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Mesothelioma and Asbestos

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

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

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer that affects the outer lung liner (pleura). It is the most prevalent mesothelioma type and is responsible for 70 to 79% of diagnosed cases. The condition can cause chest pain, shortness of breathe and a feeling weightiness.

This type of cancer is often caused by exposure to asbestos which is a collection of minerals comprised of microscopic fibres. Once inhaled, these fibers stick inside the lungs and cause irritation that results in scarring 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 is usually not symptomatic until 30 to 50 year after exposure.

Chest pain and shortness breath are the most common symptoms. Patients may also feel tightness in their chest and coughing, or breathing difficulties. People with this cancer have a past that includes asbestos exposure at work. The most prevalent jobs that expose workers to the risk of developing pleural mesothelioma are manufacturing, construction, and shipbuilding. People who have served in the military could be at risk due to the widespread asbestos use in Navy ships 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 a patient is in at the time of diagnosis will help determine what treatment plan they should follow. Patients with pleural mesothelioma that is in stage three or four will suffer a more negative prognosis than those who are in a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma may develop into the liver, heart, or diaphragm. This makes it more difficult to treat and increases the risk of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Contrary to pleural cancer that develops in the lining of the lung it develops in a membrane that covers the abdominal cavity, which includes organs such as the intestines and the liver. Similar to pleural mesothelioma and peritoneal mesothelioma is triggered by asbestos exposure. Only 300-500 cases are diagnosed each year which is lower than the pleural asbestosis.

As with pleural asbestosis symptoms can take years to manifest. Typically, patients are afflicted with abdominal pain as well as abdominal swelling. Symptoms of this type of mesothelioma can also include nausea or weight loss, as well as fever. Many of these symptoms can be misinterpreted as digestive issues which can lead to a mistaken diagnosis.

The doctors can detect mesothelioma through looking over the medical history of the patient and performing a physical exam. Imaging tests such as X-rays or CT scans are a way to identify mesothelioma. These tests can reveal tumors, as well as other signs of cancer that aren't visible on X-rays.

These tests enable doctors to diagnose 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.

The most significant mesothelioma risk factor is asbestos exposure. People who have been exposed to asbestos in professions, such as plumbing or electrical work, or in construction, manufacturing and manufacturing, are more likely to contract the disease. Even if an individual does not work in one of these fields they could still be exposed through family members and other sources. Therefore, anyone who suspects they may be at risk should speak to a doctor. If they have an history of exposure to Asbestos case, a mesothelioma specialist can help them find out more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos is the main mesothelioma-related risk factor. It is responsible for as much as 80% of all cases. Exposure to asbestos can happen as a result of work, military service, or by living with a person who works with asbestos or has previously done the same. Asbestos particles are inhaled by people who are exposed to asbestos. They can cause irritation to the linings of the abdomen and can cause cancerous cells to form in the mesothelium. Following exposure to asbestos, mesothelioma may occur between 15 and 60 year.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and the advancing age. People in their 40s or 50s are more at chance of developing mesothelioma to people who are younger or more. It takes mesothelioma 20-60 years to manifest cancer symptoms after the first exposure. It is important to remember that mesothelioma can develop in those who were exposed to asbestos, but did not deal with it directly. This is known as secondary or indirect asbestos exposure, and is just as harmful as direct asbestos exposure.

Smoking increases the chance of mesothelioma developing, because it damages the mesothelium. It also makes it more prone to. Furthermore, mesothelioma is worsened by certain diseases like pneumonia and asbestosis. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma compared to women. This is due to men being more likely to work with asbestos and have more exposure than women. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who has been exposed to asbestos, and to have asbestos fibers on their clothing. Women are less likely to come into exposure to asbestos and do not typically carry asbestos around on their clothes.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is a difficult cancer to diagnose because the symptoms can be similar to other conditions. This can lead to victims being wrongly diagnosed.

NYU Langone doctors will perform an examination of the body and document the patient's medical background including asbestos exposure. Doctors may also order an X-ray chest or CT scan to detect lumps or other abnormalities, and also to look for evidence of past asbestos litigation exposure like plaques in the pleura (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the buildup of fluid between the lung and the chest wall (known as the 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 radio waves and magnets to create detailed images of the inside of the body. A surgical biopsy is yet another method for doctors to identify mesothelioma. When a biopsy is performed doctors take a tiny piece of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum to be further examined. A pathologist will then look at the tissue with a magnifying glass to determine if it contains cancerous cells.

Mesothelioma is classified according to the type of mesothelial cell involved, whether those cells are benign or malignant and also the location, type, and stage of the tumor. Certain types of mesothelioma are more likely to grow or spread 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 tests in the lab on a tumor to find specific genes, proteins and other factors that can help them describe the characteristics of the cancer and determine a treatment. These results are referred to as staging.

Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnosis can be an incredibly frightening prospect. But, it is crucial to remember that the disease can be treated, particularly in its initial stages. Many patients with mesothelioma live with the disease for a long time, without spreading.

Exposure to asbestos may cause mesothelioma through a variety of ways. asbestos lawyer particles, which are too small to be able to see or feel through the naked eye, can become 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 structure of cells that eventually develop into tumors.

The Pleura is a covering that protects the abdomen, heart, and lungs. Mesothelium is composed of cells that respond when exposed to asbestos. They cause inflammation to the tissue and cause it to become scarred. As time passes, these changes lead to the development of malignant mesothelioma cancers.

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

A doctor will order biopsy if imaging scans show a potential mass in the lungs or stomach. During the procedure, doctors will remove small amounts of the fluid or tumor for laboratory testing. The results can confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and help determine the best treatment option.

There are many types of treatment for mesothelioma including chemotherapy and surgery. The majority of doctors employ combinations of these treatments. Participating in clinical trials of new mesothelioma treatment may also be beneficial for patients. To find out more, patients should speak to a mesothelioma specialist who has experience treating the condition.