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Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that is found in long, thin fibres. Workers who are regularly exposed to asbestos risk developing lung diseases like mesothelioma.

Symptoms of these diseases may not be evident for a long time after exposure to asbestos. Different types of asbestos law 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% all diagnosed cases. Patients with this disease feel chest pain and breathlessness, and they may feel an ache or heaviness in the chest.

This type of cancer often caused by exposure to asbestos which is a grouping of minerals that are made up of microscopic fibres. When inhaled, these fibers cling to the lung and cause irritation that leads to scarring and DNA mutations. Pleura surrounds both the chest cavity and the lungs, which means that irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma typically doesn't manifest until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

The most commonly reported symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include chest pain and breath shortness. Some patients also experience difficulty breathing or chest tightness. Patients with this type of cancer have a history of disease that includes asbestos exposure at work. The most prevalent jobs that expose people to the risk of developing pleural cancer are manufacturing, construction, and shipbuilding. People who served in the military are at greater risk due the widespread use of asbestos in Navy vessels and bunkers in the Army.

The TNM (tumors, lymph nodes, and metastases staging system) is the most commonly used staging system used to treat the pleural cancer. The stage a patient is in when they are diagnosed will assist their doctor in determining the most effective treatment plan for them. For example, patients with a pleural mesothelioma in stage three or four have a less favorable prognosis than patients with a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma may be spread to the liver, heart, or diaphragm. This can make it more difficult to treat and increase the risk of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Unlike pleural mesothelioma, which develops in the lung lining, peritoneal mesothelioma forms in the peritoneum - an elongated membrane that covers the abdominal cavity and organs like the intestines and the liver. Like pleural mesothelioma, exposure to asbestos is the cause of peritoneal mesothelioma. The disease is much less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma, with around 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.

Like pleural mesothelioma, symptoms may take years to appear. Patients generally have abdominal pain, and may also have a lump in their abdomen. This type of mesothelioma may cause nausea, weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms could be misinterpreted as digestive issues and can lead to a misdiagnosis.

Generally speaking, doctors can detect mesothelioma by conducting an exhaustive health history and physical exam. They may also employ imaging tests like X-rays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to detect mesothelioma. These tests can show tumors, as well as other symptoms of cancer that aren't apparent on an X-ray.

The results of these tests allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and establish the stage. They can also recommend treatment options. Staging is determined based on the type of cells and whether or the tumor has spread to other regions of the body.

Asbestos exposure is the most important risk factor. People who have worked in asbestos-containing occupations, like plumbing or electrical work, or in construction, manufacturing and manufacturing, are more likely to develop the disease. Even if a person is not employed in one of these fields they could still be exposed through family members and other sources. Therefore, anyone who is concerned that they might be at risk should talk to a doctor. A mesothelioma expert can help those who have had a history with asbestos to learn more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos is the main mesothelioma-related risk factor. It is responsible for up to 80percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos can occur as a result of military service, work, or living with someone who used to work with asbestos. When exposed to asbestos, small particles can be breathed into the abdomen and lungs. They can cause irritation to the linings of the abdomen and trigger cancerous cells to grow in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma can take 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 between 20 and 60 years to manifest cancer symptoms after the first exposure. It is important to note that mesothelioma may be present in those who have been exposed to asbestos, but without having worked with it directly. This is known as secondary or indirect asbestos exposure, and is as dangerous as direct asbestos exposure.

Smoking can increase the likelihood of developing mesothelioma due to the fact that it damages the mesothelium, which makes it more prone to asbestos. Additionally, mesothelioma can be caused by certain illnesses, such as pneumonia and asbestosis. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than females. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos (from vestergaard-bager.federatedjournals.com) for longer periods of time and to have worked with asbestos for longer periods of time. Also, men are more likely to live with someone who had asbestos exposure and bring asbestos fibers from their workplace on their clothes. Women are less likely to come into contact with asbestos compensation and rarely carry asbestos home on their clothes.

Diagnosis

It is difficult to diagnose mesothelioma because its symptoms are often similar to other diseases. This can result in patients being misdiagnosed.

NYU Langone doctors will perform physical examinations and document the patient's medical history, including asbestos exposure. Doctors can also request an X-ray chest or CT scan to check for lumps or other abnormalities, as well as evidence of previous asbestos claim exposure like plaques on the pleura (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the accumulation of fluid between the lung and chest wall (known as the pleural effusion).

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 make a series of detailed images of the inside of the body. A surgical biopsy is another way for doctors to diagnose mesothelioma. During a surgery biopsy, doctors remove a tiny part of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum to be examined further. A pathologist can then examine the tissue under a microscope to see if it is contaminated with cancerous cells.

Mesothelioma is classified according to the type of mesothelial cells involved, whether the cells are benign or malignant, and the location, type, and stage of the cancer. Certain types of mesothelioma are at an increased risk of metastasizing or spreading, so it's important to get a definitive diagnosis so doctors can treat it prior to it becoming out-of-control.

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

Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnosis can be terrifying. But, it is crucial to remember that the disease can be treated, particularly in its initial stages. A lot of people suffering from mesothelioma live with the disease for many years without it spreading.

Exposure to asbestos can trigger mesothelioma in a number of ways. Asbestos fibers, which are small enough to not be felt or viewed through the naked eye are able to become airborne, irritating the lung's lining (pleura). As time passes irritation can lead to formation of scar tissue which causes changes in the cell structure which eventually lead to tumors.

The pleura is the area that surrounds the heart and lungs and also the abdomen. Mesothelium is made up of cells that react to exposure to asbestos settlement and cause it to enflame and create scar tissue. These changes eventually lead to malignant mesothelioma tumours.

A shortness of breath, chest discomfort, or the accumulation of fluid on the lungs are all signs of the pleural mesothelioma. In rare instances, cancer can spread into the tissues surrounding the reproductive organs and the heart.

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

There are a variety of treatment for mesothelioma including surgery and chemotherapy. Most doctors use the combination of these treatments. Patients may also benefit from participating in a clinical study of new mesothelioma treatment. To learn more, patients should speak to mesothelioma experts who have had experience treating the disease.