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Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that comes in thin, long fibres. People who are regularly exposed to asbestos are at risk of developing lung diseases, such as 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 occurs in the lung's outer liner (pleura). It is the most frequent form of mesothelioma and accounts for 70% to 79% all diagnosed cases. The condition can cause chest pain, breath shortness and a feeling of weightiness.

Exposure to asbestos settlement, a family of minerals made of microscopic fibers causes this kind of cancer. When inhaled, these fibers cling to the lungs and cause irritation that results in scarring and DNA mutations. Pleura covers both the chest cavity and the lungs, so irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma symptoms usually don't appear until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

Shortness of breath and chest pain are the most frequently reported symptoms. Some patients also experience coughing, difficulty breathing, or chest tightness. People who suffer from this cancer usually have a history of exposure to asbestos in the workplace. The most prevalent jobs that put people at risk of developing pleural mesothelioma are manufacturing, construction and shipbuilding. People who were in the military are at a higher risk due to the extensive use asbestos in Navy vessels and Army bunkers.

The TNM (tumors lymph nodes, tumors, and metastases staging system) is the most common staging system used for pleural adenocarcinoma. The stage a patient is in at diagnosis will help their doctor determine the most appropriate treatment plan for them. For instance, patients suffering from mesothelioma pleural stage three or four have a poorer prognosis than those in lower stages. Mesothelioma in stage four can be spread to the heart, liver or diaphragm. This can make it more difficult to treat and increases the chance of complications for patients.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

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

As with pleural asbestosis symptoms can take several years to manifest. Patients generally have abdominal pain, and could also experience a mass in their abdomen. This type of mesothelioma may also cause nausea, weight loss, and fever. Many of these symptoms could be misinterpreted as digestive issues, leading to a false diagnosis.

Generally, doctors can find mesothelioma after an extensive health history and physical examination. Imaging tests like X-rays and CT scans are a way to detect mesothelioma. These tests can detect tumors as well as other signs of cancer which aren't visible on X-rays.

The results of these tests allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and determine the stage. They also offer treatments. The staging is determined by the type of cells and whether or the cancer has spread to other areas of the body.

Asbestos exposure is the biggest risk factor. People who have worked in asbestos-related occupations, like electrical or plumbing work or in construction, manufacturing and manufacturing are more likely to contract the disease. However, even if people aren't employed in these areas they may be exposed to asbestos through relatives or other sources. Anyone who thinks they may be at risk should consult an expert. A mesothelioma specialist can help those with a previous history of asbestos law to find out more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos exposure is the primary risk factor for mesothelioma, making up as much as 80 percent of all cases. Exposure to asbestos can happen through military service, work or living with someone who used to work with asbestos. Asbestos particles can be breathed in by people who are exposed to asbestos. The particles cause irritation to the linings of the lungs, causing cancerous cells to develop in the mesothelium. After exposure to asbestos mesothelioma can develop between 15 and 60 years.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics, and age. People in their 40s or 50s are at a higher risk of developing mesothelioma as compared to people who are younger or more. It is because mesothelioma generally takes 20 to 60 years after the initial time of exposure before the first signs of cancer appear. It is important to keep in mind, too, that mesothelioma could develop in people who have been exposed to asbestos case (Vietnamplayboy.com), but without having been directly exposed to it. This is referred to as secondary or indirect asbestos exposure and can be just as harmful as direct asbestos exposure.

Smoking increases the risk of mesothelioma, because it damages the 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 compared to women. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for a longer period of time and to work with asbestos for longer periods of time. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who been exposed to 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 clothes.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is difficult to diagnose because the symptoms are often similar to other conditions. This can result in patients being incorrectly diagnosed.

The first step to diagnose mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform an examination of the body and take down a patient's medical history, including asbestos exposure. Doctors will also order a CT scan or chest X-ray to look for lumps, abnormalities and evidence of asbestos exposure. These include plaques on the pleura, pleura that are thickened and calcium deposits.

Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram, which examines the blood vessels and the heart and magnetic resonance imaging, also known as MRI, test that uses radio waves and magnets to create detailed images of the interior of the body. A surgical biopsy is yet another method doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma. In a surgical biopsy doctors will remove a small part of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum, to be further examined. A pathologist can then examine the tissue under an magnifying glass to determine if it is a cancerous cell.

The type of mesothelial cell involved, the malignant or benign nature of these cells as well as the location and stage of the tumor, are used to classify the disease. Certain mesothelioma types have greater chance of metastasizing or spreading and it's crucial to establish a clear diagnosis so doctors can treat it before it becomes out of control.

Doctors can also run tests in the lab on a tumor to identify particular proteins, genes or other elements that can help them describe the characteristics of the cancer and determine a treatment. These results are known as staging.

Treatment

A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be terrifying. It is important to keep in mind, however, that cancer can be treated particularly in its initial stages. Many patients with mesothelioma live with the disease for many years without it expanding.

Exposure to asbestos can trigger mesothelioma via many mechanisms. Asbestos fibers, which are small enough to not be felt or seen by naked eyes can be airborne and irritate the lung's lining (pleura). Over time irritation can lead to formation of scar tissue, which can cause changes in the structure of cells that can eventually grow into tumors.

The pleura surrounds the lungs and the heart and also the abdomen. Mesothelium consists of cells that react to asbestos and cause it to enflame and create scar tissue. These changes can result in malignant mesothelioma tumors.

Shortness of breath, chest discomfort or fluid buildup on the lungs are all indications of pleural Msothelioma. In rare cases the cancer may spread to the tissues surrounding the heart and reproductive organs.

If scans of imaging reveal an area of concern in the lungs or stomach the doctor will request biopsies. During the procedure, doctors take a small sample of the fluid or tumor for lab analysis. The results will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma, and also determine the best treatment option.

There are many types of mesothelioma treatment, including chemotherapy, surgery and immunotherapy. Most doctors rely on a combination of these methods. Patients can also benefit by taking part in a clinical trial of new mesothelioma treatment. To learn more about the trials, patients should consult mesothelioma specialists who have experience treating the condition.