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Mesothelioma and Asbestos Asbestos, a natural mineral, naturally forms in the form of long, thin fibers. People who are regularly exposed to asbestos are at risk of developing lung diseases such as mesothelioma. The symptoms of these diseases might not be evident for a long time after exposure to asbestos. Different asbestos types can cause different symptoms. Pleural Mesothelioma Pleural mesothelioma is a type of cancer that occurs in the lung's outer the lining (pleura). It is the most frequent type of mesothelioma, making up 70% to 79% of diagnosed cases. The condition can cause chest discomfort, shortness of breath and a feeling of heaviness. Exposure to asbestos, a family of minerals composed of microscopic fibers causes this kind of cancer. Once inhaled, the fibers stick inside the lung and cause irritation that results in scarring and DNA mutations. The pleura surrounds the chest cavity and lungs This means that these irritations can affect both the lungs as well as a person's heart. Mesothelioma symptoms typically don't show until 30 to 50 years after exposure. Shortness of breath and chest pain are the most frequently reported symptoms. Some patients may also suffer from chest tightness, coughing or difficulty breathing. People who suffer from this cancer usually have an history of exposure to asbestos in the workplace. Construction, manufacturing, and shipbuilding are the most prevalent jobs that put people at a high risk of developing pleural mesothelioma. People who were in the military are at higher risk due to the widespread use of asbestos in Navy vessels and Army bunkers. The most popular staging method for pleural mesothelioma is 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 the treatment plan they should receive. For instance, patients who have a pleural mesothelioma in stage three or four have a worse prognosis than patients with lower stages. Stage four mesothelioma can be spread to the heart, liver or diaphragm. This makes it more difficult to treat and increases the likelihood of complications for the patient. Peritoneal Mesothelioma In contrast to pleural cancer, which is found in the lung's lining the peritoneal cancer is a result of a membrane that covers the abdominal cavity, which includes organs like the intestines and the liver. Similar to pleural mesothelioma mesothelioma can be caused by asbestos exposure. There are only 300-500 cases diagnosed each year, which is less than the pleural asbestosis. As with pleural asbestosis, symptoms can take several years to manifest. Most patients suffer from abdominal pain and a mass in the abdomen. The symptoms of this kind of mesothelioma may also include nausea as well as weight loss and fever. A lot of these symptoms are similar to those experienced by digestive problems, which can cause confusion in diagnosis. The doctors can detect mesothelioma through examining the patient's medical history and performing a physical exam. They may also employ imaging tests like X-rays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to help find mesothelioma. These tests can reveal tumors as well as other signs of cancer that are not evident on X-rays. The results of these tests allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma, identify the stage of the disease and suggest treatment options. edinburg asbestos attorney is determined by the type of cell and whether the tumor has spread. Asbestos exposure is the main risk factor. People who have been in occupations that require asbestos, like plumbing, manufacturing, electrical work or construction, are at increased risk of developing the disease. Even if they do not work in these areas they could be exposed to asbestos through relatives or other sources. Anyone who thinks they are at risk should consult an expert. If they have a history of asbestos exposure, a mesothelioma specialist can assist them in finding out more about the risk. Risk Factors Asbestos is the most significant risk factor for mesothelioma. It is responsible for as much as 80percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos may occur as a result of work, military service, or through living with a person who works with asbestos or was previously exposed to doing the same. Asbestos particles can be breathed in by those who are exposed to it. These irritate the linings and cause cancerous cells to grow 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 to get mesothelioma than people younger or more senior. It takes mesothelioma between 20 and 60 years to manifest cancer symptoms after the first exposure. It is important to remember that mesothelioma is a possibility in people who were exposed to asbestos but did not deal with it directly. This is referred to as secondary or indirect exposure to asbestos. It can be just as dangerous as direct exposure. Smoking can increase the likelihood of getting mesothelioma because it damages the mesothelium and makes it more prone to asbestos. Furthermore, mesothelioma is caused by certain illnesses, such as pneumonia and asbestosis. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than females. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for longer periods of time and to work with asbestos for longer durations and to work with it. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who has worked with asbestos, and to have asbestos-containing fibers on their clothing. Women tend to be less in contact with asbestos, and they are less likely to carry asbestos on their clothes. Diagnosis It is difficult to recognize mesothelioma because its symptoms are often similar to other conditions. This is why patients are often mistakenly diagnosed. NYU Langone doctors will perform a physical examination and record the patient's medical background including asbestos exposure. Doctors may also order an X-ray of the chest or CT scan to detect 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 a magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI test, that uses magnets and radio waves in order to produce a series of precise images of inside the body. Another way for doctors to detect mesothelioma is to perform a surgical biopsy. In a surgical biopsy doctors take a small amount of tissue from the pleura or peritoneum to conduct further tests. A pathologist can then examine the tissue with a microscope to see if it has cancerous cells. Mesothelioma is classified according to the mesothelial type involved, whether those cells are malignant or benign and also the location of the tumor, its type, and the stage of the cancer. Certain types of mesothelioma may be more likely to grow or spread, so it is important to establish a definitive diagnosis so that doctors can treat the disease before it gets out of control. Doctors can also run tests in the lab on a tumor to find specific genes, proteins and other factors which can help them identify the characteristics of cancer and plan treatment. These results are called staging. Treatment A mesothelioma diagnosis can be terrifying. It is crucial to remember, however, that cancer can be treated particularly in its initial stages. Many patients with mesothelioma survive for a long time with the disease, without spreading to other organs of their body. Exposure to asbestos can trigger mesothelioma via many mechanisms. Asbestos fibers that are small enough to not be felt or viewed with the naked eyes can be airborne and irritate the lung's lining (pleura). In time irritation leads to formation of scar tissue which leads to changes in the structure of cells that eventually develop into tumors. The Pleura is a covering that covers the abdomen, heart, and lungs. Mesothelium is made up of cells that react to asbestos and cause it to enflame and create scar tissue. Overtime, these changes result in the growth of malignant mesothelioma tumors. Symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include breathlessness and chest pain as well as a buildup of fluid on the lung (pleural effusion). In rare instances cancer may spread to the tissues surrounding the reproductive organs as well as the heart. If imaging scans reveal a possible mass in the stomach or lungs doctors will recommend biopsies. In the course of the procedure, doctors remove small amounts of liquid or tumor for lab tests. The results can confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and determine the best treatment plan. There are several types of mesothelioma treatment, including surgery, chemotherapy and immunotherapy. The majority of doctors employ the combination of these treatments. Participating in clinical trials of mesothelioma treatments may be beneficial for patients. To learn more, patients should consult mesothelioma specialists who have experience treating the condition.