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Mesothelioma and Asbestos

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

Symptoms of these diseases may not manifest for years after exposure to asbestos. Different types of asbestos legal (sneak a peek at this site) can cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma can be found in the outer lung lining, also known as pleura. It is the most frequent mesothelioma that accounts for up 70% to 79% of all diagnosed cases. Patients suffering from this condition feel chest pain and breathlessness and may also feel a sensation of heaviness in the chest.

Exposure to asbestos, a class of minerals composed of microscopic fibers, usually causes this type of cancer. These fibers, when inhaled cause irritation and DNA mutations. Pleura surrounds both the chest cavity as well as the lungs, so irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma usually doesn't show symptoms until 30 to 50 year after exposure.

Chest pain and shortness breath are the most frequent symptoms. Patients may also experience difficulty breathing or chest tightness. People with this cancer often have a history of exposure to asbestos in the workplace. The most frequent jobs that expose people to the risk of pleural mesothelioma include manufacturing, construction and shipbuilding. People who were in the military are at a greater risk due to the widespread use of asbestos in Navy vessels and Army bunkers.

The TNM (tumors lymph nodes and metastases staging system) is the most popular staging system for pleural adenocarcinoma. The stage a patient has upon diagnosis will help their doctor determine the best treatment plan for them. For instance, patients suffering from a pleural mesothelioma in stage three or four have a worse prognosis than those in a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma is often spread to the diaphragm, liver and/or a person's heart. This makes the cancer more difficult to treat, and increase the risk of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Unlike pleural mesothelioma, which is a lung-lining cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma forms in the peritoneum -- an elongated membrane that covers the abdominal cavity as well as organs such as the intestines and liver. Similar to pleural mesothelioma, asbestos exposure is the primary cause of peritoneal msothelioma. Only 300-500 cases are diagnosed each year which is lower than pleural asbestosis.

As with pleural asbestosis symptoms can take several years to show. Most patients experience abdominal pain and a mass in the abdomen. This mesothelioma type can cause nausea, weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms can be misinterpreted as gastrointestinal issues, leading to a false diagnosis.

The doctors can detect mesothelioma through looking over the medical history of the patient and performing a physical examination. They may also employ imaging tests such as X-rays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to help find mesothelioma. These tests can reveal tumors and other indications of cancer that aren't apparent on an X-ray.

These test results enable doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and establish the stage. They can also recommend treatment options. The stage is determined by the type of cell and whether the tumor has spread.

asbestos law exposure is the main risk factor. People who have been in occupations that require asbestos, like plumbing manufacturing, electrical work or construction, are at greater risk of developing the disease. Even if someone isn't employed in one of these fields, he or she can still be exposed through family members and other sources. This is why anyone who believes they could be at risk should speak to an expert. A mesothelioma specialist can help those who have had a experience with asbestos to understand more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos exposure is a major mesothelioma risk factor, accounting for up to 80 percent of all cases. Exposure to asbestos can occur due to military service, work or living with people who have worked with asbestos lawsuit. Asbestos particles can be inhaled by people who are exposed to it. They can cause irritation to the linings of the abdomen and trigger cancerous cells to form in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma may take between 15 and 60 years to develop after exposure to asbestos.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and age. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely to develop mesothelioma than those who are younger or older. It is because mesothelioma generally takes 20 to 60 years from the initial exposure before the first signs of cancer appear. It is important to note, too, that mesothelioma can be present in people who have been exposed to asbestos, but without having worked with it directly. This is called indirect or secondary 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 susceptible to asbestos. Mesothelioma can also be aggravated by certain illnesses such as asbestosis and pneumonia. It is also important to note that mesothelioma occurs more frequently in males than females. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for longer periods of time and to work with asbestos for longer periods of time. Additionally, men are more likely to live with someone who has was exposed to asbestos and bring asbestos law fibers that have escaped home on their clothes. Women are less likely to come into contact with asbestos and don't typically carry asbestos on their clothes.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is a difficult cancer to identify because the symptoms can be similar to other conditions. Because of this, victims are sometimes misdiagnosed.

NYU Langone doctors will perform an examination of the body and document the patient's medical history, including asbestos exposure. Doctors can also order an X-ray chest or CT scan to look for lumps or other abnormalities, and also to look for evidence of asbestos exposure in the past such as plaques on the pleura (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the buildup of fluid between the lung and the chest wall (known as pleural effusion).

Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance image or MRI test, which uses magnets and radio waves in order to create a series of detailed images of the inside of the body. Another method doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma is through the procedure of a surgical biopsy. In a surgical biopsy doctors will remove a small part of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum to be further examined. A pathologist will then look at the tissue with a magnifying lens to determine if it contains cancerous cell.

The type of mesothelial cells involved as well as the benign or malignant nature of these cells, as well as the location, type and stage of the tumor, are used to classify the disease. Some types of mesothelioma have a higher risk of metastasizing or spreading therefore it is essential to get a definitive diagnosis so doctors can treat it prior to it becoming out-of-control.

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

Treatment

A diagnosis of mesothelioma may be terrifying. However, it is important to remember that the cancer is treatable, especially in its initial stages. Many people with mesothelioma can live with the disease for many years without it expanding.

Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma in many ways. Asbestos fibers, which are too small to be felt or viewed through the naked eye can be airborne, irritating the lung's lining (pleura). Over time, 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 covers the lungs and heart and the abdomen. Mesothelium consists of cells that react to asbestos and cause it to enflame and create scar tissue. These changes eventually result in malignant mesothelioma tumors.

The signs of pleural mesothelioma can include breathing problems and chest pain as well as an accumulation of fluid on the lungs (pleural effusion). In rare instances, cancer can spread into the tissues that surround the reproductive organs and the heart.

A doctor will request biopsy if scans show the possibility of a mass in the lungs or stomach. During the procedure doctors remove a small amount of fluid or tumor for lab tests. The results will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and determine the best treatment plan.

There are a variety of mesothelioma treatments, including surgery, chemotherapy and immunotherapy. The majority of doctors employ a combination of these treatments. Participating in clinical trials for mesothelioma treatments that are new could be beneficial to patients. To learn more, patients should speak to mesothelioma experts who have had experience treating the disease.