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Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that comes in thin, long fibres. Workers who are exposed asbestos regularly risk developing mesothelioma and other lung diseases.

It can take years for symptoms to show up after asbestos exposure. Different asbestos types may cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma can be found in the outer lung lining, also known as pleura. It is the most prevalent mesothelioma that accounts for up between 70 and 79% of diagnosed cases. The condition can cause chest discomfort, shortness of breath and a feeling of weightiness.

This kind of cancer is typically caused through exposure to asbestos, which is a collection of minerals made up of microscopic fibres. The fibers, when inhaled can cause irritation and DNA mutations. Pleura surrounds both the chest cavity as well as the lungs, so irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma symptoms usually don't appear until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

Chest pain and shortness breath are the most common symptoms. Patients may also experience chest tightness, coughing or difficulty breathing. People with this cancer have a history of disease that includes asbestos exposure at work. Construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding are among the most prevalent occupations that put people at high danger of developing pleural melanoma. People who served in the military are at greater risk due the widespread use of asbestos in Navy vessels and bunkers for the Army.

The most popular staging system for pleural mysothelioma has been the TNM (tumor lymph nodes, lymph nodes and metastases) staging system. The stage the patient is in at the time of diagnosis can help determine the treatment plan they should receive. For instance, patients suffering from a pleural mesothelioma in stage three or four have a less favorable prognosis than those with lower stages. Stage four mesothelioma may be spread to the liver, heart, or diaphragm. This can make the cancer more difficult to treat, and increase the chance of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

In contrast to pleural cancer, which forms in the lining of the lung, peritoneal cancer develops in a membrane that covers the abdominal cavity, which includes organs such as the intestines and liver. As with pleural mesothelioma asbestos exposure is the primary cause of peritoneal mesothelioma. The disease is less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma, with just 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.

As with pleural asbestosis, symptoms can take a long time to manifest. Patients typically suffer from abdominal pain and may also have a lump in their abdomen. The symptoms of this kind of mesothelioma could also include nausea or weight loss, as well as fever. Many of these symptoms could be misinterpreted as gastrointestinal issues, leading to a misdiagnosis.

Generally speaking, doctors can detect mesothelioma after an extensive health history and physical exam. Imaging tests like X-rays or CT scans are a way to detect mesothelioma. These tests can detect tumors and other cancer signs that aren't visible on X-rays.

These test results allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and determine the stage and recommend treatment options. The staging is determined by the type of cell and whether or not the tumor has spread to other parts of the body.

The most important mesothelioma risk factor is asbestos exposure. People who have been exposed to asbestos in jobs, such as plumbing or electrical work, or in construction, manufacturing and manufacturing, are more likely to develop the disease. Even if someone isn't employed in one of these areas they could be exposed to asbestos through family members or other sources. For this reason, anyone who believes they could be at risk should talk to a doctor. A mesothelioma specialist can assist those with a experience with asbestos to understand more about their risk.

Risk Factors

asbestos legal exposure is the main risk factor for mesothelioma which accounts for as much as 80 percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos can occur through work, military service or through living with a person who works with asbestos or was previously exposed to doing the same. When exposed to asbestos, particles are able to be inhaled into abdomen and lungs. These particles irritate the linings of the abdomen, which causes cancerous cells to develop in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma can take between 15 and 60 years to develop following exposure to asbestos.

Other risk factors include genetics, smoking and aging. People in their 40s or 50s are at a higher risk of developing mesothelioma compared to those who are younger or older. This is because mesothelioma usually occurs between 20 and 60 years from the first exposure before the first signs of cancer appear. It is important to keep in mind that mesothelioma could develop in those who have been exposed to asbestos without having worked with it directly. This is referred to as secondary or indirect exposure to asbestos lawyer and it is just as harmful as direct exposure.

Smoking increases the risk of mesothelioma, since it damages mesothelium. It can also make it more vulnerable. Furthermore, mesothelioma is worsened by certain diseases like pneumonia and asbestosis. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than females. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos claim for a longer time and to have worked with asbestos attorney 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 in contact with asbestos, and don't typically bring asbestos claim home on their clothes.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is difficult to diagnose because the symptoms can be similar to other diseases. This can lead to victims being misdiagnosed.

NYU Langone doctors will perform an examination of the body and document the patient's medical background including asbestos exposure. Doctors may also request 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 an echocardiogram, which examines the heart and blood vessels as well as a magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI, test, which uses magnets and radio waves to make a series of detailed images of the interior of the body. A surgical biopsy is a different method doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma. In a surgical biopsy doctors take a tiny piece of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum to be further examined. A pathologist is then able to examine the tissue under microscopes to determine if it contains cancerous cells.

Mesothelioma can be classified based on the type of mesothelial cell involved, whether these cells are benign or malignant, and the location of the tumor, the type, and the stage of the cancer. Certain types of mesothelioma are at an increased chance of metastasizing or spreading, so it's important to get a definitive diagnosis to ensure that the doctors can treat it before it becomes out-of-control.

Doctors may also conduct tests in the laboratory on tumors to identify specific genes, proteins or other factors that will help them identify cancer characteristics and plan treatment. These results are referred to as staging.

Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnosis is a frightening prospect. It is important to remember, however, that cancer can be treated particularly in its early stages. A lot of people suffering from mesothelioma be afflicted for many years without it spreading.

Exposure to asbestos can trigger mesothelioma in many ways. Asbestos fibers, which are tiny enough to be felt or seen through the naked eye are able to become airborne, irritating the lining of the lung (pleura). In time irritation leads to formation of scar tissue, which causes changes in the structure of cells which eventually lead to tumors.

The Pleura is a protective layer that covers the abdomen, heart, and lungs. Mesothelium consists of cells that react when exposed to asbestos. They cause inflammation to the tissue and cause it to become scarred. As time passes, these changes cause the development of malignant mesothelioma tumors.

A shortness of breath, chest pain or fluid accumulation on the lungs are all symptoms of the pleural mesothelioma. In rare cases, cancer can spread into the tissues surrounding the reproductive organs and heart.

If imaging scans show an area of concern in the lungs or stomach doctors will recommend biopsies. During the procedure, doctors will remove tiny amounts of fluid or tumor for lab tests. The results can confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis, and determine the best treatment plan.

There are a variety of treatment for mesothelioma, such as chemotherapy and surgery. The majority of doctors employ the combination of these treatments. Patients may also benefit from enrolling in a clinical trial of new mesothelioma treatment. To find out more, patients should consult mesothelioma experts who have experience treating the condition.