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Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos is a mineral that occurs naturally in the form of long, thin fibers. People who are exposed to asbestos are at risk of developing lung diseases like mesothelioma.

It can take years for symptoms to appear after exposure to asbestos. Different asbestos types can cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer that occurs in the outer lung the lining (pleura). It is the most prevalent mesothelioma that accounts for up between 70 and 79% of all diagnosed cases. This condition causes chest pain, breath shortness, and a feeling of weightiness.

This type of cancer is usually caused by exposure to asbestos which is a collection of minerals composed of microscopic fibers. When inhaled, these fibers stick inside the lung and cause irritation which results in scarring and DNA mutations. The pleura surrounds the chest cavity and lungs, so these irritations can affect both the lungs and a person's 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 may also experience chest tightness or coughing. They may also experience difficulty breathing. Patients with this type of cancer have a history that includes asbestos exposure at work. The most frequent jobs that put people at risk of developing pleural cancer are construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding. People who have served in the military may be at a higher risk because of the extensive asbestos use in Navy vessels and bunkers used by the army.

The TNM (tumors, lymph nodes, and metastases staging system) is the most common staging system used to treat pleural adenocarcinoma. The stage a patient is in when they are diagnosed will assist their doctor in determining the most appropriate treatment plan for them. For example, patients with mesothelioma pleural stage three or four have a poorer prognosis than those with a lower stage. Mesothelioma in stage four is usually spread to the diaphragm, liver or even the heart of a patient. This makes it more difficult to treat and increases the chance of complications for patients.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Unlike pleural cancer, which forms in the lung's lining, peritoneal cancer develops in a membrane that covers the abdominal cavity, including organs like the intestines and liver. Similar to pleural mesothelioma and peritoneal mesothelioma is triggered by asbestos exposure. It is estimated that only 300-500 cases are diagnosed each year this is less than the pleural asbestosis.

As with pleural asbestosis symptoms can take a long time to manifest. Typically, patients are afflicted with abdominal pain as well as abdominal swelling. The symptoms of this kind of mesothelioma could also include nausea as well as weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms could be misinterpreted as gastrointestinal issues which can lead to a mistaken diagnosis.

Typically, doctors can identify mesothelioma through a thorough health history and physical exam. Imaging tests such as X-rays or CT scans are a way to identify mesothelioma. These tests can detect tumors and other cancer signs that aren't visible on X-rays.

The results of these tests allow doctors to identify mesothelioma, and determine the stage. They can also recommend treatments. The stage is determined by the type of cell as well as whether the tumor has spread.

The most significant risk factor for mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos. People who have worked in asbestos-containing jobs, such as plumbing or electrical work, or in construction and manufacturing, are more likely to contract the disease. Even if someone does not work in any of these areas, he or she can still be exposed through family members and other sources. This is why anyone who suspects they may be at risk should speak to an experienced doctor. A mesothelioma expert can help those who have a history with asbestos to learn more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos exposure is the primary risk factor for mesothelioma accounting for up to 80 percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos lawyers can happen as a result of military service, work or living with people who have worked with asbestos. When exposed to asbestos, small particles can be breathed into the abdomen and lungs. They can cause irritation to the linings of the abdomen and trigger cancerous cells to develop in the mesothelium. After exposure to asbestos mesothelioma can develop between 15 and 60 years.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and aging. People in their 40s and 50s are at greater risk of developing mesothelioma compared to those who are younger or older. It takes mesothelioma 20-60 years before it manifests cancer symptoms after the first exposure. It is important to keep in mind that mesothelioma could develop in people who have been exposed to asbestos without having directly worked with it. This is referred to as secondary or indirect exposure to asbestos. It is just as harmful as direct exposure.

Smoking can increase the likelihood of getting mesothelioma because it causes mesothelium damage and makes it more prone to asbestos. In addition, mesothelioma may be caused by certain illnesses, such as pneumonia and asbestosis. It is also important to note that mesothelioma occurs more frequently in males than females. This is because men are more likely to be exposed to asbestos and endure a more exposure than women. Also, men are more likely to live with someone who has worked with asbestos and carry asbestos fibers that have escaped home on their clothes. Women are less likely to come into contact with asbestos and do not typically carry asbestos home on their clothing.

Diagnosis

It is difficult to diagnose mesothelioma since its symptoms are frequently similar to other illnesses. This is why patients are sometimes mistakenly diagnosed.

The first step in identifying mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform an examination and write note of the medical history of the patient which includes asbestos exposure. Doctors can also order an X-ray of the chest or CT scan to look for lumps and other abnormalities and also to look for evidence of previous asbestos exposure such as plaques on the pleura (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the accumulation of fluid between the lung and the chest wall (known as pleural effusion).

Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram which examines the blood vessels and the heart, and a magnetic resonance imaging, also known as MRI test that uses magnets and radio waves to make a series of detailed images of the interior of the body. A surgical biopsy is yet another way for doctors to diagnose mesothelioma. A surgical biopsy is when doctors remove a small amount of tissue from the pleura or peritoneum for further analysis. A pathologist can then examine the tissue using a magnifying lens to determine if it contains cancerous cell.

The mesothelial type involved as well as the benign or malignant nature of those cells, as well as the location the cancer, its type and the stage of the cancer are used to categorize the disease. Certain mesothelioma types have a higher chance of metastasizing or spreading therefore it is essential to establish a clear diagnosis to ensure that the doctors can treat it prior to it becoming out-of-control.

Doctors can also perform tests in the lab on tumors in order to determine specific proteins, You tube genes or other factors that will help them identify cancer characteristics and determine the best treatment. These results are called staging.

Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnosis can be terrifying. However, it's important to remember that the cancer can be treated, particularly in its early stages. Many people with mesothelioma can live with the disease for a long time, without expanding.

Exposure to asbestos can trigger mesothelioma via various mechanisms. Asbestos fibers, which are too small to see or feel through the naked eye, can be airborne and cause irritation to the lining of the lungs (pleura). As time passes, the irritation causes the formation of scar tissue, which leads to changes in the structure of cells that can eventually grow into tumors.

The Pleura is a protective layer that protects the lungs, heart and abdomen. Mesothelium is made up of cells that react to exposure to asbestos, causing it to inflame and develop scar tissue. In time, these changes can lead to the development of malignant mesothelioma tumors.

Symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include breathing problems and chest pain, or the accumulation of fluid on the lungs (pleural effusion). In rare cases, the cancer can be spread to the tissues around the heart and reproductive organs.

A doctor will order biopsy if scans reveal a possible tumor in the lungs or stomach. During the procedure doctors remove small amounts of liquid or tumor for lab tests. The results can confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and help determine the best treatment plan.

There are several types of mesothelioma treatment options, including surgery, chemotherapy and immunotherapy. Most doctors utilize a combination of these methods. Participating in clinical trials of mesothelioma treatments may be beneficial to patients. Patients can learn more by speaking with a mesothelioma doctor who has treated mesothelioma.