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Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that is found in long, thin fibres. People who are regularly exposed to asbestos may develop lung diseases like mesothelioma.

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

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma occurs in the lung's outer lining or the pleura. It is the most frequent mesothelioma type, accounting for up 70 to 79% of diagnosed cases. People with this condition experience pain in the chest and shortness of breath and may experience a sensation of heaviness in the chest.

Exposure to asbestos, a family of minerals comprised of microscopic fibers, typically causes this kind 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.

The most common symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are chest pain and shortness of breath. Patients may also feel tightness in their chest, coughing or difficulty breathing. Patients with this cancer have a history of disease that includes asbestos exposure at work. The most prevalent jobs that expose workers to the risk of developing pleural cancer are construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding. People who served in the military are at a greater risk due the extensive use asbestos in Navy vessels and bunkers for the Army.

The TNM (tumors lymph nodes, tumors, and metastases staging system) is the most common staging system used to treat the pleural cancer. The stage a patient is in when they are diagnosed will assist their doctor in determining the most appropriate treatment plan for them. For instance, patients who have mesothelioma that is pleural in stage three or four have a worse prognosis than those in lower stages. Stage four mesothelioma often spreads to the diaphragm, the liver and/or a person's heart. This makes the cancer more difficult to treat, and increase the risk of complications for patients.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

As opposed to pleural mesothelioma that develops in the lung lining, peritoneal mesothelioma is found in the peritoneum, a membrane that lines the abdominal cavity as well as organs such as the intestines and liver. Like pleural mesothelioma, asbestos exposure is the primary cause of peritoneal mesothelioma. The disease is less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma, and around 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.

As with pleural mesothelioma symptoms can take years to show. Patients typically experience abdominal pain, and could also experience a mass in their abdomen. The symptoms of this type of mesothelioma can also include nausea, weight loss and fever. A lot of these symptoms are similar to those of digestive problems, which can lead to misdiagnosis.

Generally, doctors can find mesothelioma after an extensive health history and physical exam. They can also utilize imaging tests like Xrays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to help find mesothelioma. These tests can reveal tumors and other symptoms of cancer that aren't visible on an X-ray.

The results of these tests allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and determine the stage. They can also suggest treatments. The stage is determined by the kind of cell and if the tumor has spread.

Asbestos exposure is the most important risk factor. People who have been in occupations that require asbestos, such as plumbing or 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 be exposed to asbestos through family members or other sources. For this reason, anyone who is concerned that they might be at risk should talk to a doctor. A mesothelioma specialist can assist those who have a previous history of asbestos to find out more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos exposure is the main risk factor for mesothelioma, making up as much as 80 percent of all cases. Exposure to asbestos lawsuit may occur as a result of military service, work or living with those who worked with asbestos. Asbestos particles can be breathed in by those who are exposed to asbestos. These particles irritate the linings, causing cancerous cells to develop in the mesothelium. Following exposure to asbestos mesothelioma is likely to develop between 15 and 60 years.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and age. People in their 40s and 50s are more at risk of developing mesothelioma compared to those younger or older. It takes mesothelioma 20-60 years to manifest cancer symptoms after the first exposure. It is also important to know that mesothelioma can develop in people who have been exposed to asbestos, but did not deal with it directly. This is referred to as secondary or indirect asbestos exposure. It can be just as harmful as direct asbestos litigation case (visit the up coming post) exposure.

Smoking increases the chance of mesothelioma developing, since it damages mesothelium. It can also make it more vulnerable. In addition, mesothelioma may be worsened by certain diseases like asbestosis and pneumonia. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than women. This is due to men being more likely to be exposed to asbestos and endure a an extended period of exposure than women. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who worked with asbestos, and to carry asbestos fibers on their clothing. Women are less likely to come into contact with asbestos and rarely carry asbestos on their clothing.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is difficult to diagnose because the symptoms often resemble other conditions. This is why patients are sometimes wrongly diagnosed.

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 may also request a CT scan or chest X-ray to look for lumps, abnormalities and evidence of exposure to asbestos. These include plaques in the pleura, thickened pleura and calcium deposits.

Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram, which examines the heart and blood vessels and magnetic resonance imaging, also known as MRI, test, which makes use of radio waves and magnets to create detailed images of the interior of the body. A surgical biopsy is another method doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma. During a surgery biopsy, doctors remove a tiny part of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum, to be examined further. A pathologist is then able to examine the tissue with microscopes to determine whether it contains cancerous cells.

The mesothelial type involved, the malignant or benign nature of the cells as well as the location the cancer, its type and the stage of the tumor, are used to categorize the disease. Certain types of mesothelioma are at an increased risk of spreading or metastasizing therefore it is essential to establish a clear diagnosis to ensure that the doctors can treat it before it gets out of control.

Doctors can also run tests in the laboratory on a tumor to find specific proteins, genes, or other factors that help them understand the characteristics of the cancer and determine a treatment. These results are known as staging.

Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnosis can be terrifying. It is important to keep in mind, however, that cancer can be treated especially at its early stages. Many people with mesothelioma live for many years with the disease, without spreading to other parts of their body.

Exposure to asbestos may cause mesothelioma in many ways. Asbestos fibers that are tiny enough to be felt or viewed with the naked eyes, can become airborne and irritate the lining of the lung (pleura). Over time irritation leads to 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 covers the abdomen, heart, and lungs. Mesothelium is composed of cells that respond when exposed to asbestos. They inflame the tissue and cause it to become scarred. As time passes, these changes result in the growth of malignant mesothelioma tumors.

The symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are breathlessness and chest pain, or an accumulation of fluid in the lung (pleural effusion). In rare cases cancer may spread to the tissues that surround the reproductive organs and heart.

A doctor may request a biopsy if imaging scans show a potential tumor in the lungs or stomach. During the procedure, doctors will remove small amounts of the tumor or fluid for lab analysis. The results can confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and determine the best treatment option.

There are a variety of mesothelioma treatments, including chemotherapy, surgery and immunotherapy. Most doctors utilize combinations of these treatments. Participating in clinical trials for mesothelioma treatments may be beneficial to patients. To learn more, patients should consult a mesothelioma specialist who has experience treating the condition.