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Be On The Lookout For: How Mesothelioma And Asbestos Is Taking Over And What To Do About It
Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos is a mineral that naturally forms in the form of long, thin fibers. People who are regularly exposed to asbestos risk developing lung diseases, such as mesothelioma.

It could take a long time for symptoms to show up after exposure to asbestos. Different asbestos types may cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma is a type of cancer that occurs in the lung's outer lining (pleura). It is the most prevalent mesothelioma that accounts for up 70% to 79% of diagnosed cases. People with this condition experience pain in the chest and breath shortness and may also feel a sensation of heaviness in the chest.

This kind of cancer is usually caused by exposure to asbestos which is a collection of minerals composed of microscopic fibers. Once inhaled, the fibers are absorbed into the lung and cause irritation that causes scarring and DNA mutations. Pleura covers both the chest cavity and the lungs, and so irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma usually doesn't show symptoms until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

Chest pain and shortness breath 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 previous exposure to asbestos in the workplace. The most frequent jobs that expose people to the risk of developing pleural mesothelioma are manufacturing, construction, and shipbuilding. People who served in the military are at a greater risk due to the extensive use asbestos in Navy vessels and bunkers in the Army.

The TNM (tumors, lymph nodes, and metastases staging system) is the most common staging system used for the pleural cancer. The stage the patient is in at the moment of diagnosis will determine what treatment plan they will receive. For instance, patients who have mesothelioma pleural stage three or four have a worse prognosis than those in lower stages. Stage four mesothelioma is often spread to the diaphragm, the liver and/or a person's heart. This can make it more difficult to treat and increase the chance of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

In contrast to pleural mesothelioma which develops in the lung lining, peritoneal mesothelioma is found in the peritoneum - a membrane that lines the abdominal cavity and organs such as the liver and intestines. As with pleural mesothelioma asbestos exposure is the primary cause of peritoneal msothelioma. There are only 300-500 cases diagnosed annually which is lower than the pleural asbestosis.

As with pleural mesothelioma symptoms can take years to show. Patients typically suffer from abdominal pain and may also have a lump in their abdomen. This type of mesothelioma may cause nausea, weight loss and fever. A lot of these symptoms can be misinterpreted as gastrointestinal issues which can lead to a misdiagnosis.

Generally, doctors can find mesothelioma through an extensive health history and physical examination. They can also use imaging tests like X-rays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to identify mesothelioma. These tests can reveal tumors, as well as other symptoms of cancer that aren't visible on X-rays.

The results of these tests allow doctors to identify mesothelioma, and determine the stage. They also offer treatment options. The staging is determined by the type of cell and whether or the cancer has spread to other regions of the body.

Asbestos exposure is the main risk factor. People who have worked in asbestos-containing professions, such as plumbing or electrical work, or in construction and manufacturing are more likely to contract the disease. However, even if people do not work in these areas they may be exposed to asbestos through relatives or other sources. This is why anyone who suspects they may be at risk should speak to an experienced doctor. A mesothelioma specialist can assist those who have a previous history of asbestos to find out more about their risk.

Risk Factors


Asbestos is the primary mesothelioma-related risk factor. It accounts 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. Asbestos particles are inhaled by those who are exposed to it. These particles can cause irritation to the linings and cause cancerous cells to grow in the mesothelium. After asbestos exposure mesothelioma is likely to develop between 15 and 60 years old.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and age. People in their 40s or 50s are at greater risk of developing mesothelioma compared to those who are younger or older. It takes mesothelioma between 20 and 60 years to manifest cancer symptoms after the first exposure. It is important to remember that mesothelioma can develop in people who were exposed to asbestos but didn't deal with it directly. This is called indirect or secondary exposure to asbestos and it is just as harmful as direct exposure.

Smoking increases the chance of mesothelioma developing, as it damages the mesothelium. It can also make it more vulnerable. Mesothelioma can also be aggravated by certain diseases, such as asbestosis and pneumonia. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than women. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for longer periods of time and work with asbestos for longer periods of time. Men are also more likely to live with someone who worked with asbestos and carry asbestos fibers from their workplace on their clothing. Women are less likely to be exposed to asbestos, and they don't usually bring asbestos home on their clothes.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is a difficult disease to recognize because the symptoms often resemble other diseases. This is why patients are sometimes misdiagnosed.

NYU Langone doctors will perform an examination of the body and document the patient's medical background, including asbestos exposure. anchorage asbestos law firm may also request a CT scan or chest X-ray in order to look 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, which uses radio waves and magnets to create precise images of the inside of the body. A surgical biopsy is a different method for doctors to identify mesothelioma. In a surgical biopsy doctors remove a small amount of tissue from the pleura or peritoneum for further analysis. A pathologist can then examine the tissue under microscopes to determine if it has cancerous cells.

The type of mesothelial cell involved as well as the benign or malignant nature of the cells and the location and stage of the tumor, are used to categorize the disease. Certain types of mesothelioma may be more likely to develop metastasis or spread which is why it is crucial to establish a definitive diagnosis so doctors can treat the disease before it gets out of control.

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

Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnose can be terrifying. It is important to remember, however, that cancer can be treated especially at its early stages. Many mesothelioma patients live for a long time with the disease, without spreading to other areas of their body.

Exposure to asbestos can trigger mesothelioma in a number of ways. Asbestos fibres, tiny enough to be felt or viewed by naked eyes are able to become airborne and irritate the lining of the lung (pleura). In time irritation leads to formation of scar tissue which causes changes in the cell structure that eventually develop into tumors.

The pleura is the area that surrounds the lungs and the heart and also the abdomen. Mesothelium is made up of cells that react when exposed to asbestos. They cause inflammation of the tissue and cause it to scar. These changes eventually cause mesothelioma cancers.

A shortness of breath, chest discomfort, or the accumulation of fluid on the lungs are all signs of the pleural msothelioma. In rare instances the cancer may grow to the tissues surrounding the heart and reproductive organs.

A doctor will request a biopsy if imaging scans show a potential mass in the lungs or stomach. During the procedure, doctors take tiny amounts of fluid or tumor for lab testing. The results will confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis and indicate the best treatment option.

There are many types of treatment for mesothelioma, including chemotherapy and surgery. Most doctors rely on the combination of these methods. Participating in clinical trials for mesothelioma treatments may be beneficial for patients. Patients can learn more about the trials by consulting a mesothelioma specialist who has treated mesothelioma.

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