illnesses, such as pneumonia and asbestosis. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than women. This is due to men being more likely to work with asbestos and experience a more exposure than women. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who had worked with asbestos and to have asbestos fibers on their clothing. Women are less likely to come into exposure to asbestos and don't typically carry asbestos home on their clothing.

Diagnosis

It is difficult to identify mesothelioma because its symptoms are frequently similar to other illnesses. This could lead to patients being misdiagnosed.

The first step in identifying mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform an examination of the body and take notes on the medical history of a patient, including asbestos exposure. Doctors can also request an X-ray of the chest or CT scan to look for 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 the chest wall (known as the pleural effusion).

Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram which examines the heart and blood vessels and magnetic resonance imaging, also known as MRI test that uses radio waves and magnets to create precise images of the inside of the body. Another way for doctors to detect mesothelioma is by performing the procedure of a surgical biopsy. In a surgical biopsy doctors remove a small piece of tissue from the peritoneum or pleura to conduct further tests. A pathologist can then look at the tissue under microscopes to determine if it contains cancerous cells.

The type of mesothelial cell involved as well as the benign or malignant nature of the cells and the location the cancer, its type and the stage of the tumour, are used to categorize the disease. Some types of mesothelioma have a higher risk of spreading or metastasizing and it's crucial to get a definitive diagnosis so that doctors can treat it before it gets out-of-control.

Doctors may also conduct tests in the laboratory on tumors to determine specific genes, proteins, or other factors which can help them describe cancer characteristics and plan treatment. These results are called staging.

Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnosis is an incredibly frightening prospect. It is important to keep in mind that cancer can be treated particularly in its early stages. Many patients with mesothelioma survive for many years with the disease, without spreading to other areas of their body.

Exposure to asbestos can trigger mesothelioma via a variety of mechanisms. Asbestos fibers, which are too small to detect or feel with the naked eye, can be airborne and cause irritation to the lining of the lungs (pleura). In time the irritation can lead to the formation of scar tissue that eventually result in tumors.

The pleura is the area that surrounds the lungs and heart, as well as the abdomen. Mesothelium consists of cells that respond when exposed to asbestos. They inflame the tissue and cause it to become scarred. These changes can cause mesothelioma cancers.

The symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are breathing problems and chest pain, or a buildup of fluid in the lungs (pleural effusion). In rare instances the cancer may be spread to the tissues around the heart and reproductive organs.

If scans of imaging reveal an underlying mass in the lungs or stomach doctors will recommend biopsies. During the procedure, doctors remove a small sample of the tumor or fluid for lab analysis. The results will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma, and also determine the best treatment option.

There are many types of treatment for mesothelioma including surgery and chemotherapy. Most doctors utilize a combination of these methods. Patients could also benefit from enrolling in a clinical trial of new mesothelioma treatments. Patients can find out more by speaking with a mesothelioma doctor who has treated the disease.