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Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that is found in thin, long fibres. Workers who are regularly exposed to asbestos may develop lung diseases, such as mesothelioma.

The symptoms of these diseases may not be evident for a long time after exposure to asbestos. Different asbestos types can cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma, a form of cancer, that develops in the outer lung the lining (pleura). It is the most frequent mesothelioma type and is responsible for 70 to 79% all diagnosed cases. People with this condition feel chest pain and breathlessness, and they may feel an ache or heaviness in the chest.

This kind of cancer is usually caused through exposure to asbestos, which is a cluster of minerals that are comprised of microscopic fibres. Once inhaled, the fibers are absorbed into the lungs and cause irritation that causes scarring and DNA mutations. The pleura surrounds the chest cavity and lungs and therefore, these irritations could affect both the lungs as well as a person's heart. Mesothelioma usually doesn't show symptoms until 30 to 50 year after exposure.

The most frequent symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include chest pain and shortness of breath. Some patients may also feel tightness in their chest, coughing or difficulty breathing. People who suffer from this cancer usually have an history of exposure to asbestos in the workplace. The most frequent jobs that put people at risk of pleural mesothelioma include construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding. People who served in the military are at a higher risk due to the frequent use of asbestos in Navy vessels and Army bunkers.

The TNM (tumors, lymph nodes, and metastases staging system) is the most common staging system used to treat the pleural adenocarcinoma. The stage that a patient is in at the time of diagnosis will help determine the treatment plan they will receive. Patients with pleural mesothelioma that is in stage three or four will suffer a more negative prognosis compared to those in a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma can develop into 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 cancer, which is found in the lining of the lung the peritoneal cancer is a result of the membrane that covers the abdominal cavity, which includes organs such as the liver and intestines. Similar to pleural mesothelioma mesothelioma is triggered by asbestos exposure. The disease is much less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma, and around 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.

As with pleural asbestosis, symptoms can take years to show. Most patients suffer from abdominal pain and a mass in the abdomen. Symptoms of this type of mesothelioma may also include nausea, weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms can be misinterpreted as digestive issues which can lead to a misdiagnosis.

Typically, doctors can identify mesothelioma after an extensive medical history and physical exam. They may also employ imaging tests like Xrays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to identify mesothelioma. These tests can show tumors, as well as other symptoms of cancer that aren't visible on X-rays.

These test results allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma, determine the stage and suggest treatment options. The staging is determined by the type of cells and whether or whether the cancer has spread to other regions of the body.

Asbestos exposure is the biggest risk factor. People who have worked in professions that require asbestos, like plumbing or manufacturing, electrical work or construction, are at increased risk of developing the disease. Even if a person is not employed in one of these areas, he or she can still be exposed through family members or other sources. Anyone who suspects that they're at risk should consult a doctor. If they have a history of asbestos exposure or mesothelioma, a specialist can assist them in finding out more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos exposure is the main mesothelioma risk factor, making up as much as 80 percent of all cases. Exposure to asbestos can occur as a result of military service, work, or living with those who worked with asbestos case. When exposed to asbestos, small particles can be inhaled into the abdomen and lungs. The particles cause irritation to the linings of the lungs, causing cancerous cells to develop in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma may take between 15 and 60 years to develop after exposure to asbestos.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and age. People in their 40s or 50s are at greater risk of developing mesothelioma as compared to people who are younger or more. This is because mesothelioma typically occurs between 20 and 60 years from the first exposure before cancer symptoms appear. It is also important to note that mesothelioma can develop in people who were exposed to asbestos but didn't engage directly with it. This is known as indirect or secondary asbestos exposure. It can be as hazardous as direct asbestos compensation exposure.

Smoking increases the risk of getting mesothelioma because it causes mesothelium damage and makes it more susceptible to asbestos. In addition, mesothelioma may be caused by certain illnesses, such as pneumonia and asbestosis. It is also important to know that mesothelioma is more prevalent in men than women. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for longer periods of time and to work with asbestos for longer periods of time. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who had been exposed to Asbestos; Noteswiki.Net,, and to have asbestos-containing fibers on their clothing. Women tend to have less contact with asbestos and don't typically carry asbestos on their clothing.

Diagnosis

It is difficult to recognize mesothelioma since its symptoms are often similar to other conditions. This can result in patients being wrongly diagnosed.

The first step in diagnosing mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform a physical exam and take down a patient's medical history, including asbestos compensation exposure. Doctors may also request an CT scan or chest X-ray to check 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 a magnetic resonance scan or MRI test, which uses radio waves and magnets in order to create a series of detailed images of the inside of the body. A surgical biopsy is a different way for doctors to diagnose mesothelioma. When a biopsy is performed doctors take a tiny piece of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum, to be further examined. A pathologist can examine the tissue with microscopes to determine if it has cancerous cells.

Mesothelioma can be classified based on the mesothelial type involved, whether the cells are benign or malignant and also the location of the tumor, the type, and the stage of the cancer. Certain mesothelioma types have an increased risk of metastasizing or spreading therefore it is essential to determine the type of mesothelioma so that doctors can treat it before it becomes out of control.

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

Treatment

A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be an incredibly frightening prospect. It is crucial to remember that cancer can be treated, particularly in its early stages. A lot of people suffering from mesothelioma endure the disease for a long time without spreading.

Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma by various mechanisms. Asbestos particles, which are too small to be able to see or feel by the naked eye can be airborne and cause irritation to the lung's lining (pleura). Over time the irritation causes the formation of scar tissues and eventually tumors.

The Pleura is a protective layer that surrounds the abdomen, heart, and lungs. Mesothelium is made up of cells that respond when exposed to asbestos. They cause inflammation to the tissue and cause it to become scarred. In time, these changes can cause the development of malignant mesothelioma tumors.

The symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are breathlessness, chest pain or an accumulation of fluid in the lung (pleural effusion). In rare instances the cancer may be spread to the tissues around the heart and reproductive organs.

A doctor will request biopsy if scans show the possibility of a tumor in the lungs or stomach. The procedure involves the removal of a small amount of fluid or tumor for lab tests. The results will confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis, and provide the most effective treatment plan.

There are many types of treatment for mesothelioma including chemotherapy and surgery. Most doctors use combinations of these treatments. Patients can also benefit by enrolling in a clinical trial of new mesothelioma treatment. To find out more, patients should speak with mesothelioma specialists who have expertise in treating the condition.