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Mesothelioma and Asbestos Asbestos, a mineral that naturally forms in the form of thin, long fibers. People who are exposed to asbestos may develop lung diseases like mesothelioma. The symptoms of these diseases might not show up for decades after exposure to asbestos. Different types of asbestos can cause different symptoms. Pleural Mesothelioma Pleural mesothelioma occurs in the outer lung lining, or the pleura. It is the most common mesothelioma that accounts for up 70 to 79% of all diagnosed cases. The condition can cause chest discomfort, shortness of breath and a feeling weightiness. This type of cancer often caused by exposure to asbestos which is a grouping of minerals that are composed of microscopic fibers. The fibers, when inhaled cause irritation and DNA mutations. Pleura covers both the chest cavity and the lungs, so irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma usually doesn't show symptoms until 30 to 50 years after exposure. Shortness of breath and chest pain are the most common symptoms. Patients may also experience chest tightness and coughing, or breathing difficulties. People with this cancer often have an history of exposure to asbestos in the workplace. Manufacturing, construction and shipbuilding are among the most prevalent jobs which put people at risk chance of developing pleural mesothelioma. People who have served in the military are at a higher risk because of the extensive use of asbestos in Navy vessels and bunkers used by the army. The TNM (tumors, lymph nodes, and metastases staging system) is the most popular staging system used for pleural adenocarcinoma. The stage that a patient is in at the time of diagnosis can help determine the treatment plan they will receive. Patients who have pleural mesothelioma which is in stage three or stage four will suffer a more negative prognosis than those in a lower stage. Mesothelioma in stage four can spread to the liver, heart, or diaphragm. This can make it more difficult to treat and raises the chance of complications for the patient. Peritoneal Mesothelioma As opposed to pleural mesothelioma that develops in the lung lining, peritoneal mesothelioma forms in the peritoneum — a membrane that lines the abdominal cavity and organs such as the liver and intestines. Like pleural mesothelioma, peritoneal mesothelioma is triggered by asbestos exposure. The disease is much less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma. There are only about 300-500 cases diagnosed each year. Like pleural mesothelioma, the symptoms can take years to show. Patients generally have abdominal pain, and could also experience a mass in their abdomen. This mesothelioma type can cause nausea, weight loss, and fever. A lot of these symptoms can be misinterpreted as gastrointestinal issues and can lead to a misdiagnosis. Doctors can detect mesothelioma by looking over the medical history of the patient and performing a physical exam. Imaging tests such as X-rays or CT scans can be used to detect mesothelioma. These tests can reveal tumors, as well as other indications of cancer that aren't visible on X-rays. These tests enable doctors to diagnose mesothelioma, determine the stage and suggest treatment options. The staging is determined by the type of cells and whether or the cancer has spread to other areas of the body. Asbestos exposure is the biggest risk factor. People who have worked in jobs which require asbestos, such as plumbing, manufacturing, electrical work or construction, are at increased risk of developing the disease. However, even if individuals aren't employed in these fields they could be exposed to asbestos through family members or through other sources. For this reason, anyone who believes they could be at risk should talk to an expert. If they have an history of exposure to asbestos and mesothelioma is a concern, a specialist will help them find out more about their risk. Risk Factors Asbestos is the primary risk factor in mesothelioma. It is responsible for up to 80percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos can happen due to military service, work or living with those who worked with asbestos. Asbestos particles can be inhaled by people who are exposed to asbestos. The particles cause irritation to the linings of the lungs, causing cancerous cells to grow in the mesothelium. After exposure to asbestos mesothelioma is likely to develop between 15 and 60 years. Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and the advancing age. The people in their 40s or 50s are more at chance of developing mesothelioma to people who are younger or more. It is because mesothelioma generally occurs between 20 and 60 years from the first exposure to asbestos before cancer symptoms appear. It is important to note, too, that mesothelioma could be present in people who have been exposed to asbestos, but without having directly worked with it. This is known as secondary or indirect asbestos exposure and can be just as harmful as direct asbestos exposure. Smoking increases the chance of mesothelioma developing, as it damages the mesothelium. It also makes it more prone to. In addition, mesothelioma may be exacerbated by certain illnesses like asbestosis and pneumonia. 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 worked with asbestos and to have asbestos fibers on their clothing. Women are less likely to come into contact with asbestos and don't typically carry asbestos around on their clothing. Diagnosis It is difficult to recognize mesothelioma because its symptoms are often similar to other diseases. This can lead to victims being misdiagnosed. NYU Langone doctors will perform physical examinations and document the patient's medical history including asbestos exposure. Doctors will also order a CT scan or chest X-ray to check for lumps, abnormalities and evidence of exposure to asbestos. These include plaques in the pleura, 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 that uses radio waves and magnets to create detailed images of the interior of the body. A surgical biopsy is yet another way for doctors to diagnose mesothelioma. During a surgery biopsy doctors will remove a small piece of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum to be tested further. gary asbestos lawyer can examine the tissue with a microscope to see if it contains cancerous cells. The type of mesothelial cells involved, the malignant or benign nature of these cells, as well as the location and stage of the cancer are used to categorize the disease. Certain types of mesothelioma are at greater risk of metastasizing or spreading, so it's important to establish a clear diagnosis so doctors can treat it prior to it becoming out-of-control. Doctors can also run laboratory tests on a tumor to find specific proteins, genes, or other factors that help them understand the characteristics of the cancer and determine a treatment. These results are known as staging. Treatment A mesothelioma diagnose can be frightening. It is important to keep in mind, however, that cancer can be treated, especially at its early stages. Many people with mesothelioma can endure the disease for a long time without expanding. Asbestos exposure can cause mesothelioma by a variety of mechanisms. Asbestos fibres, tiny enough to be felt or viewed through the naked eye can be airborne, irritating the lung's lining (pleura). Over time, the irritation causes the formation of scar tissue which causes changes in the structure of cells that can eventually grow into tumors. The pleura surrounds the lungs and the heart and the abdomen. Mesothelium is made up of cells that respond when exposed to asbestos. They cause inflammation of the tissue and cause it to scar. Overtime, these changes cause the development of malignant mesothelioma tumors. The signs of pleural mesothelioma can include breathlessness and chest pain as well as the accumulation of fluid in the lungs (pleural effusion). In rare instances cancer can spread to the tissues surrounding the reproductive organs as well as the heart. If imaging scans show an underlying mass in the lungs or stomach, a doctor will order a biopsies. During the procedure doctors remove a small amount of fluid or tumor for lab tests. The results can confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and determine the best treatment option. There are many types of mesothelioma treatment options, including chemotherapy, surgery and immunotherapy. Most doctors utilize the combination of these methods. Patients can also benefit by enrolling in a clinical trial of new mesothelioma therapies. To learn more, patients should speak with mesothelioma specialists who have had experience treating the disease.