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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 on a regular basis risk developing mesothelioma and other types of lung diseases.

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

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma occurs in the outer lung lining, also known as pleura. It is the most prevalent form of mesothelioma and is responsible for 70 to 79% all diagnosed cases. The condition can cause chest pain, shortness of breathe, and a feeling of heavyness.

Exposure to asbestos, a family of minerals made of microscopic fibers, typically causes this kind of cancer. When inhaled, these fibers, cause irritation and DNA mutations. The pleura surrounds the chest cavity and lungs 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 years after exposure.

Shortness of breath and chest pain are the most common symptoms. Some patients may also feel tightness in their chest or coughing. They may also experience difficulty breathing. People with this cancer have a past 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 have worked in the military are at risk because of the extensive use of asbestos in Navy ships and army bunkers.

The most common staging system for pleural mesothelioma is the TNM (tumor, lymph nodes and metastases) staging system. The stage that a patient is at when they are diagnosed will help their doctor determine the best treatment plan for them. For instance, patients who have mesothelioma pleural stage three or four have a worse prognosis than patients with a lower stage. Mesothelioma in stage four can be spread to the heart, liver or diaphragm. This can make it more difficult to treat and raises the chance of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Unlike pleural mesothelioma, which develops in the lung lining, peritoneal mesothelioma forms in the peritoneum - it is a membrane that lines the abdominal cavity and organs such as the liver and intestines. Like pleural mesothelioma, exposure to asbestos legal case (such a good point) is the cause of peritoneal msothelioma. The disease is less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma, with around 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.

Like pleural mesothelioma, symptoms may take years to appear. Typically, patients suffer from abdominal pain and abdominal swelling. The symptoms of this type of mesothelioma could also include nausea as well as weight loss and fever. A lot of these symptoms are similar to symptoms of gastrointestinal issues, which can cause misdiagnosis.

Doctors can detect mesothelioma by examining the patient's medical history and conducting a physical exam. Imaging tests like X-rays and CT scans are a way to identify mesothelioma. These tests can reveal tumors, as well as other indications of cancer that aren't apparent on an X-ray.

The results of these tests allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and determine the stage. They also offer treatment options. The stage of the disease is determined based on the cell type and whether or the tumor has spread to other parts of the body.

Asbestos exposure is the biggest risk factor. People who have worked in professions that involve asbestos, like plumbing manufacturing, electrical work, or construction, are at a higher risk of developing the disease. Even if they aren't employed in these areas they could be exposed to asbestos through relatives or other sources. This is why anyone who believes they could be at risk should talk to a doctor. If they have any history of exposure to asbestos, a mesothelioma specialist can assist them in learning more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos is the primary risk factor in mesothelioma. It is responsible for as much as 80percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos can happen due to military service, work or living with those who worked with asbestos. When exposed to asbestos attorney, the particles are able to be inhaled into abdomen and lungs. These particles can cause irritation to the linings of the lungs, causing cancerous cells to form in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma may take between 15 and 60 years to develop after exposure to asbestos.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and age. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely to develop mesothelioma than those who are younger or older. Mesothelioma can take between 20 and 60 years before it manifests cancer symptoms after the first exposure. It is important to keep in mind, too, that mesothelioma may develop in people who have been exposed to asbestos, but without having been directly exposed to it. This is known as secondary or indirect asbestos exposure and can be as hazardous as direct asbestos exposure.

Smoking increases the chance of mesothelioma developing, since it damages mesothelium. It also makes it more susceptible. In addition, mesothelioma may be exacerbated by certain illnesses like pneumonia and asbestosis. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma compared to women. This is due to men being more likely to be exposed to asbestos and endure a a longer period of exposure than women. Additionally, men are more likely to live with someone who has was exposed to asbestos and bring stray asbestos settlement fibers home on their clothes. Women are less likely to come in contact with asbestos, and they are less likely to bring asbestos home on their clothing.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is difficult to diagnose because the symptoms are often similar to other diseases. Because of this, victims are often wrongly diagnosed.

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

Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram which examines the blood vessels and the heart as well as a magnetic resonance imaging, also known as MRI test, which makes use of magnets and radio waves to create precise images of the inside of the body. A surgical biopsy is yet another method doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma. A surgical biopsy is when doctors take a small amount of tissue from the peritoneum or pleura to conduct further tests. A pathologist is then able to look at the tissue under a microscope to see if it contains cancerous cells.

Mesothelioma is classified based on the type of mesothelial cells involved, whether these cells are malignant or benign and the location of the tumor, the type, and the stage of the cancer. Certain types of mesothelioma are more likely to develop metastasis or spread, so it is important to establish a definitive diagnosis so that doctors can treat the disease before it goes out of control.

Doctors can also run laboratory tests on a tumor to identify particular proteins, genes and other factors that help them understand the cancer's characteristics and plan treatment. These results are referred to as staging.

Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnose can be frightening. But, it is crucial to remember that the disease is treatable, especially in its early stages. Many patients with mesothelioma survive for years without the disease spreading to other organs of their body.

Exposure to asbestos attorney can trigger mesothelioma in many ways. Asbestos fibers, which are small enough to not be felt or seen with the naked eyes are able to become airborne, irritating the lung's lining (pleura). In time, the irritation leads to the formation of scar tissue that eventually result in tumors.

The Pleura is a protective layer that covers the lungs, heart and abdomen. Mesothelium consists of cells that react when exposed to asbestos. They cause inflammation to the tissue and cause it to scar. Overtime, these changes result in the growth of malignant mesothelioma cancers.

Symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include breathlessness and chest pain, or a buildup of fluid on the lung (pleural effusion). In rare cases, the cancer can grow to the tissues surrounding the heart and reproductive organs.

If imaging scans reveal an underlying mass in the stomach or lungs the doctor will request a biopsies. In the course of the procedure, doctors remove small amounts of liquid or tumor for laboratory testing. The results will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and help determine the best treatment plan.

There are a variety of treatment for mesothelioma including surgery and chemotherapy. Most doctors use combinations of these treatments. Participating in clinical trials of mesothelioma treatments may be beneficial to patients. Patients can find out more by speaking with a mesothelioma doctor who has treated the condition.