marquezterkelsen055915

Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos is a natural mineral that comes in thin, long fibres. People who are exposed to asbestos on a regular basis are at risk of developing mesothelioma as well as other lung diseases.

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

img width="323" src="">https://vimeo.com/704923367 can be found in the outer lung lining, also known as pleura. It is the most common type of mesothelioma, making up 70 to 79% of diagnosed cases. Patients with this disease experience pain in the chest and shortness of breath and may experience the sensation of weight in the chest.

This kind of cancer is usually caused through exposure to asbestos, which is a collection of minerals that are comprised of microscopic fibres. Once inhaled, these fibers cling to the lung and cause irritation that leads to scarring and DNA mutations. Pleura surrounds both the chest cavity and the lungs, which means that irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma typically doesn't manifest until 30 to 50 year after exposure.

Chest pain and shortness breath are the most frequent symptoms. Patients may have coughing problems, trouble breathing, or chest tightness. People with this cancer often have a history of exposure to asbestos in the workplace. The most prevalent jobs that expose workers to the risk of developing pleural mesothelioma are construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding. Individuals who have been in the military are at an especially high risk because of the extensive asbestos usage in Navy vessels and army bunkers.

The most popular staging system for pleural mysothelioma has been the TNM (tumor, lymph nodes and metastases) staging system. The stage that a patient is at upon diagnosis will aid their doctor in determining the best treatment plan for them. For instance, patients who have a pleural mesothelioma in stage three or four have a poorer prognosis than patients with lower stages. Stage four mesothelioma is often spread to the liver, diaphragm or even a person's heart. This makes it more difficult to treat and increase the likelihood of complications for patients.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

In contrast to pleural mesothelioma which develops in the lung lining, peritoneal mesothelioma develops in the peritoneum -- a membrane that lines the abdominal cavity and organs like the intestines and liver. Similar to pleural mesothelioma, exposure to asbestos is the reason for peritoneal msothelioma. The disease is less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma. There are just 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.

Like pleural mesothelioma, the symptoms can take a long time to manifest. Patients usually suffer from abdominal pain and may also have a lump in their abdomen. Symptoms of this type of mesothelioma could also include nausea as well as weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms are similar to those experienced by digestive issues, which could cause incorrect diagnosis.

Generally speaking, doctors can detect mesothelioma after a thorough medical history and physical exam. Imaging tests like X-rays or CT scans can be used to detect mesothelioma. These tests can reveal tumors as well as other signs of cancer that are not visible on X-rays.

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

The most important mesothelioma risk factor is exposure to asbestos. People who have worked in jobs that require asbestos, such as plumbing or manufacturing, electrical work or construction, are at greater risk of developing the disease. However, even if people aren't employed in these fields they may be exposed to asbestos through family members or through other sources. Anyone who believes they are at risk should talk to an expert. A mesothelioma specialist can help those with a history with asbestos to learn more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos exposure is the main risk factor for mesothelioma, which accounts for as much as 80 percent of all cases. Exposure to asbestos may occur as a result of work, military service or through living with a person who works with asbestos or was previously exposed to doing such. When exposed to asbestos, the particles can be breathed into the abdomen and lungs. They can cause irritation to the linings of the abdomen and can cause cancerous cells to grow in the mesothelium. After exposure to asbestos, mesothelioma may be diagnosed between 15 and 60 years old.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and aging. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely develop mesothelioma than those who are younger or more senior. It takes mesothelioma 20-60 years before it manifests cancer symptoms after the first exposure. It is important to note, too, that mesothelioma could develop in people who have been exposed to asbestos without having worked with it directly. This is referred to as secondary or indirect asbestos exposure. It can be as hazardous as direct asbestos exposure.

Smoking can increase the likelihood of developing mesothelioma due to the fact that it damages the mesothelium, which makes it more vulnerable to asbestos. Mesothelioma can also be caused by certain illnesses such as asbestosis and pneumonia. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than women. This is due to men being more likely to be exposed to asbestos and endure a an extended period of exposure than women. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who worked with asbestos, and to have asbestos-containing fibers on their clothing. Women tend to be less in contact with asbestos, and they don't usually carry asbestos on their clothes.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is a difficult cancer to diagnose because the symptoms can be similar to other diseases. Because of this, victims are often misdiagnosed.

The first step in identifying mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform an examination of the body and take down a patient's medical history, including asbestos exposure. Doctors will also recommend an CT scan or chest X-ray in order 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 heart and blood vessels as well as a magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI test, which uses radio waves and magnets to make a series of detailed images of the interior of the body. Another method doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma is through an operation called a biopsy. A surgical biopsy is when doctors take a small amount of tissue from the peritoneum or pleura for further testing. A pathologist can then look at the tissue under a microscope to see if it contains cancerous cells.

Mesothelioma can be classified based on the type of mesothelial cell involved, whether these cells are malignant or benign, and the location of the tumor, the type, and the stage of the cancer. Certain types of mesothelioma are at greater risk of metastasizing or spreading therefore it is essential to establish a clear diagnosis so doctors can treat it before it gets out of control.

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

Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnosis can be an incredibly frightening prospect. However, it is important to keep in mind that the cancer can be treated, particularly in its initial stages. A lot of people suffering from mesothelioma live with the disease for a long time, without spreading.

Asbestos exposure can cause mesothelioma by many mechanisms. Asbestos fibres, small enough to not be felt or seen by naked eyes, can become airborne, causing irritation to the lining of the lung (pleura). Over time irritation can lead to formation of scar tissue which can cause changes in the cell structure that can eventually grow into tumors.

The pleura surrounds the lungs and the heart, as well as the abdomen. Mesothelium is composed of cells that react to exposure to asbestos and cause it to enflame and create scar tissue. As time passes, these changes lead to the development of malignant mesothelioma cancers.

The symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are shortness of breath and chest pain, or an accumulation of fluid in the lung (pleural effusion). In rare instances, the cancer can be spread to the tissues around the heart and reproductive organs.

A doctor will request biopsy if imaging scans reveal a possible tumor in the lungs or stomach. During the procedure, doctors remove small amounts of the fluid or tumor for laboratory testing. The results will confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis, and provide the best treatment option.

There are a variety of mesothelioma treatments, which include chemotherapy, surgery, and immunotherapy. The majority of doctors use the combination of these methods. Participating in clinical trials for mesothelioma treatments may be beneficial to patients. To learn more about the trials, patients should consult mesothelioma specialists who have experience treating the condition.