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Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos is a mineral that naturally occurs in the form of long, thin fibers. Workers who are regularly exposed to asbestos may develop lung diseases, such as mesothelioma.

It may take decades for symptoms to appear after exposure to asbestos. Different asbestos types can cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma occurs in the lung's outer lining or pleura. It is the most prevalent form of mesothelioma and is responsible for 70 to 79% of all diagnosed cases. People with this condition experience pain in the chest and breathlessness, and they may feel a sensation of heaviness in the chest.

This type of cancer is usually caused by exposure to asbestos, which is a collection of minerals that are made up of microscopic fibres. Once inhaled, the fibers cling to the lung and cause irritation that causes scarring and DNA mutations. Pleura surrounds both the chest cavity as well as the lungs, which means that irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma usually doesn't show symptoms until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

Chest pain and shortness breath are the most common symptoms. Some patients also experience coughing, difficulty breathing, or chest tightness. People with this cancer have a history of disease that includes asbestos exposure at work. Manufacturing, construction and shipbuilding are among the most frequent occupations that put people at high danger of developing pleural melanoma. People who have worked in the military may be at a higher risk due to the frequent asbestos usage in Navy vessels and bunkers for the army.

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 what treatment plan they should receive. For instance, patients suffering from a pleural mesothelioma in stage three or four have a less favorable prognosis than patients with lower stages. Stage four mesothelioma is often spread to the liver, diaphragm or even a person's heart. This makes the cancer more difficult to treat, and increase the chance of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

In contrast to pleural cancer, that develops in the lung's lining, peritoneal cancer develops in a membrane that surrounds the abdominal cavity, which includes organs such as the liver and intestines. Similar to pleural mesothelioma, asbestos exposure is the cause of peritoneal msothelioma. The disease is much less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma, with just 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.

Like pleural mesothelioma, the symptoms can take a long time to manifest. Patients typically have abdominal pain, and may have a mass in their abdomen. This type of mesothelioma may cause 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 through an extensive medical history and physical exam. They can also use imaging tests like Xrays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to help find mesothelioma. These tests can reveal tumors, as well as other signs of cancer that aren't apparent on an X-ray.

These tests enable doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and determine the stage and suggest treatment options. The stage is determined by the type of cell as well as whether the cancer has spread.

The most important mesothelioma-related risk factor is asbestos compensation exposure. People who have worked in professions that involve asbestos, like plumbing manufacturing, electrical work or construction, are at increased risk of developing the disease. Even if someone isn't employed in one of these areas however, they may be exposed to asbestos to Asbestos Legal through family members and other sources. Therefore, anyone who is concerned that they might be at risk should speak to an expert. A mesothelioma expert can help those with a history with asbestos to learn more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos exposure is a major risk factor for mesothelioma making up as much as 80 percent of all cases. Exposure to asbestos can occur as a result of work, military service, or by living with a person who is exposed to asbestos or was previously exposed to doing the same. When exposed to asbestos, the particles are able to be inhaled into abdomen and lungs. These particles irritate the linings, causing cancerous cells to develop 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 age. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely be diagnosed with mesothelioma compared to those who are younger or more senior. It takes mesothelioma 20-60 years before it manifests cancer symptoms after the first exposure. It is important to remember, too, that mesothelioma may develop in people who have been exposed to asbestos law, but without having been directly exposed to it. This is known as secondary or indirect asbestos legal exposure, and is as hazardous as direct asbestos exposure.

Smoking increases a person's chances of getting mesothelioma because it causes mesothelium damage and makes it more susceptible to asbestos. Mesothelioma can also be aggravated by certain illnesses, including asbestosis and pneumonia. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma compared to women. This is due to men being more likely to work with asbestos and have a longer period of exposure than women. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who had been exposed to asbestos, and to have asbestos-containing fibers on their clothing. Women tend to have less contact with asbestos and rarely carry asbestos around on their clothing.

Diagnosis

It is difficult to identify mesothelioma since its symptoms are frequently similar to other illnesses. This can result in patients being misdiagnosed.

NYU Langone doctors will perform an examination of the body and document the patient's medical background, including asbestos exposure. Doctors will also order a CT scan or chest X-ray in order 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 a magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI test, which uses radio waves and magnets in order to produce a series of precise images of the inside of the body. Another way for doctors to detect mesothelioma is by performing the procedure of a surgical biopsy. When a biopsy is performed, doctors remove a tiny piece of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum, to be further examined. A pathologist then examines the tissue under a magnifying glass to determine if it is a cancerous cell.

Mesothelioma can be classified based on the mesothelial type involved, whether these cells are malignant or benign, and the location of the tumor, the type, and the stage of the cancer. Certain types of mesothelioma are at a higher chance of metastasizing or spreading therefore it is essential to determine the type of mesothelioma to ensure that the doctors can treat it before it gets out of control.

Doctors may also conduct tests in the lab on a tumor to find specific genes, proteins or other elements which can help them identify the cancer's characteristics and plan treatment. These results are referred to as staging.

Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnosis is an incredibly frightening prospect. However, it's important to remember that the disease is treatable, particularly in its earlier stages. Many patients with mesothelioma live with the disease for a long time without expanding.

Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma in a number of ways. Asbestos particles, which are too small to be able to see or feel by the naked eye can become airborne and cause irritation to the lining of the lungs (pleura). Over time, the irritation causes the formation of scar tissue which can cause changes in the structure of cells that can eventually grow into tumors.

The Pleura is a protective layer that protects the lungs, heart and abdomen. Mesothelium is composed of cells that react when exposed to asbestos. They cause inflammation to the tissue and cause it to become scarred. Overtime, these changes result in the growth of malignant mesothelioma tumors.

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

If scans of imaging reveal a possible mass in the stomach or lungs doctors will recommend biopsies. During the procedure doctors remove some of the fluid or tumor for laboratory testing. The results will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and provide the best treatment option.

There are a variety of treatment for mesothelioma such as chemotherapy and surgery. Most doctors utilize a combination of these treatments. Enrolling in clinical trials of new mesothelioma treatment may also be beneficial to patients. To learn more about the trials, patients should consult a mesothelioma specialist who has had experience treating the disease.