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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 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 asbestos types can cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma is a type of cancer that occurs in the lung's outer lining (pleura). It is the most prevalent mesothelioma that accounts for up 70 to 79% of diagnosed cases. The condition can cause chest pain, shortness of breathe and a feeling heaviness.

Exposure to asbestos, a class of minerals made of microscopic fibers causes this type of cancer. These fibers, when inhaled cause irritation and DNA mutations. The pleura surrounds the chest cavity and lungs and therefore, these irritations could affect both the lungs as well as the heart of a person. Mesothelioma is usually not symptomatic until 30 to 50 year after exposure.

The most commonly reported symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include chest pain and shortness of breath. Some patients also experience difficulty breathing, or chest tightness. People who suffer from this cancer usually have an history of exposure to asbestos in the workplace. The most common jobs that expose workers to the risk of pleural mesothelioma include manufacturing, construction and shipbuilding. People who served in the military are at greater risk due to the widespread use of asbestos in Navy vessels and bunkers in the Army.

The most common staging system for pleural mesothelioma is the TNM (tumor, lymph nodes and metastases) staging system. The stage a patient has upon diagnosis will aid their doctor in determining the most effective treatment plan for them. Patients who have pleural mesothelioma which is in stage three or stage four will suffer a more negative outlook 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 chances of complications for patients.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Unlike pleural mesothelioma, which develops in the lung lining, peritoneal mesothelioma develops in the peritoneum - an elongated membrane that covers the abdominal cavity as well as organs such as the liver and intestines. Similar to pleural mesothelioma, exposure to asbestos is the cause of peritoneal msothelioma. Only 300-500 cases are diagnosed each year this is less than pleural asbestosis.

As with pleural asbestosis, symptoms can take years to show. Most patients are afflicted with abdominal pain as well as an abdominal mass. This kind of mesothelioma can cause nausea, weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms are similar to those experienced by gastrointestinal issues, which can cause confusion in diagnosis.

Typically, doctors can identify mesothelioma after an exhaustive health history and physical exam. Imaging tests like X-rays or CT scans can be used to identify mesothelioma. These tests can identify tumors and other signs of cancer that are not evident on X-rays.

These tests enable doctors to identify mesothelioma, and determine the stage. They also offer treatments. Staging is determined based on the type of cell and whether or not the tumor has spread to other parts of the body.

Asbestos exposure is the main risk factor. People who have worked in asbestos-containing occupations, like plumbing or electrical work, or in construction, manufacturing and manufacturing are more likely to contract the disease. However, even if people do not work in these areas they may be exposed to asbestos through family members or through other sources. Anyone who thinks they are at risk should talk to a doctor. A mesothelioma expert can help those who have a history with asbestos to learn more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos is the primary risk factor in mesothelioma. It accounts for up to 80% of all cases. Exposure to asbestos can occur as a result of military service, work or living with people who have worked with asbestos lawsuit. When exposed to asbestos, small particles can be breathed into the lungs and abdomen. The particles cause irritation to the linings of the lungs, causing cancerous cells to develop in the mesothelium. Following exposure to asbestos law mesothelioma is likely to develop between 15 and 60 years old.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and age. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely to be diagnosed with mesothelioma compared to those who are younger or more senior. This is because mesothelioma typically takes 20 to 60 years from the first exposure before the first signs of cancer appear. It is important to remember that mesothelioma is a possibility in those who were exposed to asbestos but did not work with it directly. This is called indirect or secondary exposure to asbestos. It is just as harmful as direct exposure.

Smoking increases the risk of mesothelioma, since it damages mesothelium. It also makes it more prone to. Mesothelioma is also aggravated by certain illnesses such as asbestosis and pneumonia. It is also important to note that mesothelioma occurs more frequently in males than females. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for a longer time and to work with asbestos for longer durations and to work with it. Additionally, men are more likely to live with someone who has worked with asbestos (Read the Full Piece of writing) and carry stray asbestos settlement fibers home on their clothes. Women are less likely to come exposed to asbestos and don't typically bring asbestos home on their clothes.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is difficult to identify because the symptoms are often similar to other conditions. Due to this, patients are sometimes mistakenly diagnosed.

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

Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram, which examines the heart and blood vessels, and a magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI test, which uses radio waves and magnets to create precise images of the inside of the body. A surgical biopsy is a different method doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma. In a surgical biopsy doctors remove a small amount of tissue from the peritoneum or pleura to conduct further tests. A pathologist will then look at the tissue with an magnifying glass to determine whether it contains cancerous cells.

The mesothelial type involved, the malignant or benign nature of these cells, as well as the location the cancer, its type and the stage of the cancer are used to classify the disease. Certain mesothelioma types have greater risk of metastasizing or spreading, 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 run tests in the lab on a tumor to identify specific genes, proteins, or other factors which can help them identify the cancer's characteristics and plan treatment. These results are referred to as staging.

Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnosis is a frightening prospect. However, it is important to remember that the disease can be treated, particularly in its initial stages. Many patients with mesothelioma be afflicted for a long time without expanding.

Exposure to asbestos may cause mesothelioma through a variety of ways. Asbestos fibers, which are too small to see or feel through the naked eye, can be airborne and cause irritation to the lining of the lungs (pleura). Over time irritation can lead to formation of scar tissue which can cause changes in the cell structure which eventually lead to tumors.

The pleura is a protective covering that covers the abdomen, heart, and lungs. Mesothelium consists of cells that react when exposed to asbestos lawyer. They cause inflammation to the tissue and cause it to scar. As time passes, these changes cause the development of malignant mesothelioma tumors.

The signs of pleural mesothelioma can include shortness of breath and chest pain as well as the accumulation of fluid on the lung (pleural effusion). In rare cases cancer may spread to the tissues around the reproductive organs and the heart.

A doctor may request biopsy if imaging scans show the possibility of a lung tumor or stomach. During the procedure doctors remove small amounts of fluid or tumor to allow for tests in the laboratory. The results can confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis, and provide the best treatment plan.

There are many types of mesothelioma treatment options, which include chemotherapy, surgery, and immunotherapy. Most doctors rely on an amalgamation of these techniques. Enrolling in clinical trials of mesothelioma treatments that are new could be beneficial for patients. Patients can find out more by speaking with a mesothelioma doctor who has treated the condition.