Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos is a mineral that naturally occurs in the form of long, thin fibers. Workers who are exposed asbestos on a regular basis risk developing mesothelioma and other lung diseases of different types.

The symptoms of these diseases might not be evident for a long time after exposure to asbestos. Different types of asbestos may cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma can be found in the outer lung lining, or the pleura. It is the most frequent mesothelioma type, accounting for up 70% to 79% of diagnosed cases. Patients suffering from this condition feel chest pain and breathlessness and may experience the sensation of weight in the chest.

This kind of cancer is typically caused by exposure to asbestos case (http://kb0b6iz7fozpq8ab7t91krji.com/bbs/board.php?bo_table=free&wr_Id=595282) which is a grouping of minerals comprised of microscopic fibres. The fibers, when inhaled, cause irritation and DNA mutations. The pleura covers the chest cavity and lungs This means that 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.

Shortness of breath and chest pain are the most frequent symptoms. Patients may also feel tightness in their chest and coughing, or breathing difficulties. People with this cancer often have a history of exposure to asbestos case in the workplace. The most prevalent jobs that expose workers to the risk of pleural mesothelioma include manufacturing, construction, and shipbuilding. People who were in the military are at greater risk due the widespread use of asbestos case in Navy vessels and bunkers for the Army.

The TNM (tumors lymph nodes and metastases staging system) is the most commonly used staging system used to treat the pleural cancer. The stage the patient is in at the time of diagnosis can help determine the treatment plan they should receive. Patients suffering from pleural mesothelioma who is in stage three or four will suffer a more negative 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 patients.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Unlike pleural cancer, which forms in the lining of the lung, peritoneal cancer develops in a membrane that surrounds the abdominal cavity, which includes organs such as the intestines and liver. Like pleural mesothelioma, peritoneal mesothelioma is triggered by asbestos exposure. It is estimated that only 300-500 cases are diagnosed each year which is lower than pleural asbestosis.

As with pleural asbestosis symptoms can take years to show. Patients generally suffer from abdominal pain and may have a mass in their abdomen. This mesothelioma type can also cause nausea, weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms can be misinterpreted as gastrointestinal issues, leading to a misdiagnosis.

Generally speaking, doctors can detect mesothelioma through a thorough medical history and physical exam. They can also use imaging tests such as X-rays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to help find mesothelioma. These tests can detect tumors and other cancer signs that aren't evident on X-rays.

The results of these tests allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and establish the stage. They can also suggest treatments. The staging is determined by the type of cell and whether or whether the tumor has spread to other parts of the body.

Asbestos exposure is the most important risk factor. People who have been in occupations which require asbestos, such as plumbing, electrical work, manufacturing or construction, are at greater risk of developing the disease. However, even if people do not work in these fields they could be exposed to asbestos case through relatives or other sources. Anyone who suspects that they're at risk should consult a doctor. If they have a history of asbestos exposure, a mesothelioma specialist can assist them in finding out more about the risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos exposure is the primary risk factor for mesothelioma, making up as much as 80 percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos may occur as a result of military service, work or living with someone who used to work with asbestos. When exposed to asbestos, small particles can be inhaled into the abdomen and lungs. These particles can cause irritation to the linings and trigger cancerous cells to form in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma may take 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 get mesothelioma than people younger or older. It is because mesothelioma generally occurs between 20 and 60 years after the initial exposure before the first signs of cancer appear. It is important to remember, too, that mesothelioma can occur in those who have been exposed to asbestos, but without having worked with it directly. This is called secondary or indirect exposure to asbestos, and it is just as harmful as direct exposure.

Smoking increases the risk of mesothelioma, because it damages the mesothelium. It also makes it more prone to. Additionally, mesothelioma can be worsened by certain diseases like pneumonia and asbestosis. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than females. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for a longer time and to have worked with it. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who had worked with asbestos and to have asbestos-containing fibers on their clothing. Women are less likely to be exposed to asbestos and don't typically bring asbestos home on their clothes.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is a difficult cancer to recognize because the symptoms often resemble other conditions. This can lead to victims being misdiagnosed.

NYU Langone doctors will perform an examination of the body and document the patient's medical history, including asbestos exposure. Doctors may also request an CT scan or chest X-ray to look for lumps, abnormalities and evidence of exposure to asbestos. These include plaques on the pleura, pleura that are thickened 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 makes use of radio waves and magnets to make a series of detailed images of the interior of the body. A surgical biopsy is a different method for doctors to identify mesothelioma. During a surgical biopsy, doctors remove a small piece of tissue from the peritoneum or pleura to conduct further tests. A pathologist can then examine the tissue using a magnifying glass to determine if it contains cancerous cell.

Mesothelioma is classified based on the type of mesothelial cells involved, whether these cells are benign or malignant, and the location, type, and stage of the tumor. Some types of mesothelioma have greater risk of spreading or metastasizing therefore it is essential to establish a clear diagnosis to ensure that the doctors can treat it prior to it becoming out-of-control.

Doctors can also run tests in the lab on a tumor to identify specific genes, proteins, or other factors that can help them describe the cancer's characteristics and plan treatment. These results are referred to as staging.

Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnose can be frightening. It is important to remember that cancer can be treated, particularly in its initial stages. Many patients with mesothelioma live with the disease for a long time without spreading.

Exposure to asbestos may cause mesothelioma in a number of ways. Asbestos particles, which are too small to be able to see or feel by the naked eye can be airborne and cause irritation to the lining of the lungs (pleura). In time irritation leads to formation of scar tissue, which leads to changes in the structure of cells that can eventually grow into tumors.

The Pleura is a covering that surrounds the abdomen, heart, and lungs. Mesothelium consists of cells that respond when exposed to asbestos. They inflame the tissue and cause it to become scarred. These changes can eventually result in malignant mesothelioma tumors.

Shortness of breath, chest discomfort or fluid buildup on the lungs are all symptoms of pleural Msothelioma. In rare cases, the cancer can be spread to the tissues around the heart and reproductive organs.

If scans of imaging reveal an underlying mass in the stomach or lungs doctors will recommend a biopsies. During the procedure, doctors take tiny amounts of tumor or fluid for lab tests. The results can confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma, and also determine the most effective treatment plan.

There are many types of mesothelioma treatments, which include chemotherapy, surgery, and immunotherapy. Most doctors utilize a combination of these methods. Participating in clinical trials for mesothelioma treatments that are new could be beneficial to patients. Patients can learn more about the trials by consulting a mesothelioma expert who has treated the condition.