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Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos is a naturally occurring 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.

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

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma is a type of cancer that affects the lung's outer lining (pleura). It is the most prevalent mesothelioma type and accounts for 70% to 79% of all diagnosed cases. Patients with this disease feel chest pain and shortness of breath, and they may feel a sensation of heaviness in the chest.

This type of cancer is typically caused by exposure to asbestos which is a cluster of minerals composed of microscopic fibers. Once inhaled, the fibers are absorbed into the lung and cause irritation that results in scarring and DNA mutations. Pleura surrounds both the chest cavity and the lungs, which means that irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma symptoms are usually not apparent until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

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

The most commonly used staging system for pleural mesothelioma is the TNM (tumor lymph nodes, lymph nodes and metastases) staging system. The stage that a patient is at at diagnosis will assist their doctor in determining the most appropriate treatment plan for them. For instance, patients who have a pleural mesothelioma in stage three or four have a poorer prognosis than those in a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma may be spread to the liver, heart, or diaphragm. This makes it more difficult to treat and raises the risk of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Unlike pleural cancer, which forms in the lung's lining, peritoneal cancer develops in a membrane that covers the abdominal cavity, which includes organs such as the liver and intestines. As with pleural mesothelioma asbestos lawsuit exposure is the cause of peritoneal msothelioma. The disease is less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma, and around 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.

As with pleural mesothelioma symptoms may take years to appear. Typically, patients experience abdominal pain and abdominal swelling. The symptoms of this type of mesothelioma can also include nausea, weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms could be misinterpreted as digestive issues, leading to a misdiagnosis.

Doctors can identify mesothelioma by reviewing the medical history of the patient and performing a physical examination. They can also use imaging tests like Xrays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to identify mesothelioma. These tests can identify tumors as well as other signs of cancer that aren't evident 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 and whether the cancer has spread.

The most significant mesothelioma-related risk factor is exposure to asbestos. People who have been in occupations that require asbestos, such as plumbing, manufacturing, electrical work, or construction, are at increased risk of developing the disease. Even if they do not work in these fields they may be exposed to asbestos through relatives or other sources. Therefore, anyone who believes they could be at risk should talk to an experienced doctor. A mesothelioma specialist can assist those who have had 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 80percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos can occur as a result of work, military service or through living with a person who is exposed to asbestos or was previously exposed to doing such. When exposed to asbestos, small particles can be inhaled into the lungs and abdomen. The particles cause irritation to the linings, causing cancerous cells to form in the mesothelium. After asbestos exposure, mesothelioma may occur between 15 and 60 years old.

Other risk factors include genetics, smoking and age. The people in their 40s or 50s are at a higher risk of developing mesothelioma compared to people who are younger or more. This is because mesothelioma typically takes 20 to 60 years from the first exposure to asbestos before symptoms of cancer begin to manifest. It is also important to know that mesothelioma can develop in people who have been exposed to asbestos but didn't deal with it directly. This is referred to as indirect or secondary exposure to asbestos. It could be as hazardous as direct exposure.

Smoking can increase the likelihood of developing mesothelioma due to the fact that it causes mesothelium damage and makes it more vulnerable to asbestos. Additionally, mesothelioma can be exacerbated by certain illnesses like pneumonia and asbestosis. It is also important to remember that mesothelioma is more prevalent in men than women. This is due to men being more likely to be exposed to asbestos and endure a a longer period of exposure than women. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who had worked with asbestos (Click On this page), and to have asbestos attorney fibers on their clothing. Women are less likely to come exposed to asbestos law, and don't typically bring asbestos home on their clothes.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is difficult to diagnose because the symptoms are often similar to other diseases. This is why patients are sometimes wrongly diagnosed.

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

Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram which examines the heart and blood vessels, and a magnetic resonance imaging, also known as MRI test, which makes use of magnets and radio waves to make a series of precise images of the inside of the body. Another method doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma is by performing an operation called a biopsy. During a surgical biopsy, doctors remove a small amount of tissue from the pleura or peritoneum for further testing. A pathologist can then examine the tissue under a microscope to see if it has cancerous cells.

Mesothelioma is classified according to the type of mesothelial cell involved, whether these cells are malignant or benign and the location, type, and stage of the tumor. Certain mesothelioma types have greater risk of metastasizing or spreading and it's crucial to determine the type of mesothelioma so that doctors can treat it before it gets out of control.

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

Treatment

A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be terrifying. It is important to remember, however, that cancer can be treated, particularly in its initial stages. Many patients with mesothelioma survive for a long time with the disease, without spreading to other organs of their body.

Exposure to asbestos may cause mesothelioma in a number of ways. Asbestos particles, which are too small to detect or feel by the naked eye can be airborne and cause irritation to the lining of the lungs (pleura). As time passes irritation can lead to formation of scar tissue which causes changes in the cell structure that eventually develop into tumors.

The pleura is the area that surrounds the lungs and the heart, as well as the abdomen. Mesothelium consists of cells that react to exposure to asbestos, causing it to inflame and develop scar tissue. These changes can eventually result in malignant mesothelioma tumors.

Shortness of breath, chest pain or fluid accumulation on the lungs are all indications of the pleural Msothelioma. In rare instances the cancer may spread to the tissues surrounding the heart and reproductive organs.

If imaging scans reveal a possible mass in the stomach or lungs the doctor will request a biopsies. During the procedure, doctors will remove small amounts of the fluid or tumor for lab tests. The results can confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and provide the best treatment option.

There are a variety of treatment for mesothelioma, including surgery and chemotherapy. The majority of doctors use an amalgamation of these techniques. Participating in clinical trials of mesothelioma treatments that are new could be beneficial to patients. Patients can learn more by consulting a mesothelioma expert who has treated the condition.