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Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos is a natural mineral that is found in thin, long fibres. Workers who are regularly exposed to asbestos may develop lung diseases, such as mesothelioma.

The symptoms of these diseases might not be evident for a long time after exposure to asbestos. Different asbestos types may cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma occurs in the outer lung lining, or pleura. It is the most prevalent mesothelioma form and is responsible for 70 to 79% of all diagnosed cases. The condition can cause chest pain, breath shortness and a feeling of weightiness.

This type of cancer typically caused by exposure to asbestos lawyer, which is a cluster of minerals comprised of microscopic fibres. The fibers, when inhaled, cause irritation and DNA mutations. The pleura covers the chest cavity and lungs and therefore, these irritations could affect both the lungs and a person's heart. Mesothelioma symptoms are usually not apparent until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

Chest pain and shortness breath are the most frequently reported symptoms. Some patients also experience coughing, difficulty breathing, or chest tightness. People with this cancer have a history that includes asbestos exposure at work. The most prevalent jobs that expose people to the risk of pleural mesothelioma include 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 Army bunkers.

The most common 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 appropriate treatment plan for them. Patients with pleural mesothelioma that is in stage three or four will suffer a more negative prognosis than those who are in a less advanced stage. Stage four mesothelioma is often spread to the liver, diaphragm or even the heart of a patient. 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 develops in the peritoneum, it is a membrane that lines the abdominal cavity as well as organs such as the intestines and liver. As with pleural mesothelioma asbestos exposure is the primary reason for peritoneal msothelioma. It is estimated that only 300-500 cases are diagnosed annually which is lower than the pleural asbestosis.

Like pleural mesothelioma, the symptoms may take years to appear. The majority of patients experience abdominal pain and a mass in the abdomen. Symptoms of this type of mesothelioma can also include nausea as well as weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms are similar to symptoms of gastrointestinal issues, which can lead to misdiagnosis.

The doctors can detect mesothelioma through reviewing the medical history of the patient and performing a physical exam. Imaging tests like X-rays or CT scans are a way to identify mesothelioma. These tests can identify tumors and other signs of cancer which aren't evident on X-rays.

These tests enable doctors to diagnose mesothelioma, determine the stage and suggest treatment options. Staging is determined based on the type of cells and whether or not the tumor has spread to other areas of the body.

The most significant mesothelioma-related risk factor is asbestos exposure. People who have been in occupations that require asbestos, like plumbing, manufacturing, electrical work, or construction, are at greater risk of developing the disease. Even if a person isn't employed in any of these areas however, they may still be exposed through family members and other sources. For this reason, anyone who is concerned that they might be at risk should talk to an experienced doctor. A mesothelioma specialist can help those who have a experience with asbestos case (written by Wookpink) to understand more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos is the most significant mesothelioma-related risk factor. It is responsible for as much as 80percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos can occur as a result of military service, work or living with someone who used to work with asbestos. Asbestos particles are inhaled by those who are exposed to it. These particles can cause irritation to the linings, causing cancerous cells to form in the mesothelium. Following exposure to asbestos mesothelioma is likely to develop between 15 and 60 years old.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and aging. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely get mesothelioma than people younger or more senior. It takes mesothelioma 20-60 years to manifest cancer symptoms after the first exposure. It is important to keep in mind that mesothelioma may occur in those who have been exposed to asbestos, but without having worked with it directly. This is known as secondary or indirect asbestos exposure, and is as dangerous as direct asbestos exposure.

Smoking increases the chance of mesothelioma developing, because it damages the mesothelium. It can also make it more vulnerable. In addition, mesothelioma may be caused by certain illnesses, such as pneumonia and asbestosis. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma 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 durations and to work with it. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who worked with asbestos and to have asbestos-containing fibers on their clothing. Women are less likely to come exposed to asbestos and don't typically bring asbestos home on their clothes.

Diagnosis

It is difficult to diagnose mesothelioma since its symptoms are often similar to other conditions. This can result in patients being misdiagnosed.

The first step in identifying mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform an examination of the body and take down a patient's medical history which includes asbestos exposure. Doctors will also order a CT scan or chest X-ray to check for lumps, abnormalities, and evidence of asbestos lawsuit exposure. 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, which makes use of magnets and radio waves to make a series of detailed images of the interior of the body. A surgical biopsy is yet another method for doctors to identify mesothelioma. During a surgery 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 with a magnifying glass to determine whether it contains cancerous cells.

The mesothelial type involved and the benign or malignant nature of the cells and the location the cancer, its type and the stage of the tumour, are used to classify the disease. Certain types of mesothelioma are at greater risk of spreading or metastasizing, so it's important to determine the type of mesothelioma so that doctors can treat it prior to it becoming out-of-control.

Doctors can also perform tests in the laboratory on tumors to identify specific genes, proteins, or other factors which can help them describe the characteristics of cancer and plan treatment. These results are referred to as staging.

Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnosis can be terrifying. It is crucial to remember that cancer can be treated, particularly in its early stages. A lot of people suffering from mesothelioma live with the disease for a long time, without spreading.

Exposure to asbestos may cause mesothelioma in a number of ways. Asbestos fibres, tiny enough to be felt or observed through the naked eye can be airborne, irritating the lining of the lung (pleura). As time passes the irritation causes the formation of scar tissue, 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 when exposed to asbestos. They cause inflammation of the tissue and cause it to become scarred. As time passes, these changes result in the growth of malignant mesothelioma tumors.

Breathing problems, chest discomfort, or the accumulation of fluid on the lungs are all indications of the pleural msothelioma. In rare instances, cancer can spread into the tissues that surround the reproductive organs and heart.

If imaging scans show an underlying mass in the lungs or stomach the doctor will request a biopsies. During the procedure doctors remove small amounts of liquid or tumor for tests in the laboratory. The results will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and help determine the most effective treatment plan.

There are a variety of treatment for mesothelioma, such as chemotherapy and surgery. Most doctors rely on the combination of these methods. Participating in clinical trials for mesothelioma treatments that are new could be beneficial to patients. Patients can learn more about the trials by speaking with a mesothelioma doctor who has treated mesothelioma.