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Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that is found in thin, long fibres. People who are regularly exposed to asbestos are at risk of developing lung diseases like mesothelioma.

It may take decades for symptoms to appear after exposure to asbestos. Different types of asbestos may cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma can be found in the outer lung lining, also known as pleura. It is the most frequent mesothelioma type and is responsible for 70 to 79% of diagnosed cases. Patients suffering from this condition suffer from chest pain and breathlessness, and they may feel the sensation of weight in the chest.

Exposure to asbestos claim, a family of minerals composed of microscopic fibers, typically causes this kind of cancer. When inhaled, these fibers are absorbed into the lungs and cause irritation that 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 symptoms usually don't appear until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

The most commonly reported symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are chest pain and shortness of breath. Some patients also experience difficulty breathing, or chest tightness. People with this cancer have a history that includes asbestos exposure at work. Construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding are the most prevalent jobs that put people at high danger of developing pleural melanoma. People who have served in the military may be at risk due to the frequent asbestos usage in Navy vessels and army bunkers.

The most common staging method for pleural mesothelioma is the TNM (tumor lymph nodes, lymph nodes and metastases) staging system. The stage that a patient is at when they are diagnosed will help their doctor determine the best treatment plan for them. For instance, patients who have mesothelioma pleural stage three or four have a worse prognosis than those in a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma is often spread to the liver, diaphragm and/or a person's heart. This can make the cancer more difficult to treat and increase the risk of complications for patients.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

As opposed to pleural mesothelioma that is a lung-lining cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma forms in the peritoneum, it is a membrane that lines the abdominal cavity as well as organs such as the intestines and liver. Similar to pleural mesothelioma and peritoneal mesothelioma can be caused by asbestos claim exposure. Only 300-500 cases are diagnosed each year, which is less than pleural asbestosis.

Like pleural mesothelioma, the symptoms can take years to show. Typically, patients experience abdominal pain and abdominal swelling. This kind of mesothelioma can also cause nausea, weight loss, and fever. Many of these symptoms are similar to those of gastrointestinal issues, which can lead to incorrect diagnosis.

Typically, doctors can identify mesothelioma by conducting a thorough health history and physical examination. Imaging tests like X-rays or CT scans can be used to detect mesothelioma. These tests can reveal cancerous tumors or other signs of cancer that aren't visible on X-rays.

These test results enable doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and establish the stage. They can also recommend treatment options. The staging is determined by the type of cell and whether or not the cancer has spread to other parts of the body.

Asbestos exposure is the main risk factor. People who have worked in jobs that involve asbestos, like plumbing electrical work, manufacturing or construction, are at greater risk of developing the disease. Even if someone does not work in one of these areas they could still be exposed through family members or other sources. Therefore, anyone who is concerned that they might be at risk should talk to an experienced doctor. A mesothelioma specialist can help those who have a history with asbestos to learn more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos exposure is a major mesothelioma risk factor, accounting for up to 80 percent of all cases. Exposure to asbestos can happen through work, military service or by living with a person who works with asbestos or used to do so. asbestos legal (great post to read) particles are inhaled by those who are exposed to it. These particles can cause irritation to the linings of the abdomen, which causes cancerous cells to develop in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma can take anywhere between 15 and 60 years to develop after exposure to asbestos lawyer.

Other risk factors include genetics, smoking and age. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely get mesothelioma than people younger or older. This is because mesothelioma typically occurs between 20 and 60 years from the initial exposure to asbestos before symptoms of cancer begin to manifest. It is important to remember, too, that mesothelioma may develop in people who have been exposed to asbestos without having been directly exposed to it. This is referred to as indirect or secondary asbestos exposure and can be as dangerous as direct asbestos exposure.

Smoking increases the risk of developing mesothelioma since it causes mesothelium damage and makes it more prone to asbestos. Mesothelioma can also be aggravated by certain illnesses, including 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 a longer period of time and work with asbestos for longer periods of time. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who had worked with asbestos, and to have asbestos compensation fibers on their clothing. Women are less likely to come exposed to asbestos and they don't usually carry asbestos on their clothing.

Diagnosis

It is difficult to diagnose mesothelioma because its symptoms are often similar to other diseases. Because of this, victims are often wrongly diagnosed.

The first step in identifying mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform a physical exam and take note of the medical history of the patient including asbestos exposure. Doctors can also request an X-ray of the chest or CT scan to check for lumps or other abnormalities, and also to look for evidence of asbestos exposure in the past such as plaques on the pleura (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the buildup of fluid between the lung and the chest wall (known as the pleural effusion).

Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance scan or MRI test, which uses radio waves and magnets in order to produce a series of precise images of inside the body. Another way doctors can diagnose mesothelioma is by performing the procedure of a surgical biopsy. In a surgical biopsy doctors take a tiny part of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum, to be tested further. A pathologist can then examine the tissue using a magnifying glass to determine if it contains cancerous cell.

Mesothelioma can be classified based on the type of mesothelial cells involved, whether these cells are malignant or benign, and the location of the tumor, its type, and the stage of the tumor. Some types of mesothelioma have an increased risk of metastasizing or spreading, so it's important to determine the type of mesothelioma 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 cancer and plan 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 patients with mesothelioma survive for a long time with the disease without it spreading to other areas of their body.

Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma through a variety of mechanisms. Asbestos fibers, which are too small to see or feel through the naked eye, can be airborne and cause irritation to the lining of the lungs (pleura). Over time the irritation causes the formation of scar tissues and eventually tumors.

The pleura is the area that surrounds the lungs and heart, as well as the abdomen. Mesothelium consists of cells that react when exposed to asbestos. They cause inflammation to the tissue and cause it to become scarred. In time, these changes can lead to the development of malignant mesothelioma cancers.

Breathing problems, chest discomfort, or the accumulation of fluid on the lungs are all signs of pleural Msothelioma. In rare cases the cancer may spread to the tissues surrounding the heart and reproductive organs.

If imaging scans show a possible mass in the lungs or stomach the doctor will request a biopsies. During the procedure, doctors will remove small amounts of the fluid or tumor for laboratory analysis. The results can confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis, and indicate the best treatment plan.

There are several types of mesothelioma treatment options, including surgery, chemotherapy and immunotherapy. The majority of doctors use an amalgamation of these techniques. Patients could also benefit from participating in a clinical study of new mesothelioma therapies. Patients can learn more by speaking with a mesothelioma doctor who has treated mesothelioma.