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Mesothelioma and AsbestosAsbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that is made up of long, thin fibres. Workers who are exposed to asbestos on a regular basis are at risk of developing mesothelioma as well as other lung diseases.It can take years for symptoms to show up after asbestos exposure. Different types of asbestos may cause different symptoms.Pleural MesotheliomaPleural mesothelioma is a type of cancer that affects the outer lung liner (pleura). It is the most prevalent form of mesothelioma and accounts for 70% to 79% of diagnosed cases. Patients suffering from this condition suffer from chest pain and shortness of breath and may experience a sensation of heaviness in the chest.This type of cancer is typically caused by exposure to asbestos which is a cluster of minerals made up of microscopic fibres. When inhaled, these fibers can cause irritation and DNA mutations. The pleura is the area that surrounds the lungs and chest cavity and therefore, these irritations could affect both the lungs as well as the heart of a person. Mesothelioma typically doesn't manifest until 30 to 50 years after exposure.Shortness of breath and chest pain are the most frequently reported symptoms. Patients may also experience difficulty breathing or chest tightness. People with this cancer have a history that includes asbestos exposure at work. The most common jobs that put people at risk of developing pleural mesothelioma are construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding. People who have served in the military may be at an especially high risk due to the frequent asbestos use in Navy ships and army bunkers.brooklyn park asbestos attorneys (tumors lymph nodes and metastases staging system) is the most common staging system used to treat the pleural cancer. The stage the patient is in at the moment of diagnosis will determine the treatment plan they will receive. Patients who have pleural mesothelioma which is in stage three or stage four will suffer a more negative outlook than those in a less advanced stage. Mesothelioma in stage four can develop into the heart, liver or diaphragm. This could make the cancer more difficult to treat and increase the chance of complications for patients.Peritoneal MesotheliomaIn contrast to pleural mesothelioma which is a lung-lining cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma is found in the peritoneum - a membrane that lines the abdominal cavity as well as organs such as the intestines and the liver. Like pleural mesothelioma, exposure to asbestos is the cause of peritoneal msothelioma. It is estimated that only 300-500 cases are diagnosed annually which is lower than the pleural asbestosis.Like pleural mesothelioma, symptoms can take a long time to manifest. Most patients are afflicted with abdominal pain as well as a mass in the abdomen. The symptoms of this type of mesothelioma could also include nausea as well as weight loss and fever. A lot of these symptoms can be misinterpreted as gastrointestinal issues 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 or CT scans can be used to identify mesothelioma. These tests can reveal tumors as well as other signs of cancer which aren't evident on X-rays.These test results enable doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and establish the stage. They can also suggest treatment options. Staging is determined based on the type of cell and whether or not the cancer has spread to other regions of the body.The most important mesothelioma risk factor is asbestos exposure. People who have been in occupations which require asbestos, like plumbing manufacturing, electrical work or construction, are at a higher risk of developing the disease. However, even if people do not work in these fields they could be exposed to asbestos through family members or other sources. This is why anyone who believes they could be at risk should talk to a doctor. If they have a history of asbestos exposure or mesothelioma, a specialist can assist them in learning more about the risk.Risk FactorsAsbestos is the most significant risk factor in mesothelioma. It is responsible for up to 80% of all cases. Exposure to asbestos can happen due to military service, work or living with someone who used to work with asbestos. When exposed to asbestos, the particles can be breathed into the lungs and abdomen. These particles can cause irritation to the linings and cause cancerous cells to form in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma can take anywhere between 15 and 60 years to develop following exposure to asbestos.Other risk factors include smoking, genetics, and the advancing age. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely to get mesothelioma than people younger or older. This is because mesothelioma usually occurs between 20 and 60 years after the initial time of exposure before symptoms of cancer begin to manifest. It is also important to know that mesothelioma may develop in people who were exposed to asbestos but did not deal with it directly. This is referred to as secondary or indirect asbestos exposure. It can be as hazardous as direct asbestos exposure.Smoking increases the risk of mesothelioma, as it damages the mesothelium. It also makes it more prone to. In addition, mesothelioma may be exacerbated by certain illnesses like asbestosis and pneumonia. It is also important to note that mesothelioma occurs more frequently in males than females. This is due to the fact that men are more likely to work with asbestos and have a longer period of exposure than women. Additionally, men are more likely to live with someone who had asbestos exposure and bring asbestos fibers that have escaped home on their clothes. Women are less likely to come exposed to asbestos, and they are less likely to carry asbestos on their clothes.DiagnosisMesothelioma is a difficult disease to recognize because the symptoms are often similar to other diseases. This could lead to patients being wrongly diagnosed.NYU Langone doctors will perform a physical examination and record the patient's medical background including asbestos exposure. Doctors may also request an CT scan or chest X-ray to look for abnormalities, lumps and evidence of exposure to asbestos. These include plaques on the pleura, pleura that are thickened and calcium deposits.Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance image or MRI test, that uses radio waves and magnets to create a series of detailed images of inside the body. Another method doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma is to perform the procedure of a surgical biopsy. When a biopsy is performed, doctors remove a tiny piece of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum to be further examined. A pathologist will then look at the tissue under an magnifying glass to determine if it is a cancerous cells.Mesothelioma is classified based on the type of mesothelial cells involved, whether these cells are malignant or benign, and the location, type, and stage of the tumor. Some types of mesothelioma are more likely to spread or metastasize, so it is important to get a definite diagnosis to ensure that doctors are able to treat the disease before it goes out of control.Doctors can also run laboratory tests on tumors to determine specific genes, proteins, or other factors that can help them describe the cancer's characteristics and plan treatment. These results are called staging.TreatmentA mesothelioma diagnosis is terrifying. However, it is important to keep in mind that the cancer can be treated, particularly in its earlier stages. Many mesothelioma patients live for a long time with the disease without it spreading to other parts of their body.Asbestos exposure can cause mesothelioma through many mechanisms. Asbestos fibers, which are too small to be able to see or feel through the naked eye, can become airborne and irritate the lung's lining (pleura). In time irritation leads to formation of scar tissue which causes changes in the cell structure that can eventually grow into tumors.The pleura surrounds the lungs and the heart and the abdomen. Mesothelium consists of cells that react to asbestos, causing it to inflame and develop scar tissue. Overtime, these changes lead to the development of malignant mesothelioma tumors.Shortness of breath, chest discomfort, or the accumulation of fluid on the lungs are all symptoms of the pleural msothelioma. In rare cases, cancer can spread into the tissues around the reproductive organs and the heart.If scans of imaging reveal an area of concern in the lungs or stomach doctors will recommend biopsies. During the procedure, doctors take small amounts of the tumor or fluid for lab testing. The results will confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis and determine the best treatment plan.There are many types of treatment for mesothelioma, such as chemotherapy and surgery. Most doctors use a combination of these treatments. Participating in clinical trials for mesothelioma treatments that are new could be beneficial to patients. To learn more about the trials, patients should speak to mesothelioma specialists who have experience treating the condition.