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Mesothelioma and Asbestos Asbestos, a natural mineral, naturally occurs in the form of thin, long fibers. People who are regularly exposed to asbestos may develop lung diseases such as mesothelioma. It could take a long time for symptoms to show up after exposure to asbestos. Different asbestos types can cause different symptoms. Pleural Mesothelioma Pleural mesothelioma is a type of cancer that affects the lung's outer liner (pleura). It is the most frequent mesothelioma form and is responsible for 70 to 79% of diagnosed cases. This condition causes chest pain, breath shortness and a feeling heaviness. Exposure to asbestos, a class of minerals composed of microscopic fibers, typically causes this type of cancer. These fibers, when inhaled, cause irritation and DNA mutations. https://vimeo.com/704887149 covers both the chest cavity and the lungs, and so irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma symptoms are usually not apparent until 30 to 50 years after exposure. Shortness of breath and chest pain are the most frequent symptoms. Patients may also experience chest tightness or coughing. They may also experience difficulty breathing. Patients with this type of cancer typically have an history of exposure to asbestos in the workplace. The most prevalent jobs that expose workers to the risk of pleural mesothelioma include construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding. People who have served in the military are at an especially high risk because of the extensive asbestos usage in Navy ships and bunkers for the army. The most common staging method for pleural mesothelioma is the TNM (tumor lymph nodes, lymph nodes and metastases) staging system. The stage a patient has when they are diagnosed will help their doctor determine the most effective treatment plan for them. For instance, patients suffering from a pleural mesothelioma in stage three or four have a less favorable prognosis than those with a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma can develop into the heart, liver or diaphragm. This could make the cancer more difficult to treat, and increase the chances of complications for the patient. Peritoneal Mesothelioma Unlike pleural mesothelioma, which is a lung-lining cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma forms in the peritoneum, it is a membrane that lines the abdominal cavity as well as organs such as the liver and intestines. Like pleural mesothelioma, asbestos exposure is the primary reason for peritoneal msothelioma. The disease is less common than pleural mesothelioma, with around 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year. As with pleural mesothelioma symptoms can take years to show. Patients typically have abdominal pain, and may have a mass in their abdomen. This kind of mesothelioma can cause nausea, weight loss and fever. A lot of these symptoms can be mistaken for gastrointestinal problems which can lead to a mistaken diagnosis. The doctors can detect mesothelioma through examining the patient's medical history and performing a physical exam. Imaging tests like X-rays and CT scans are a way to detect mesothelioma. These tests can detect tumors and other cancer signs that are not visible on X-rays. The results of these tests allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and determine the stage and recommend treatment options. The staging is determined by the type of cell and whether or the cancer has spread to other parts of the body. Asbestos exposure is the main risk factor. People who have been in occupations that involve asbestos, such as plumbing, manufacturing, electrical work, or construction, are at a higher risk of developing the disease. However, even if people aren't employed in these fields they could be exposed to asbestos through family members or through other sources. Anyone who believes they're at risk should talk to an expert. A mesothelioma expert can help those who have a history with asbestos to learn more about their risk. Risk Factors Asbestos exposure is the primary mesothelioma risk factor, which accounts for as much as 80 percent of all cases. Exposure to asbestos may occur through work, military service or by living with a person who works with asbestos or used to do so. When exposed to asbestos, particles can be breathed into the abdomen and lungs. These irritate the linings and cause cancerous cells to develop in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma can take between 15 and 60 years to develop following exposure to asbestos. Other risk factors include smoking, genetics, and age. The people in their 40s or 50s are more at risk of developing mesothelioma as compared to those younger or older. It is because mesothelioma generally lasts between 20 and 60 years from the initial time of exposure before cancer symptoms appear. It is important to note, too, that mesothelioma could occur in people who have been exposed to asbestos without having directly worked with it. This is referred to as secondary or indirect exposure to asbestos, and it is just as harmful as direct exposure. Smoking increases the risk of getting mesothelioma because it damages the mesothelium and makes it more susceptible to asbestos. Additionally, mesothelioma can be exacerbated by certain illnesses 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 a longer period of time and to have worked with asbestos for longer periods of time. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who had worked with asbestos, and to have asbestos fibers on their clothing. Women are less likely to come into contact with asbestos and don't typically carry asbestos on their clothing. Diagnosis Mesothelioma is a difficult cancer to identify because the symptoms are often similar to other conditions. This can lead to victims being incorrectly diagnosed. The first step to diagnose mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform an examination of the body and take notes on the medical history of a patient including asbestos exposure. Doctors can also request an X-ray chest or CT scan to look for lumps or other abnormalities, as well as evidence of asbestos exposure in the past like plaques in 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 heart and blood vessels, and a magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI test, which makes use of magnets and radio waves to make a series of detailed images of the interior of the body. Another method doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma is by performing a surgical biopsy. In a surgical biopsy doctors will remove a small piece of tissue from pleura or the peritoneum to be tested further. A pathologist will then look at the tissue under a magnifying lens to determine if it contains 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 tumor, are used to categorize the disease. Some types of mesothelioma have greater risk of spreading or metastasizing and it's crucial to get a definitive diagnosis to ensure that the doctors can treat it before it becomes out of control. Doctors can also run tests in the laboratory on a tumor to find particular proteins, genes and other factors that help them understand the characteristics of the cancer and determine a treatment. These results are known as staging. Treatment A mesothelioma diagnose can be terrifying. It is important to keep in mind that cancer can be treated, particularly in its initial stages. Many patients with mesothelioma endure the disease for a long time, without spreading.
The pleura surrounds the lungs and heart, as well as the abdomen. Mesothelium is made up of cells that react when exposed to asbestos. They cause inflammation to the tissue and cause it to scar. These changes eventually cause mesothelioma cancers. Symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include breathing problems and chest pain as well as an accumulation of fluid on the lungs (pleural effusion). In rare cases cancer can spread to the tissues around the reproductive organs and the heart. If imaging scans show an area of concern in the stomach or lungs doctors will recommend a biopsies. During the procedure, doctors remove small amounts of the fluid or tumor for laboratory tests. The results can confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis, and provide the best treatment option. There are several types of mesothelioma treatment, including chemotherapy, surgery and immunotherapy. The majority of doctors employ a combination of these treatments. Patients may also benefit from enrolling in a clinical trial of new mesothelioma therapies. Patients can learn more by consulting a mesothelioma specialist who has treated the condition. |
