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Mesothelioma and Asbestos Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that comes in thin, long fibres. Workers who are exposed asbestos on a regular basis risk developing mesothelioma and other types of lung diseases. Symptoms of these diseases may not be evident for a long time after exposure to asbestos. Different asbestos types can cause different symptoms. Pleural Mesothelioma Pleural mesothelioma occurs in the lung's outer lining or pleura. It is the most prevalent mesothelioma form and is responsible for 70 to 79% of diagnosed cases. The condition can cause chest discomfort, shortness of breath, and a feeling of weightiness. This type of cancer is usually caused by exposure to asbestos, which is a collection of minerals that are comprised of microscopic fibres. Once inhaled, these fibers stick inside the lungs and cause irritation that results in scarring and DNA mutations. Pleura covers both the chest cavity as well as the lungs, which means that irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma typically doesn't manifest until 30 to 50 years after exposure. The most frequent symptoms of pleural melanoma are chest discomfort and shortness of breath. Some patients also experience difficulty breathing, or chest tightness. Patients with this type of cancer have a past that includes asbestos exposure at work. Construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding are the most common jobs that put people at high chance of developing pleural mesothelioma. Individuals who have served in the military are at a higher risk due to the extensive use asbestos in Navy vessels and bunkers in the Army. The most commonly used staging method for pleural mesothelioma is the TNM (tumor lymph nodes, lymph nodes, and metastases) staging system. The stage a patient is in at diagnosis will aid their doctor in determining the best treatment plan for them. Patients who have pleural mesothelioma which is in stage three or four will have a worse outlook than those in a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma may spread to the liver, heart or diaphragm. This makes it more difficult to treat and increase the chance of complications for patients. Peritoneal Mesothelioma In contrast to pleural mesothelioma which develops in the lung lining, peritoneal mesothelioma develops in the peritoneum, a membrane that lines the abdominal cavity and organs like the intestines and liver. Similar to pleural mesothelioma, exposure to asbestos is the reason for peritoneal msothelioma. Only 300-500 cases are diagnosed each year, which is less than pleural asbestosis. As with pleural mesothelioma symptoms can take years to show. Most patients experience abdominal pain and abdominal swelling. Symptoms of this type of mesothelioma may also include nausea, weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms could be mistaken for gastrointestinal problems and can lead to a misdiagnosis. Doctors can detect mesothelioma by looking over the medical history of the patient and conducting a physical exam. They can also use imaging tests such as X-rays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to identify mesothelioma. These tests can identify tumors and other signs of cancer which aren't visible on X-rays. These tests enable doctors to diagnose mesothelioma, identify the stage and recommend treatment options. The stage of the disease is determined based on the type of cells and whether or not the tumor has spread to other regions of the body. Asbestos exposure is the most important risk factor. People who have worked in jobs that involve asbestos, such as plumbing electrical work, manufacturing or construction, are at greater risk of developing the disease. Even if a person is not employed in one of these fields, he or she can be exposed to asbestos through family members or other sources. Anyone who suspects that they are at risk should talk to a doctor. A mesothelioma specialist can assist those who have had a history with asbestos to learn more about their risk. Risk Factors Asbestos exposure is the primary risk factor for mesothelioma, which accounts for as much as 80 percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos can happen as a result of work, military service, or by living with a person who is exposed to asbestos or was previously exposed to doing the same. When exposed to asbestos, the particles can be breathed into the abdomen and lungs. These particles can cause irritation to the linings and trigger cancerous cells to develop in the mesothelium. After asbestos exposure mesothelioma is likely to be diagnosed between 15 and 60 years old. Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and age. People in their 40s and 50s are at a higher risk of developing mesothelioma compared to people who are younger or more. It is because mesothelioma generally takes 20 to 60 years from the first exposure to asbestos before symptoms of cancer begin to manifest. It is important to remember, too, that mesothelioma could occur in people who have been exposed to asbestos without having directly worked with it. This is known as indirect or secondary asbestos exposure and can be just as harmful as direct asbestos exposure. Smoking increases a person's chances of getting mesothelioma because it damages the mesothelium and makes it more prone to asbestos. Mesothelioma can also be aggravated by certain illnesses such as asbestosis and pneumonia. It is also important to remember that mesothelioma occurs more frequently for men than women. This is due to men being more likely to work with asbestos and experience a an extended period of exposure than women. Additionally, men are more likely to live with someone who has had asbestos exposure and bring asbestos fibers from their workplace on their clothes. Women are less likely to come exposed to asbestos, and don't typically carry asbestos on their clothing. Diagnosis It is difficult to recognize mesothelioma because its symptoms are frequently similar to other illnesses. This can lead to victims being wrongly diagnosed. NYU Langone doctors will perform an examination of the body and document the patient's medical background including asbestos exposure. Doctors will also order a CT scan or chest X-ray to look for abnormalities, lumps 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 image, or MRI test, which uses magnets and radio waves to create a series detailed images of inside the body. A surgical biopsy is a different method doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma. In a surgical biopsy doctors remove a small amount of tissue from the peritoneum or pleura to conduct further tests. A pathologist can then look at the tissue under a microscope to see if it has cancerous cells. The type of mesothelial cells involved as well as the benign or malignant nature of those cells and the location and stage of the tumour, are used to categorize the disease. Certain mesothelioma types have greater risk of metastasizing or spreading therefore it is essential to determine the type of mesothelioma to ensure that the doctors can treat it prior to it becoming out of control. Doctors may also conduct tests in the laboratory on tumors to identify 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 can be an incredibly frightening prospect. However, fullerton asbestos lawyer to remember that the cancer is treatable, particularly in its early stages. Many patients with mesothelioma endure the disease for a long time without spreading. Exposure to asbestos can trigger mesothelioma in many ways. Asbestos fibers, which are too small to be able to see or feel through the naked eye, can become airborne and cause irritation to the lining of the lungs (pleura). In time, the irritation causes the formation of scar tissue which can cause changes in the structure of cells that eventually develop into tumors. The pleura is a protective covering that surrounds the abdomen, heart, and lungs. Mesothelium consists of cells that respond when exposed to asbestos. They cause inflammation of the tissue and cause it to scar. These changes can cause mesothelioma cancers. Breathing problems, chest pain or fluid accumulation on the lungs are all symptoms of pleural Msothelioma. In rare instances, cancer can spread into the tissues surrounding the reproductive organs and heart. A doctor will request biopsy if scans show a potential mass in the lungs or stomach. In the course of the procedure, doctors remove some of the fluid or tumor for lab tests. The results can confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis and indicate the best treatment option. There are many types of treatment for mesothelioma including chemotherapy and surgery. Most doctors rely on the combination of these methods. Patients may also benefit from taking part in a clinical trial of new mesothelioma therapies. To learn more about the trials, patients should speak to a mesothelioma specialist who has experience treating the condition.