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Mesothelioma and AsbestosAsbestos is a natural mineral that is made up of thin, long fibres. People who are exposed to asbestos regularly risk developing mesothelioma and other lung diseases of different types.bloomington asbestos law firm of these diseases may not be evident for a long time after exposure to asbestos. Different types of asbestos can cause different symptoms.Pleural MesotheliomaPleural mesothelioma occurs in the lung’s outer lining or pleura. It is the most frequent mesothelioma type, accounting for up 70 to 79% of all diagnosed cases. Patients with this disease feel chest pain and breathlessness and may also feel an ache or heaviness in the chest.This type of cancer usually caused by exposure to asbestos which is a collection of minerals that are made up of microscopic fibres. Once inhaled, these fibers are absorbed into the lung and cause irritation which leads to scarring and DNA mutations. The pleura is the area that surrounds the lungs and chest cavity 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.The most frequent symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include chest pain and breath shortness. Patients may also feel tightness in their chest or coughing. They may also experience difficulty breathing. People who suffer from this cancer usually have previous exposure to asbestos in the workplace. Manufacturing, construction, and shipbuilding are the most frequent occupations which put people at risk risk of developing pleural mesothelioma. People who served in the military are at a greater risk due the frequent use of asbestos in Navy vessels and bunkers for the Army.The TNM (tumors, lymph nodes, and metastases staging system) is the most popular staging system for the pleural adenocarcinoma. The stage a patient is in at diagnosis will help their doctor determine the most effective treatment plan for them. For example, patients with mesothelioma that is pleural in stage three or four have a worse prognosis than those in lower stages. Stage four mesothelioma may spread to the liver, heart or diaphragm. This can make the cancer more difficult to treat and increase the chance of complications for the patient.Peritoneal MesotheliomaIn contrast to pleural mesothelioma which is a lung-lining cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma is found in the peritoneum — an elongated membrane that covers the abdominal cavity and organs such as the intestines and the liver. Like 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.As with pleural mesothelioma symptoms can take a long time to manifest. Patients generally experience abdominal pain, and may have a mass in their abdomen. This kind of mesothelioma can cause nausea, weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms could be mistaken for gastrointestinal problems and can lead to a misdiagnosis.Doctors can detect mesothelioma by examining the patient’s medical history and performing a physical examination. They can also utilize imaging tests like X-rays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to identify mesothelioma. These tests can identify tumors as well as other signs of cancer that are not visible on X-rays.These tests enable doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and establish the stage. They can also suggest treatments. The staging is determined by the type of cells and whether or whether the tumor has spread to other parts of the body.The most important mesothelioma risk factor is asbestos exposure. People who have been exposed to asbestos in occupations, like electrical or plumbing work or in construction, manufacturing and manufacturing, are more likely to contract the disease. Even if a person is not employed in one of these areas they could be exposed to asbestos to asbestos through family members and other sources. Anyone who suspects that they are at risk should consult a doctor. If they have an history of exposure to asbestos and mesothelioma is a concern, a specialist will help them find out more about the risk.Risk FactorsAsbestos exposure is the primary risk factor for mesothelioma accounting for up to 80 percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos can occur as a result of work, military service or through living with a person who works with asbestos or was previously exposed to doing so. When exposed to asbestos, the particles are able to be inhaled into abdomen and lungs. They can cause irritation to the linings of the abdomen and trigger cancerous cells to develop in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma can take between 15 and 60 years to develop after exposure to asbestos.Other risk factors include genetics, smoking and age. People in their 40s or 50s are at greater chance of developing mesothelioma to people who are younger or more. It takes mesothelioma 20-60 years to manifest cancer symptoms after the first exposure. It is important to note, too, that mesothelioma can develop in people who have been exposed to asbestos without having been directly exposed to it. This is referred to as secondary or indirect asbestos exposure, and is just as harmful as direct asbestos exposure.Smoking increases the risk of mesothelioma, as it damages the mesothelium. It can also make it more vulnerable. Mesothelioma is also aggravated by certain illnesses such as asbestosis and pneumonia. It is also important to remember that mesothelioma occurs more frequently in males than females. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for a longer time and to work with it. Additionally, men are more likely to live with someone who has worked with asbestos and carry stray asbestos fibers home on their clothing. Women tend to have less exposure to asbestos and rarely carry asbestos home on their clothing.DiagnosisIt is difficult to identify mesothelioma due to its symptoms being often similar to other conditions. This can lead to victims being incorrectly diagnosed.NYU Langone doctors will perform physical examinations and document the patient’s medical history, including asbestos exposure. Doctors will also order an CT scan or chest X-ray in order to look for lumps, abnormalities, and evidence of asbestos exposure. These include pleural plaques, thickened pleura and calcium deposits.Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram which examines the blood vessels and the heart, and a magnetic resonance imaging, also known as MRI, test that uses magnets and radio waves to create detailed images of the inside of the body. Another way doctors can diagnose mesothelioma is by performing an operation called a biopsy. In a surgical biopsy, doctors remove a tiny piece of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum, to be further examined. A pathologist then examines the tissue under a magnifying glass to determine if it contains cancerous cells.Mesothelioma can be classified based on the mesothelial type involved, whether the cells are malignant or benign and the location of the tumor, its type, and the 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 particular proteins, genes and other factors that help them understand the cancer’s characteristics and plan treatment. These results are known as staging.TreatmentA mesothelioma diagnose can be terrifying. However, it’s important to remember that the disease is treatable, particularly in its initial stages. Many people with mesothelioma can be afflicted for a long time without spreading.Asbestos exposure can trigger mesothelioma via many mechanisms. Asbestos particles, which are too small to see or feel through the naked eye, can become airborne and cause irritation to the lining of the lungs (pleura). In time the irritation can lead to the formation of scar tissue that eventually result in tumors.The pleura is a protective covering that covers the lungs, heart and abdomen. Mesothelium is made up of cells that react when exposed to asbestos. They cause inflammation of the tissue and cause it to scar. These changes can cause mesothelioma cancers.Shortness of breath, chest discomfort, or the accumulation of fluid on the lungs are all indications of pleural mesothelioma. In rare cases cancer may spread to the tissues that surround the reproductive organs as well as the heart.If imaging scans show a possible mass in the lungs or stomach the doctor will request biopsies. In the course of the procedure, doctors remove some of the fluid or tumor for laboratory testing. The results will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and determine the best treatment option.There are several types of mesothelioma treatment, including chemotherapy, surgery and immunotherapy. The majority of doctors use the combination of these methods. Participating in clinical trials of mesothelioma treatments that are new could be beneficial for patients. Patients can learn more about the trials by speaking with a mesothelioma doctor who has treated mesothelioma.