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Mesothelioma and Asbestos

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

It may take decades before symptoms begin to manifest after asbestos exposure. Different types of asbestos can cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma, a form of cancer, that occurs in the lung's outer lining (pleura). It is the most common mesothelioma form and accounts for 70% to 79% all diagnosed cases. Patients with this disease experience pain in the chest and breathlessness and may experience an ache or heaviness in the chest.

This type of cancer typically caused through exposure to asbestos, which is a cluster of minerals that are made up of microscopic fibres. Once inhaled, the fibers are absorbed into the lung and cause irritation that leads to scarring and DNA mutations. The pleura covers the chest cavity and lungs This means that these irritations can affect both the lungs as well as a person's heart. Mesothelioma symptoms are usually not apparent until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

Chest pain and shortness breath are the most common symptoms. Patients may also experience coughing, difficulty breathing or chest tightness. Patients with this type of cancer have a past that includes asbestos exposure at work. Construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding are the most frequent jobs which put people at risk danger of developing pleural melanoma. People who have served in the military could be at a higher risk due to the widespread asbestos use in Navy ships and bunkers for the army.

The most popular staging system for pleural mesothelioma is the TNM (tumor, lymph nodes and metastases) staging system. The stage that a patient is in at the time of diagnosis will help determine what treatment plan they will receive. Patients with pleural mesothelioma that is in stage three or four will suffer a more negative prognosis than those who are in a less advanced stage. Stage four mesothelioma can spread to the liver, heart, or diaphragm. This can make it more difficult to treat and raises the risk of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Unlike pleural cancer, which is found in the lung's lining, peritoneal cancer develops in the membrane that covers the abdominal cavity, which includes organs like the intestines and the liver. As with pleural mesothelioma exposure to asbestos is the reason for peritoneal msothelioma. The disease is less common than pleural mesothelioma, and just 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.

As with pleural asbestosis, symptoms can take several years to manifest. Patients usually have abdominal pain, and may have a mass in their abdomen. Symptoms of this type of mesothelioma can also include nausea, weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms can be misinterpreted as digestive issues and can lead to a false diagnosis.

Generally speaking, doctors can detect mesothelioma after a thorough health history and physical examination. Imaging tests like X-rays or CT scans can be used 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, determine the stage 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 parts of the body.

Asbestos exposure is the most important risk factor. People who have been in occupations which require asbestos, such as plumbing, manufacturing, electrical work or construction, are at increased risk of developing the disease. However, even if people do not work in these fields, they can still be exposed to asbestos through family members or through other sources. Anyone who believes they may be at risk should consult a doctor. A mesothelioma expert can help those who have had a experience with asbestos to understand more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos exposure is the main risk factor for mesothelioma accounting for up to 80 percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos can happen as a result of work, military service or by living with a person who is exposed to asbestos or used to do the same. When exposed to asbestos, the particles are able to be inhaled into abdomen and lungs. These particles can cause irritation to the linings of the lungs, causing cancerous cells to develop in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma can take between 15 and 60 years to develop after exposure to asbestos compensation.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics, and the advancing age. People in their 40s and 50s are at a higher chance of developing mesothelioma to people who are younger or more. It is because mesothelioma generally takes 20 to 60 years from the initial exposure to asbestos before cancer symptoms appear. It is also important to know that mesothelioma is a possibility in those who were exposed to asbestos but didn't engage directly with it. This is known as indirect or secondary asbestos exposure and can be as hazardous as direct asbestos exposure.

Smoking increases the risk of mesothelioma, since it damages mesothelium. It also makes it more susceptible. Mesothelioma can also be caused by certain illnesses, including 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 lawsuit and endure a more exposure than women. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who has worked with asbestos, and to have asbestos settlement-containing fibers on their clothing. Women are less likely to come into exposure to asbestos and don't typically carry asbestos around on their clothes.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is a difficult disease to identify because the symptoms are often similar to other conditions. This can result in patients being misdiagnosed.

The first step to diagnose 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 a chest X-ray or CT scan to detect lumps or other abnormalities, as well as evidence of asbestos exposure in the past such as plaques on the pleura (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the formation of fluid between the lung and the chest wall (known as pleural effusion).

Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance imaging or MRI test, which uses magnets and radio waves in order to create a series detailed images of the inside of the body. Another way doctors can diagnose mesothelioma is to perform an operation called a biopsy. During a surgical biopsy, doctors remove a small amount of tissue from the peritoneum or pleura for further analysis. A pathologist can then examine the tissue using an magnifying glass to determine whether it contains cancerous cells.

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

Doctors may also conduct laboratory tests on a tumor to identify specific proteins, genes and other factors that can help them describe the characteristics of the cancer and determine a treatment. These results are called staging.

Treatment

A diagnosis of mesothelioma may be terrifying. But, it is crucial to remember that the disease is treatable, particularly in its earlier stages. Many patients with mesothelioma survive for years with the disease without it spreading to other organs of their body.

Exposure to asbestos can trigger mesothelioma through a variety of ways. Asbestos fibers, which are tiny enough to be felt or observed by naked eyes, can become airborne and irritate the lung's lining (pleura). Over time irritation can lead to formation of scar tissue, which causes changes in the structure of cells that eventually develop into tumors.

The pleura covers the heart and lungs and also the abdomen. Mesothelium is made up of cells that react when exposed to asbestos. They cause inflammation of the tissue and cause it to become scarred. These changes can eventually lead to malignant mesothelioma tumours.

Symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include breathing problems and chest pain as well as a buildup of fluid on the lungs (pleural effusion). In rare instances, the cancer can be spread to the tissues around the heart and reproductive organs.

If imaging scans reveal a possible mass in the stomach or lungs the doctor will request biopsies. During the procedure doctors remove some of the liquid or tumor for lab tests. The results can confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma, and also determine the best treatment option.

There are many types of mesothelioma treatment options, including chemotherapy, surgery and immunotherapy. Most doctors utilize the combination of these treatments. Patients may also benefit from enrolling in a clinical trial of new mesothelioma therapies. Patients can find out more by consulting a mesothelioma specialist who has treated the condition.