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Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that is found in long, thin fibres. People who are exposed to asbestos regularly risk developing mesothelioma and other lung diseases of different types.

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

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer that develops in the outer lung the lining (pleura). It is the most frequent mesothelioma that accounts for up 70 to 79% of diagnosed cases. Patients suffering from this condition suffer from chest pain and shortness of breath and may also feel the sensation of weight in the chest.

Exposure to asbestos, a family of minerals comprised of microscopic fibers causes this kind of cancer. When inhaled, these fibers cling to the lung and cause irritation which leads to scarring and DNA mutations. Pleura surrounds both the chest cavity and the lungs, which means that irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma usually doesn't show symptoms until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

The most common symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are chest discomfort and shortness of breath. Some patients also experience difficulty breathing or chest tightness. Patients with this type of cancer typically have previous exposure to asbestos in the workplace. Manufacturing, construction, and shipbuilding are the most prevalent jobs that put people at high risk of developing pleural mesothelioma. Individuals who have served in the military are at higher risk due to the extensive use asbestos in Navy vessels and bunkers in the Army.

The TNM (tumors lymph nodes and metastases staging system) is the most common staging system used to treat the pleural adenocarcinoma. The stage a patient is in at the moment of diagnosis will determine what treatment plan they should receive. Patients with pleural mesothelioma that is in stage three or stage four will suffer a more negative outlook than those who are in a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma may be spread to the heart, liver or diaphragm. This makes the cancer more difficult to treat and increase the chance of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

In contrast to pleural cancer, which forms in the lining of the lung, peritoneal cancer develops in a membrane that surrounds the abdominal cavity, which includes organs like the intestines and liver. As with pleural mesothelioma exposure to asbestos legal is the cause of peritoneal mesothelioma. The disease is less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma, with around 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.

As with pleural mesothelioma symptoms can take years to show. Typically, patients suffer from abdominal pain and an abdominal mass. The symptoms of this type of mesothelioma could also include nausea as well as weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms are similar to those experienced by digestive problems, which can result in misdiagnosis.

Generally, doctors can find mesothelioma through an exhaustive health history and physical examination. Imaging tests such as X-rays or CT scans are a way to detect mesothelioma. These tests can reveal tumors and other indications of cancer that aren't visible on X-rays.

These test results allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and determine the stage of the disease and suggest treatment options. The staging is determined by the type of cell and whether or not the tumor has spread to other areas of the body.

The most significant mesothelioma-related risk factor is asbestos exposure. People who have worked in asbestos case-containing professions, such as electrical or plumbing work, or in manufacturing and construction are more likely to develop the disease. Even if an individual does not work in any of these areas however, they may be exposed to asbestos through family members or other sources. This is why anyone who believes they could be at risk should speak to an expert. A mesothelioma specialist can assist those who have had a experience with asbestos to understand more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos exposure is the main mesothelioma risk factor, which accounts for as much as 80 percent of all cases. Exposure to asbestos can happen through work, military service, or living with someone who used to work with asbestos. When exposed to asbestos, particles are able to be inhaled into abdomen and lungs. These particles can cause irritation to the linings of the abdomen, which causes cancerous cells to develop in the mesothelium. After exposure to asbestos mesothelioma can occur between 15 and 60 years.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and age. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely get mesothelioma than people younger or older. Mesothelioma can take between 20 and 60 years to show signs of cancer after the first exposure. It is important to remember that mesothelioma can be present in people who have been exposed to asbestos without having been directly exposed to it. This is known as secondary or indirect exposure to asbestos. It is just as harmful as direct exposure.

Smoking increases a person's chances of developing mesothelioma since it causes mesothelium damage and makes it more susceptible to asbestos. Mesothelioma can also be caused by certain illnesses, including asbestosis and pneumonia. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than females. This is due to the fact that men are more likely to work with asbestos lawyer and experience a an extended period of exposure than women. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who had worked with asbestos, and to carry asbestos legal fibers on their clothing. Women are less likely to come exposed to asbestos claim, and don't typically bring asbestos litigation home on their clothes.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is a difficult disease to recognize because the symptoms can be similar to other conditions. This can lead to victims being misdiagnosed.

NYU Langone doctors will perform an examination of the body and document the patient's medical history including asbestos exposure. Doctors may also order an X-ray of the chest or CT scan to check for lumps or other abnormalities, as well as evidence of asbestos exposure in the past 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 a magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI test, which uses magnets and radio waves to create precise images of the inside of the body. Another way doctors can diagnose mesothelioma is to perform an operation called a biopsy. A surgical biopsy is when doctors take a small amount of tissue from the peritoneum or pleura for further testing. A pathologist can then look at the tissue under microscopes to determine if it has cancerous cells.

Mesothelioma is classified according to the mesothelial type involved, whether those cells are benign or malignant and also the location of the tumor, the type, and the stage of the tumor. Certain mesothelioma types have an increased risk of metastasizing or spreading therefore it is essential to determine the type of mesothelioma so that doctors can treat it prior to it becoming out of control.

Doctors may also conduct tests in the lab on tumors in order to determine specific proteins, genes or other factors that can aid in describing the characteristics of cancer and plan treatment. These results are known as staging.

Treatment

A diagnosis of mesothelioma may be terrifying. It is important to keep in mind that cancer can be treated particularly in its early stages. Many people with mesothelioma live for many years without the disease spreading to other organs of their body.

Asbestos exposure can trigger mesothelioma via a variety of mechanisms. Asbestos fibers, too small to be able to see or feel through the naked eye, can become airborne and cause irritation to the lining of the lungs (pleura). Over time irritation can lead to formation of scar tissue which leads to changes in the cell structure which eventually lead to tumors.

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

Shortness of breath, chest pain or fluid accumulation on the lungs are all symptoms of the pleural mesothelioma. In rare cases, the cancer can be spread to the tissues around the heart and reproductive organs.

If imaging scans show an area of concern in the lungs or stomach doctors will recommend a biopsies. During the procedure doctors remove small amounts of liquid or tumor for laboratory testing. The results will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and determine the best treatment plan.

There are many types of mesothelioma treatment options, which include chemotherapy, surgery, and immunotherapy. Most doctors utilize a combination of these methods. Participating in clinical trials of mesothelioma treatments that are new could be beneficial for patients. Patients can find out more by consulting a mesothelioma specialist who has treated mesothelioma.