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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 are at risk of developing mesothelioma or other lung diseases.

Symptoms of these diseases may not be evident for a long time after exposure to asbestos lawyer. Different asbestos types can cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer that develops in the outer lung lining (pleura). It is the most common mesothelioma that accounts for up between 70 and 79% of all diagnosed cases. People with this condition suffer from chest pain and breath shortness, and they may feel an ache or heaviness in the chest.

This type of cancer usually caused by exposure to asbestos, which is a grouping of minerals made up of microscopic fibres. Once inhaled, the fibers are absorbed into the lungs and cause irritation that leads to scarring and DNA mutations. Pleura covers both the chest cavity and the lungs, so irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma symptoms are usually not apparent until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

The most commonly reported symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include chest discomfort and shortness of breath. Patients may also experience coughing, difficulty breathing, or chest tightness. Patients with this cancer have a history that includes asbestos exposure at work. The most frequent jobs that put people at risk of pleural mesothelioma include manufacturing, construction and shipbuilding. People who have worked in the military may be at an especially high risk due to the frequent use of asbestos in Navy ships and bunkers for the army.

The most commonly used staging system for pleural mesothelioma is the TNM (tumor lymph nodes, lymph nodes, and metastases) staging system. The stage a patient is in at the time of diagnosis will help determine the treatment plan they will receive. Patients who have pleural mesothelioma which is in stage three or four will have a less favorable prognosis than those who are in a less advanced stage. Mesothelioma in stage four can be spread to the liver, heart or diaphragm. This makes the cancer more difficult to treat and increase the chance of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

As opposed to pleural mesothelioma that develops in the lung lining, peritoneal mesothelioma develops in the peritoneum - it is a membrane that lines the abdominal cavity as well as organs like the intestines and liver. As with pleural mesothelioma asbestos case exposure is the cause of peritoneal mesothelioma. There are only 300-500 cases diagnosed annually this is less than the pleural asbestosis.

Like pleural mesothelioma, symptoms can take a long time to manifest. Patients usually have abdominal pain, and may also have a lump in their abdomen. The symptoms of this type of mesothelioma may also include nausea, weight loss and fever. A lot of these symptoms can be mistaken for gastrointestinal problems and can lead to a mistaken diagnosis.

The doctors can detect mesothelioma through examining the patient's medical history and performing a physical examination. Imaging tests like X-rays or CT scans can be used to identify mesothelioma. These tests can reveal tumors as well as other signs of cancer that aren't evident on X-rays.

These test results enable doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and determine the stage. They can also recommend treatment options. The stage is determined by the type of cell as well as whether the tumor has spread.

The most important mesothelioma risk factor is asbestos case exposure. People who have been in occupations which require asbestos, like plumbing or manufacturing, electrical work, or construction, are at increased risk of developing the disease. Even if a person does not work in any of these areas, he or she can be exposed to asbestos through family members and other sources. For this reason, anyone who believes they could be at risk should talk to an experienced doctor. A mesothelioma expert can help those with a previous history of asbestos to find out more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos is the most significant risk factor for mesothelioma. It is responsible for as much as 80% of all cases. Exposure to asbestos can occur as a result of military service, work, or living with people who have worked with asbestos legal (Vietnamplayboy.com). When exposed to asbestos, the particles can be breathed into the abdomen and lungs. These particles can cause irritation to the linings and cause cancerous cells to develop in the mesothelium. After exposure to asbestos mesothelioma is likely to be diagnosed between 15 and 60 year.

Other risk factors include genetics, smoking and age. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely be diagnosed with mesothelioma compared to those who are younger or more senior. It takes mesothelioma between 20 and 60 years to show signs of cancer after the first exposure. It is important to remember that mesothelioma may be present in those who have been exposed to asbestos without having directly worked with it. This is referred to as secondary or indirect asbestos exposure. It can be as dangerous as direct asbestos exposure.

Smoking increases the risk of mesothelioma, since it damages mesothelium. It also makes it more susceptible. In addition, mesothelioma may be exacerbated by certain illnesses like asbestosis and pneumonia. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than females. This is because men are more likely to work with asbestos and have a longer period of exposure than women. Additionally, men are more likely to live with someone who worked with asbestos and carry stray asbestos fibers home on their clothing. Women are less likely to come into exposure to asbestos and rarely carry asbestos around on their clothing.

Diagnosis

It is difficult to identify mesothelioma because its symptoms are often similar to other diseases. This is why patients are often wrongly diagnosed.

NYU Langone doctors will perform a physical examination and record the patient's medical background, including asbestos exposure. Doctors can also order a chest X-ray or CT scan to check for lumps or other abnormalities, as well as evidence of past asbestos exposure such as plaques on the pleura (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the accumulation of fluid between the lung and chest wall (known as pleural effusion).

Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance scan, or MRI test, that uses radio waves and magnets to create a series detailed images of the insides of the body. A surgical biopsy is another method for doctors to identify mesothelioma. When a biopsy is performed, doctors remove a tiny part of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum to be tested further. A pathologist can then examine the tissue with an magnifying glass to determine if it contains cancerous cells.

The type of mesothelial cell involved and the benign or malignant nature of those cells and the location, type and stage of the tumor, are used to categorize the disease. Some types of mesothelioma are more likely to develop metastasis or spread, so it is important to have a clear diagnosis so doctors can treat the disease before it becomes out of control.

Doctors may also conduct laboratory tests on tumors to determine specific proteins, genes or other elements which can help them identify the characteristics of cancer and plan treatment. These results are known as staging.

Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnose can be terrifying. However, it is important to keep in mind that the cancer is treatable, particularly in its initial stages. Many people with mesothelioma live for many years with the disease, without spreading to other organs of their body.

Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma through a variety of ways. Asbestos particles, which are too small to be able to see or feel through the naked eye, can become airborne and cause irritation to the lung's lining (pleura). Over time the irritation can lead to the formation of scar tissues, which eventually lead to tumors.

The pleura covers the lungs and heart and the abdomen. Mesothelium is composed of cells that react when exposed to asbestos. They inflame the tissue and cause it to scar. These changes can lead to malignant mesothelioma tumours.

The signs of pleural mesothelioma can include breathlessness and chest pain as well as the accumulation of fluid on the lung (pleural effusion). In rare instances, the cancer can be spread to the tissues around the heart and reproductive organs.

If scans of imaging reveal an area of concern in the stomach or lungs the doctor will request biopsies. During the procedure, doctors will remove a small sample of the fluid or tumor for lab testing. The results will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and provide the best treatment plan.

There are a variety of treatment for mesothelioma, including surgery and chemotherapy. Most doctors utilize combinations of these treatments. Patients could also benefit from enrolling in a clinical trial of new mesothelioma therapies. Patients can find out more by consulting a mesothelioma specialist who has treated the condition.