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Mesothelioma and Asbestos

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

The symptoms of these diseases might not be evident for a long time after exposure to asbestos. Different asbestos types can cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma, a form of cancer, that develops in the lung's outer liner (pleura). It is the most common mesothelioma form and accounts for 70% to 79% of all diagnosed cases. Patients suffering from this condition experience pain in the chest and breathlessness and may also feel the sensation of weight in the chest.

This kind of cancer is typically caused through exposure to asbestos, which is a collection of minerals comprised of microscopic fibres. Once inhaled, the fibers stick inside the lung and cause irritation which causes scarring and DNA mutations. Pleura covers 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 years after exposure.

Chest pain and shortness breath are the most frequently reported symptoms. Patients may also experience chest tightness and coughing, or breathing difficulties. Patients with this type of cancer have a history of disease that includes asbestos exposure at work. The most common jobs that expose people to the risk of pleural mesothelioma include manufacturing, construction and shipbuilding. People who have served in the military are at an especially high risk because of the extensive use of asbestos in Navy ships and bunkers used by the army.

The most common staging method for pleural mesothelioma is the TNM (tumor, lymph nodes and metastases) staging system. The stage that the patient is in at the time of diagnosis will help determine what treatment plan they will receive. Patients who have pleural mesothelioma which is in stage three or stage four will have a worse prognosis compared to those who are in a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma is often spread to the liver, diaphragm or even the heart of a patient. This makes the cancer more difficult to treat, and increase the risk of complications for patients.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Unlike pleural cancer, which forms in the lung's lining it develops in a membrane that covers the abdominal cavity, including organs such as the liver and intestines. Like pleural mesothelioma, asbestos exposure is the reason for peritoneal msothelioma. The disease is less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma, and just 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.

Like pleural mesothelioma, the symptoms can take years to show. Typically, patients experience abdominal pain and a mass in the abdomen. The symptoms of this kind of mesothelioma may also include nausea, weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms are similar to those experienced by digestive problems, which can lead to misdiagnosis.

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

These tests enable doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and establish the stage. They can also suggest treatments. Staging is determined based on the type of cell and whether or the tumor has spread to other parts of the body.

The most significant mesothelioma-related risk factor is exposure to asbestos. People who have worked in asbestos-related jobs, such as electrical or plumbing work or in construction, manufacturing and manufacturing are more likely to contract the disease. However, even if individuals aren't employed in these fields they may be exposed to asbestos through family members or through other sources. Anyone who suspects that they may be at risk should talk to an expert. If they have any history of exposure to asbestos or mesothelioma, a specialist can assist them in learning more about the risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos exposure is the main risk factor for mesothelioma, accounting for up to 80 percent of all cases. Exposure to newark asbestos lawsuit can occur as a result of work, military service or by living with someone who works with asbestos or has previously done so. When exposed to asbestos, particles are able to be inhaled into abdomen and lungs. The particles cause irritation to the linings of the lungs, causing cancerous cells to grow in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma can take between 15 and 60 years to develop following exposure to asbestos.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and the advancing age. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely get mesothelioma than people younger or older. It takes mesothelioma between 20 and 60 years before it manifests cancer symptoms after the first exposure. It is also important to know that mesothelioma is a possibility in those who were exposed to asbestos but did not work with it directly. This is called indirect or secondary exposure to asbestos, and it can be just as dangerous as direct exposure.

Smoking increases the risk of getting mesothelioma because it damages the mesothelium and makes it more vulnerable to asbestos. Furthermore, YouTube mesothelioma is exacerbated by certain illnesses like pneumonia and asbestosis. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma compared to women. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for a longer period of time and work with it. 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 don't typically carry asbestos on their clothing.

Diagnosis

It is difficult to identify mesothelioma because its symptoms are often similar to other conditions. This can lead to victims being misdiagnosed.

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

Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram which examines the heart and blood vessels as well as a magnetic resonance imaging, also known as MRI test that uses radio waves and magnets to make a series of precise images of the inside of the body. A surgical biopsy is a different method doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma. When a biopsy is performed doctors will remove a small part of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum to be tested further. A pathologist can then examine the tissue under a microscope to see if it is contaminated with cancerous cells.

Mesothelioma can be classified based on the type of mesothelial cells involved, whether these cells are benign or malignant, and the location of the tumor, the type, and the stage of the tumor. Some types of mesothelioma have a higher risk of spreading or metastasizing therefore it is essential to determine the type of mesothelioma so that doctors can treat it before it gets out of control.

Doctors can also run tests in the laboratory on a tumor to identify particular proteins, genes and other factors that help them understand the characteristics of cancer and plan 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 patients with mesothelioma be afflicted for a long time, without spreading.

Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma in many ways. Asbestos fibers that are too small to be felt or observed by naked eyes, can become airborne, causing irritation to the lining of the lung (pleura). In time, the irritation leads to the formation of scar tissues, which eventually lead to tumors.

The Pleura is a protective layer that protects the lungs, heart and abdomen. Mesothelium is composed of cells that react when exposed to asbestos. They cause inflammation to the tissue and cause it to become scarred. In time, these changes can result in the growth of malignant mesothelioma tumors.

Symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include breathlessness, chest pain or a buildup of fluid on the lungs (pleural effusion). In rare cases the cancer may spread to the tissues surrounding the heart and reproductive organs.

A doctor will order biopsy if scans show the possibility of a lung tumor or stomach. During the procedure doctors remove a small amount of fluid or tumor for laboratory testing. The results will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and help determine the best treatment plan.

There are many types of treatment for mesothelioma, such as chemotherapy and surgery. Most doctors use the combination of these treatments. Participating in clinical trials for mesothelioma treatments that are new could be beneficial to patients. To find out more, patients should speak with a mesothelioma specialist who has expertise in treating the condition.