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Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos is a mineral that occurs naturally in the form of thin, long fibers. People who are exposed to asbestos regularly are at risk of developing mesothelioma or other types of lung diseases.

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

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer that develops in the lung's outer liner (pleura). It is the most frequent mesothelioma type and accounts for 70% to 79% all diagnosed cases. People with this condition feel chest pain and shortness of breath, and they may feel an ache or heaviness in the chest.

This kind of cancer is usually caused by exposure to asbestos, which is a cluster of minerals that are composed of microscopic fibers. The fibers, when inhaled can cause irritation and DNA mutations. Pleura is the lining of both the chest cavity and the lungs, which means that irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma symptoms typically don't show until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

Chest pain and shortness breath are the most frequently reported symptoms. Some patients also experience difficulty breathing, or chest tightness. People who suffer from this cancer usually have a history of exposure to asbestos in the workplace. Construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding are the most frequent jobs that put people at high risk of developing pleural mesothelioma. Individuals who have served in the military are at greater risk due the extensive use asbestos in Navy vessels and bunkers for the Army.

The most popular staging system for pleural mesothelioma is the TNM (tumor lymph nodes, lymph nodes and metastases) staging system. The stage that a patient is at upon diagnosis will assist their doctor in determining the most effective treatment plan for them. For instance, patients suffering from mesothelioma pleural stage three or four have a poorer prognosis than those in a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma often spreads to the diaphragm, liver and/or a person's heart. This can make it more difficult to treat and increase the likelihood of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

In contrast to pleural cancer, which is found in the lung's lining the peritoneal cancer is a result of the membrane that covers the abdominal cavity, which includes organs such as the intestines and liver. Like pleural mesothelioma, asbestos exposure is the cause of peritoneal mesothelioma. There are only 300-500 cases diagnosed each year which is lower than pleural asbestosis.

Like pleural mesothelioma, symptoms can take a long time to manifest. Most patients are afflicted with abdominal pain as well as an abdominal mass. This type of mesothelioma may cause nausea, weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms are similar to those of digestive issues, which could result in incorrect diagnosis.

Generally speaking, doctors can detect mesothelioma by conducting an exhaustive health history and physical examination. Imaging tests like X-rays or CT scans can be used to identify mesothelioma. These tests can show cancerous tumors or other symptoms of cancer that aren't visible on X-rays.

The results of these tests allow doctors to identify mesothelioma, and determine the stage. They can also recommend treatments. The stage is determined by the type of cell as well as whether the tumor has spread.

asbestos lawyer exposure is the main risk factor. People who have been exposed to asbestos in jobs, such as plumbing or electrical work, or in construction, manufacturing and manufacturing, are more likely to develop the disease. Even if a person isn't employed in one of these areas, he or she can be exposed to asbestos through family members or other sources. For this reason, anyone who believes they could be at risk should speak to an expert. A mesothelioma specialist can assist those who have a previous history of asbestos to find out more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos exposure is a major mesothelioma risk factor, making up as much as 80 percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos may occur as a result of work, military service, or by living with someone who works with asbestos or has previously done the same. When exposed to asbestos, the particles are able to be inhaled into lungs and abdomen. They can cause irritation to the linings of the abdomen and can cause cancerous cells to develop in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma can take anywhere between 15 and 60 years to develop following exposure to asbestos.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and the advancing age. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely get mesothelioma than people younger or older. It takes mesothelioma 20-60 years to manifest cancer symptoms after the first exposure. It is also important to know that mesothelioma is a possibility in those who were exposed to asbestos, but did not deal with it directly. This is called secondary or indirect exposure to asbestos. It is just as harmful as direct exposure.

Smoking increases a person's chances of getting mesothelioma because it damages the mesothelium and makes it more vulnerable to asbestos. In addition, mesothelioma may be caused by certain illnesses, such as asbestosis and pneumonia. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than females. This is due to men being more likely to work with asbestos and have a longer period of exposure than women. Additionally, men are more likely to live with someone who has worked with asbestos settlement and carry stray asbestos fibers home on their clothing. Women are less likely to be in contact with asbestos case (Link Website), and they don't usually carry asbestos settlement on their clothes.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is a difficult disease to diagnose because the symptoms are often similar to other diseases. This can lead to victims being misdiagnosed.

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

Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram, which examines the blood vessels and the heart and magnetic resonance imaging, also known as MRI, test that uses radio waves and magnets to create detailed images of the interior of the body. Another method doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma is by performing the procedure of a surgical biopsy. A surgical biopsy is when doctors take a small amount of tissue from the peritoneum or pleura for further analysis. A pathologist will then look at the tissue with an magnifying glass to determine whether it contains cancerous cell.

The type of mesothelial cells involved, the malignant or benign nature of those cells, as well as the location and stage of the cancer are used to classify the disease. Certain types of mesothelioma are at an increased chance of metastasizing or spreading therefore it is essential to determine the type of mesothelioma to ensure that the doctors can treat it before it gets out of control.

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

Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnose can be terrifying. It is important to keep in mind, however, that cancer can be treated, especially at its early stages. Many patients with mesothelioma survive for years with the disease, without spreading to other parts of their body.

Exposure to asbestos may cause mesothelioma in a number of ways. Asbestos particles, which are too small to be able to see or feel through the naked eye, can become airborne and cause irritation to the lung's lining (pleura). As time passes irritation leads to formation of scar tissue, which leads to changes in the cell structure which eventually lead to tumors.

The Pleura is a protective layer that surrounds the lungs, heart and abdomen. Mesothelium is composed of cells that react to exposure to asbestos which causes it to become inflamed and create scar tissue. These changes eventually lead to malignant mesothelioma tumours.

The signs of pleural mesothelioma can include breathlessness and chest pain, or a buildup of fluid in the lung (pleural effusion). In rare instances cancer can spread to the tissues around the reproductive organs and the heart.

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

There are a variety of treatment for mesothelioma such as chemotherapy and surgery. Most doctors use a combination of these treatments. Participating in clinical trials for mesothelioma treatments may be beneficial to patients. To find out more, patients should speak to a mesothelioma specialist who has had experience treating the disease.