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Mesothelioma and Asbestos

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

It can take years before symptoms begin to manifest after exposure to asbestos. Different types of asbestos lawsuit may cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma is a type of cancer that develops in the lung's outer lining (pleura). It is the most prevalent mesothelioma form and accounts for 70% to 79% all diagnosed cases. Patients suffering from this condition experience pain in the chest and breath shortness and may experience an ache or heaviness in the chest.

This type of cancer is often caused by exposure to asbestos, which is a collection of minerals made up of microscopic fibres. Once inhaled, these fibers cling to the lungs and cause irritation that causes scarring and DNA mutations. The pleura surrounds the lungs and chest cavity and therefore, these irritations could affect both the lungs as well as the heart of a person. Mesothelioma typically doesn't manifest until 30 to 50 year after exposure.

Shortness of breath and chest pain are the most frequent symptoms. Some patients have coughing problems, trouble breathing, or chest tightness. People with this cancer have a past that includes asbestos exposure at work. Construction, manufacturing, and shipbuilding are the most frequent jobs that put people at high risk of developing pleural mesothelioma. People who were in the military are at a greater risk due the widespread use of asbestos in Navy vessels and bunkers for the Army.

The most commonly used staging system for pleural mysothelioma has been the TNM (tumor, lymph nodes and metastases) staging system. The stage that a patient is in at the moment of diagnosis will determine what treatment plan they will receive. For instance, patients suffering from mesothelioma that is pleural in stage three or four have a less favorable prognosis than those in a lower stage. Mesothelioma in stage four can spread to the liver, heart, or diaphragm. This makes it more difficult to treat and increase the likelihood of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Contrary to pleural cancer that develops in the lining of the lung it develops in the membrane that covers the abdominal cavity, which includes organs such as the intestines and the liver. Like pleural mesothelioma, peritoneal mesothelioma is caused by asbestos exposure. The disease is less common than pleural mesothelioma, and around 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.

As with pleural asbestosis symptoms can take years to show. The majority of patients experience abdominal pain and abdominal swelling. This kind of mesothelioma can cause nausea, weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms could be misinterpreted as digestive issues and can lead to a misdiagnosis.

Generally, doctors can find mesothelioma by conducting an exhaustive health history and physical exam. They can also utilize imaging tests like Xrays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to help find mesothelioma. These tests can identify tumors and other signs of cancer that are not visible on X-rays.

These test results allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and determine the stage and recommend treatment options. The stage of the disease is determined based on the type of cell and whether or the cancer has spread to other areas of the body.

Asbestos Legal exposure is the main risk factor. People who have worked in professions that involve asbestos, like plumbing manufacturing, electrical work, or construction, are at increased risk of developing the disease. Even if an individual is not employed in one of these fields they could still be exposed through family members and other sources. Anyone who believes they may be at risk should consult a doctor. If they have a history of asbestos exposure or mesothelioma, a specialist can assist them in finding out more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos exposure is a major risk factor for mesothelioma, making up as much as 80 percent of all cases. Exposure to asbestos may occur due to work, military service, or by living with a person who works with asbestos or has previously done the same. asbestos litigation particles are inhaled by people who are exposed to it. These particles can cause irritation to the linings of the abdomen, which causes cancerous cells to form in the mesothelium. After asbestos exposure, mesothelioma may be diagnosed between 15 and 60 years.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and age. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely get mesothelioma than people younger or more senior. This is because mesothelioma usually takes 20 to 60 years after the initial time of exposure before symptoms of cancer begin to manifest. It is also important to note that mesothelioma is a possibility in those who were exposed to asbestos but didn't engage directly with it. This is referred to as secondary or indirect asbestos exposure. It can be as hazardous as direct asbestos exposure.

Smoking increases the chance of mesothelioma developing, because it damages the mesothelium. It also makes it more susceptible. Furthermore, mesothelioma is caused by certain illnesses, such as pneumonia and asbestosis. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma compared to women. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for a longer time and to have worked with it. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who has worked with asbestos and to carry asbestos fibers on their clothing. Women are less likely to come into contact with asbestos and don't typically carry asbestos on their clothes.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is a difficult disease to recognize because the symptoms can be similar to other conditions. This can lead to victims being misdiagnosed.

The first step to diagnose mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform an examination of the body and take note of the medical history of the patient, including asbestos exposure. Doctors may also order an X-ray chest or CT scan to look for lumps or other abnormalities, and also to look for evidence of previous asbestos exposure like plaques in the pleura (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the formation of fluid between the lung and the chest wall (known as the pleural effusion).

Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance image, or MRI test, which uses radio waves and magnets to produce a series of precise images of the insides of the body. A surgical biopsy is another method for doctors to identify mesothelioma. In a surgical biopsy doctors take a tiny part of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum, to be tested further. A pathologist will then look at the tissue under an magnifying glass to determine if it contains cancerous cells.

Mesothelioma is classified according to the type of mesothelial cell involved, whether those cells are benign or malignant and also the location of the tumor, its type, and the stage of the tumor. Certain types of mesothelioma may be more likely to spread or metastasize and spread, therefore it is essential to get a definite diagnosis so doctors can treat the disease before it becomes out of control.

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

Treatment

A diagnosis of mesothelioma may be frightening. It is important to remember, however, that cancer can be treated especially at its early stages. Many patients with mesothelioma endure the disease for a long time, without spreading.

Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma by a variety of mechanisms. Asbestos fibres, small enough to not be felt or viewed with the naked eyes are able to become airborne, causing irritation to the lining of the lung (pleura). As time passes irritation can lead to formation of scar tissue, which can cause changes in the structure of cells which eventually lead to tumors.

The pleura is a protective covering that protects the lungs, heart and abdomen. Mesothelium is made up of cells that react to asbestos, causing it to inflame and form scar tissue. Overtime, these changes cause the development of malignant mesothelioma tumors.

Shortness of breath, chest discomfort, or the accumulation of fluid on the lungs are all indications of pleural msothelioma. In rare cases, the cancer can grow to the tissues surrounding the heart and reproductive organs.

If scans of imaging reveal a possible mass in the lungs or stomach doctors will recommend biopsies. During the procedure doctors remove a small amount of fluid or tumor for lab tests. The results will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and determine the best treatment plan.

There are many types of treatment for mesothelioma including surgery and chemotherapy. Most doctors use the combination of these treatments. Patients could also benefit from enrolling in a clinical trial of new mesothelioma therapies. To learn more about the trials, patients should consult mesothelioma specialists who have experience treating the condition.