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Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that is made up of thin, long fibres. Workers who are exposed asbestos regularly are at risk of developing mesothelioma as well as other lung diseases of different types.

The symptoms of these diseases may not manifest for years after exposure to asbestos. Different asbestos types can cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma, a form of cancer, that occurs in the outer lung lining (pleura). It is the most prevalent type of mesothelioma, making up between 70 and 79% of all diagnosed cases. This condition causes chest pain, breath shortness and a feeling of heavyness.

This type of cancer typically caused by exposure to asbestos attorney which is a collection of minerals that are comprised of microscopic fibres. Once inhaled, the fibers stick inside the lung and cause irritation which leads to scarring and DNA mutations. The pleura covers the chest cavity and lungs, so these irritations can affect both the lungs and a person's heart. Mesothelioma usually doesn't show symptoms until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

The most commonly reported symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include chest pain and breath shortness. Some patients may also experience chest tightness or coughing. They may also experience difficulty breathing. Patients with this type of cancer have a past that includes asbestos exposure at work. Construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding are the most common jobs that put people at high danger of developing pleural melanoma. People who were in the military are at a greater risk due to the widespread use of asbestos in Navy vessels and bunkers for the Army.

The most common staging system for pleural mesothelioma is the TNM (tumor lymph nodes, lymph nodes, and metastases) staging system. The stage that the patient is in at the time of diagnosis will help determine what treatment plan they will receive. Patients with pleural mesothelioma that is in stage three or stage four will have a less favorable outlook than those who are in a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma can develop into the liver, heart, or diaphragm. This could make the cancer more difficult to treat, and increase the chance of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

As opposed to pleural mesothelioma that is a lung-lining cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma forms in the peritoneum - a membrane that lines the abdominal cavity and organs such as the liver and intestines. Similar to pleural mesothelioma and peritoneal mesothelioma can be caused by asbestos exposure. The disease is less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma, with just 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.

As with pleural mesothelioma symptoms can take a long time to manifest. Patients typically have abdominal pain, and may have a mass in their abdomen. This mesothelioma type can cause nausea, weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms could be mistaken for gastrointestinal problems, leading to a mistaken diagnosis.

Doctors can detect mesothelioma by looking over the medical history of the patient and performing a physical examination. Imaging tests like X-rays or CT scans are a way to detect mesothelioma. These tests can reveal tumors, as well as other signs of cancer that aren't apparent on an X-ray.

The results of these tests allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and determine the stage of the disease and suggest treatment options. The staging is determined by the cell type and whether or whether the tumor has spread to other areas of the body.

Asbestos exposure is the biggest risk factor. People who have worked in jobs that require asbestos claim, such as plumbing manufacturing, electrical work, or construction, are at greater risk of developing the disease. Even if an individual does not work in one of these fields, he or she can be exposed to asbestos case (websites) to asbestos through family members and other sources. This is why anyone who suspects they may be at risk should talk to an expert. If they have an history of exposure to asbestos, a mesothelioma specialist can assist them in learning more about the risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos exposure is the main mesothelioma risk factor, accounting for up to 80 percent of all cases. Exposure to asbestos lawsuit can happen due to work, military service or by living with someone who is exposed to asbestos or has previously done so. Asbestos particles can be inhaled by those who are exposed to asbestos. These particles can cause irritation to the linings, 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 likely be diagnosed with mesothelioma compared to those who are younger or more senior. It takes mesothelioma 20-60 years to show signs of cancer after the first exposure. It is also important to know that mesothelioma can develop in those who were exposed to asbestos, but did not deal with it directly. This is called indirect or secondary exposure to asbestos. It can be just as dangerous as direct exposure.

Smoking increases the chance of mesothelioma developing, as it damages the mesothelium. It can also make it more vulnerable. Mesothelioma is also aggravated by certain illnesses such as asbestosis and pneumonia. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma compared to women. This is due to the fact that men are more likely to work with asbestos and experience a a longer period of exposure than women. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who had worked with asbestos law, and to have asbestos-containing fibers on their clothing. Women tend to be less in contact with asbestos, and don't typically carry asbestos on their clothes.

Diagnosis

It is difficult to recognize mesothelioma due to its symptoms being often similar to other diseases. This is why patients are sometimes mistakenly 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 can also order an X-ray chest or CT scan to look for lumps and other abnormalities, as well as evidence of asbestos exposure in the past such as pleural plaques (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the formation of fluid between the lung and the chest wall (known as pleural effusion).

Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance image or MRI test, which uses magnets and radio waves in order to create a series detailed images of the insides of the body. A surgical biopsy is a different way for doctors to diagnose mesothelioma. During a surgical biopsy, doctors remove a small amount of tissue from the peritoneum or pleura for further analysis. A pathologist can then examine the tissue using a magnifying glass to determine whether it contains cancerous cell.

The mesothelial type involved as well as the benign or malignant nature of the cells as well as the location and stage of the cancer are used to categorize the disease. Some types of mesothelioma are more likely to develop metastasis or spread, so it is important to get a definite diagnosis to ensure that doctors are able to treat the disease before it gets out of control.

Doctors can also run laboratory tests on tumors to determine specific proteins, genes and other factors which can help them identify the cancer's characteristics and plan treatment. These results are known as staging.

Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnosis can be an incredibly frightening prospect. However, it's important to keep in mind that the cancer is treatable, particularly in its initial stages. Many people with mesothelioma live for years without the disease spreading to other areas of their body.

Asbestos exposure can trigger mesothelioma via a variety of mechanisms. Asbestos fibres, small enough to not be felt or observed by naked eyes can be airborne and irritate the lining of the lung (pleura). In time irritation can lead to formation of scar tissue which leads to changes in the structure of cells that can eventually grow into tumors.

The pleura is a protective covering that surrounds the lungs, heart and abdomen. Mesothelium consists of cells that react when exposed to asbestos. They inflame the tissue and cause it to scar. These changes can eventually lead to malignant mesothelioma tumours.

Symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include breathing problems and chest pain as well as the accumulation of fluid on the lungs (pleural effusion). In rare cases, cancer can spread into the tissues that surround the reproductive organs as well as the heart.

If scans of imaging reveal an underlying mass in the lungs or stomach the doctor will request a biopsies. During the procedure doctors remove small amounts of fluid or tumor for laboratory testing. The results can confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and determine the best treatment option.

There are many types of mesothelioma treatment, including surgery, chemotherapy and immunotherapy. The majority of doctors use a combination of these methods. Patients can also benefit by taking part in a clinical trial of new mesothelioma treatment. To learn more about the trials, patients should consult mesothelioma experts who have had experience treating the disease.