Mesothelioma and Asbestos

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

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

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer that develops in the lung's outer liner (pleura). It is the most common mesothelioma type and accounts for 70% to 79% of all diagnosed cases. The condition can cause chest pain, breath shortness, and a feeling of heaviness.

Exposure to asbestos, a family of minerals composed of microscopic fibers causes this type of cancer. These fibers, when inhaled, cause irritation and DNA mutations. The pleura covers the chest cavity and lungs, so these irritations can affect both the lungs as well as the heart of a person. Mesothelioma usually doesn't show symptoms until 30 to 50 year after exposure.

The most common symptoms of pleural melanoma are chest pain and breath shortness. Patients may also feel tightness in their chest or coughing. They may also experience difficulty breathing. Patients with this cancer have a history that includes asbestos exposure at work. The most frequent jobs that expose people to the risk of developing pleural cancer are manufacturing, construction and shipbuilding. Individuals who have served in the military are at higher risk due to the frequent use of asbestos in Navy vessels and bunkers for the Army.

The most commonly used staging system for pleural mysothelioma has been the TNM (tumor lymph nodes, 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. Patients suffering from pleural mesothelioma who is in stage three or stage four will have a worse prognosis than those in a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma often spreads to the diaphragm, the liver and/or a person's heart. This can make the cancer more difficult to treat, and increase the risk of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Unlike pleural mesothelioma, which is a lung-lining cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma develops in the peritoneum -- an elongated membrane that covers the abdominal cavity and organs such as the intestines and liver. Similar to pleural mesothelioma, asbestos exposure is the primary cause of peritoneal mesothelioma. The disease is less common than pleural mesothelioma, with around 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.

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

Doctors can detect mesothelioma by looking over the medical history of the patient and performing a physical exam. They can also utilize 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.

These test results enable doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and establish the stage. They also offer treatments. The stage is determined by the type of cell as well as whether the cancer has spread.

The most significant mesothelioma-related risk factor is exposure to asbestos Case (www.bb0bw4mo1l2wn.shop). People who have worked in professions which require asbestos, like plumbing or electrical work, manufacturing or construction, are at a higher risk of developing the disease. Even if they aren't employed in these areas they may be exposed to asbestos through relatives or other sources. Anyone who thinks they may be at risk should consult a doctor. A mesothelioma specialist can assist those with a experience with asbestos to understand more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos exposure is the main mesothelioma risk factor, which accounts for as much as 80 percent of all cases. Exposure to asbestos can occur through military service, work or living with those who worked with asbestos. When exposed to asbestos, the particles can be breathed into the abdomen and lungs. The particles cause irritation to the linings, causing cancerous cells to form in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma can take anywhere between 15 and 60 years to develop after exposure to asbestos.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and age. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely develop mesothelioma than those who are younger or older. It takes mesothelioma 20-60 years before it manifests cancer symptoms after the first exposure. It is important to note, too, that mesothelioma may be present in those who have been exposed to asbestos, but without having been directly exposed to it. This is known as indirect or secondary exposure to asbestos. It is just as harmful as direct exposure.

Smoking increases the risk of mesothelioma, since it damages mesothelium. It also makes it more susceptible. Mesothelioma can also be caused by certain illnesses such as asbestosis and pneumonia. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than women. This is due to men being more likely to be exposed to asbestos and endure a an extended period of exposure than women. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who had worked with asbestos and to carry asbestos fibers on their clothing. Women tend to have less contact with asbestos and don't typically carry asbestos on their clothing.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is a difficult cancer to diagnose because the symptoms are often similar to other diseases. This can lead to victims being wrongly diagnosed.

NYU Langone doctors will perform an examination of the body and document the patient's medical history, including asbestos exposure. Doctors will also order an CT scan or chest X-ray to look for abnormalities, lumps and evidence of exposure to asbestos settlement. These include plaques in the pleura, thickened pleura and calcium deposits.

Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram, which examines the blood vessels and the heart and magnetic resonance imaging, also known as MRI, test, which uses radio waves and magnets to create detailed images of the inside of the body. Another way for doctors to detect mesothelioma is through the procedure of a surgical biopsy. During a surgery biopsy, doctors remove a tiny piece of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum, to be examined further. A pathologist can examine the tissue under a microscope to see if it contains cancerous cells.

The type of mesothelial cells involved and the benign or malignant nature of these cells and the location the cancer, its type and the stage of the tumor, are used to classify the disease. Certain mesothelioma types have a higher risk of spreading or metastasizing, so it's important to get a definitive diagnosis so doctors can treat it before it gets out-of-control.

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

Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnose can be frightening. However, it is important to keep in mind that the cancer can be treated, particularly in its earlier stages. Many patients with mesothelioma endure the disease for a long time without spreading.

Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma through various mechanisms. asbestos attorney fibers, which are tiny enough to be felt or observed by naked eyes are able to become airborne, irritating the lining of the lung (pleura). As time passes the irritation causes the formation of scar tissue that eventually result in tumors.

The pleura is a protective covering that covers the abdomen, heart, and lungs. Mesothelium is composed of cells that react when exposed to asbestos. They inflame the tissue and cause it to become scarred. These changes can result in malignant mesothelioma tumors.

Breathing problems, chest pain or fluid accumulation on the lungs are all indications of the pleural Msothelioma. In rare instances cancer can spread to the tissues around the reproductive organs as well as the heart.

If imaging scans show an area of concern 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 laboratory testing. The results will confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis, and indicate the best treatment option.

There are a variety of mesothelioma treatment, including surgery, chemotherapy and immunotherapy. The majority of doctors employ combinations of these treatments. Participating in clinical trials for mesothelioma treatments that are new could be beneficial to patients. Patients can learn more by consulting a mesothelioma expert who has treated the condition.