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Mesothelioma and Asbestos

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

It can take years for symptoms to appear after exposure to asbestos. Different types of asbestos can cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

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

This kind of cancer is usually caused by exposure to asbestos which is a cluster of minerals made up of microscopic fibres. Once inhaled, these fibers cling to the lung and cause irritation which leads to scarring and DNA mutations. The pleura is the area that surrounds the chest cavity and lungs and therefore, these irritations could affect both the lungs as well as 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. Patients may also experience coughing, difficulty breathing or chest tightness. Patients with this cancer have a past that includes asbestos exposure at work. Construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding are among the most common occupations which put people at risk risk of developing pleural mesothelioma. People who were in the military are at a higher risk due to the frequent use of asbestos in Navy vessels and bunkers in 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 a patient is in upon diagnosis will help their doctor determine the most appropriate treatment plan for them. For instance, patients suffering from a pleural mesothelioma in stage three or four have a poorer prognosis than those with lower stages. Mesothelioma in stage four is usually spread to the diaphragm, the liver and/or a person's heart. This can make it more difficult to treat and increase the likelihood of complications for patients.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Unlike pleural mesothelioma, which develops in the lung lining, peritoneal mesothelioma forms in the peritoneum, a membrane that lines the abdominal cavity as well as organs like the intestines and the liver. Similar to pleural mesothelioma mesothelioma is caused by asbestos exposure. There are only 300-500 cases diagnosed annually this is less than pleural asbestosis.

As with pleural mesothelioma symptoms may take years to appear. Patients typically suffer from abdominal pain and could also experience a mass in their abdomen. This kind of mesothelioma can also cause nausea, weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms can be misinterpreted as gastrointestinal issues which can lead to a misdiagnosis.

Typically, doctors can identify mesothelioma through a thorough health history and physical examination. They can also use imaging tests like Xrays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to identify mesothelioma. These tests can show tumors, as well as other signs of cancer that aren't apparent on an X-ray.

These tests enable doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and establish the stage. They also offer treatments. The stage is determined by the type of cell as well as whether the tumor has spread.

asbestos lawyer exposure is the main risk factor. People who have worked in asbestos-related jobs, such as plumbing or electrical work, or in construction, manufacturing and manufacturing are more likely to develop the disease. However, even if people aren't employed in these fields they may be exposed to asbestos through family members or through other sources. For this reason, anyone who believes they could be at risk should speak to an expert. If they have any history of exposure to asbestos, a mesothelioma specialist can assist them in finding out more about the risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos exposure is a major risk factor for mesothelioma which accounts for as much as 80 percent 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 used to do so. 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 grow in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma can take anywhere 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 more at chance of developing mesothelioma to people who are younger or more. Mesothelioma can take between 20 and 60 years to manifest cancer symptoms after the first exposure. It is important to remember that mesothelioma is a possibility in people who were exposed to asbestos, but did not deal with it directly. This is known as indirect or secondary asbestos case exposure, and is as hazardous as direct asbestos exposure.

Smoking increases a person's chances of developing mesothelioma since it causes mesothelium damage and makes it more vulnerable to asbestos. Additionally, mesothelioma can be worsened by certain diseases like asbestosis and pneumonia. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than females. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for a longer period of time and work with asbestos for longer durations and to work with it. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who been exposed to asbestos, and to carry asbestos case fibers on their clothing. Women tend to have less exposure to asbestos and don't typically carry asbestos home on their clothing.

Diagnosis

It is difficult to diagnose mesothelioma due to its symptoms being often similar to other conditions. This could lead to patients being wrongly diagnosed.

The first step in diagnosing 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 recommend a CT scan or chest X-ray to check for lumps, abnormalities and evidence of exposure to asbestos. 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 a magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI test that uses radio waves and magnets to make a series of precise images of the inside of the body. A surgical biopsy is a different method doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma. During a surgical biopsy, doctors remove a small piece of tissue from the pleura or peritoneum for further testing. A pathologist can then examine the tissue using an magnifying glass to determine if it is a cancerous cells.

The type of mesothelial cell involved, the malignant or benign nature of the cells as well as the location the cancer, its type and the stage of the tumour, are used to classify the disease. Certain types of mesothelioma are at an increased risk of metastasizing or spreading and it's crucial to determine the type of mesothelioma so doctors can treat it before it gets out-of-control.

Doctors may also conduct laboratory tests on tumors to determine specific genes, proteins or other elements that can aid in describing cancer characteristics and plan treatment. These results are called staging.

Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnosis can be a frightening prospect. It is crucial to remember that cancer can be treated particularly in its early stages. Many patients with mesothelioma survive for many years with the disease without it spreading to other parts of their body.

Exposure to asbestos case (visit my home page) can cause mesothelioma in many ways. Asbestos fibers, which are too small to be felt or seen through the naked eye, can become airborne and irritate the lung's lining (pleura). Over time the irritation causes the formation of scar tissues, which eventually lead to tumors.

The pleura is a protective covering that covers the lungs, heart and abdomen. Mesothelium is made up of cells that react when exposed to asbestos. They cause inflammation of the tissue and cause it to become scarred. Overtime, these changes lead to the development of malignant mesothelioma tumors.

Breathing problems, chest discomfort, or the accumulation of fluid on the lungs are all indications of the pleural mesothelioma. In rare cases cancer may spread to the tissues that surround the reproductive organs and the heart.

A doctor may request biopsy if scans reveal a possible lung tumor or stomach. During the procedure, doctors remove small amounts of the tumor or fluid for lab analysis. The results will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and determine the best treatment option.

There are many types of treatment for mesothelioma including surgery and chemotherapy. Most doctors utilize combinations of these treatments. Patients can also benefit by enrolling in a clinical trial of new mesothelioma treatment. To find out more, patients should speak with mesothelioma experts who have expertise in treating the condition.