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Mesothelioma and Asbestos Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that is found in long, thin fibres. People who are exposed to asbestos on a regular basis risk developing mesothelioma and other lung diseases. Symptoms of these diseases may not show up for decades after exposure to asbestos. Different types of asbestos may cause different symptoms. Pleural Mesothelioma Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer that occurs in the outer lung lining (pleura). It is the most prevalent mesothelioma that accounts for up 70 to 79% of all diagnosed cases. This condition causes chest pain, shortness of breathe and a feeling of heaviness. This type of cancer often caused through 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 which leads to scarring and DNA mutations. Pleura surrounds both the chest cavity as well as the lungs, so irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma usually doesn't show symptoms until 30 to 50 year after exposure. The most common symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are chest discomfort and shortness of breath. Patients may also feel tightness in their chest or coughing. They may also experience difficulty breathing. Patients with this cancer have a history of disease that includes asbestos exposure at work. Manufacturing, construction, and shipbuilding are the most prevalent occupations that put people at a high chance of developing pleural mesothelioma. People who have worked in the military could be at a higher risk because of the extensive asbestos usage in Navy vessels and bunkers used by the army. The TNM (tumors lymph nodes, tumors, and metastases staging system) is the most popular staging system for the pleural adenocarcinoma. The stage that a patient is at when they are diagnosed will help their doctor determine the most appropriate treatment plan for them. For instance, patients suffering from mesothelioma pleural stage three or four have a poorer prognosis than those in a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma is often spread to the diaphragm, the liver or even a person's heart. Spokane Valley asbestos lawyer makes the cancer more difficult to treat and increase the chances of complications for patients. Peritoneal Mesothelioma Unlike pleural mesothelioma, which develops in the lung lining, peritoneal mesothelioma is found in the peritoneum, a membrane that lines the abdominal cavity as well as organs such as the intestines and liver. Like pleural mesothelioma, peritoneal mesothelioma can be caused by asbestos exposure. It is estimated that only 300-500 cases are diagnosed each year, which is less than pleural asbestosis. As with pleural mesothelioma symptoms can take years to show. Patients typically suffer from abdominal pain and may have a mass in their abdomen. The symptoms of this kind of mesothelioma may also include nausea as well as weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms are similar to those of digestive problems, which can lead to misdiagnosis. The doctors can detect mesothelioma through looking over the medical history of the patient and performing a physical examination. Imaging tests like X-rays or CT scans are a way to detect mesothelioma. These tests can show cancerous tumors or other signs of cancer that aren't visible on an X-ray. These test results enable doctors to identify mesothelioma, and determine the stage. They also offer treatment options. The stage is determined by the type of cell as well as whether the cancer has spread. The most important mesothelioma-related risk factor is asbestos exposure. People who have worked in asbestos-containing professions, such as electrical or plumbing work or in construction and manufacturing are more likely to contract the disease. Even if someone isn't employed in one of these areas however, they may be exposed to asbestos to asbestos through family members and other sources. Anyone who believes they are at risk should talk to a doctor. A mesothelioma expert can help those who have a history with asbestos to learn more about their risk. Risk Factors Asbestos is the main risk factor for mesothelioma. It is responsible for as much as the 80% of cases. Exposure to asbestos can occur as a result of work, military service or by living with a person who works with asbestos or used to do the same. When exposed to asbestos, particles can be inhaled into the lungs and abdomen. These particles can cause irritation to the linings of the lungs, causing cancerous cells to grow in the mesothelium. Following exposure to asbestos mesothelioma is likely to be diagnosed between 15 and 60 years. Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and the advancing age. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely to develop mesothelioma than those who are younger or more senior. It takes mesothelioma 20-60 years to show signs of cancer after the first exposure. It is important to remember that mesothelioma can develop in people who have been exposed to asbestos but didn't work with it directly. This is referred to as indirect or secondary asbestos exposure, and is just as harmful as direct asbestos exposure. Smoking increases the risk of getting mesothelioma because it damages the mesothelium and makes it more vulnerable to asbestos. In addition, mesothelioma may be caused by certain illnesses, such as asbestosis and pneumonia. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than women. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for a longer time and to work with asbestos for longer durations and to work with it. Also, men are more likely to live with someone who has worked with asbestos and carry stray asbestos fibers home on their clothes. Women are less likely to come into contact with asbestos and don't typically carry asbestos on their clothing. Diagnosis Mesothelioma is a difficult disease to recognize because the symptoms are often similar to other conditions. This is why patients are sometimes mistakenly diagnosed. NYU Langone doctors will perform a physical examination and record the patient's medical background including asbestos exposure. Doctors may also request a CT scan or chest X-ray in order to look for lumps, abnormalities and evidence of asbestos exposure. These include pleural plaques, thickened pleura and calcium deposits. Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram which examines the blood vessels and the heart as well as a magnetic resonance imaging, also known as MRI test, which makes use of radio waves and magnets to make a series of precise images of the inside of the body. Another way doctors can diagnose mesothelioma is to perform an operation called a biopsy. During a surgery biopsy doctors take a tiny part of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum, to be examined further. A pathologist then examines the tissue using a magnifying lens to determine if it is a cancerous cell. The mesothelial type involved as well as the benign or malignant nature of those cells, as well as the location the cancer, its type and the stage of the tumor, are used to categorize the disease. Certain types of mesothelioma are at greater risk of spreading or metastasizing 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 tumors to determine specific genes, proteins or other elements that help them understand the characteristics of cancer and plan treatment. These results are referred to as staging. Treatment A mesothelioma diagnosis is a frightening prospect. It is crucial to remember, however, that cancer can be treated, particularly in its initial stages. Many patients with mesothelioma endure the disease for many years without it spreading. Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma through a variety of mechanisms. Asbestos particles, which are too small to be able to see or feel by the naked eye can be airborne and cause irritation to the lung's lining (pleura). In time, the irritation leads to the formation of scar tissues that eventually result in tumors. The pleura is a protective covering that surrounds the lungs, heart and abdomen. Mesothelium is made up of cells that respond when exposed to asbestos. They inflame the tissue and cause it to become scarred. In time, these changes can lead to the development of malignant mesothelioma tumors. Symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include breathing problems and chest pain as well as a buildup of fluid in the lung (pleural effusion). In rare cases cancer may spread to the tissues that surround the reproductive organs and the heart. If imaging scans reveal an underlying mass in the stomach or lungs, a doctor will order biopsies. The procedure involves the removal of small amounts of fluid or tumor for laboratory testing. The results can confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and help determine the best treatment plan. There are many types of treatment for mesothelioma, including surgery and chemotherapy. The majority of doctors employ the combination of these treatments. Participating in clinical trials for mesothelioma treatments may be beneficial for patients. Patients can find out more by speaking with a mesothelioma doctor who has treated the disease.