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Mesothelioma and Asbestos Asbestos is a natural mineral that is found in thin, long fibres. People who are exposed to asbestos risk developing lung diseases such as mesothelioma. It could take a long time for symptoms to show up after asbestos exposure. Different asbestos types may cause different symptoms. Pleural Mesothelioma Pleural mesothelioma is a type of cancer that affects the outer lung the lining (pleura). It is the most frequent mesothelioma type, accounting for up between 70 and 79% of diagnosed cases. The condition can cause chest pain, breath shortness, and a feeling of weightiness. This kind of cancer is often caused by exposure to asbestos which is a cluster of minerals that are composed of microscopic fibers. Once inhaled, the fibers cling to the lung and cause irritation that results in scarring and DNA mutations. The pleura covers the chest cavity and lungs and therefore, these irritations could affect both the lungs and the heart of a person. Mesothelioma symptoms typically don't show until 30 to 50 years after exposure. Shortness of breath and chest pain are the most frequent symptoms. Some patients may also feel tightness in their chest and coughing, or breathing difficulties. Patients with this type of cancer have a past that includes asbestos exposure at work. Manufacturing, construction, and shipbuilding are the most prevalent jobs that put people at a high chance of developing pleural mesothelioma. People who have worked in the military could be at a higher risk due to the widespread use of asbestos in Navy ships and army bunkers. The TNM (tumors lymph nodes, tumors, and metastases staging system) is the most commonly used staging system used to treat pleural adenocarcinoma. The stage a patient is in upon diagnosis will aid their doctor in determining the most effective treatment plan for them. For instance, patients who have a pleural mesothelioma in stage three or four have a poorer prognosis than those in a lower stage. Mesothelioma in stage four can be spread to the heart, liver or diaphragm. This makes the cancer more difficult to treat, and increase the risk of complications for the patient. Peritoneal Mesothelioma Contrary to pleural cancer that develops in the lung's lining, peritoneal cancer develops in a membrane that surrounds the abdominal cavity, including organs like the intestines and the liver. Like pleural mesothelioma, exposure to asbestos is the cause of peritoneal mesothelioma. The disease is less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma. There are around 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year. As with pleural mesothelioma symptoms can take years to show. Patients typically suffer from 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 misinterpreted as digestive issues which can lead to a misdiagnosis. Typically, doctors can identify mesothelioma by conducting an extensive medical history and physical exam. Imaging tests like X-rays or CT scans are a way to detect mesothelioma. These tests can detect tumors as well as other signs of cancer which aren't evident on X-rays. These test results enable doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and determine the stage. They also offer treatment options. The stage is determined by the kind of cell and if the cancer has spread. Asbestos exposure is the main risk factor. People who have been in occupations that involve asbestos, such as plumbing, electrical work, manufacturing or construction, are at a higher risk of developing the disease. Even if an individual does not work in one of these fields, he or she can still be exposed to asbestos through family members and other sources. Anyone who thinks they are at risk should consult a doctor. If they have any history of exposure to asbestos or mesothelioma, a specialist can assist them in learning more about their risk. Risk Factors Asbestos exposure is the main risk factor for mesothelioma, which accounts for as much as 80 percent of all cases. Exposure to asbestos can happen through work, military service or through living with a person who works with asbestos or has previously done the same. When exposed to asbestos, the particles are able to be inhaled into abdomen and lungs. boulder asbestos lawyer and can cause 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 genetics, smoking and aging. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely get mesothelioma than people younger or more senior. It is because mesothelioma generally occurs between 20 and 60 years from 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 have been exposed to asbestos but did not deal with it directly. This is referred to as secondary or indirect asbestos exposure, and is as dangerous as direct asbestos exposure. Smoking can increase the likelihood of getting mesothelioma because it causes mesothelium damage and makes it more prone to asbestos. Additionally, mesothelioma can be worsened by certain diseases like asbestosis and pneumonia. It is also important to know that mesothelioma occurs more frequently in men than women. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for longer periods of time and work with it. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who had worked with asbestos and to carry asbestos fibers on their clothing. Women are less likely to be exposed to asbestos and they don't usually bring asbestos home on their clothing. Diagnosis Mesothelioma is difficult to diagnose because the symptoms are often similar to other diseases. This is why patients are sometimes misdiagnosed. The first step to diagnose 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 will also order an CT scan or chest X-ray to check for lumps, abnormalities, and evidence of asbestos exposure. These include pleural plaques, thickened pleura and calcium deposits. Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI test, that uses radio waves and magnets to produce a series of precise images of inside the body. Another method doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma is by performing the procedure of a surgical biopsy. During a surgical biopsy, doctors remove a small amount of tissue from the pleura or peritoneum for further testing. A pathologist can examine the tissue under microscopes to determine if it has cancerous cells. The type of mesothelial cells involved, the malignant or benign nature of those cells as well as the location, type and stage of the tumour, are used to classify the disease. Certain mesothelioma types have a higher chance of metastasizing or spreading, so it's important to get a definitive diagnosis so doctors can treat it before it becomes out of control. Doctors may also conduct tests in the lab on tumors to determine specific proteins, genes or other factors that will help them identify cancer characteristics and plan treatment. These results are referred to as staging. Treatment A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be an incredibly frightening prospect. However, it is important to keep in mind that the cancer can be treated, particularly in its earlier stages. Many people with mesothelioma live for years with the disease, without spreading to other organs of their body. Exposure to asbestos can trigger mesothelioma in many ways. Asbestos fibers that are small enough to not be felt or observed by naked eyes can be airborne, causing irritation to the lining of the lung (pleura). Over time irritation leads to formation of scar tissue, which leads to changes in the cell structure which eventually lead to tumors. The Pleura is a covering that surrounds the abdomen, heart, and lungs. Mesothelium consists of cells that react to exposure to asbestos which causes it to become inflamed and form scar tissue. In time, these changes can result in the growth of malignant mesothelioma cancers. Breathing problems, chest pain or fluid accumulation on the lungs are all symptoms of the pleural msothelioma. In rare instances the cancer may grow to the tissues surrounding the heart and reproductive organs. A doctor will request biopsy if imaging scans show the possibility of a lung tumor or stomach. In the course of the procedure, doctors remove small amounts of liquid or tumor for tests in the laboratory. The results will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and help determine the best treatment option. There are many types of mesothelioma treatment options, including surgery, chemotherapy and immunotherapy. Most doctors utilize a combination of these methods. Participating in clinical trials for new mesothelioma treatment may also be beneficial for patients. Patients can learn more about the trials by speaking with a mesothelioma doctor who has treated the condition.