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Mesothelioma and Asbestos Asbestos is a natural mineral that is made up of thin, long fibres. People who are exposed to asbestos may develop lung diseases like mesothelioma. It may take decades for symptoms to appear after asbestos exposure. Different asbestos types can cause different symptoms. Pleural Mesothelioma Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer that develops in the outer lung the lining (pleura). virginia asbestos law firm is the most common mesothelioma type and accounts for 70% to 79% of diagnosed cases. Patients suffering from this condition suffer from chest pain and shortness of breath and may also feel an ache or heaviness in the chest. This kind of cancer is typically caused by exposure to asbestos, which is a collection of minerals made up of microscopic fibres. Once inhaled, the fibers cling to the lungs and cause irritation that leads to scarring and DNA mutations. The pleura is the area that surrounds the chest cavity and lungs This means that these irritations can affect both the lungs and a person's heart. Mesothelioma symptoms typically don't show until 30 to 50 years after exposure. The most commonly reported symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are chest pain and breath shortness. Some patients also experience difficulty breathing or chest tightness. Patients with this cancer have a history of disease that includes asbestos exposure at work. 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 a higher risk due to the frequent use of asbestos in Navy vessels and bunkers in the Army. The most popular staging system for pleural mesothelioma is the TNM (tumor lymph nodes, lymph nodes and metastases) staging system. The stage a patient has when they are diagnosed will help their doctor determine the best treatment plan for them. For instance, patients who have mesothelioma pleural stage three or four have a poorer prognosis than those with a lower stage. Mesothelioma in stage four is usually spread to the liver, diaphragm and/or a person's heart. This makes it more difficult to treat and increase the chance of complications for the patient. Peritoneal Mesothelioma In contrast to pleural cancer, which is found in the lining of the lung, peritoneal cancer develops in the membrane that covers the abdominal cavity, which includes organs like the intestines and the liver. Like pleural mesothelioma, peritoneal mesothelioma is triggered by asbestos exposure. The disease is less common than pleural mesothelioma. There are around 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year. Like pleural mesothelioma, symptoms can take years to show. Patients typically experience abdominal pain, and may have a mass in their abdomen. Symptoms of this type of mesothelioma could also include nausea, weight loss and fever. A lot of these symptoms are similar to those experienced by digestive issues, which could lead to confusion in diagnosis. Generally, doctors can find mesothelioma after an exhaustive health history and physical examination. Imaging tests like X-rays and CT scans can be used to detect mesothelioma. These tests can identify tumors and other signs of cancer which aren't evident on X-rays. These tests enable doctors to diagnose mesothelioma, determine the stage of the disease and suggest treatment options. The stage is determined by the type of cell and whether the tumor has spread. Asbestos exposure is the biggest risk factor. People who have worked in asbestos-containing occupations, like electrical or plumbing work or in construction and manufacturing, are more likely to contract the disease. However, even if people do not work in these areas they could be exposed to asbestos through relatives or other sources. Anyone who believes they're at risk should consult a doctor. If they have any history of exposure to asbestos and mesothelioma is a concern, a specialist will assist them in learning more about the risk. Risk Factors Asbestos is the main risk factor for mesothelioma. It accounts for as much as 80percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos can happen due to work, military service, or living with people who have worked with asbestos. Asbestos particles can be inhaled by people who are exposed to asbestos. These particles can cause irritation to the linings and cause cancerous cells to form in the mesothelium. After exposure to asbestos mesothelioma can occur between 15 and 60 years old. Other risk factors include smoking, genetics, and the advancing age. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely develop mesothelioma than those who are younger or older. It is because mesothelioma generally occurs between 20 and 60 years from the initial exposure before symptoms of cancer begin to manifest. It is also important to note that mesothelioma can develop in people who were exposed to asbestos but didn't work with it directly. This is referred to as secondary or indirect exposure to asbestos, and it can be just as dangerous as direct exposure. Smoking can increase the likelihood of developing mesothelioma since it damages the mesothelium, which makes it more vulnerable to asbestos. Additionally, mesothelioma can be caused by certain illnesses, such as 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 work with it. Additionally, men are more likely to live with someone who had asbestos exposure and bring stray asbestos fibers home on their clothing. Women are less likely to come exposed to asbestos, and they are less likely to bring asbestos home on their clothes. Diagnosis Mesothelioma is a difficult cancer to recognize because the symptoms often resemble other conditions. This is why patients are sometimes mistakenly diagnosed. The first step in diagnosing 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 will also recommend an CT scan or chest X-ray to check for lumps, abnormalities, and evidence of asbestos exposure. These include plaques on the pleura, pleura that are thickened and calcium deposits. Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram which examines the blood vessels and the heart, and a magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI, test, which makes use of radio waves and magnets to make a series of detailed images of the interior of the body. Another way for doctors to detect mesothelioma is by performing a surgical biopsy. During a surgical biopsy, doctors take a small amount of tissue from the pleura or peritoneum for further analysis. A pathologist can examine the tissue with a microscope to see if it is contaminated with cancerous cells. The type of mesothelial cell involved and the benign or malignant nature of the cells, as well as the location the cancer, its type and the stage of the tumor, are used to classify the disease. Certain mesothelioma types have an increased chance of metastasizing or spreading therefore it is essential to get a definitive diagnosis to ensure that the doctors can treat it before it becomes out of control. Doctors can also run tests in the lab on a tumor to find specific genes, proteins, or other factors that help them understand the characteristics of cancer and plan treatment. These results are referred to as staging. Treatment A mesothelioma diagnosis can be an incredibly frightening prospect. However, it is important to keep in mind that the cancer can be treated, particularly in its initial stages. Many mesothelioma patients live for many years with the disease, without spreading to other organs of their body. Exposure to asbestos may cause mesothelioma in a number of ways. Asbestos particles, which are too small to detect or feel with the naked eye, can become airborne and cause irritation to the lung's lining (pleura). As time passes, the irritation causes the formation of scar tissue which leads to changes in the structure of cells which eventually lead to tumors. The pleura surrounds the heart and lungs and also the abdomen. Mesothelium is composed of cells that react when exposed to asbestos. They inflame the tissue and cause it to become scarred. These changes can eventually cause mesothelioma cancers. Symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include breathing problems and chest pain as well as an accumulation of fluid in the lung (pleural effusion). In rare cases, cancer can spread into the tissues surrounding the reproductive organs and heart. If scans of imaging reveal an area of concern in the lungs or stomach doctors will recommend a biopsies. In the course of the procedure, doctors remove some of the fluid or tumor for lab tests. The results will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and indicate the best treatment option. There are many types of mesothelioma treatments, including chemotherapy, surgery and immunotherapy. Most doctors utilize combinations of these treatments. Enrolling in clinical trials of mesothelioma treatments may be beneficial to patients. Patients can find out more by consulting a mesothelioma expert who has treated the disease.