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Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos is a natural mineral that is made up of long, thin fibres. People who are exposed to asbestos risk developing lung diseases like mesothelioma.

It could take a long time for symptoms to show up after asbestos compensation exposure. Different asbestos types can cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma can be found in the outer lung lining, also known as the pleura. It is the most prevalent form of mesothelioma and accounts for 70% to 79% of diagnosed cases. People with this condition feel chest pain and breathlessness and may experience a sensation of heaviness in the chest.

Exposure to asbestos, a class of minerals composed of microscopic fibers, typically causes this type of cancer. The fibers, when inhaled, cause irritation 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 symptoms typically don't show until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

Chest pain and shortness breath are the most frequent symptoms. Patients may also experience chest tightness, coughing or difficulty breathing. Patients with this cancer have a history of disease that includes asbestos exposure at work. The most common jobs that expose workers to the risk of developing pleural mesothelioma are manufacturing, construction and shipbuilding. People who have served in the military may be at risk because of the extensive asbestos usage in Navy ships and bunkers for the army.

The most common staging method for pleural mesothelioma is the TNM (tumor lymph nodes, lymph nodes and metastases) staging system. The stage that a patient is at when they are diagnosed will assist their doctor in determining the most effective treatment plan for them. Patients with pleural mesothelioma that is in stage three or stage four will have a worse prognosis than those who are in a less advanced stage. Stage four mesothelioma is often spread to the liver, diaphragm or even a person's heart. This makes it more difficult to treat and increase the risk of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

In contrast to pleural cancer, that develops in the lining of the lung, peritoneal cancer develops in a membrane that surrounds the abdominal cavity, which includes organs such as the intestines and the liver. Similar to pleural mesothelioma, asbestos exposure is the primary cause of peritoneal msothelioma. The disease is less common than pleural mesothelioma. There are just 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.

Like pleural mesothelioma, the symptoms can take a long time to manifest. Patients usually experience abdominal pain, and may have a mass in their abdomen. The symptoms of this kind of mesothelioma may also include nausea as well as weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms could be mistaken for gastrointestinal problems and can lead to a mistaken diagnosis.

Doctors can detect mesothelioma by examining the patient's medical history and conducting a physical exam. Imaging tests like X-rays and CT scans can be used to identify mesothelioma. These tests can reveal cancerous tumors or other signs of cancer that aren't apparent on an X-ray.

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

Asbestos exposure is the main risk factor. People who have worked in jobs that require asbestos, such as plumbing or manufacturing, electrical work or construction, are at a higher risk of developing the disease. Even if they do not work in these areas they may be exposed to asbestos law through family members or other sources. For this reason, anyone who suspects they may be at risk should talk to an experienced doctor. A mesothelioma specialist can assist those who have a previous history of asbestos to find out more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos is the primary risk factor in mesothelioma. It accounts for as much as 80% of all cases. Exposure to asbestos can happen through work, military service, or living with someone who used to work with asbestos. Asbestos particles can be inhaled by those who are exposed to asbestos. These particles can cause irritation to the linings of the abdomen, which causes cancerous cells to form in the mesothelium. Following exposure to asbestos, mesothelioma may develop between 15 and 60 year.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and aging. People in their 40s and 50s are at greater risk of developing mesothelioma compared to people who are younger or more. It takes mesothelioma 20-60 years before it manifests cancer symptoms after the first exposure. It is also important to note that mesothelioma may develop in those who were exposed to asbestos but didn't work with it directly. This is called indirect or secondary exposure to asbestos and it is just as harmful as direct exposure.

Smoking increases the risk of developing mesothelioma since it damages the mesothelium and makes it more vulnerable to asbestos lawyer. In addition, mesothelioma may be exacerbated by certain illnesses like asbestosis and pneumonia. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma compared to women. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for longer periods of time and to work with asbestos for longer periods of time. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who had worked with asbestos, and to carry asbestos fibers on their clothing. Women are less likely to come into exposure to asbestos lawyer and do not typically carry asbestos attorney around on their clothing.

Diagnosis

It is difficult to diagnose mesothelioma because its symptoms are frequently similar to other illnesses. Because of this, victims are sometimes misdiagnosed.

NYU Langone doctors will perform an examination of the body and document the patient's medical history including asbestos exposure. Doctors can also request a chest X-ray or CT scan to detect lumps or other abnormalities, and also to look for evidence of past asbestos exposure like plaques in the pleura (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the buildup of fluid between the lung and chest wall (known as the pleural effusion).

Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram which examines the heart and blood vessels, and a magnetic resonance imaging, also known as MRI test, which uses magnets and radio waves to create precise images of the inside of the body. Another way for doctors to detect mesothelioma is to perform a surgical biopsy. In a surgical biopsy doctors will remove a small part of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum, to be tested further. A pathologist can then examine the tissue under a magnifying lens to determine if it is a cancerous cell.

The type of mesothelial cell involved, the malignant or benign nature of the cells and the location and stage of the tumor, are used to categorize 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 that doctors can treat the disease before it goes out of control.

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

Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnose can be frightening. However, it is important to remember that the cancer can be treated, particularly in its initial stages. Many mesothelioma patients live for a long time without the disease spreading to other areas of their body.

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

The Pleura is a protective layer that surrounds the abdomen, heart, and lungs. Mesothelium consists of cells that react when exposed to asbestos. They cause inflammation of the tissue and cause it to scar. These changes eventually result in malignant mesothelioma tumors.

The signs of pleural mesothelioma can include shortness of breath, chest pain or the accumulation of fluid on the lung (pleural effusion). In rare instances cancer may spread to the tissues that surround the reproductive organs and heart.

If scans of imaging reveal an area of concern in the lungs or stomach doctors will recommend biopsies. In the course of the procedure, doctors remove some of the liquid or tumor for tests in the laboratory. The results will confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis and determine the best treatment plan.

There are several types of mesothelioma treatment, including surgery, chemotherapy and immunotherapy. The majority of doctors use the combination of these methods. Patients could also benefit from enrolling in a clinical trial of new mesothelioma treatment. Patients can find out more by consulting a mesothelioma specialist who has treated mesothelioma.