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Mesothelioma and Asbestos Asbestos, a mineral that naturally occurs in the form of thin, long fibers. People who are exposed to asbestos may develop lung diseases like mesothelioma. The symptoms of these diseases may not manifest for years 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 pleura. It is the most common mesothelioma that accounts for up between 70 and 79% of diagnosed cases. Patients with this disease feel chest pain and breath shortness and may experience a sensation of heaviness in the chest. This type of cancer is usually caused by exposure to asbestos, which is a grouping of minerals made up of microscopic fibres. When inhaled, these fibers can cause irritation and DNA mutations. Pleura surrounds both the chest cavity and the lungs, which means that irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma symptoms typically don't show until 30 to 50 years after exposure. The most commonly reported symptoms of pleural melanoma are chest pain and breath shortness. Patients may also feel tightness in their chest or coughing. They may also experience difficulty breathing. Patients with this type of cancer typically have an history of exposure to asbestos in the workplace. Manufacturing, construction and shipbuilding are the most frequent jobs which put people at risk danger of developing pleural melanoma. People who have served in the military could be at risk because of the extensive asbestos use in Navy vessels and bunkers for the army. The TNM (tumors, lymph nodes, and metastases staging system) is the most common staging system for pleural adenocarcinoma. The stage the patient is in at the time of diagnosis will help determine the treatment plan they should follow. Patients suffering from pleural mesothelioma who is in stage three or stage four will suffer a more negative outlook than those who are in a less advanced stage. yuma asbestos lawsuit in stage four is usually spread to the diaphragm, the liver or even a person's heart. This can make the cancer more difficult to treat, and increase the chances of complications for the patient. Peritoneal Mesothelioma In contrast to pleural cancer, that develops in the lining of the lung it develops in a membrane that covers the abdominal cavity, which includes organs such as the intestines and liver. Like pleural mesothelioma, peritoneal mesothelioma can be caused by asbestos exposure. The disease is less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma, and just 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year. Like pleural mesothelioma, symptoms can take a long time to manifest. Patients generally suffer from abdominal pain and may also have a lump in their abdomen. This kind of mesothelioma can cause nausea, weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms can be mistaken for gastrointestinal problems which can lead to a mistaken diagnosis. Generally, doctors can find mesothelioma after an exhaustive medical history and physical exam. They can also use imaging tests like X-rays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to identify mesothelioma. These tests can reveal tumors, as well as other symptoms of cancer that aren't apparent on an X-ray. The results of these tests allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and determine the stage of the disease and suggest treatment options. The stage of the disease is determined based on the type of cells and whether or the cancer has spread to other areas of the body. Asbestos exposure is the most important risk factor. People who have been in occupations which require asbestos, such as plumbing, manufacturing, electrical work, or construction, are at greater risk of developing the disease. Even if someone isn't employed in one of these areas, he or she can be exposed to asbestos through family members and other sources. Anyone who suspects that they are at risk should talk to a doctor. If they have a history of asbestos exposure or mesothelioma, a specialist can help them find 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 can occur due to work, military service, or living with those who worked with asbestos. Asbestos particles can be inhaled by people who are exposed to it. These particles irritate the linings of the lungs, causing cancerous cells to grow 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 aging. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely get mesothelioma than people younger or more senior. It takes mesothelioma between 20 and 60 years before it manifests cancer symptoms after the first exposure. It is important to keep in mind, too, that mesothelioma could develop in those who have been exposed to asbestos, but without having been directly exposed to it. This is called indirect or secondary exposure to asbestos. It is just as harmful as direct exposure. Smoking increases the chance of mesothelioma developing, as it damages the mesothelium. It also makes it more prone to. Mesothelioma can also be caused by certain illnesses, including asbestosis and pneumonia. It is also important to know that mesothelioma occurs more frequently for men than women. This is due to men being more likely to work with asbestos and have more exposure than women. Also, men are more likely to live with someone who has was exposed to asbestos and bring asbestos fibers from their workplace on their clothes. Women are less likely to come into exposure to asbestos and rarely carry asbestos around on their clothes. Diagnosis It is difficult to diagnose mesothelioma since its symptoms are often similar to other diseases. This can lead to victims being wrongly diagnosed. The first step in identifying mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform an examination and write down a patient's medical history, including asbestos exposure. Doctors will also recommend a CT scan or chest X-ray to look for lumps, abnormalities and evidence of exposure to asbestos. These include plaques on the pleura, pleura that are thickened and calcium deposits. Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance scan, or MRI test, which uses radio waves and magnets in order to create a series detailed images of the insides of the body. A surgical biopsy is yet another method for doctors to identify mesothelioma. When a biopsy is performed doctors will remove a small part of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum to be further examined. A pathologist can then examine the tissue under a magnifying lens to determine if it contains cancerous cells. Mesothelioma can be classified based on the mesothelial type involved, whether the cells are malignant or benign, and the location of the tumor, its type, and the stage of the cancer. Certain types of mesothelioma are more likely to grow or spread, so it is important to establish a definitive diagnosis so doctors can treat the disease before it goes out of control. Doctors may also conduct laboratory tests on tumors to determine specific genes, proteins or other factors that can aid in describing cancer characteristics and plan treatment. These results are called staging. Treatment A mesothelioma diagnosis is a frightening prospect. However, it's important to keep in mind that the cancer can be treated, particularly in its earlier stages. Many patients with mesothelioma survive for a long time without the disease spreading to other organs of their body. Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma through various mechanisms. Asbestos fibres, too small to be felt or viewed with the naked eyes, can become airborne, causing irritation to the lining of the lung (pleura). Over time, the irritation leads to the formation of scar tissue, which eventually lead to tumors. The pleura is the area that surrounds the heart and lungs and the abdomen. Mesothelium is composed of cells that react to asbestos, causing it to inflame and develop scar tissue. These changes eventually cause mesothelioma cancers. Breathing problems, chest discomfort, or the accumulation of fluid on the lungs are all signs of pleural mesothelioma. In rare instances cancer may spread to the tissues around the reproductive organs as well as the heart. If imaging scans show an area of concern in the stomach or lungs, a doctor will order a biopsies. In the course of the procedure, doctors remove a small amount of liquid or tumor for laboratory testing. The results will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma, and also determine the best treatment option. There are a variety of treatment for mesothelioma including chemotherapy and surgery. The majority of doctors use the combination of these methods. Patients could also benefit from participating in a clinical study of new mesothelioma treatment. To find out more, patients should consult a mesothelioma specialist who has expertise in treating the condition.