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Mesothelioma and Asbestos

asbestos lawsuit, a mineral that occurs naturally in the form of long, thin fibers. Workers who are exposed asbestos on a regular basis are at risk of developing mesothelioma or other types of lung diseases.

The symptoms of these diseases may not be evident for a long time after exposure to asbestos. Different asbestos types can cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer of the lung's outer lining also known as the pleura. It is the most common type of mesothelioma, making up between 70 and 79% of diagnosed cases. This condition causes chest pain, shortness of breathe and a feeling of heaviness.

Exposure to asbestos, a class of minerals made of microscopic fibers, usually causes this type of cancer. Once inhaled, the fibers stick inside the lungs and cause irritation that causes scarring and DNA mutations. Pleura surrounds both the chest cavity as well as the lungs, which means that irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma is usually not symptomatic until 30 to 50 year after exposure.

The most frequent symptoms of pleural melanoma are chest pain and shortness of breath. Some patients also experience coughing, difficulty breathing or chest tightness. People with this cancer have a history that includes asbestos exposure at work. The most common jobs that expose people to the risk of developing pleural cancer are manufacturing, construction and shipbuilding. Individuals who have served in the military are at a greater risk due the frequent use of asbestos in Navy vessels and bunkers in the Army.

The TNM (tumors lymph nodes, tumors, and metastases staging system) is the most common staging system used for the pleural cancer. The stage a patient has when they are diagnosed will assist their doctor in determining the most effective treatment plan for them. Patients who have pleural mesothelioma which is in stage three or stage four will suffer a more negative outlook than those in a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma may develop into the liver, heart or diaphragm. This makes it more difficult to treat and increase the chance of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

As opposed to pleural mesothelioma that develops in the lung lining, peritoneal mesothelioma develops in the peritoneum - a membrane that lines the abdominal cavity and organs such as the liver and intestines. Similar to pleural mesothelioma, asbestos exposure is the primary cause of peritoneal mesothelioma. It is estimated that only 300-500 cases are diagnosed each year, which is less than pleural asbestosis.

As with pleural asbestosis, symptoms can take several years to show. The majority of patients suffer from abdominal pain and a mass in the abdomen. The symptoms of this type of mesothelioma may also include nausea, weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms are similar to those of digestive issues, which could result in misdiagnosis.

Generally speaking, doctors can detect mesothelioma after a thorough medical history and physical exam. They may also employ imaging tests like Xrays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to identify mesothelioma. These tests can reveal tumors and other symptoms of cancer that aren't visible on X-rays.

These test results enable doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and establish the stage. They also offer treatments. The stage is determined by the type of cell and whether the cancer has spread.

asbestos law exposure is the most important risk factor. People who have worked in asbestos-related jobs, such as electrical or plumbing work or in construction and manufacturing are more likely to contract the disease. Even if they aren't employed in these areas they may be exposed to asbestos case (related web site) through family members or through other sources. Therefore, anyone who believes they could be at risk should speak to an experienced doctor. A mesothelioma specialist can help those who have a history with asbestos lawyer 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 all cases. Exposure to asbestos can happen due to work, military service or through living with a person who is exposed to asbestos or used to do so. When exposed to asbestos, particles are able to be inhaled into lungs and abdomen. These irritate the linings and trigger cancerous cells to form in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma can take between 15 and 60 years to develop after exposure to asbestos.

Other risk factors include genetics, smoking and age. People in their 40s or 50s are at a higher risk of developing mesothelioma as compared to those younger or older. This is because mesothelioma typically lasts between 20 and 60 years from the first time of exposure before symptoms of cancer begin to manifest. It is important to keep in mind that mesothelioma may develop in those who have been exposed to asbestos, but without having worked with it directly. This is known as secondary or indirect exposure to asbestos, and it could be as hazardous as direct exposure.

Smoking increases the risk of developing mesothelioma since it damages the mesothelium, which makes it more prone to asbestos. Additionally, mesothelioma can be worsened by certain diseases like pneumonia and asbestosis. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than females. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for a longer period of time and work with asbestos for longer periods of time. Also, men are more likely to live with someone who was exposed to asbestos and bring stray asbestos fibers home on their clothes. Women tend to be less exposed to asbestos and they are less likely to bring asbestos settlement home on their clothing.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is a difficult cancer to recognize because the symptoms often resemble other diseases. This could lead to patients being incorrectly diagnosed.

NYU Langone doctors will perform an examination of the body and document the patient's medical history including asbestos exposure. Doctors can also order an X-ray of the chest or CT scan to check for lumps and other abnormalities, and also to look for evidence of past asbestos exposure like plaques on the pleura (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the buildup of fluid between the lung and chest wall (known as pleural effusion).

Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram, which examines the heart and blood vessels and magnetic resonance imaging, also known as MRI, test that uses radio waves and magnets to create detailed images of the inside of the body. A surgical biopsy is another method for doctors to identify mesothelioma. In a surgical biopsy doctors remove a small amount of tissue from the peritoneum or pleura for further testing. A pathologist can then look at the tissue under microscopes to determine if it has cancerous cells.

Mesothelioma is classified based on the mesothelial type involved, whether the cells are benign or malignant and also the location of the tumor, the type, and the stage of the tumor. Some types of mesothelioma are more likely to spread or metastasize which is why it is crucial to get a definite diagnosis so that doctors can treat the disease before it goes out of control.

Doctors may also conduct laboratory tests on a tumor to identify specific genes, proteins or other elements which can help them identify the cancer's characteristics and plan treatment. These results are known as staging.

Treatment

A diagnosis of mesothelioma may be frightening. But, it is crucial to remember that the cancer can be treated, particularly in its earlier stages. Many patients with mesothelioma live with the disease for a long time without expanding.

Exposure to asbestos may cause mesothelioma in a number of ways. Asbestos fibers, which are small enough to not be felt or viewed with the naked eyes, can become airborne and irritate the lung's lining (pleura). Over time irritation can lead to formation of scar tissue, which causes changes in the structure of cells that can eventually grow into tumors.

The Pleura is a covering that surrounds the abdomen, heart, and lungs. Mesothelium consists of cells that respond when exposed to asbestos. They cause inflammation of the tissue and cause it to scar. As time passes, these changes result in the growth of malignant mesothelioma tumors.

Symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include breathing problems and chest pain as well as a buildup of fluid on the lungs (pleural effusion). In rare cases the cancer may grow to the tissues surrounding the heart and reproductive organs.

A doctor may request biopsy if imaging scans reveal a possible tumor in the lungs or stomach. In the course of the procedure, doctors remove small amounts of fluid or tumor for laboratory testing. The results can confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and determine the best treatment option.

There are a variety of mesothelioma treatment options, including surgery, chemotherapy and immunotherapy. Most doctors utilize an amalgamation of these techniques. Enrolling in clinical trials of mesothelioma treatments may be beneficial to patients. Patients can learn more about the trials by speaking with a mesothelioma doctor who has treated mesothelioma.