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Mesothelioma and Asbestos Asbestos, a mineral that naturally occurs in the form of long, thin fibers. Workers who are exposed asbestos regularly are at risk of developing mesothelioma as well as other lung diseases of different types. It can take years for symptoms to show up after exposure to asbestos. Different asbestos types can cause different symptoms. Pleural Mesothelioma Pleural mesothelioma occurs in the lung's outer lining, also known as the pleura. plano asbestos lawyer is the most prevalent mesothelioma form and is responsible for 70 to 79% of diagnosed cases. Patients suffering from this condition experience pain in the chest and shortness of breath, and they may feel a sensation of heaviness in the chest. This type of cancer is often caused by exposure to asbestos, which is a cluster of minerals that are made up of microscopic fibres. These fibers, when inhaled can cause irritation and DNA mutations. Pleura 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 frequently reported symptoms. Patients may also experience difficulty breathing, or chest tightness. Patients with this type of cancer have a history that includes asbestos exposure at work. The most common jobs that put people at risk of pleural mesothelioma include construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding. People who served in the military are at greater risk due the frequent use of asbestos in Navy vessels and bunkers in 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 that a patient is in at the moment of diagnosis will determine what treatment plan they should follow. Patients who have pleural mesothelioma which is in stage three or four will have a worse outlook than those who are in a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma may develop into the liver, heart, or diaphragm. This can make the cancer more difficult to treat and increase the risk of complications for the patient. Peritoneal Mesothelioma As opposed to pleural mesothelioma that 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. Similar to pleural mesothelioma, exposure to asbestos is the cause of peritoneal msothelioma. The disease is less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma, and just 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year. Like pleural mesothelioma, the symptoms can take a long time to manifest. Patients generally 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 misdiagnosis. Generally, doctors can find mesothelioma after an exhaustive health history and physical exam. They may also employ imaging tests like X-rays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to identify mesothelioma. These tests can show cancerous tumors or other signs of cancer that aren't apparent on an X-ray. These test results allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma, identify the stage and recommend treatment options. The staging is determined by the type of cell and whether or the tumor has spread to other parts of the body. Asbestos exposure is the most important risk factor. People who have been in occupations that involve asbestos, such as plumbing manufacturing, electrical work or construction, are at increased risk of developing the disease. Even if an individual isn't employed in any of these areas however, they may be exposed to asbestos through family members and other sources. This is why anyone who is concerned that they might be at risk should talk to a doctor. If they have a history of asbestos exposure and mesothelioma is a concern, a specialist will help them find out more about the risk. Risk Factors Asbestos is the primary risk factor for mesothelioma. It is responsible for up to the 80% of cases. Exposure to asbestos can happen as a result of work, military service, or living with people who have worked with asbestos. When exposed to asbestos, small particles can be inhaled into the lungs and abdomen. The particles cause irritation to the linings of the abdomen, which causes cancerous cells to develop in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma can take anywhere between 15 and 60 years to develop after exposure to asbestos. Other risk factors include genetics, smoking and age. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely develop mesothelioma than those who are younger or older. Mesothelioma can take between 20 and 60 years to show signs of cancer after the first exposure. It is also important to know that mesothelioma is a possibility in those who were exposed to asbestos, but did not engage directly with it. This is called secondary or indirect exposure to asbestos and it is just as harmful as direct exposure. Smoking increases the chance of mesothelioma since it damages mesothelium. It also makes it more prone to. Mesothelioma can also be aggravated by certain illnesses, including asbestosis and pneumonia. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma compared to women. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for a longer time and to have worked with it. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who has 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 on their clothing. Diagnosis It is difficult to recognize mesothelioma because its symptoms are often similar to other diseases. This can lead to victims being incorrectly diagnosed. The first step in identifying mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform an examination and write notes on the medical history of a patient which includes asbestos exposure. Doctors may also order a chest X-ray or CT scan to check for lumps and other abnormalities and also to look for evidence of previous asbestos exposure like plaques in the pleura (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the formation of fluid between the lung and chest wall (known as the pleural effusion). Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram, which examines the blood vessels and the heart and magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI, test that uses radio waves and magnets to make a series of precise images of the inside of the body. A surgical biopsy is a different way for doctors to diagnose mesothelioma. In a surgical biopsy doctors will remove a small piece of tissue from pleura or the peritoneum, to be tested further. A pathologist can look at the tissue under microscopes to determine if it contains cancerous cells. The type of mesothelial cells involved as well as the benign or malignant nature of these cells and the location and stage of the tumor, are used to categorize the disease. Certain types of mesothelioma may be more likely to spread or metastasize and spread, therefore it is essential to get a definite diagnosis so that doctors can treat the disease before it gets out of control. Doctors can also perform tests in the lab on tumors in order to determine specific proteins, genes or other factors that can help them describe cancer characteristics and plan treatment. These results are known as staging. Treatment A mesothelioma diagnose can be terrifying. However, it's important to remember that the disease is treatable, particularly in its early stages. Many mesothelioma patients live for years without the disease spreading to other organs of their body. Asbestos exposure can cause mesothelioma through a variety of mechanisms. Asbestos fibres, tiny enough to be felt or seen through the naked eye, can become airborne and irritate the lung's lining (pleura). Over time the irritation causes the formation of scar tissue, which eventually lead to tumors. The pleura covers the lungs and heart, as well as the abdomen. Mesothelium is made up of cells that respond when exposed to asbestos. They cause inflammation to the tissue and cause it to become scarred. These changes eventually lead to malignant mesothelioma tumours. Breathing problems, chest discomfort, or the accumulation of fluid on the lungs are all indications of the pleural msothelioma. In rare instances, the cancer can be spread to the tissues around the heart and reproductive organs. If imaging scans show an underlying mass in the stomach or lungs doctors will recommend a biopsies. During the procedure, doctors take small amounts of the tumor or fluid for lab testing. The results will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and determine the best treatment plan. There are many types of treatment for mesothelioma, including surgery and chemotherapy. Most doctors rely on the combination of these methods. Participating in clinical trials of new mesothelioma treatment may also be beneficial for patients. To learn more, patients should speak to mesothelioma experts who have had experience treating the disease.