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Mesothelioma and Asbestos

asbestos lawyer is a naturally occurring mineral that is found in long, thin fibres. People who are regularly exposed to asbestos may develop lung diseases, such as mesothelioma.

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

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma is a type of cancer that affects the lung's outer lining (pleura). It is the most frequent type of mesothelioma, making up 70% to 79% of all diagnosed cases. People with this condition feel chest pain and shortness of breath and may also feel the sensation of weight in the chest.

Exposure to asbestos law, a class of minerals composed of microscopic fibers, usually causes this kind of cancer. These fibers, when inhaled, cause irritation and DNA mutations. The pleura covers the lungs and chest cavity, so these irritations can affect both the lungs and the heart of a person. Mesothelioma symptoms typically don't show until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

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

The TNM (tumors lymph nodes, tumors, and metastases staging system) is the most common staging system for the pleural adenocarcinoma. The stage a patient has at diagnosis will aid their doctor in determining the most effective treatment plan for them. For example, patients with mesothelioma that is pleural in stage three or four have a less favorable prognosis than those with a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma often spreads to the diaphragm, the liver or even a person's heart. This makes the cancer more difficult to treat, and increase the chance of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Unlike pleural mesothelioma, which develops in the lung lining, peritoneal mesothelioma develops in the peritoneum -- a membrane that lines the abdominal cavity and organs such as the intestines and the liver. As with pleural mesothelioma exposure to asbestos is the reason for peritoneal msothelioma. The disease is less common than pleural mesothelioma, with around 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.

Like pleural mesothelioma, symptoms may take years to appear. Patients usually have abdominal pain, and could also experience a mass in their abdomen. This type of mesothelioma may cause nausea, weight loss, and fever. A lot of these symptoms are similar to those experienced by digestive problems, which can result in confusion in diagnosis.

Doctors can detect mesothelioma by examining the patient's medical history and performing a physical exam. They can also use imaging tests such as X-rays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to help find mesothelioma. These tests can reveal tumors and other signs of cancer which aren't visible on X-rays.

These tests enable doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and determine the stage. They can also recommend treatments. The staging is determined by the type of cells and whether or the tumor has spread to other parts of the body.

The most important mesothelioma risk factor is asbestos exposure. People who have been exposed to asbestos in jobs, such as electrical or plumbing work, or in construction and manufacturing are more likely to develop the disease. However, even if people do not work in these fields they may be exposed to asbestos through relatives or other sources. Anyone who believes they are at risk should consult an expert. A mesothelioma specialist can assist those with a experience with asbestos to understand more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos is the primary mesothelioma-related risk factor. It is responsible for up to 80percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos lawyer may occur through work, military service, or living with those who worked with asbestos. When exposed to asbestos, small particles can be breathed into the lungs and abdomen. These irritate the linings and can cause cancerous cells to form in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma can take between 15 and 60 years to develop following exposure to asbestos.

Other risk factors include genetics, smoking and aging. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely to be diagnosed with mesothelioma compared to those who are younger or older. It is because mesothelioma generally lasts between 20 and 60 years after the initial time of exposure before symptoms of cancer begin to manifest. It is important to note that mesothelioma could develop in people who have been exposed to asbestos attorney, but without having been directly exposed to it. This is known as indirect or secondary asbestos exposure. It can be just as harmful as direct asbestos exposure.

Smoking increases a person's chances of developing mesothelioma due to the fact that it damages the mesothelium, which makes it more susceptible to asbestos. Mesothelioma can also be caused by certain illnesses, including asbestosis and pneumonia. It is also important to know that mesothelioma is more prevalent in men than women. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for a longer period of time and to work with asbestos for longer periods of time. Additionally, men are more likely to live with someone who has was exposed to asbestos and bring stray asbestos fibers home on their clothes. Women are less likely to come exposed to asbestos, and they are less likely to bring asbestos home on their clothes.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is a difficult cancer to recognize because the symptoms often resemble other diseases. This can result in patients being wrongly diagnosed.

NYU Langone doctors will perform an examination of the body and document the patient's medical background including asbestos exposure. Doctors may also order an X-ray chest or CT scan to check for lumps and 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, that uses radio waves and magnets to create a series of detailed images of the inside of the body. A surgical biopsy is a different way for doctors to diagnose mesothelioma. A surgical biopsy is when doctors remove a small piece of tissue from the pleura or peritoneum for further analysis. A pathologist can then examine the tissue under an magnifying glass to determine if it contains cancerous cell.

Mesothelioma is classified according to the type of mesothelial cell involved, whether these cells are malignant or benign, and the location of the tumor, its type, and the stage of the cancer. Certain types of mesothelioma are at a higher risk of metastasizing or spreading and it's crucial to get a definitive diagnosis so doctors can treat it before it gets out-of-control.

Doctors may also conduct tests in the laboratory on tumors to determine particular proteins, genes and other factors that can help them describe the characteristics of the cancer and determine a treatment. These results are known as staging.

Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnosis can be an incredibly frightening prospect. It is important to keep in mind that cancer can be treated, particularly in its early stages. Many mesothelioma patients live for years with the disease without it spreading to other organs of their body.

Asbestos exposure can trigger mesothelioma via many mechanisms. Asbestos fibers, too small to detect or feel by the naked eye can become airborne and irritate the lining of the lungs (pleura). Over time the irritation causes the formation of scar tissues that eventually result in tumors.

The pleura is a protective covering that protects the lungs, heart and abdomen. Mesothelium is made up of cells that react to asbestos and cause it to enflame and create scar tissue. In time, these changes can lead to the development of malignant mesothelioma tumors.

Symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include shortness of breath and chest pain as well as a buildup of fluid on the lungs (pleural effusion). In rare instances, cancer can spread into the tissues around the reproductive organs and heart.

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

There are a variety of mesothelioma treatments, which include chemotherapy, surgery, and immunotherapy. Most doctors rely on a combination of these methods. Patients may also benefit from enrolling in a clinical trial of new mesothelioma treatment. Patients can learn more about the trials by speaking with a mesothelioma doctor who has treated the condition.