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Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos, a natural mineral, naturally forms in the form of thin, long fibers. People who are exposed to asbestos on a regular basis are at risk of developing mesothelioma as well as other types of lung diseases.

It could take a long time for symptoms to appear after exposure to asbestos. Different asbestos types can cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer of the lung's outer lining also known as pleura. It is the most frequent form of mesothelioma and is responsible for 70 to 79% of all diagnosed cases. Patients suffering from this condition suffer from chest pain and shortness of breath and may experience an ache or heaviness in the chest.

Exposure to asbestos, a group of minerals made of microscopic fibers causes this kind of cancer. When inhaled, these fibers, cause irritation and DNA mutations. Pleura covers both the chest cavity as well as the lungs, so irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma symptoms are usually not apparent until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

The most frequent symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include chest discomfort and shortness of breath. 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 litigation in the workplace. The most common jobs that expose people to the risk of pleural mesothelioma include manufacturing, construction and shipbuilding. People who have served in the military are at risk due to the widespread asbestos Legal usage in Navy vessels and bunkers for the army.

The most common staging method for pleural mesothelioma is the TNM (tumor, lymph nodes and metastases) staging system. The stage that the patient is in at the moment of diagnosis will determine the treatment plan they should receive. For instance, patients who have mesothelioma that is pleural in stage three or four have a worse prognosis than those with lower stages. Stage four mesothelioma may develop into the heart, liver or diaphragm. This can make the cancer more difficult to treat, and increase the risk of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

As opposed to pleural mesothelioma that 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 liver and intestines. Similar to pleural mesothelioma and peritoneal mesothelioma is triggered by asbestos exposure. There are only 300-500 cases diagnosed each year which is lower than pleural asbestosis.

Like pleural mesothelioma, the symptoms can take a long time to manifest. Patients usually experience abdominal pain, and may have a mass in their abdomen. Symptoms of this type of mesothelioma could also include nausea or weight loss, as well as fever. A lot of these symptoms can be mistaken for gastrointestinal problems, leading to a false diagnosis.

Generally, doctors can find mesothelioma after an extensive health history and physical examination. Imaging tests like X-rays or CT scans are a way to identify mesothelioma. These tests can reveal cancerous tumors or other symptoms of cancer that aren't apparent on an X-ray.

These tests enable doctors to diagnose mesothelioma, identify the stage and suggest treatment options. The stage is determined by the type of cell as well as whether the cancer has spread.

The most important risk factor for mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos legal. People who have worked in jobs that involve asbestos, such as plumbing or electrical work, manufacturing or construction, are at greater risk of developing the disease. Even if an individual is not employed in one of these fields however, they may be exposed to asbestos through family members or other sources. Anyone who believes they may be at risk should consult an expert. A mesothelioma specialist can help those who have had a previous history of asbestos to find out more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos is the primary mesothelioma-related risk factor. It is responsible for as much as the 80% of cases. Exposure to asbestos can happen as a result of work, military service, or by living with a person who works with asbestos or was previously exposed to doing the same. Asbestos particles can be breathed in by people who are exposed to it. These particles can cause irritation to the linings and trigger cancerous cells to grow in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma can 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 at a higher risk of developing mesothelioma compared to people who are younger or more. This is because mesothelioma usually occurs between 20 and 60 years from the first exposure before symptoms of cancer begin to manifest. It is also important to know that mesothelioma may develop in people who have been exposed to asbestos, but did not work with it directly. This is known as indirect or secondary asbestos exposure and can be as hazardous as direct asbestos compensation exposure.

Smoking increases a person's chances of developing mesothelioma due to the fact that it causes mesothelium damage and makes it more vulnerable to asbestos. Mesothelioma can also be aggravated by certain illnesses, including asbestosis and pneumonia. It is also important to remember that mesothelioma is more common for men than women. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for a longer period of time and to have worked with asbestos for longer periods of time. Additionally, men are more likely to live with someone who has was exposed to asbestos lawyer and bring stray asbestos fibers home on their clothing. Women tend to be less in contact with asbestos, and they don't usually carry asbestos on their clothing.

Diagnosis

It is difficult to diagnose mesothelioma since its symptoms are often similar to other diseases. This is why patients are often mistakenly diagnosed.

The first step in diagnosing mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform an examination and write down a patient's medical history which includes asbestos exposure. Doctors can also request a chest X-ray or CT scan to detect lumps and other abnormalities, and also to look for evidence of past asbestos exposure like pleural plaques (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the formation of fluid between the lung and 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 uses magnets and radio waves to make a series of precise images of the inside of the body. A surgical biopsy is yet another way for doctors to diagnose mesothelioma. In a surgical biopsy, doctors remove a tiny part of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum, to be tested further. A pathologist can then examine the tissue under a magnifying lens to determine whether it contains cancerous cells.

The type of mesothelial cell involved, the malignant or benign nature of the cells as well as the location and stage of the tumor, are used to classify the disease. Some types of mesothelioma have greater risk of metastasizing or spreading, so it's important to establish a clear diagnosis to ensure that the doctors can treat it before it gets out of control.

Doctors may also conduct tests in the laboratory on tumors to determine particular proteins, genes, or other factors which can help them identify the characteristics of the cancer and determine a treatment. These results are referred to as staging.

Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnose can be frightening. However, it is important to keep in mind that the cancer can be treated, particularly in its earlier stages. Many patients with mesothelioma survive for a long time with the disease without it spreading to other areas of their body.

Asbestos exposure can cause mesothelioma by many mechanisms. Asbestos fibres, tiny enough to be felt or observed with the naked eyes, can become airborne, causing irritation to the lining of the lung (pleura). In time, the irritation causes the formation of scar tissue, which can cause changes in the cell structure that can eventually grow into tumors.

The Pleura is a protective layer that protects the abdomen, heart, and lungs. Mesothelium consists of cells that react when exposed to asbestos. They inflame the tissue and cause it to scar. As time passes, these changes cause the development of malignant mesothelioma tumors.

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

If imaging scans show an underlying mass in the stomach or lungs the doctor will request biopsies. During the procedure, doctors remove small amounts of the fluid or tumor for lab tests. The results can confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and help determine the best treatment plan.

There are a variety of treatment for mesothelioma, including surgery and chemotherapy. The majority of doctors use the combination of these methods. Participating in clinical trials for new mesothelioma treatment may also be beneficial to patients. Patients can find out more by consulting a mesothelioma specialist who has treated mesothelioma.