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20 Irrefutable Myths About Mesothelioma And Asbestos: Busted
Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos is a mineral that naturally forms in the form of thin, long fibers. People who are exposed to asbestos on a regular basis are at risk of developing mesothelioma as well as other lung diseases.

It can take years for symptoms to show up after exposure to asbestos. Different asbestos types may cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer that develops in the lung's outer liner (pleura). It is the most frequent form of mesothelioma and is responsible for 70 to 79% of diagnosed cases. This condition causes chest pain, shortness of breathe, and a feeling of weightiness.

This kind of cancer is typically caused by exposure to asbestos, which is a grouping of minerals made up of microscopic fibres. The fibers, when inhaled cause irritation and DNA mutations. Pleura is the lining of both the chest cavity as well as 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 mesothelioma include chest pain and breath shortness. Some patients may also feel tightness in their chest, coughing or difficulty breathing. Patients with this type of cancer have a past that includes asbestos exposure at work. The most common jobs that expose people to the risk of pleural mesothelioma include construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding. People who have worked in the military are at an especially high risk due to the widespread asbestos usage in Navy ships and army bunkers.

The TNM (tumors lymph nodes, tumors, and metastases staging system) is the most popular staging system used for the pleural cancer. The stage that the patient is in at the moment of diagnosis will determine the treatment plan they will receive. Patients who have pleural mesothelioma which is in stage three or stage four will have a less favorable prognosis than those who are in a less advanced stage. Stage four mesothelioma often spreads to the diaphragm, liver and/or a person's heart. This makes it more difficult to treat and raises the risk of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

As opposed to pleural mesothelioma that is a lung-lining cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma is found in the peritoneum -- an elongated membrane that covers the abdominal cavity as well as organs like the liver and intestines. Similar to pleural mesothelioma and peritoneal mesothelioma is caused by asbestos exposure. The disease is less common than pleural mesothelioma. There are around 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.

Like pleural mesothelioma, symptoms may take years to appear. Patients usually experience abdominal pain, and may also have a lump in their abdomen. The symptoms of this type of mesothelioma can also include nausea or weight loss, as well as fever. Many of these symptoms can 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 conducting a physical exam. Imaging tests like X-rays or CT scans can be used to detect mesothelioma. These tests can show cancerous tumors or other indications of cancer that aren't visible on an X-ray.

The results of these tests allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and determine the stage. They can also suggest 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 biggest risk factor. People who have been in occupations which require asbestos, like plumbing, manufacturing, electrical work, or construction, are at greater risk of developing the disease. However, even if people do not work in these areas, they can still be exposed to asbestos through family members or other sources. For this reason, anyone who suspects they may be at risk should talk to a doctor. If they have any history of exposure to asbestos and mesothelioma is a concern, a specialist will assist them in finding out more about the risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos is the main mesothelioma-related risk factor. It is responsible for as much as 80% of all cases. Exposure to asbestos can happen due to military service, work, or living with those who worked with asbestos. When exposed to asbestos, the particles are able to be inhaled into lungs and abdomen. These particles can cause irritation to the linings and trigger cancerous cells to develop in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma can take anywhere 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 at a higher risk of developing mesothelioma as compared to those younger or older. It is because mesothelioma generally lasts between 20 and 60 years after the initial time of exposure before cancer symptoms appear. It is also important to know that mesothelioma may develop in people who were exposed to asbestos, but did not deal with it directly. This is known as secondary or indirect asbestos exposure and can be just as harmful as direct asbestos exposure.

Smoking can increase the likelihood of developing mesothelioma since it damages the mesothelium, which makes it more prone to asbestos. Mesothelioma can also be aggravated by certain illnesses, including asbestosis and pneumonia. It is also important to remember that mesothelioma occurs more frequently for men than women. This is due to men being 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, and to carry asbestos fibers on their clothing. Women are less likely to be exposed to asbestos and they are less likely to bring asbestos home on their clothes.

Diagnosis

It is difficult to diagnose mesothelioma since its symptoms are often similar to other diseases. causes of mesothelioma other than asbestos could lead to patients being incorrectly diagnosed.

NYU Langone doctors will perform a physical examination and record the patient's medical background, including asbestos exposure. Doctors will also order a CT scan or chest X-ray to check for lumps, abnormalities, and evidence of exposure to asbestos. These include pleural plaques, thickened pleura and calcium deposits.

Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram which examines the heart and blood vessels and magnetic resonance imaging, also known as MRI, test that uses radio waves and magnets to make a series of precise images of the inside of the body. A surgical biopsy is yet another method doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma. In a surgical biopsy doctors take a tiny piece of tissue from pleura or the peritoneum, to be further examined. A pathologist can then look at the tissue under a microscope to see if it is contaminated with cancerous cells.

Mesothelioma is classified according to the mesothelial type involved, whether those cells are benign or malignant, and the location of the tumor, its type, and the stage of the tumor. Some types of mesothelioma have greater risk of metastasizing or spreading therefore it is essential to establish a clear diagnosis so doctors can treat it before it gets out-of-control.

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

Treatment

A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be terrifying. It is important to keep in mind, however, that cancer 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 cause mesothelioma by various mechanisms. Asbestos fibers, too small to see or feel through the naked eye, can become airborne and cause irritation to the lining of the lungs (pleura). Over time, the irritation leads to the formation of scar tissues that eventually result in tumors.

The Pleura is a protective layer that surrounds the abdomen, heart, and lungs. Mesothelium is composed of cells that react when exposed to asbestos. They cause inflammation to the tissue and cause it to scar. These changes can result in malignant mesothelioma tumors.

Breathing problems, chest discomfort, or the accumulation of fluid on the lungs are all indications of pleural msothelioma. In rare cases the cancer may be spread to the tissues around the heart and reproductive organs.

A doctor may request biopsy if scans show a potential tumor in the lungs or stomach. During the procedure, doctors will remove small amounts of the fluid or tumor for lab tests. The results will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and determine the best treatment option.

There are a variety of treatment for mesothelioma, including surgery and chemotherapy. The majority of doctors employ a combination of these treatments. Enrolling in clinical trials of mesothelioma treatments that are new could be beneficial for patients. To learn more about the trials, patients should speak to mesothelioma experts who have expertise in treating the condition.

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