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Mesothelioma and Asbestos Asbestos, a natural mineral, naturally forms in the form of long, thin fibers. People who are exposed to asbestos may develop lung diseases like mesothelioma. The symptoms of these diseases might not be evident for a long time after exposure to asbestos. Different types of asbestos may cause different symptoms. Pleural Mesothelioma Pleural mesothelioma can be found in the outer lung lining, or pleura. It is the most common mesothelioma type, accounting for up 70 to 79% of all diagnosed cases. Patients suffering from this condition feel chest pain and breath shortness and may experience an ache or heaviness in the chest. Exposure to asbestos, a class of minerals composed of microscopic fibers causes this type of cancer. These fibers, when inhaled can cause irritation and DNA mutations. Pleura is the lining of both the chest cavity and the lungs, 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 frequent symptoms. Some patients also experience coughing, difficulty breathing, or chest tightness. Patients with this type of cancer have a history that includes asbestos exposure at work. The most prevalent jobs that put people at risk of pleural mesothelioma include manufacturing, construction and shipbuilding. People who have served in the military could be at a higher risk due to the widespread asbestos usage in Navy vessels and bunkers used by the army. The TNM (tumors lymph nodes and metastases staging system) is the most popular staging system used to treat pleural adenocarcinoma. The stage the patient is in at the time of diagnosis will help determine what treatment plan they should follow. For example, patients with mesothelioma pleural stage three or four have a worse prognosis than those in lower stages. Stage four mesothelioma is often spread to the liver, diaphragm or even a person's heart. 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 intestines and the liver. Similar to pleural mesothelioma and peritoneal mesothelioma is triggered by asbestos exposure. The disease is much less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma. There are only about 300-500 cases diagnosed each year. Like pleural mesothelioma, the symptoms can take years to show. Patients typically have abdominal pain, and may have a mass in their abdomen. The symptoms of this type of mesothelioma can also include nausea, weight loss and fever. A lot of these symptoms are similar to those experienced by digestive problems, which can cause misdiagnosis. Doctors can detect mesothelioma by examining the patient's medical history and performing a physical exam. They may also employ imaging tests like Xrays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to identify mesothelioma. These tests can detect tumors and other signs of cancer which aren't evident on X-rays. These tests enable doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and establish the stage. They also offer treatments. The stage is determined by the type of cell as well as whether the tumor has spread. Asbestos exposure is the biggest risk factor. People who have worked in asbestos-related professions, such as electrical or plumbing work, or in construction, manufacturing and manufacturing, are more likely to develop the disease. Even if an individual is not employed in one of these fields however, they may be exposed to asbestos to asbestos through family members and other sources. Therefore, anyone who believes they could be at risk should speak to an expert. If they have any history of exposure to asbestos and mesothelioma is a concern, a specialist will assist them in learning more about their risk. Risk Factors Asbestos exposure is the primary mesothelioma risk factor, accounting for up to 80 percent of all cases. Exposure to asbestos may occur through work, military service, or by living with someone who is exposed to asbestos or has previously done the same. When exposed to asbestos, particles can be breathed into the lungs and abdomen. These irritate the linings and can 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 age. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely develop mesothelioma than those who are younger or older. reading asbestos lawyer takes mesothelioma 20-60 years before it manifests cancer symptoms after the first exposure. It is also important to note that mesothelioma can develop in people who have been exposed to asbestos, but did not deal with it directly. This is known as secondary or indirect exposure to asbestos, and it could be as hazardous as direct exposure. Smoking increases the chance of mesothelioma developing, since it damages mesothelium. It also makes it more prone to. In addition, mesothelioma may be caused by certain illnesses, such as pneumonia and asbestosis. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma compared to women. This is because men are more likely to work with asbestos and experience a a longer period of exposure than women. Also, men are more likely to live with someone who has had asbestos exposure and bring asbestos fibers that have escaped home on their clothes. Women are less likely to come into exposure to asbestos and don't typically carry asbestos around on their clothing. Diagnosis It is difficult to diagnose mesothelioma because its symptoms are often similar to other diseases. This is why patients are often misdiagnosed. The first step to diagnose mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform an examination of the body and take notes on the medical history of a patient including asbestos exposure. Doctors can 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 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 pleural effusion). Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram, which examines the heart and blood vessels, and a magnetic resonance imaging, also known as MRI test, which makes use of radio waves and magnets to create precise images of the inside of the body. Another method doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma is by performing the procedure of a surgical biopsy. During a surgical biopsy, doctors take a small amount of tissue from the peritoneum or pleura for further testing. A pathologist then examines the tissue with an magnifying glass to determine if it is a cancerous cells. The mesothelial type involved as well as the benign or malignant nature of the cells, as well as the location and stage of the tumour, are used to categorize the disease. Certain types of mesothelioma are at an increased chance of metastasizing or spreading, so it's important to establish a clear diagnosis to ensure that the doctors can treat it before it becomes out-of-control. Doctors can also perform tests in the laboratory on tumors to determine specific proteins, genes, or other factors which can aid in describing cancer characteristics and determine the best treatment. These results are called staging. Treatment A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be an incredibly frightening prospect. It is crucial to remember, however, that cancer can be treated particularly in its initial stages. Many mesothelioma patients live for years with the disease without it spreading to other parts of their body. Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma by various mechanisms. Asbestos fibers, which are small enough to not be felt or viewed by naked eyes are able to become airborne and irritate the lung's lining (pleura). As time passes the irritation causes the formation of scar tissues and eventually tumors. The pleura is a protective covering that covers the lungs, heart and abdomen. Mesothelium is composed of cells that react to asbestos, causing it to inflame and form scar tissue. As time passes, these changes cause the development of malignant mesothelioma cancers. Shortness of breath, chest pain or fluid accumulation on the lungs are all signs of the pleural Msothelioma. In rare cases, the cancer can be spread to the tissues around the heart and reproductive organs. If scans of imaging reveal an area of concern in the stomach or lungs doctors will recommend biopsies. During the procedure, doctors take a small sample of the fluid or tumor for lab analysis. The results can confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis, and provide the best treatment option. There are many types of mesothelioma treatments, which include chemotherapy, surgery, and immunotherapy. Most doctors use a combination of these treatments. Participating in clinical trials for mesothelioma treatments that are new could be beneficial for patients. To learn more, patients should speak to a mesothelioma specialist who has had experience treating the disease.