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A Trip Back In Time: How People Talked About Mesothelioma And Asbestos 20 Years Ago
Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos, a mineral that naturally occurs in the form of thin, long fibers. Workers who are regularly exposed to asbestos risk developing 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 may cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

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

Exposure to asbestos, a class of minerals made of microscopic fibers, typically causes this kind of cancer. When inhaled, asbestos lawyer stick inside the lung and cause irritation that results in scarring and DNA mutations. The pleura covers the chest cavity and lungs, so these irritations can affect both the lungs as well as a person's heart. Mesothelioma symptoms typically don't show until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

Shortness of breath and chest pain are the most frequent symptoms. Some patients may also feel tightness in their chest and coughing, or breathing difficulties. Patients with this type of cancer typically have an history of exposure to asbestos in the workplace. Manufacturing, construction and shipbuilding are among the most common jobs which put people at risk risk of developing pleural mesothelioma. Individuals who have served in the military are at higher risk due to the widespread use of asbestos in Navy vessels and bunkers for the Army.

The TNM (tumors, lymph nodes, and metastases staging system) is the most popular staging system for the pleural cancer. 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 have a less favorable prognosis compared to those in a less advanced stage. Mesothelioma in stage four is usually spread to the liver, diaphragm and/or a person's heart. This could make the cancer more difficult to treat, and increase the chances of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

In contrast to pleural cancer, which is found in the lung's lining it develops in the membrane that covers the abdominal cavity, which includes organs like the liver and intestines. Similar to pleural mesothelioma mesothelioma is triggered by asbestos exposure. Only 300-500 cases are diagnosed each year which is lower than the pleural asbestosis.

As with pleural mesothelioma symptoms can take a long time to manifest. Typically, patients are afflicted with abdominal pain as well as a mass in the abdomen. Symptoms of this type of mesothelioma could also include nausea, weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms are similar to those experienced by digestive issues, which could cause incorrect diagnosis.

Doctors can identify mesothelioma by reviewing the medical history of the patient and performing a physical exam. Imaging tests like X-rays and CT scans are a way to detect mesothelioma. These tests can reveal tumors and other indications of cancer that aren't visible on X-rays.

The results of these tests allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma, determine the stage and suggest treatment options. The stage of the disease is determined based on the cell type and whether or not the cancer has spread to other regions of the body.


Asbestos exposure is the main risk factor. People who have worked in asbestos-containing jobs, such as plumbing or electrical work, or in construction and manufacturing are more likely to develop the disease. Even if they do not work in these fields they could be exposed to asbestos through family members or through other sources. Anyone who believes they're at risk should consult a doctor. A mesothelioma expert can help those who have had a previous history of asbestos to find out more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos exposure is a major risk factor for mesothelioma making up as much as 80 percent of all cases. Exposure to asbestos can happen through work, military service or through living with a person who is exposed to asbestos or was previously exposed to doing such. Asbestos particles are inhaled by those who are exposed to asbestos. These particles can cause irritation to the linings and cause cancerous cells to grow in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma may take between 15 and 60 years to develop following exposure to asbestos.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and age. People in their 40s or 50s are more at risk of developing mesothelioma compared to people who are younger or more. It is because mesothelioma generally lasts between 20 and 60 years after the initial exposure to asbestos before the first signs of cancer appear. It is important to keep in mind that mesothelioma can be present in those who have been exposed to asbestos without having worked with it directly. This is called secondary or indirect exposure to asbestos and it could be as hazardous as direct exposure.

Smoking increases a person's chances of developing mesothelioma since it damages the mesothelium, which makes it more vulnerable to asbestos. Furthermore, mesothelioma is worsened by certain diseases like asbestosis and pneumonia. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than females. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for longer periods of time and to have worked with asbestos for longer durations and to work with it. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who has been exposed to asbestos, and to have asbestos fibers on their clothing. Women are less likely to be exposed to asbestos and they don't usually carry asbestos on their clothing.

Diagnosis

It is difficult to identify mesothelioma due to its symptoms being frequently similar to other illnesses. Due to this, patients are often mistakenly diagnosed.

The first step in identifying mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform a physical exam and take note of the medical history of the patient including asbestos exposure. Doctors may also order an X-ray of the chest or CT scan to detect lumps or other abnormalities, as well as evidence of asbestos exposure in the past like plaques on 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 an echocardiogram which examines the blood vessels and the heart as well as a magnetic resonance imaging, also known as MRI test that uses radio waves and magnets to create detailed images of the inside of the body. Another method doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma is to perform the procedure of a surgical biopsy. During a surgical biopsy, doctors take a small amount of tissue from the pleura or peritoneum for further analysis. A pathologist can then examine the tissue with a microscope to see if it has cancerous cells.

The type of mesothelial cell involved as well as the benign or malignant nature of these cells and the location the cancer, its type and the stage of the tumour, are used to categorize the disease. Certain mesothelioma types have greater risk of spreading or metastasizing therefore it is essential to determine the type of mesothelioma to ensure that the doctors can treat it before it gets out-of-control.

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

Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnosis is terrifying. But, it is crucial to remember that the disease is treatable, especially in its earlier stages. Many people with mesothelioma live for years with the disease without it spreading to other organs of their body.

Exposure to asbestos can trigger mesothelioma in a number of ways. Asbestos particles, which are too small to detect or feel with the naked eye, can be airborne and cause irritation to the lining of the lungs (pleura). In time, the irritation leads to the formation of scar tissues and eventually tumors.

The pleura is the area that surrounds the lungs and heart and also the abdomen. 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 result in the growth of malignant mesothelioma tumors.

Symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include breathing problems, chest pain or the accumulation of fluid in the lungs (pleural effusion). In rare instances, cancer can spread into the tissues around the reproductive organs and the heart.

If scans of imaging reveal a possible mass in the lungs or stomach, a doctor will order biopsies. In the course of the procedure, doctors remove some of the liquid or tumor for laboratory testing. The results can confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma, and also determine the most effective treatment plan.

There are a variety of treatment for mesothelioma, including chemotherapy and surgery. The majority of doctors use an amalgamation of these techniques. Participating in clinical trials of mesothelioma treatments may be beneficial to patients. Patients can learn more by consulting a mesothelioma expert who has treated mesothelioma.

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