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Mesothelioma and Asbestos

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

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

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma, a form of cancer, that affects the outer lung liner (pleura). It is the most frequent mesothelioma that accounts for up 70% to 79% of diagnosed cases. The condition can cause chest discomfort, shortness of breath, and a feeling of heavyness.

Exposure to asbestos, a group of minerals made of microscopic fibers, usually causes this type of cancer. When inhaled, these fibers are absorbed into the lung and cause irritation that causes scarring and DNA mutations. Pleura is the lining of both the chest cavity as well as the lungs, which means that irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma symptoms are usually not apparent until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

Shortness of breath and chest pain are the most frequent symptoms. Some patients may also experience chest tightness, coughing or difficulty breathing. People who suffer from this cancer usually have a history of exposure to asbestos in the workplace. Construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding are the most prevalent jobs that put people at a high danger of developing pleural melanoma. Individuals who have been in the military could be at an especially high risk due to the frequent asbestos usage in Navy vessels and bunkers used by the army.

The most commonly used staging method for pleural mesothelioma is the TNM (tumor lymph nodes, lymph nodes, and metastases) staging system. The stage the patient is in at the time of diagnosis will help determine the treatment plan they will receive. For example, patients with mesothelioma that is pleural in stage three or four have a worse prognosis than those with lower stages. Stage four mesothelioma often spreads to the liver, diaphragm and/or a person's heart. This can make it more difficult to treat and increases the chance of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Unlike pleural mesothelioma, which develops in the lung lining, peritoneal mesothelioma forms in the peritoneum, a membrane that lines the abdominal cavity as well as organs such as the intestines and liver. As with pleural mesothelioma asbestos exposure is the cause of peritoneal msothelioma. It is estimated that only 300-500 cases are diagnosed each year this is less than the pleural asbestosis.

As with pleural mesothelioma symptoms can take years to show. The majority of patients are afflicted with abdominal pain as well as a mass in the abdomen. This mesothelioma type can also cause nausea, weight loss and fever. A lot of these symptoms can be mistaken for gastrointestinal problems and can lead to a misdiagnosis.

Doctors can identify mesothelioma by reviewing the medical history of the patient and conducting a physical exam. Imaging tests like X-rays or CT scans are a way to detect mesothelioma. These tests can show tumors, as well as other indications of cancer that aren't visible on an X-ray.

These test results allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and determine the stage of the disease and suggest treatment options. Staging is determined based on the type of cells and whether or not the cancer has spread to other regions of the body.

The most important risk factor for mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos. People who have worked in jobs that involve asbestos, like plumbing or manufacturing, electrical work, or construction, are at a higher risk of developing the disease. Even if someone isn't employed in one of these areas they could be exposed to asbestos through family members and other sources. Anyone who believes they're at risk should talk to an expert. A mesothelioma specialist can assist those who have a history with asbestos to learn more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos is the primary risk factor in mesothelioma. It is responsible for as much as 80% of all cases. Exposure to asbestos can occur through military service, work or living with those who worked with asbestos. When exposed to asbestos, particles can be breathed into the lungs and abdomen. These particles irritate the linings of the abdomen, which causes cancerous cells to develop in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma can take anywhere between 15 and 60 years to develop after exposure to asbestos.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics, and age. The people in their 40s or 50s are at greater risk of developing mesothelioma compared to those who are younger or older. It is because mesothelioma generally takes 20 to 60 years from the first exposure to asbestos before cancer symptoms appear. It is also important to know that mesothelioma may develop in people who were exposed to asbestos case but did not engage directly with it. This is referred to as indirect or secondary asbestos exposure, and is as dangerous as direct asbestos exposure.

Smoking increases the chance of mesothelioma because it damages the mesothelium. It also makes it more prone to. In addition, mesothelioma may be caused by certain illnesses, such as asbestosis and pneumonia. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than women. This is due to the fact that men are more likely to be exposed to asbestos and endure a an extended period of exposure than women. Men are also more likely to live with someone who was exposed to asbestos and bring asbestos fibers that have escaped home on their clothes. Women tend to be less exposed to asbestos and they are less likely to carry asbestos on their clothing.

Diagnosis

It is difficult to diagnose mesothelioma due to its symptoms being often similar to other diseases. This could lead to patients being wrongly diagnosed.

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

Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI test, that uses radio waves and magnets in order to create a series of detailed images of the inside of the body. A surgical biopsy is yet another method for doctors to identify mesothelioma. During a surgery biopsy, doctors remove a tiny piece of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum to be examined further. A pathologist then examines the tissue with an magnifying glass to determine if it is a cancerous cell.

Mesothelioma can be classified based on the type of mesothelial cells involved, whether those cells are benign or malignant, and the location, type, and stage of the tumor. Certain types of mesothelioma may be more likely to grow or spread which is why it is crucial to establish a definitive diagnosis so doctors can treat the disease before it goes out of control.

Doctors may also conduct laboratory tests on tumors to identify specific proteins, genes or other elements that can aid in describing the characteristics of cancer and plan treatment. These results are referred to as staging.

Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnosis is an incredibly frightening prospect. However, it is important to keep in mind that the cancer can be treated, particularly in its earlier stages. Many patients with mesothelioma live with the disease for a long time without spreading.

Asbestos exposure can trigger mesothelioma via a variety of mechanisms. Asbestos particles, which are too small to see or feel by the naked eye can become airborne and irritate the lung's lining (pleura). In time the irritation can lead to the formation of scar tissue that eventually result in tumors.

The pleura is the area that surrounds the lungs and the heart and also the abdomen. Mesothelium is composed of cells that respond when exposed to asbestos. They cause inflammation to the tissue and cause it to scar. As time passes, these changes cause the development of malignant mesothelioma tumors.

Breathing problems, chest pain or fluid accumulation on the lungs are all symptoms of the pleural Msothelioma. In rare instances cancer can spread to the tissues around the reproductive organs and the 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 a small sample of the fluid or tumor for lab tests. The results can confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma, and also determine the best treatment plan.

There are a variety of treatment for mesothelioma including surgery and chemotherapy. The majority of doctors use a combination of these methods. Patients could also benefit from enrolling in a clinical trial of new mesothelioma treatments. Patients can learn more by consulting a mesothelioma specialist who has treated mesothelioma.