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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 regularly are at risk of developing mesothelioma as well as other lung diseases of different types.

The symptoms of these diseases may not manifest for years after exposure to asbestos. Different asbestos types can cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma occurs in the lung's outer lining or the pleura. It is the most frequent mesothelioma type and accounts for 70% to 79% of diagnosed cases. The condition can cause chest discomfort, shortness of breath, and a feeling of weightiness.

Exposure to asbestos lawyer, a class of minerals comprised of microscopic fibers, typically causes this kind of cancer. Once inhaled, the fibers cling to the lung and cause irritation that leads to scarring and DNA mutations. The pleura is the area that surrounds the chest cavity and lungs This means that these irritations can affect both the lungs as well as the heart of a person. Mesothelioma symptoms typically don't show until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

The most common symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include chest pain and shortness of breath. Patients may also suffer from chest tightness, coughing or difficulty breathing. Patients with this type of cancer have a history of disease that includes asbestos exposure at work. The most frequent jobs that expose workers to the risk of pleural mesothelioma include construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding. Individuals who have been in the military are at risk due to the widespread use of asbestos in Navy vessels and bunkers for the army.

The most common staging system for pleural mysothelioma has been the TNM (tumor lymph nodes, lymph nodes, and metastases) staging system. The stage that the patient is in at the time of diagnosis can help determine what treatment plan they will receive. Patients with pleural mesothelioma that is in stage three or four will have a worse prognosis compared to those who are in a less advanced stage. Mesothelioma in stage four can develop into the heart, liver or diaphragm. This could make the cancer more difficult to treat and increase the chance of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Unlike pleural cancer, that develops in the lung's lining, peritoneal cancer develops in the membrane that covers the abdominal cavity, including organs like the intestines and liver. Like pleural mesothelioma, peritoneal mesothelioma is caused by asbestos exposure. The disease is less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma, with only about 300-500 cases diagnosed each year.

As with pleural mesothelioma symptoms can take years to show. Patients typically experience abdominal pain, and may also have a lump in their abdomen. Symptoms of this type of mesothelioma could also include nausea or weight loss, as well as fever. Many of these symptoms are similar to those experienced by digestive issues, which could cause confusion in diagnosis.

Typically, doctors can identify mesothelioma through an extensive health history and physical examination. They can also use imaging tests like Xrays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to identify mesothelioma. These tests can show cancerous tumors or other signs of cancer that aren't visible on an X-ray.

These tests enable doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and determine the stage and suggest treatment options. The stage is determined by the type of cell and whether the tumor has spread.

Asbestos exposure is the main risk factor. People who have worked in asbestos-containing professions, such as plumbing or electrical work, or in manufacturing and construction are more likely to develop the disease. Even if they do not work in these areas they could be exposed to asbestos through family members or other sources. For this reason, anyone who suspects they may be at risk should talk to an expert. A mesothelioma expert can help those who have had a history with asbestos to learn more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos exposure is the main risk factor for mesothelioma which accounts for as much as 80 percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos may occur through work, military service, or through living with a person who is exposed to asbestos or has previously done such. When exposed to asbestos, particles can be inhaled into the abdomen and lungs. These particles can cause irritation to the linings, causing cancerous cells to develop in the mesothelium. After exposure to asbestos, mesothelioma may occur between 15 and 60 years.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics, and the advancing age. People in their 40s and 50s are at greater chance of developing mesothelioma to people who are younger or more. This is because mesothelioma usually takes 20 to 60 years from the first exposure to asbestos before the first signs of cancer appear. It is also important to know that mesothelioma can develop in those who were exposed to asbestos litigation but didn't deal with it directly. This is known as secondary or indirect asbestos exposure. It can be just as harmful as direct asbestos exposure.

Smoking increases the chance of mesothelioma developing, since it damages mesothelium. It can also make it more vulnerable. Additionally, mesothelioma can be worsened by certain diseases like pneumonia and asbestosis. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than women. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos claim for a longer time and to work with asbestos for longer durations and to work with it. Men are also more likely to live with someone who has worked with asbestos and carry stray asbestos fibers home on their clothes. Women tend to be less exposed to asbestos and they are less likely to carry asbestos legal, linked web site, on their clothes.

Diagnosis

It is difficult to identify mesothelioma due to its symptoms being often similar to other conditions. This can lead to victims being misdiagnosed.

NYU Langone doctors will perform physical examinations and document the patient's medical background including asbestos exposure. Doctors will also order an CT scan or chest X-ray to check for lumps, abnormalities and evidence of asbestos exposure. These include pleural plaques, thickened pleura and calcium deposits.

Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance imaging or MRI test, that uses radio waves and magnets to create a series of detailed images of the insides of the body. Another way for doctors to detect mesothelioma is through a surgical biopsy. During a surgery biopsy doctors take a tiny part of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum to be examined further. A pathologist will then look at the tissue using an magnifying glass to determine if it contains cancerous cell.

Mesothelioma is classified according to the type of mesothelial cell involved, whether the cells are benign or malignant and the location of the tumor, its type, and the stage of the tumor. Some types of mesothelioma are more likely to develop metastasis or spread which is why it is crucial to establish a definitive diagnosis so doctors can treat the disease before it goes out of control.

Doctors may also conduct tests in the lab on a tumor to identify specific genes, proteins and other factors that can help them describe the characteristics of the cancer and determine a treatment. These results are called staging.

Treatment

A diagnosis of mesothelioma may be terrifying. It is crucial to remember, however, that cancer can be treated especially at its early stages. A lot of people suffering from mesothelioma endure the disease for many years without it spreading.

Exposure to asbestos compensation can cause mesothelioma through many mechanisms. Asbestos fibres, tiny enough to be felt or viewed with the naked eyes are able to become airborne and irritate the lining of the lung (pleura). Over time, the irritation causes the formation of scar tissue, which leads to changes in the structure of cells that can eventually grow into tumors.

The pleura is the area that surrounds the lungs and the heart, as well as the abdomen. Mesothelium is made up of cells that respond when exposed to asbestos. They inflame the tissue and cause it to become scarred. These changes eventually cause mesothelioma cancers.

A shortness of breath, chest pain or fluid accumulation on the lungs are all symptoms of pleural mesothelioma. 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 stomach or lungs doctors will recommend a biopsies. During the procedure, doctors will remove a small sample of the fluid or tumor for laboratory analysis. The results will confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis, and determine the most effective treatment plan.

There are many types of mesothelioma treatment options, including surgery, chemotherapy and immunotherapy. The majority of doctors employ the combination of these treatments. Patients could also benefit from enrolling in a clinical trial of new mesothelioma therapies. To find out more, patients should speak with a mesothelioma specialist who has expertise in treating the condition.