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The Ultimate Glossary Of Terms About Mesothelioma And Asbestos
Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos, a mineral that naturally occurs in the form of thin, long fibers. Workers who are exposed to asbestos regularly are at risk of developing mesothelioma or other lung diseases.

The symptoms of these diseases might not show up for decades after exposure to asbestos. Different asbestos types may cause different symptoms.


Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma is a type of cancer that affects the lung's outer the lining (pleura). It is the most frequent type of mesothelioma, making up 70 to 79% of all diagnosed cases. This condition causes chest pain, breath shortness and a feeling of heavyness.

This type of cancer is usually caused by exposure to asbestos, which is a collection of minerals that are composed of microscopic fibers. When inhaled, these fibers, cause irritation and DNA mutations. The pleura surrounds the lungs and chest cavity and therefore, these irritations could affect both the lungs and the heart of a person. Mesothelioma symptoms are usually not apparent until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

Chest pain and shortness breath are the most common symptoms. Patients may also experience chest tightness or coughing. They may also experience difficulty breathing. People with this cancer have a past that includes asbestos exposure at work. The most frequent jobs that expose workers to the risk of developing pleural mesothelioma are manufacturing, construction and shipbuilding. Individuals who have been in the military could be at an especially high risk due to the widespread use of asbestos in Navy vessels and army bunkers.

The most common staging system for pleural mesothelioma is the TNM (tumor, lymph nodes and metastases) staging system. The stage that the patient is in at the time of diagnosis can help determine the treatment plan they should follow. For instance, patients suffering from a pleural mesothelioma in stage three or four have a less favorable prognosis than patients with a lower stage. Mesothelioma in stage four can spread to the heart, liver or diaphragm. This could make the cancer 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 -- a membrane that lines the abdominal cavity as well as organs such as the intestines and liver. Similar to pleural mesothelioma, asbestos exposure is the reason for peritoneal msothelioma. Only 300-500 cases are diagnosed annually this is less than pleural asbestosis.

As with pleural asbestosis symptoms can take years to show. Typically, patients suffer from abdominal pain and an abdominal mass. Symptoms of this type of mesothelioma may also include nausea or weight loss, as well as fever. A lot of these symptoms can be misinterpreted as digestive issues which can lead to a false diagnosis.

Typically, doctors can identify mesothelioma through an extensive 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 aren't evident on X-rays.

These tests enable doctors to identify mesothelioma, and determine the stage. They can also recommend treatment options. The stage is determined by the type of cell and whether the cancer has spread.

Asbestos exposure is the most important risk factor. People who have been exposed to asbestos in professions, such as electrical or plumbing work or in construction and manufacturing are more likely to contract the disease. However, even if individuals do not work in these areas, they can still be exposed to asbestos through relatives or other sources. For this reason, anyone who suspects they may be at risk should speak to an expert. If they have any history of exposure to asbestos or mesothelioma, a specialist can help them find out more about the 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 happen through military service, work or living with someone who used to work with asbestos. Asbestos particles can be inhaled by those who are exposed to asbestos. These particles can cause irritation to the linings and cause cancerous cells to develop in the mesothelium. After exposure to asbestos mesothelioma can be diagnosed between 15 and 60 years.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and the advancing age. The people in their 40s or 50s are more at risk of developing mesothelioma as compared to people who are younger or more. It is because mesothelioma generally occurs between 20 and 60 years from the first exposure to asbestos before cancer symptoms appear. It is important to remember, too, that mesothelioma may occur in people who have been exposed to asbestos without having directly worked with it. This is called secondary or indirect exposure to asbestos. It can be just as dangerous as direct exposure.

Smoking increases the risk of mesothelioma, since it damages mesothelium. It can also make it more vulnerable. Mesothelioma can also be caused by certain illnesses such as asbestosis and pneumonia. It is also important to remember that mesothelioma occurs more frequently for men than women. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for a longer period of time and work with it. 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 contact with asbestos and do not typically carry asbestos around on their clothes.

Diagnosis

It is difficult to recognize mesothelioma since its symptoms are frequently similar to other illnesses. This is why patients are sometimes mistakenly diagnosed.

The first step in identifying mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform an examination and write down a patient's medical history, including asbestos exposure. Doctors will also order a CT scan or chest X-ray to check for abnormalities, lumps 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 as well as a magnetic resonance imaging, also known as MRI test, which uses magnets and radio waves to create detailed images of the inside of the body. Another method doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma is by performing an operation called a biopsy. A surgical biopsy is when doctors remove a small amount of tissue from the peritoneum or pleura for further analysis. A pathologist is then able to look at the tissue under microscopes to determine if it is contaminated with cancerous cells.

The mesothelial type involved and the benign or malignant nature of the cells, as well as the location the cancer, its type and the stage of the tumour, are used to classify the disease. Certain types of mesothelioma may be more likely to spread or metastasize and spread, therefore it is essential to get a definite diagnosis so that doctors can treat the disease before it goes out of control.

Doctors can also run tests in the laboratory on a tumor to find specific genes, proteins and other factors that can help them describe the characteristics of the cancer and determine a treatment. These results are known as staging.

Treatment

A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be terrifying. vimeo.com is crucial to remember, however, that cancer can be treated especially at its early stages. Many patients with mesothelioma live with the disease for a long time, without expanding.

Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma in a number of ways. Asbestos fibers, too small to detect or feel by the naked eye can be airborne and cause irritation to the lining of the lungs (pleura). Over time the irritation can lead to the formation of scar tissue that eventually result in tumors.

The pleura is a protective covering that surrounds the lungs, heart and abdomen. Mesothelium is composed of cells that react to exposure to asbestos, causing it to inflame and form scar tissue. These changes eventually result in malignant mesothelioma tumors.

The signs of pleural mesothelioma can include shortness of breath, chest pain or an accumulation of fluid in the lung (pleural effusion). In rare instances the cancer may grow to the tissues surrounding the heart and reproductive organs.

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

There are many types of treatment for mesothelioma such as chemotherapy and surgery. Most doctors rely on an amalgamation of these techniques. Patients could also benefit from participating in a clinical study of new mesothelioma treatment. Patients can learn more about the trials by consulting a mesothelioma specialist who has treated the condition.

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