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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 to asbestos on a regular basis risk developing mesothelioma and other types of lung diseases.

It can take years before symptoms begin to manifest after asbestos exposure. Different asbestos types may cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma can be found in the lung's outer lining, also known as the pleura. It is the most common mesothelioma form and is responsible for 70 to 79% of diagnosed cases. This condition causes chest pain, shortness of breathe and a feeling of heaviness.

This kind of cancer is typically 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 lungs and chest cavity This means that these irritations can affect both the lungs and the heart of a person. Mesothelioma typically doesn't manifest until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

The most frequent symptoms of pleural melanoma are chest pain and shortness of breath. Patients may have coughing problems, trouble breathing, or chest tightness. Patients with this cancer have a past that includes asbestos exposure at work. The most prevalent jobs that expose people to the risk of pleural mesothelioma include manufacturing, construction, and shipbuilding. Individuals who have served in the military are at a greater risk due to the frequent use of asbestos in Navy vessels and bunkers in the Army.

The TNM (tumors lymph nodes and metastases staging system) is the most popular staging system used to treat the pleural cancer. The stage that the patient is in at the time of diagnosis will help determine the treatment plan they will receive. For instance, patients who have a pleural mesothelioma in stage three or four have a poorer prognosis than those with lower stages. Stage four mesothelioma may be spread to the liver, heart or diaphragm. This makes it more difficult to treat and increases the likelihood of complications for patients.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Unlike pleural mesothelioma, which is a lung-lining cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma is found in the peritoneum - a membrane that lines the abdominal cavity and organs such as the intestines and the liver. Similar to pleural mesothelioma and peritoneal mesothelioma is caused by asbestos compensation exposure. The disease is much less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma. There are only about 300-500 cases diagnosed each year.

Like pleural mesothelioma, the symptoms may take years to appear. Typically, patients suffer from abdominal pain and abdominal swelling. This mesothelioma type can also cause nausea, weight loss, and fever. A lot of these symptoms are similar to those of digestive problems, which can cause misdiagnosis.

Generally, doctors can find mesothelioma after an extensive health history and physical exam. They can also use imaging tests like X-rays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to detect mesothelioma. These tests can reveal cancerous tumors or other symptoms of cancer that aren't visible on an X-ray.

These test results enable doctors to identify mesothelioma, and determine the stage. They can also recommend treatments. The staging is determined by the type of cell and whether or not the cancer has spread to other parts of the body.

Asbestos exposure is the main risk factor. People who have been in occupations that require asbestos, like plumbing, electrical work, manufacturing or construction, are at a higher risk of developing the disease. Even if they do not work in these areas they could be exposed to asbestos through relatives or other sources. For this reason, anyone who suspects they may be at risk should talk to a doctor. A mesothelioma expert can help those with a previous history of asbestos to find out more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos exposure is the primary mesothelioma risk factor, which accounts for as much as 80 percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos attorney may occur due to work, military service, or living with people who have worked with asbestos. When exposed to Asbestos (Tempoloss9.Werite.Net), small particles can be breathed into the lungs and abdomen. They can cause irritation to the linings of the abdomen and can cause cancerous cells to grow in the mesothelium. After asbestos exposure mesothelioma can be diagnosed between 15 and 60 years old.

Other risk factors include genetics, smoking and age. People in their 40s or 50s are at greater risk of developing mesothelioma as compared to those who are younger or older. It takes mesothelioma 20-60 years to show signs of cancer after the first exposure. It is important to remember, too, that mesothelioma could develop in people who have been exposed to asbestos without having directly worked with it. This is referred to as secondary or indirect exposure to asbestos attorney. It can be just as dangerous as direct exposure.

Smoking increases the risk of developing mesothelioma due to the fact that it damages the mesothelium, which makes it more vulnerable to asbestos. Furthermore, mesothelioma is exacerbated by certain illnesses like 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 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 claim and bring stray asbestos case fibers home on their clothes. Women tend to have less exposure to asbestos and do not typically carry asbestos on their clothes.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is a difficult cancer to identify because the symptoms can be similar to other diseases. This can result in patients being wrongly diagnosed.

The first step to diagnose 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 an X-ray chest or CT scan to check for lumps and other abnormalities and also to look for evidence of previous asbestos exposure such as plaques in the pleura (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the accumulation of fluid between the lung and the chest wall (known as the pleural effusion).

Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram which examines the blood vessels and the heart and magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI, test, which makes use of radio waves and magnets 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. In a surgical biopsy doctors remove a small amount of tissue from the pleura or peritoneum to conduct further tests. A pathologist is then able to look at the tissue under microscopes to determine if it contains cancerous cells.

The type of mesothelial cell involved, the malignant or benign nature of these cells as well as the location, type and stage of the tumour, are used to categorize the disease. Certain types of mesothelioma are more likely to spread or metastasize which is why it is crucial to establish a definitive diagnosis so that doctors can treat the disease before it becomes out of control.

Doctors can also run laboratory tests on a tumor to identify particular proteins, genes and other factors that help them understand the characteristics of cancer and plan treatment. These results are known as staging.

Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnosis is terrifying. However, it's important to remember that the disease is treatable, especially in its initial stages. A lot of people suffering from mesothelioma endure the disease for a long time, without spreading.

Exposure to asbestos can trigger mesothelioma via a variety of mechanisms. Asbestos fibers that are small enough to not be felt or observed by naked eyes are able to become airborne and irritate the lining of the lung (pleura). As time passes the irritation causes the formation of scar tissues, which eventually lead to tumors.

The pleura covers the lungs and the heart and also the abdomen. Mesothelium consists of cells that react to asbestos, causing it to inflame and develop scar tissue. In time, these changes can lead to the development of malignant mesothelioma cancers.

The signs of pleural mesothelioma can include shortness of breath and chest pain as well as an accumulation of fluid in the lungs (pleural effusion). In rare instances, the cancer can spread to the tissues surrounding the heart and reproductive organs.

If scans of imaging reveal an underlying mass in the stomach or lungs the doctor will request biopsies. The procedure involves the removal of some of the fluid or tumor for laboratory testing. The results can confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and determine the best treatment option.

There are several types of mesothelioma treatment, including chemotherapy, surgery and immunotherapy. Most doctors use the combination of these treatments. Patients may also benefit from participating in a clinical study of new mesothelioma therapies. To learn more about the trials, patients should consult mesothelioma experts who have experience treating the condition.