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Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos is a natural mineral that is made up of thin, long fibres. Workers who are exposed asbestos regularly risk developing mesothelioma and other lung diseases.

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

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma, a form of cancer, that affects the lung's outer the lining (pleura). It is the most frequent mesothelioma type, accounting for up between 70 and 79% of diagnosed cases. Patients suffering from this condition experience pain in the chest and breathlessness, and they may feel an ache or heaviness in the chest.

Exposure to asbestos, a group of minerals composed of microscopic fibers, usually causes this kind of cancer. These fibers, when inhaled cause irritation and DNA mutations. Pleura covers both the chest cavity as well as the lungs, which means that irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma typically doesn't manifest until 30 to 50 year after exposure.

The most frequent symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include chest pain and shortness of breath. Some patients have coughing problems, trouble breathing or chest tightness. Patients with this type of cancer have a past that includes asbestos exposure at work. Manufacturing, construction and shipbuilding are among the most common occupations that put people at high danger of developing pleural melanoma. People who served in the military are at 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 commonly used staging system used for the pleural adenocarcinoma. The stage that a patient is in at the moment of diagnosis will determine the treatment plan they will receive. For example, patients with mesothelioma pleural stage three or four have a poorer prognosis than those in a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma is often spread to the diaphragm, the liver and/or a person's heart. This can make it more difficult to treat and increase the risk of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

As opposed to pleural mesothelioma that develops in the lung lining, peritoneal mesothelioma is found in the peritoneum -- an elongated membrane that covers the abdominal cavity and organs like the liver and intestines. Similar to pleural mesothelioma, asbestos exposure is the reason for peritoneal msothelioma. The disease is less common than pleural mesothelioma, with around 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.

Like pleural mesothelioma, symptoms can take a long time to manifest. Patients generally experience abdominal pain, and could also experience a mass in their abdomen. The symptoms of this kind of mesothelioma could also include nausea as well as weight loss and fever. A lot of these symptoms are similar to those experienced by digestive issues, which could cause confusion in diagnosis.

Generally, doctors can find mesothelioma through a thorough health history and physical exam. They can also utilize imaging tests like Xrays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to detect mesothelioma. These tests can identify tumors and other cancer signs that aren't evident on X-rays.

These tests enable doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and determine the stage. They can also recommend treatments. The stage is determined by the type of cell as well as whether the tumor has spread.

Asbestos exposure is the main risk factor. People who have worked in professions that require asbestos, like plumbing, electrical work, manufacturing or construction, are at a higher risk of developing the disease. Even if they aren't employed in these fields they may be exposed to asbestos through family members or other sources. Anyone who believes they're at risk should talk to a doctor. A mesothelioma specialist can help those with a previous history of asbestos to find out more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos exposure is the primary risk factor for mesothelioma, which accounts for as much as 80 percent of all cases. Exposure to asbestos can occur as a result of military service, work or living with someone who used to work with asbestos. Asbestos particles can be breathed in by those who are exposed to it. These particles can cause irritation to the linings of the lungs, causing cancerous cells to form in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma may take between 15 and 60 years to develop following exposure to asbestos.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and aging. People in their 40s or 50s are more at risk of developing mesothelioma as compared to those who are younger or older. It takes mesothelioma between 20 and 60 years to show signs of cancer after the first exposure. It is important to note that mesothelioma could occur in people who have been exposed to asbestos, but without having been directly exposed to it. This is known as secondary or indirect asbestos exposure and can be as dangerous as direct asbestos exposure.

Smoking increases a person's chances of getting mesothelioma because it damages the mesothelium, which makes it more vulnerable to asbestos. Mesothelioma can also be caused by certain diseases, such as asbestosis and pneumonia. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma compared to women. This is due to the fact that men are more likely to work with asbestos and experience a a longer period of exposure than women. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who has worked with asbestos litigation, and to carry asbestos fibers on their clothing. Women tend to have less contact with asbestos and don't typically carry asbestos home on their clothes.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is difficult to identify because the symptoms can be similar to other diseases. This can result in patients being wrongly diagnosed.

NYU Langone doctors will perform an examination of the body 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 and other abnormalities, and also to look for evidence of asbestos exposure in the past such as plaques on the pleura (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the formation of fluid between the lung and the chest wall (known as the pleural effusion).

Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram which examines the heart and blood vessels, and a magnetic resonance imaging, also known as MRI, test, which makes use of radio waves and magnets to make a series of detailed images of the interior of the body. Another method doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma is to perform the procedure of a surgical biopsy. In a surgical biopsy doctors remove a small piece of tissue from the pleura or peritoneum to conduct further tests. A pathologist can then examine the tissue under an magnifying glass to determine whether it contains cancerous cell.

Mesothelioma can be classified based on the type of mesothelial cells involved, whether those cells are benign or malignant and the location of the tumor, the type, and the stage of the tumor. Certain mesothelioma types have greater chance of metastasizing or spreading, so it's important to determine the type of mesothelioma so that doctors can treat it prior to it becoming out-of-control.

Doctors can also perform tests in the laboratory on tumors in order to determine specific proteins, genes or other elements that will help them identify the characteristics of cancer and plan treatment. These results are called staging.

Treatment

A diagnosis of mesothelioma may be terrifying. It is crucial to remember that cancer can be treated, especially at its early stages. A lot of people suffering from mesothelioma be afflicted for a long time, without expanding.

Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma in many ways. Asbestos fibers, too small to be able to see or feel with the naked eye, can become airborne and irritate the lining of the lungs (pleura). As time passes the irritation causes the formation of scar tissues that eventually result in tumors.

The pleura is the area that surrounds the lungs and heart and the abdomen. Mesothelium is composed of cells that react to asbestos and cause it to enflame and develop scar tissue. In time, these changes can cause the development of malignant mesothelioma tumors.

Shortness of breath, chest discomfort, or the accumulation of fluid on the lungs are all symptoms of the pleural msothelioma. In rare instances the cancer may grow to the tissues surrounding the heart and reproductive organs.

If scans of imaging reveal a possible mass in the stomach or lungs the doctor will request a biopsies. During the procedure doctors remove some of the fluid or tumor to allow for tests in the laboratory. The results can confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis, and determine the best treatment plan.

There are a variety of mesothelioma treatments, including surgery, chemotherapy and immunotherapy. Most doctors rely on the combination of these methods. Enrolling in clinical trials of mesothelioma treatments that are new could be beneficial for patients. Patients can learn more about the trials by speaking with a mesothelioma doctor who has treated the condition.