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Mesothelioma and AsbestosAsbestos, a mineral that occurs naturally in the form of long, thin fibers. Workers who are exposed to asbestos regularly are at risk of developing mesothelioma or other lung diseases of different types.It could take a long time before symptoms begin to manifest after exposure to asbestos. Different types of asbestos can cause different symptoms.Pleural MesotheliomaPleural mesothelioma is a type of cancer that develops in the outer lung the lining (pleura). It is the most common mesothelioma type and is responsible for 70 to 79% all diagnosed cases. People with this condition experience pain in the chest and shortness of breath and may also feel a sensation of heaviness in the chest.Exposure to asbestos, a family of minerals made of microscopic fibers, usually causes this kind of cancer. These fibers, when inhaled can cause irritation and DNA mutations. The pleura covers the chest cavity and lungs and therefore, these irritations could affect both the lungs as well as the heart of a person. Mesothelioma is usually not symptomatic until 30 to 50 year after exposure.The most commonly reported symptoms of pleural melanoma are chest pain and breath shortness. Patients may also experience difficulty breathing, or chest tightness. People with this cancer often have previous exposure to asbestos in the workplace. The most prevalent jobs that put people at risk of developing pleural mesothelioma are manufacturing, construction and shipbuilding. People who were in the military are at a greater risk due to the frequent use of asbestos in Navy vessels and bunkers for the Army.The most commonly used staging system for pleural mysothelioma has been the TNM (tumor lymph nodes, lymph nodes, and metastases) staging system. The stage the patient is in at the time of diagnosis can help 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, liver or even the heart of a patient. This makes it more difficult to treat and increase the chance of complications for the patient.Peritoneal MesotheliomaIn contrast to pleural cancer, which is found in the lining of the lung, peritoneal cancer develops in the membrane that covers the abdominal cavity, which includes organs such as the intestines and the liver. Similar to pleural mesothelioma and peritoneal mesothelioma is caused by asbestos exposure. The disease is much less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma, and just 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.As with pleural asbestosis symptoms can take several years to show. Most patients are afflicted with abdominal pain as well as a mass in the abdomen. Symptoms of this type of mesothelioma may also include nausea as well as weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms could be misinterpreted as digestive issues, leading to a misdiagnosis.Generally, doctors can find mesothelioma through a thorough health history and physical examination. Imaging tests like X-rays and CT scans can be used to identify mesothelioma. These tests can detect tumors as well as other signs of cancer that aren't evident on X-rays.These tests enable doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and determine the stage. They can also suggest treatment options. Staging is determined based on the cell type and whether or the cancer has spread to other regions of the body.The most significant risk factor for mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos. People who have worked in asbestos-related professions, such as electrical or plumbing work, or in manufacturing and construction, are more likely to contract the disease. Even if someone is not employed in one of these fields however, they may be exposed to asbestos through family members or other sources. This is why anyone who suspects they may be at risk should speak to a doctor. A mesothelioma specialist can assist those who have had a previous history of asbestos to find out more about their risk.Risk FactorsAsbestos exposure is the primary risk factor for mesothelioma, which accounts for as much as 80 percent of all cases. Exposure to asbestos may occur due to work, military service, or living with people who have worked with asbestos. When exposed to asbestos, the particles can be inhaled into the abdomen and lungs. They can cause irritation to the linings of the abdomen and trigger cancerous cells to form in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma can take 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 at a higher chance of developing mesothelioma to those who are younger or older. It is because mesothelioma generally lasts between 20 and 60 years after the initial exposure before cancer symptoms appear. It is also important to know that mesothelioma may develop in those who were exposed to asbestos, but did not work with it directly. This is referred to as secondary or indirect exposure to asbestos. It is just as harmful as direct exposure.Smoking increases the chance of mesothelioma as it damages the mesothelium. It also makes it more prone to. Additionally, mesothelioma can be worsened by certain diseases like asbestosis and pneumonia. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than women. This is due to the fact that men are more likely to work with asbestos and experience a more exposure than women. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who had been exposed to asbestos, and to carry asbestos fibers on their clothing. Women tend to have less contact with asbestos and do not typically carry asbestos home on their clothing.DiagnosisIt is difficult to identify mesothelioma because its symptoms are often similar to other conditions. Due to this, patients are often misdiagnosed.The first step in diagnosing mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform an examination of the body and take note of the medical history of the patient, including asbestos exposure. Doctors may also order an X-ray of the chest or CT scan to check for lumps and other abnormalities and also to look for evidence of past asbestos exposure such as plaques in the pleura (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the accumulation of fluid between the lung and chest wall (known as pleural effusion).Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram which examines the heart and blood vessels as well as a magnetic resonance imaging, also known as MRI, test, which makes use of magnets and radio waves to create detailed images of the inside of the body. A surgical biopsy is yet another way for doctors to diagnose mesothelioma. A surgical biopsy is when doctors take a small amount of tissue from the peritoneum or pleura to conduct further tests. A pathologist will then look at the tissue with a magnifying lens to determine if it is a cancerous cells.Mesothelioma is classified based on the mesothelial type involved, whether those cells are malignant or benign, and the location of the tumor, its type, and the stage of the cancer. Certain types of mesothelioma are more likely to grow or spread, so it is important to get a definite diagnosis to ensure that doctors are able to treat the disease before it becomes out of control.Doctors can also run tests in the laboratory on a tumor to find particular proteins, genes or other elements which can help them identify the cancer's characteristics and plan treatment. These results are referred to as staging.TreatmentA diagnosis of mesothelioma can be a frightening prospect. However, it's important to keep in mind that the cancer can be treated, particularly in its earlier stages. Many mesothelioma patients live for a long time without the disease spreading to other areas of their body.Exposure to asbestos can trigger mesothelioma in many ways. Asbestos fibers, too small to detect or feel by the naked eye can be airborne and cause irritation to the lung's lining (pleura). In tyler asbestos lawyer leads to formation of scar tissue, which leads to changes in the structure of cells that eventually develop into tumors.The Pleura is a protective layer that surrounds the abdomen, heart, and lungs. Mesothelium consists of cells that react to asbestos and cause it to enflame and form scar tissue. In time, these changes can cause the development of malignant mesothelioma tumors.Symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include breathing problems, chest pain or an accumulation of fluid on the lung (pleural effusion). In rare cases cancer may spread to the tissues surrounding the reproductive organs as well as the heart.If scans of imaging reveal a possible mass in the stomach or lungs doctors will recommend biopsies. During the procedure, doctors remove a small sample of the tumor or fluid for lab tests. The results will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and determine the best treatment plan.There are a variety of treatment for mesothelioma, including chemotherapy and surgery. The majority of doctors use the combination of these methods. Participating in clinical trials for mesothelioma treatments that are new could be beneficial for patients. Patients can find out more by speaking with a mesothelioma doctor who has treated the condition.