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Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos, a mineral that naturally forms in the form of thin, long fibers. Workers who are exposed asbestos on a regular basis risk developing mesothelioma and other types of lung diseases.

The symptoms of these diseases might not manifest for years after exposure to asbestos. Different asbestos types may cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma can be found in the lung's outer lining or pleura. It is the most frequent mesothelioma that accounts for up between 70 and 79% of all diagnosed cases. Patients with this disease experience pain in the chest and shortness of breath and may also feel an ache or heaviness in the chest.

This type of cancer often caused through exposure to asbestos, which is a cluster of minerals composed of microscopic fibers. The fibers, when inhaled cause irritation and DNA mutations. The pleura surrounds the chest cavity and lungs This means that these irritations can affect both the lungs and the heart of a person. Mesothelioma symptoms are usually not apparent until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

Chest pain and shortness breath are the most frequently reported symptoms. 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 common jobs that put people at risk of pleural mesothelioma include construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding. Individuals who have been in the military may be at risk due to the frequent asbestos use in Navy vessels and army bunkers.

The TNM (tumors, lymph nodes, and metastases staging system) is the most popular staging system for the pleural adenocarcinoma. The stage that a patient is in at the time of diagnosis can help determine the treatment plan they will receive. For instance, patients who have a pleural mesothelioma in stage three or four have a worse prognosis than patients with a lower stage. Mesothelioma in stage four is usually spread to the diaphragm, the liver or even a person's heart. This can make it more difficult to treat and increases the risk of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

In contrast to pleural mesothelioma which is a lung-lining cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma develops in the peritoneum -- an elongated membrane that covers the abdominal cavity as well as organs like the liver and Youtube.com intestines. Like pleural mesothelioma, peritoneal mesothelioma is caused by asbestos exposure. Only 300-500 cases are diagnosed each year this is less than pleural asbestosis.

Like pleural mesothelioma, the symptoms may take years to appear. The majority of patients suffer from abdominal pain and a mass in the abdomen. This kind of mesothelioma can also cause nausea, weight loss, and fever. Many of these symptoms are similar to those of digestive problems, which can result in incorrect diagnosis.

Generally, doctors can find mesothelioma through a thorough health history and physical examination. They may also employ imaging tests such as X-rays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to identify mesothelioma. These tests can reveal tumors, as well as other indications of cancer that aren't visible on X-rays.

These test results enable doctors to identify mesothelioma, and determine the stage. They also offer treatment options. The stage is determined by the kind of cell and if the tumor has spread.

Asbestos exposure is the biggest risk factor. People who have worked in jobs that require asbestos, such as plumbing or electrical work, manufacturing or construction, are at increased risk of developing the disease. Even if a person isn't employed in any of these areas they could still be exposed through family members and other sources. This is why anyone who is concerned that they might be at risk should speak to an experienced doctor. A mesothelioma expert can help those who have a previous history of asbestos to find out more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos is the primary mesothelioma-related risk factor. It accounts for as much as the 80% of cases. Exposure to asbestos may occur through work, military service or by living with someone who works with asbestos or was previously exposed to doing the same. When exposed to asbestos, small particles can be breathed into the abdomen and lungs. These particles irritate the linings, causing cancerous cells to form in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma can take anywhere 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 develop mesothelioma than those who are younger or older. It is because mesothelioma generally takes 20 to 60 years after the initial exposure to asbestos before the first signs of cancer appear. It is also important to note that mesothelioma is a possibility in those who were exposed to asbestos but didn't engage directly with it. This is called secondary or indirect exposure to asbestos, and it can be just as dangerous as direct exposure.

Smoking increases the chance of mesothelioma developing, since it damages mesothelium. It also makes it more prone to. Additionally, mesothelioma can be exacerbated by certain illnesses like asbestosis and pneumonia. It is also important to remember that mesothelioma occurs more frequently for men than women. This is because men are more likely to work with lawrence asbestos lawyer and have an extended period of exposure than women. Men are also more likely to live with someone who worked with asbestos and carry asbestos fibers that have escaped home on their clothes. Women are less likely to come exposed to asbestos, and don't typically carry asbestos on their clothes.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is a difficult cancer to diagnose because the symptoms often resemble other conditions. Due to this, patients are often mistakenly diagnosed.

The first step in diagnosing mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform an examination of the body and take note of the medical history of the patient, including asbestos exposure. Doctors can also request a chest X-ray or CT scan to look for lumps and other abnormalities, and also to look for evidence of previous asbestos exposure like plaques in the pleura (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the buildup of fluid between the lung and the chest wall (known as the pleural effusion).

Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance image or MRI test, that uses magnets and radio waves to create a series detailed images of inside the body. Another way doctors can diagnose mesothelioma is by performing the procedure of a surgical biopsy. During a surgical biopsy, doctors remove a small piece of tissue from the pleura or peritoneum for further testing. A pathologist is then able to examine the tissue under microscopes to determine whether it is contaminated with cancerous cells.

Mesothelioma can be classified based on the mesothelial type involved, whether those cells are benign or malignant, and the location of the tumor, the type, and the stage of the tumor. Certain mesothelioma types have greater risk of metastasizing or spreading, so it's important to determine the type of mesothelioma so doctors can treat it prior to it becoming out-of-control.

Doctors may also conduct laboratory tests on tumors in order to determine specific proteins, genes or other factors that will help them identify cancer characteristics and determine the best treatment. These results are referred to as staging.

Treatment

A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be frightening. However, it's important to keep in mind that the cancer is treatable, particularly in its early stages. Many people with mesothelioma live for many years without the disease spreading to other parts of their body.

Exposure to asbestos may cause mesothelioma in a number of ways. Asbestos fibres, tiny enough to be felt or seen by naked eyes are able to become airborne, causing irritation to the lung's lining (pleura). In time the irritation causes the formation of scar tissue and eventually tumors.

The Pleura is a protective layer that covers the lungs, heart and abdomen. Mesothelium consists of cells that react to asbestos which causes it to become inflamed and create scar tissue. In time, these changes can cause the development of malignant mesothelioma cancers.

Shortness of breath, chest discomfort or fluid buildup on the lungs are all signs of the pleural mesothelioma. In rare instances, cancer can spread into the tissues that surround the reproductive organs and heart.

If imaging scans reveal an underlying mass in the lungs or stomach doctors will recommend a biopsies. The procedure involves the removal of small amounts of liquid or tumor for laboratory testing. The results can confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis and provide the most effective treatment plan.

There are many types of treatment for mesothelioma, such as chemotherapy and surgery. Most doctors utilize an amalgamation of these techniques. Enrolling in clinical trials of mesothelioma treatments may be beneficial to patients. To learn more about the trials, patients should consult mesothelioma experts who have experience treating the condition.