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Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that comes in thin, long fibres. Workers who are regularly exposed to asbestos are at risk of developing lung diseases, such as mesothelioma.

The symptoms of these diseases may not show up for decades after exposure to asbestos lawsuit. Different asbestos types may cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma, a form of cancer, that affects the lung's outer liner (pleura). It is the most common mesothelioma type and accounts for 70% to 79% of diagnosed cases. This condition causes chest pain, breath shortness, and a feeling of weightiness.

Exposure to asbestos, a class of minerals composed of microscopic fibers causes this kind of cancer. 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 This means that these irritations can affect both the lungs as well as a person's heart. Mesothelioma symptoms typically don't show until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

The most frequent symptoms of pleural melanoma are chest pain and breath shortness. Patients may also suffer from chest tightness and coughing, or breathing difficulties. Patients with this type of cancer typically have an history of exposure to asbestos legal in the workplace. Manufacturing, construction and shipbuilding are among the most prevalent occupations which put people at risk chance of developing pleural mesothelioma. People who have served in the military may be at a higher risk because of the extensive asbestos usage in Navy ships and bunkers for the army.

The most common staging method for pleural mesothelioma is the TNM (tumor lymph nodes, lymph nodes, and metastases) staging system. The stage a patient is in upon diagnosis will help their doctor determine the best treatment plan for them. For example, patients with a pleural mesothelioma in stage three or four have a worse prognosis than those with a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma may spread to the heart, liver or diaphragm. This makes it more difficult to treat and increase the likelihood of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

In contrast to pleural mesothelioma which is a lung-lining cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma is found in the peritoneum -- a membrane that lines the abdominal cavity as well as organs such as the intestines and the liver. Similar to pleural mesothelioma, asbestos exposure is the cause of peritoneal mesothelioma. Only 300-500 cases are diagnosed annually, which is less than pleural asbestosis.

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

Generally, doctors can find mesothelioma after an extensive health history and physical exam. Imaging tests like X-rays and CT scans can be used to detect mesothelioma. These tests can reveal tumors and other symptoms of cancer that aren't visible on an X-ray.

These test results allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma, determine the stage of the disease and suggest treatment options. The staging is determined by the type of cell and whether or not the tumor has spread to other regions of the body.

The most important mesothelioma risk factor is asbestos exposure. People who have been in occupations that involve asbestos, like plumbing manufacturing, electrical work, or construction, are at greater risk of developing the disease. Even if an individual is not employed in any of these areas they could still be exposed to asbestos through family members and other sources. Anyone who thinks they may be at risk should consult a doctor. If they have any history of exposure to asbestos or mesothelioma, a specialist can assist them in finding out more about the risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos is the main risk factor for mesothelioma. It is responsible for as much as 80% of all cases. Exposure to asbestos (Anoacademy link for more info) can happen through military service, work or living with someone who used to work with asbestos. asbestos litigation particles can be inhaled by those who are exposed to it. They can cause irritation to the linings of the abdomen and cause cancerous cells to form in the mesothelium. After exposure to asbestos mesothelioma is likely to be diagnosed between 15 and 60 years old.

Other risk factors include genetics, smoking and age. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely be diagnosed with mesothelioma compared to those who are younger or older. It takes mesothelioma between 20 and 60 years to manifest cancer symptoms after the first exposure. It is also important to know that mesothelioma may develop in people who have been exposed to asbestos claim, but did not engage directly with it. This is referred to as indirect or secondary asbestos exposure, and is as hazardous as direct asbestos exposure.

Smoking increases the chance of mesothelioma developing, since it damages mesothelium. It also makes it more prone to. Additionally, mesothelioma can be worsened by certain diseases like asbestosis and pneumonia. It is also important to remember that mesothelioma occurs more frequently in men than women. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for a longer time and to have worked with asbestos for longer periods of time. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who had worked with asbestos, and to have asbestos-containing fibers on their clothing. Women are less likely to come into exposure to asbestos and rarely carry asbestos around on their clothing.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is a difficult disease to diagnose because the symptoms often resemble other conditions. Because of this, victims are often wrongly diagnosed.

NYU Langone doctors will perform a physical examination and record the patient's medical background including asbestos exposure. Doctors will also order an CT scan or chest X-ray in order to look for lumps, abnormalities and evidence of exposure to asbestos. These include plaques on the pleura, pleura that are thickened 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 uses magnets and radio waves to make a series of detailed images of the inside of the body. Another way for doctors to detect mesothelioma is to perform an operation called a biopsy. In a surgical biopsy doctors will remove a small piece of tissue from pleura or the peritoneum, to be tested further. A pathologist can examine the tissue under a microscope to see if it is contaminated with cancerous cells.

Mesothelioma is classified based on the type of mesothelial cells involved, whether these cells are benign or malignant, and the location of the tumor, its type, and the stage of the cancer. 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 gets out of control.

Doctors can also run tests in the laboratory on a tumor to identify specific proteins, genes, or other factors which can help them identify the characteristics of cancer and plan treatment. These results are called staging.

Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnosis can be a frightening prospect. It is important to remember, however, that cancer can be treated, especially at its early stages. Many patients with mesothelioma survive for many years without the disease spreading to other organs of their body.

Exposure to asbestos claim can trigger mesothelioma via a variety of mechanisms. Asbestos fibers, which are too small to detect or feel through the naked eye, can be airborne and cause irritation to the lung's lining (pleura). As time passes the irritation causes the formation of scar tissues, which eventually lead to tumors.

The pleura covers the lungs and heart and the abdomen. Mesothelium consists of cells that respond when exposed to asbestos. They cause inflammation of the tissue and cause it to scar. These changes can lead to malignant mesothelioma tumours.

Shortness of breath, chest pain or fluid accumulation on the lungs are all symptoms of the pleural msothelioma. In rare instances, the cancer can be spread to the tissues around the heart and reproductive organs.

If scans of imaging reveal a possible mass in the lungs or stomach the doctor will request a biopsies. During the procedure, doctors take a small sample of the fluid or tumor for lab analysis. The results will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma, and also determine the best treatment option.

There are many types of treatment for mesothelioma, such as chemotherapy and surgery. The majority of doctors use a combination of these methods. Patients could also benefit from enrolling in a clinical trial of new mesothelioma treatment. Patients can learn more by speaking with a mesothelioma doctor who has treated the disease.