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Mesothelioma and Asbestos

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

It can take years for symptoms to show up after exposure to asbestos. Different asbestos types may cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma occurs in the lung's outer lining, also known as pleura. It is the most common mesothelioma type, accounting for up 70 to 79% of all diagnosed cases. Patients suffering from this condition suffer from chest pain and shortness of breath and may also feel a sensation of heaviness in the chest.

This kind of cancer is typically caused through exposure to asbestos, which is a cluster of minerals that are composed of microscopic fibers. Once inhaled, the fibers are absorbed into the lungs and cause irritation that leads to scarring and DNA mutations. The pleura covers the chest cavity and lungs and therefore, these irritations could affect both the lungs and the heart of a person. Mesothelioma is usually not symptomatic until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

The most frequent symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include chest pain and shortness of breath. Patients may also experience chest tightness or coughing. They may also experience difficulty breathing. People who suffer from this cancer usually have an history of exposure to asbestos in the workplace. Construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding are the most prevalent occupations which put people at risk danger of developing pleural melanoma. People who have served in the military are at an especially high risk due to the widespread asbestos use in Navy ships and army bunkers.

The most popular staging method for pleural mesothelioma is the TNM (tumor lymph nodes, lymph nodes and metastases) staging system. The stage a patient has at diagnosis will help their doctor determine the best treatment plan for them. For instance, patients who have mesothelioma pleural stage three or four have a poorer prognosis than those in lower stages. Stage four mesothelioma is often spread to the liver, diaphragm or even the heart of a patient. This makes it more difficult to treat and raises the chance of complications for patients.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

As opposed to pleural mesothelioma that is a lung-lining cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma forms in the peritoneum -- an elongated membrane that covers the abdominal cavity and organs such as the liver and intestines. As with pleural mesothelioma asbestos exposure is the cause of peritoneal msothelioma. Only 300-500 cases are diagnosed each year this is less than pleural asbestosis.

Like pleural mesothelioma, the symptoms may take years to appear. Typically, patients are afflicted with abdominal pain as well as abdominal swelling. This kind of mesothelioma can also cause nausea, weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms could be misinterpreted as gastrointestinal issues which can lead to a misdiagnosis.

Doctors can detect mesothelioma by examining the patient's medical history and performing a physical exam. Imaging tests like X-rays or CT scans can be used to identify mesothelioma. These tests can show tumors and other indications of cancer that aren't visible on X-rays.

The results of these tests allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and determine the stage and suggest treatment options. The stage is determined by the type of cell and whether the cancer has spread.

Asbestos exposure is the main risk factor. People who have worked in asbestos-related professions, such as plumbing or electrical work, or in manufacturing and construction are more likely to contract the disease. Even if someone is not employed in any of these areas they could still be exposed through family members or other sources. This is why anyone who believes they could be at risk should talk to an experienced doctor. A mesothelioma specialist can assist 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 all cases. Exposure to asbestos case (wikimapia.org) may occur as a result of military service, work or living with people who have worked with asbestos. Asbestos particles can be breathed in by people who are exposed to it. These particles can cause irritation to the linings and can cause cancerous cells to grow in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma can take between 15 and 60 years to develop after exposure to asbestos.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics, and the advancing age. The people in their 40s or 50s are more at risk of developing mesothelioma compared to those younger or older. It is because mesothelioma generally occurs between 20 and 60 years from the first time of exposure before cancer symptoms appear. It is important to note that mesothelioma may develop in people who have been exposed to asbestos lawsuit, but without having directly worked with it. This is referred to as secondary or indirect asbestos exposure, and is just as harmful as direct asbestos exposure.

Smoking increases the risk of developing mesothelioma due to the fact that it damages the mesothelium, which makes it more susceptible to asbestos law. Mesothelioma can also be aggravated by certain illnesses, including asbestosis and pneumonia. It is also important to remember that mesothelioma is more prevalent in males than females. This is because men are more likely to be exposed to asbestos and endure a more exposure than women. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who has worked with asbestos and to carry asbestos fibers on their clothing. Women are less likely to come exposed to asbestos, and don't typically bring asbestos home on their clothes.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is a difficult cancer to diagnose because the symptoms often resemble other diseases. This can lead to victims being incorrectly diagnosed.

The first step in identifying mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform an examination of the body and take notes on the medical history of a patient, including asbestos exposure. Doctors will also recommend an CT scan or chest X-ray to check for lumps, abnormalities, and evidence of asbestos lawsuit exposure. These include pleural plaques, thickened pleura and calcium deposits.

Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance image or MRI test, which makes use of radio waves and magnets in order to create a series of detailed images of the inside of the body. Another way for doctors to detect mesothelioma is through a surgical biopsy. A surgical biopsy is when doctors take a small amount of tissue from the peritoneum or pleura for further analysis. A pathologist is then able to examine the tissue under a microscope to see if it is contaminated with cancerous cells.

The mesothelial type involved as well as the benign or malignant nature of these cells as well as the location, type and stage of the cancer are used to classify the disease. Certain types of mesothelioma are at an increased risk of metastasizing or spreading and it's crucial to establish a clear diagnosis to ensure that the doctors can treat it before it gets out of control.

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

Treatment

A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be terrifying. However, it is important to remember that the disease is treatable, particularly in its initial stages. Many people with mesothelioma live for a long time without the disease spreading to other areas of their body.

Exposure to asbestos legal can trigger mesothelioma via various mechanisms. asbestos law fibers, too small to detect or feel by the naked eye can become airborne and irritate the lining of the lungs (pleura). Over time, the irritation causes the formation of scar tissue, which leads to changes in the structure of cells which eventually lead to tumors.

The pleura surrounds the lungs and heart and the abdomen. Mesothelium consists of cells that respond when exposed to asbestos. They cause inflammation to the tissue and cause it to become scarred. Overtime, these changes result in the growth of malignant mesothelioma tumors.

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

If scans of imaging reveal a possible mass in the lungs or stomach the doctor will request a biopsies. During the procedure, doctors will remove tiny amounts of fluid or tumor for laboratory analysis. The results can confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis and indicate the best treatment plan.

There are many types of treatment for mesothelioma, including surgery and chemotherapy. The majority of doctors use the combination of these methods. Patients may also benefit from enrolling in a clinical trial of new mesothelioma therapies. To learn more about the trials, patients should speak to a mesothelioma specialist who has experience treating the condition.