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Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos is a mineral that naturally occurs in the form of long, thin fibers. Workers who are exposed to asbestos regularly are at risk of developing mesothelioma or other lung diseases.

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

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma is a type of cancer that affects the outer lung liner (pleura). It is the most frequent mesothelioma that accounts for up between 70 and 79% of all diagnosed cases. People with this condition experience pain in the chest and breathlessness and may experience a sensation of heaviness in the chest.

Exposure to asbestos, a family of minerals comprised of microscopic fibers causes this type of cancer. Once inhaled, these fibers stick inside the lungs and cause irritation that causes scarring and DNA mutations. Pleura is the lining of both the chest cavity as well as the lungs, and so irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma symptoms usually don't appear until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

Chest pain and shortness breath are the most common symptoms. Some patients may also experience chest tightness, coughing or difficulty breathing. People who suffer from this cancer usually have a history of exposure to asbestos in the workplace. The most prevalent jobs that put people at risk of pleural mesothelioma include manufacturing, construction and shipbuilding. Individuals who have been in the military could be at risk due to the widespread asbestos use 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 a patient is in upon diagnosis will assist their doctor in determining the best 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 lower stage. Mesothelioma in stage four is usually spread to the liver, diaphragm or even the heart of a patient. This can make it more difficult to treat and increase the likelihood of complications for patients.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Unlike pleural cancer, which forms in the lining of the lung the peritoneal cancer is a result of a membrane that surrounds the abdominal cavity, which includes organs like the intestines and liver. As with pleural mesothelioma asbestos exposure is the cause of peritoneal msothelioma. The disease is less common than pleural mesothelioma. There are only about 300-500 cases diagnosed each year.

Like pleural mesothelioma, symptoms can take a long time to manifest. Patients usually experience abdominal pain, and could also experience a mass in their abdomen. Symptoms of this type of mesothelioma can also include nausea, weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms are similar to symptoms of digestive problems, which can lead to confusion in diagnosis.

Generally speaking, doctors can detect mesothelioma by conducting an exhaustive medical history and physical exam. They can also use imaging tests like Xrays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to detect mesothelioma. These tests can reveal cancerous tumors or other signs of cancer that aren't visible on an X-ray.

These tests enable doctors to diagnose mesothelioma, determine the stage and recommend treatment options. The stage is determined by the type of cell and whether the cancer has spread.

The most important mesothelioma risk factor is asbestos exposure. People who have worked in professions which require asbestos, such as plumbing or electrical work, manufacturing or construction, are at greater risk of developing the disease. However, even if people aren't employed in these areas they could be exposed to asbestos through family members or other sources. Therefore, anyone who suspects they may be at risk should talk to an experienced doctor. A mesothelioma specialist can help those who have had a history with asbestos to learn more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos exposure is a major risk factor for mesothelioma accounting for up to 80 percent of all cases. Exposure to asbestos may occur due to work, military service, or through living with a person who is exposed to asbestos or used to do so. Asbestos particles are inhaled by people who are exposed to asbestos lawyer. These particles irritate the linings of the lungs, causing cancerous cells to grow in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma may take between 15 and 60 years to develop after exposure to asbestos case - Elimskypark officially announced -.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and age. People in their 40s and 50s are at greater chance of developing mesothelioma to those younger or older. This is because mesothelioma usually takes 20 to 60 years from the first exposure to asbestos before the first signs of cancer appear. It is important to remember that mesothelioma is a possibility in people who were exposed to asbestos but didn't work with it directly. This is called indirect or secondary exposure to asbestos compensation. It is just as harmful as direct exposure.

Smoking can increase the likelihood of getting mesothelioma because it damages the mesothelium, which makes it more vulnerable to asbestos lawsuit. Additionally, mesothelioma can be exacerbated by certain illnesses like asbestosis and pneumonia. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than women. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for longer periods of time and to have worked with it. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who had been exposed to asbestos, and to have asbestos fibers on their clothing. Women are less likely to be exposed to asbestos and don't typically bring asbestos litigation home on their clothes.

Diagnosis

It is difficult to diagnose mesothelioma since its symptoms are often similar to other conditions. This is why patients are sometimes wrongly diagnosed.

The first step in identifying mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform an examination of the body and take down a patient's medical history including asbestos exposure. Doctors may also request an CT scan or chest X-ray to check for lumps, abnormalities and evidence of asbestos exposure. These include plaques in the pleura, 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. Another way doctors can diagnose mesothelioma is by performing a surgical biopsy. In a surgical biopsy, doctors remove a tiny part of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum to be examined further. A pathologist can then examine the tissue using a magnifying lens to determine if it contains cancerous cell.

Mesothelioma can be classified based on the mesothelial type involved, whether the cells are benign or malignant and the location, type, and stage of the cancer. Some types of mesothelioma have greater risk of metastasizing or spreading therefore it is essential to establish a clear diagnosis so that doctors can treat it prior to it becoming out-of-control.

Doctors may also conduct tests in the lab on tumors to determine specific proteins, genes or other elements that will help them identify cancer characteristics and plan treatment. These results are known as staging.

Treatment

A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be an incredibly frightening prospect. But, it is crucial to remember that the disease is treatable, especially in its earlier stages. Many mesothelioma patients live for a long time with the disease, without spreading to other parts of their body.

Exposure to asbestos may cause mesothelioma through a variety of ways. Asbestos fibers, which are too small to be able to see or feel by the naked eye can become airborne and cause irritation to the lung's lining (pleura). Over time, the irritation causes the formation of scar tissue, which can cause changes in the cell structure that can eventually grow into tumors.

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

Symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include shortness of breath and chest pain, or an accumulation of fluid on the lungs (pleural effusion). In rare cases, the cancer can be spread to the tissues around the heart and reproductive organs.

A doctor will request biopsy if scans show a potential tumor in the lungs or stomach. During the procedure doctors remove small amounts of liquid or tumor for lab tests. The results can confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and provide the best treatment option.

There are a variety of treatment for mesothelioma such as chemotherapy and surgery. The majority of doctors use a combination of these methods. Patients may also benefit from enrolling in a clinical trial of new mesothelioma treatment. Patients can learn more by consulting a mesothelioma specialist who has treated the condition.