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Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos is a natural mineral that is found in thin, long fibres. People who are exposed to asbestos risk developing lung diseases, such as mesothelioma.

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

Pleural Mesothelioma

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

Exposure to asbestos, a group of minerals composed of microscopic fibers, usually causes this kind of cancer. When inhaled, these fibers cling to the lung and cause irritation which causes scarring and DNA mutations. Pleura surrounds both the chest cavity as well as the lungs, so irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma symptoms typically don't show until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

Shortness of breath and chest pain are the most frequently reported symptoms. Some patients also experience difficulty breathing, or chest tightness. People who suffer from this cancer usually have an history of exposure to asbestos claim in the workplace. Manufacturing, construction and shipbuilding are the most frequent jobs which put people at risk 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 commonly used 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 aid their doctor in determining the most appropriate treatment plan for them. For instance, patients who have mesothelioma pleural stage three or four have a worse prognosis than patients with a lower stage. Mesothelioma in stage four is usually spread to the diaphragm, the liver and/or a person's heart. This makes it more difficult to treat and increase the risk of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Contrary to pleural cancer that develops in the lining of the lung the peritoneal cancer is a result of the membrane that covers the abdominal cavity, which includes organs such as the intestines and liver. Similar to pleural mesothelioma mesothelioma can be caused by asbestos exposure. The disease is less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma. There are just 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.

As with pleural asbestosis, symptoms can take several years to show. The majority of patients experience abdominal pain and a mass in the abdomen. Symptoms of this type of mesothelioma may also include nausea, weight loss and fever. A lot of these symptoms can be mistaken for gastrointestinal problems which can lead to a mistaken diagnosis.

Typically, doctors can identify mesothelioma through a thorough health history and physical exam. Imaging tests like X-rays or CT scans can be used to identify mesothelioma. These tests can identify tumors as well as other signs of cancer that are not visible on X-rays.

These test results enable doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and establish the stage. They also offer treatments. Staging is determined based on the cell type and whether or whether the cancer has spread to other regions of the body.

The most significant mesothelioma risk factor is asbestos exposure. People who have been exposed to asbestos in professions, such as electrical or plumbing work or in manufacturing and construction are more likely to develop the disease. Even if they aren't employed in these areas they could be exposed to asbestos through family members or through other sources. Therefore, anyone who believes they could be at risk should speak to an experienced doctor. A mesothelioma specialist can help those with a experience with asbestos to understand more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos is the main mesothelioma-related risk factor. It is responsible for as much as the 80% of cases. Exposure to asbestos can occur due to work, military service or through living with a person who is exposed to asbestos or was previously exposed to doing such. When exposed to asbestos lawyer, small particles can be breathed into the abdomen and lungs. These irritate the linings and trigger cancerous cells to develop in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma can take anywhere between 15 and 60 years to develop following exposure to asbestos.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and age. People in their 40s or 50s are at a higher chance of developing mesothelioma to people who are younger or more. This is because mesothelioma usually occurs between 20 and 60 years from the first time of exposure before cancer symptoms appear. It is also important to know that mesothelioma is a possibility in people who were exposed to asbestos, but did not deal with it directly. This is called indirect or secondary exposure to asbestos, and it could be as hazardous as direct exposure.

Smoking can increase the likelihood of developing mesothelioma due to the fact that it causes mesothelium damage and makes it more susceptible to asbestos. In addition, mesothelioma may be caused by certain illnesses, such as pneumonia and asbestosis. It is also important to know that mesothelioma occurs more frequently in males than females. 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 periods of time. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who has worked with asbestos, and to have asbestos legal-containing fibers on their clothing. Women are less likely to come exposed to asbestos, and they don't usually carry asbestos on their clothing.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is a difficult disease to recognize because the symptoms can be similar to other conditions. Due to this, patients are often mistakenly diagnosed.

The first step in identifying mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform an examination and write down a patient's medical history which includes asbestos exposure. Doctors will also recommend a CT scan or chest X-ray to look for lumps, abnormalities, and evidence of asbestos case (Discover More Here) exposure. These include plaques on the pleura, pleura that are thickened and calcium deposits.

Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram, which examines the blood vessels and the heart and magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI test, which uses magnets and radio waves to create detailed images of the interior of the body. A surgical biopsy is another method for doctors to identify mesothelioma. In a surgical biopsy doctors remove a small amount of tissue from the peritoneum or pleura for further testing. A pathologist can then examine the tissue under a microscope to see if it has cancerous cells.

The mesothelial type involved as well as the benign or malignant nature of the cells, as well as the location the cancer, its type and the stage of the tumor, are used to classify the disease. Certain types of mesothelioma are more likely to grow or spread which is why it is crucial to establish a definitive diagnosis so doctors can treat the disease before it gets out of control.

Doctors can also perform tests in the laboratory on tumors to determine specific genes, proteins or other elements that can aid in describing cancer characteristics and determine the best treatment. These results are referred to as staging.

Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnosis is a frightening prospect. However, it is important to keep in mind that the cancer is treatable, especially in its earlier stages. Many people with mesothelioma can live with the disease for a long time, without spreading.

Exposure to asbestos may cause mesothelioma through a variety of ways. asbestos lawyer fibers that are tiny enough to be felt or viewed by naked eyes, can become airborne and irritate the lining of the lung (pleura). As time passes, the irritation leads to the formation of scar tissue and eventually tumors.

The pleura covers the lungs and the heart and also the abdomen. Mesothelium is made up of cells that react to asbestos and cause it to enflame and create scar tissue. Overtime, these changes result in the growth of malignant mesothelioma cancers.

Breathing problems, chest discomfort or fluid buildup on the lungs are all symptoms of pleural msothelioma. In rare instances cancer can spread to the tissues surrounding the reproductive organs and heart.

If imaging scans show a possible mass in the lungs or stomach the doctor will request biopsies. During the procedure, doctors take tiny amounts of fluid or tumor for lab testing. The results will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and indicate the most effective treatment plan.

There are several types of mesothelioma treatments, including surgery, chemotherapy and immunotherapy. Most doctors use combinations of these treatments. Patients could also benefit from participating in a clinical study of new mesothelioma treatment. To learn more about the trials, patients should speak with a mesothelioma specialist who has expertise in treating the condition.