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Mesothelioma and Asbestos

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

It can take years for symptoms to show up after exposure to asbestos. Different asbestos types may cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma, a form of cancer, that occurs in the outer lung lining (pleura). It is the most frequent form of mesothelioma and is responsible for 70 to 79% of diagnosed cases. This condition causes chest discomfort, shortness of breath and a feeling of heaviness.

This type of cancer is usually caused by exposure to asbestos, which is a collection of minerals composed of microscopic fibers. These fibers, when inhaled cause irritation and DNA mutations. The pleura surrounds the lungs and chest cavity and therefore, these irritations could affect both the lungs and the heart of a person. Mesothelioma usually doesn't show symptoms until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

The most frequent symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are chest pain and breath shortness. Some patients also experience difficulty breathing or chest tightness. Patients with this cancer have a history of disease that includes asbestos exposure at work. Construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding are the most prevalent jobs which put people at risk risk of developing pleural mesothelioma. People who have served in the military are at an especially high risk because of the extensive use of asbestos in Navy ships and bunkers for the army.

The most popular staging method for pleural mesothelioma is the TNM (tumor lymph nodes, lymph nodes, and metastases) staging system. The stage that the patient is in at the time of diagnosis will help determine the treatment plan they will receive. For example, patients with mesothelioma pleural stage three or four have a less favorable prognosis than patients with lower stages. Mesothelioma in stage four can develop into the liver, heart, or diaphragm. This can make the cancer more difficult to treat, and increase the risk of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

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

As with pleural mesothelioma symptoms may take years to appear. Patients usually have abdominal pain, and may have a mass in their abdomen. This kind of mesothelioma can cause nausea, weight loss, and fever. A lot of these symptoms are similar to those of gastrointestinal issues, which can lead to confusion in diagnosis.

Typically, doctors can identify mesothelioma through an extensive health history and physical examination. Imaging tests such as X-rays or CT scans are a way to detect mesothelioma. These tests can show tumors, as well as other symptoms of cancer that aren't apparent on an X-ray.

The results of these tests allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and establish the stage. They also offer treatments. Staging is determined based on the type of cell and whether or the tumor has spread to other areas of the body.

The most important mesothelioma-related risk factor is asbestos exposure. 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 isn't employed in one of these areas however, they may be exposed to asbestos through family members and other sources. For this reason, anyone who is concerned that they might be at risk should speak to an experienced doctor. A mesothelioma expert can help those with a previous history of asbestos to find out more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos is the most significant risk factor for mesothelioma. It is responsible for as much as 80% of all cases. Exposure to asbestos settlement can occur as a result of work, military service, or living with people who have worked with Asbestos case. When exposed to asbestos, particles can be inhaled into the abdomen and lungs. These particles can cause irritation to the linings and trigger cancerous cells to form in the mesothelium. After exposure to asbestos law mesothelioma is likely to occur between 15 and 60 years old.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and the advancing age. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely be diagnosed with mesothelioma compared to those who are younger or older. This is because mesothelioma usually takes 20 to 60 years after the initial time of exposure before the first signs of cancer appear. It is important to note that mesothelioma can develop in those who have been exposed to asbestos without having directly worked with it. This is known as indirect or secondary exposure to asbestos and it is just as harmful as direct exposure.

Smoking increases a person's chances of developing mesothelioma since it causes mesothelium damage and makes it more prone to asbestos lawsuit. Mesothelioma can also be caused by certain illnesses, including asbestosis and pneumonia. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma compared to women. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for longer periods of time and to have worked with it. Men are also more likely to live with someone who has was exposed to asbestos and bring asbestos claim fibers from their workplace on their clothes. Women are less likely to come into exposure to asbestos and do not typically carry asbestos attorney home on their clothes.

Diagnosis

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

NYU Langone doctors will perform physical examinations and document the patient's medical history, including asbestos exposure. Doctors will also recommend 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 a magnetic resonance scan or MRI test, which makes use of magnets and radio waves in order to produce a series of precise images of the inside of the body. A surgical biopsy is yet another way for doctors to diagnose mesothelioma. During a surgical biopsy, doctors remove a small piece of tissue from the pleura or peritoneum for further analysis. A pathologist will then look at the tissue using an magnifying glass to determine if it contains cancerous cell.

The type of mesothelial cells involved and the benign or malignant nature of those cells, as well as the location the cancer, its type and the stage of the tumour, are used to categorize the disease. Certain types of mesothelioma are at an increased risk of spreading or metastasizing, so it's important to determine the type of mesothelioma to ensure that the doctors can treat it before it becomes out of control.

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

Treatment

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

Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma through a variety of ways. Asbestos fibers, too small to be able to see or feel with the naked eye, can become airborne and irritate the lung's lining (pleura). In time the irritation can lead to the formation of scar tissue, which eventually lead to tumors.

The pleura is the area that surrounds the lungs and the heart, as well as the abdomen. Mesothelium is composed of cells that respond when exposed to asbestos. They cause inflammation to the tissue and cause it to scar. These changes eventually result in malignant mesothelioma tumors.

Breathing problems, chest discomfort or fluid buildup on the lungs are all symptoms of the pleural msothelioma. In rare instances cancer may spread to the tissues that surround the reproductive organs and heart.

A doctor will order a biopsy if imaging scans reveal a possible tumor in the lungs or stomach. During the procedure, doctors take small amounts of the fluid or tumor for lab testing. The results will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma, and also determine the best treatment plan.

There are many types of treatment for mesothelioma including surgery and chemotherapy. The majority of doctors employ a combination of these treatments. Patients can also benefit by enrolling in a clinical trial of new mesothelioma treatment. To find out more, patients should consult a mesothelioma specialist who has had experience treating the disease.