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Mesothelioma and Asbestos

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

The symptoms of these diseases might not show up for decades after exposure to asbestos (Lampchord58.bravejournal.net). Different types of asbestos can cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma can be found in the outer lung lining, or the pleura. It is the most frequent mesothelioma that accounts for up 70% to 79% of diagnosed cases. This condition causes chest pain, shortness of breathe, and a feeling of heaviness.

This kind of cancer is typically caused by exposure to asbestos which is a collection of minerals composed of microscopic fibers. When inhaled, these fibers cling to the lungs and cause irritation that leads to scarring and DNA mutations. Pleura covers both the chest cavity and the lungs, so irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma symptoms typically don't show until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

The most frequent symptoms of pleural melanoma are chest pain and breath shortness. Patients may have coughing problems, trouble breathing or chest tightness. People with this cancer often have a history of exposure to asbestos in the workplace. Construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding are the most frequent jobs which put people at risk chance of developing pleural mesothelioma. People who were in the military are at greater risk due the frequent use of asbestos in Navy vessels and Army bunkers.

The most popular staging system for pleural mysothelioma has been the TNM (tumor, lymph nodes and metastases) staging system. The stage a patient is in at the moment of diagnosis will determine what treatment plan they will receive. For example, patients with mesothelioma that is pleural in stage three or four have a worse 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 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 lining of the lung, peritoneal cancer develops in a membrane that surrounds the abdominal cavity, which includes organs like the intestines and liver. As with pleural mesothelioma exposure to asbestos is the cause of peritoneal mesothelioma. It is estimated that only 300-500 cases are diagnosed annually, which is less than pleural asbestosis.

As with pleural asbestosis symptoms can take years to manifest. Patients generally suffer from abdominal pain and may have a mass in their abdomen. Symptoms of this type of mesothelioma can also include nausea as well as weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms are similar to symptoms of digestive problems, which can cause incorrect diagnosis.

Generally, doctors can find mesothelioma through a thorough health history and physical examination. Imaging tests like X-rays and CT scans are a way to identify mesothelioma. These tests can identify tumors as well as other signs of cancer that are not visible on X-rays.

These tests enable doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and establish the stage. They can also recommend treatment options. Staging is determined based on the type of cell and whether or whether the cancer has spread to other regions of the body.

Asbestos exposure is the most important risk factor. People who have been in occupations that require asbestos legal, like plumbing manufacturing, electrical work, or construction, are at a higher risk of developing the disease. However, even if people aren't employed in these fields they may be exposed to asbestos through relatives or other sources. Therefore, anyone who suspects they may be at risk should talk to a doctor. If they have a history of asbestos legal exposure or mesothelioma, a specialist can help them find out more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos is the primary mesothelioma-related risk factor. It is responsible for up to 80% of all cases. Exposure to asbestos can happen through work, military service or through living with a person who works with asbestos or has previously done so. When exposed to asbestos, small particles are able to be inhaled into lungs and abdomen. They can cause irritation to the linings of the abdomen and cause cancerous cells to develop in the mesothelium. After asbestos exposure mesothelioma is likely to occur between 15 and 60 years old.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and aging. People in their 40s or 50s are more at risk of developing mesothelioma compared to people who are younger or more. This is because mesothelioma typically occurs between 20 and 60 years after the initial exposure before cancer symptoms appear. It is important to remember that mesothelioma can develop in people who have been exposed to asbestos, but without having worked with it directly. This is referred to as indirect or secondary asbestos exposure. It can be just as harmful as direct asbestos exposure.

Smoking can increase the likelihood of getting mesothelioma because it damages the mesothelium and makes it more prone to asbestos. In addition, mesothelioma may be worsened by certain diseases like asbestosis and pneumonia. It is also important to remember that mesothelioma is more prevalent for men than women. This is because men are more likely to be exposed to asbestos lawsuit and endure a an extended period of exposure than women. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who worked with asbestos and to have asbestos fibers on their clothing. Women are less likely to come into exposure to asbestos and rarely carry asbestos home on their clothes.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is a difficult disease to recognize because the symptoms are often similar to other diseases. This can lead to victims being misdiagnosed.

The first step to diagnose mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform an examination and write notes on the medical history of a patient including asbestos exposure. Doctors may also order an X-ray chest or CT scan to look for lumps and other abnormalities as well as evidence of past asbestos exposure such as plaques in the pleura (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the accumulation of fluid between the lung and the chest wall (known as pleural effusion).

Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance scan or MRI test, which uses radio waves and magnets in order to create a series detailed images of the insides of the body. A surgical biopsy is yet another method doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma. A surgical biopsy is when doctors remove a small amount of tissue from the peritoneum or pleura to conduct further tests. A pathologist can examine the tissue with microscopes to determine if it contains cancerous cells.

Mesothelioma is classified according to the type of mesothelial cells involved, whether these cells are malignant or benign and also the location of the tumor, the type, and the stage of the tumor. Certain types of mesothelioma are more likely to grow or spread and spread, therefore it is essential to establish a definitive diagnosis so that doctors can treat the disease before it becomes out of control.

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

Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnose can be terrifying. However, it's important to keep in mind that the cancer can be treated, particularly in its earlier stages. Many people with mesothelioma live for many years with the disease without it spreading to other parts of their body.

Asbestos exposure can trigger mesothelioma via many mechanisms. Asbestos particles, which are too small to see or feel with the naked eye, can become airborne and irritate the lining of the lungs (pleura). Over time irritation leads to formation of scar tissue, which causes changes in the structure of cells that can eventually grow into tumors.

The Pleura is a covering that surrounds the lungs, heart and abdomen. Mesothelium consists of cells that react to asbestos, causing it to inflame and create scar tissue. In time, these changes can result in the growth of malignant mesothelioma tumors.

A shortness of breath, chest discomfort, or the accumulation of fluid on the lungs are all symptoms of the pleural msothelioma. In rare cases cancer can spread to the tissues around the reproductive organs and heart.

If imaging scans show an underlying mass in the lungs or stomach the doctor will request a biopsies. During the procedure, doctors take tiny amounts of tumor or fluid for lab tests. The results will confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis and indicate the best treatment plan.

There are many types of treatment for mesothelioma including surgery and chemotherapy. The majority of doctors use a combination of these methods. Patients can also benefit by taking part in a clinical trial of new mesothelioma treatment. Patients can learn more about the trials by consulting a mesothelioma expert who has treated the disease.