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Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos is a natural mineral that is made up of long, thin fibres. Workers who are regularly exposed to asbestos may develop lung diseases such as mesothelioma.

The symptoms of these diseases may not show up for decades after exposure to asbestos claim. Different asbestos types can cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer that affects the lung's outer the lining (pleura). It is the most prevalent mesothelioma type and accounts for 70% to 79% of diagnosed cases. Patients with this disease feel chest pain and shortness of breath, and they may feel a sensation of heaviness in the chest.

This kind of cancer is typically caused by exposure to asbestos which is a collection of minerals made up of microscopic fibres. When inhaled, these fibers can cause irritation and DNA mutations. Pleura covers both the chest cavity as well as the lungs, which means that irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma symptoms are usually not apparent until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

Chest pain and shortness breath are the most common symptoms. Patients may also suffer from chest tightness and coughing, or breathing difficulties. People with this cancer have a history of disease that includes asbestos exposure at work. The most common jobs that expose people to the risk of pleural mesothelioma include construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding. People who have served in the military are at a higher risk due to the widespread asbestos use in Navy vessels and bunkers used by the army.

The TNM (tumors lymph nodes and metastases staging system) is the most commonly used staging system for the pleural cancer. The stage that the patient is in at the time of diagnosis can help determine what treatment plan they should follow. For example, patients with a pleural mesothelioma in stage three or four have a worse prognosis than patients with a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma often spreads to the liver, diaphragm or even a person's heart. This can make it more difficult to treat and increase the likelihood of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Unlike pleural mesothelioma, which develops in the lung lining, peritoneal mesothelioma forms in the peritoneum, an elongated membrane that covers the abdominal cavity and organs such as the liver and intestines. Similar to pleural mesothelioma and peritoneal mesothelioma is triggered by asbestos exposure. The disease is less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma, and just 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.

As with pleural asbestosis symptoms can take several years to manifest. Patients usually suffer from abdominal pain and may also have a lump in their abdomen. This kind of mesothelioma can also cause nausea, weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms could be misinterpreted as gastrointestinal issues which 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 like X-rays or CT scans are a way to identify mesothelioma. These tests can identify tumors as well as other signs of cancer which aren't evident on X-rays.

These test results allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma, determine the stage of the disease and suggest treatment options. The staging is determined by the cell type 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 professions which require asbestos, like plumbing or manufacturing, electrical work, or construction, are at a higher risk of developing the disease. Even if someone is not employed in any of these areas they could be exposed to asbestos through family members and other sources. Anyone who suspects that they are at risk should consult a doctor. A mesothelioma expert can help those who have had a history with asbestos to learn more about their risk.

Risk Factors

asbestos attorney case [Read the Full Posting] is the primary risk factor for mesothelioma. It accounts for up to the 80% of cases. Exposure to asbestos can occur as a result of work, military service, or by living with someone who works with asbestos compensation or used to do the same. Asbestos particles are inhaled by people who are exposed to asbestos. These particles irritate the linings, causing cancerous cells to develop in the mesothelium. After asbestos exposure mesothelioma is likely to develop between 15 and 60 years.

Other risk factors include genetics, smoking and aging. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely to get mesothelioma than people younger or older. It is because mesothelioma generally lasts between 20 and 60 years from the initial exposure before symptoms of cancer begin to manifest. It is important to keep in mind, too, that mesothelioma could be present in those who have been exposed to asbestos without having worked with it directly. This is known as secondary or indirect asbestos exposure, and is as hazardous as direct asbestos exposure.

Smoking increases the chance of mesothelioma as it damages the mesothelium. It also makes it more susceptible. Additionally, mesothelioma can be caused by certain illnesses, such as asbestosis and pneumonia. It is also important to know that mesothelioma is more prevalent for men than women. This is due to the fact that men are more likely to work with asbestos and have more exposure than women. Men are also more likely to live with someone who worked with asbestos and carry asbestos fibers from their workplace on their clothes. Women are less likely to come into exposure to asbestos and don't typically carry asbestos home on their clothes.

Diagnosis

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

The first step to diagnose mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform a physical exam and take down a patient's medical history including asbestos exposure. Doctors will also order an CT scan or chest X-ray to look for lumps, abnormalities and evidence of asbestos exposure. These include pleural plaques, 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, or MRI, test, which uses radio waves and magnets to create detailed images of the inside of the body. Another method doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma is by performing a surgical biopsy. During a surgery biopsy doctors will remove a small piece of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum to be examined further. A pathologist can then examine the tissue under a microscope to see if it is contaminated with cancerous cells.

Mesothelioma can be classified based on the type of mesothelial cells 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 a higher risk of spreading or metastasizing and it's crucial to determine the type of mesothelioma so that doctors can treat it before it becomes out of control.

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

Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnosis can be a frightening prospect. It is important to remember, however, that cancer can be treated, particularly in its initial stages. Many patients with mesothelioma be afflicted for a long time, without spreading.

Exposure to asbestos may cause mesothelioma in many ways. Asbestos fibers, too small to see or feel with the naked eye, can be airborne and cause irritation to the lung's lining (pleura). As time passes irritation leads to formation of scar tissue which causes changes in the structure of cells that eventually develop into tumors.

The Pleura is a covering that surrounds the abdomen, heart, and lungs. Mesothelium consists of cells that react when exposed to asbestos. They cause inflammation of the tissue and cause it to scar. These changes can result in malignant mesothelioma tumors.

Shortness of breath, chest pain or fluid accumulation on the lungs are all signs of the pleural msothelioma. In rare instances, the cancer can be spread to the tissues around the heart and reproductive organs.

A doctor will request biopsy if imaging scans show a potential mass in the lungs or stomach. The procedure involves the removal of a small amount of fluid or tumor to allow for laboratory testing. The results will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and help determine the best treatment option.

There are several types of mesothelioma treatment, which include chemotherapy, surgery, and immunotherapy. The majority of doctors employ the combination of these treatments. Patients could also benefit from participating in a clinical study of new mesothelioma treatment. To learn more, patients should consult mesothelioma specialists who have experience treating the condition.