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Mesothelioma and Asbestos

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

Symptoms of these diseases may not show up for decades after exposure to asbestos compensation. Different asbestos types can cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma, a form of cancer, that occurs in the lung's outer the lining (pleura). It is the most frequent mesothelioma type and accounts for 70% to 79% of all diagnosed cases. People with this condition experience pain in the chest and breath shortness, and they may feel an ache or heaviness in the chest.

Exposure to asbestos, a class of minerals comprised of microscopic fibers causes this type of cancer. The fibers, when inhaled, cause irritation and DNA mutations. Pleura surrounds both the chest cavity as well as the lungs, which means that 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 common symptoms. Some patients also experience difficulty breathing or chest tightness. Patients with this type of cancer have a history of disease that includes asbestos exposure at work. Construction, manufacturing, and shipbuilding are the most frequent occupations which put people at risk danger of developing pleural melanoma. Individuals who have been in the military are at an especially high risk due to the widespread use of asbestos in Navy ships and bunkers used by the army.

The most common staging system for pleural mysothelioma has been the TNM (tumor, lymph nodes and metastases) staging system. The stage a patient has when they are diagnosed will help their doctor determine the best treatment plan for them. Patients who have pleural mesothelioma which is in stage three or four will suffer a more negative outlook than those who are in a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma can be spread to the heart, liver or diaphragm. This can make the cancer more difficult to treat, and increase the chances of complications for patients.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

As opposed to pleural mesothelioma that develops in the lung lining, peritoneal mesothelioma develops in the peritoneum -- a membrane that lines the abdominal cavity as well as organs like the liver and intestines. Like pleural mesothelioma, peritoneal mesothelioma is triggered by asbestos exposure. The disease is less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma, and just 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.

Like pleural mesothelioma, the symptoms can take a long time to manifest. Patients generally have abdominal pain, and may also have a lump in their abdomen. Symptoms of this type of mesothelioma could also include nausea as well as weight loss and fever. A lot of these symptoms can be misinterpreted as gastrointestinal issues and can lead to a misdiagnosis.

Generally, doctors can find mesothelioma by conducting an exhaustive health history and physical exam. They may also employ imaging tests like X-rays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to detect mesothelioma. These tests can show tumors and other signs of cancer that aren't apparent on an X-ray.

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

The most significant mesothelioma risk factor is asbestos exposure. People who have been exposed to asbestos in occupations, like plumbing or electrical work, or in construction and manufacturing, are more likely to contract the disease. Even if an individual does not work in one of these areas, he or she can still be exposed through family members and other sources. For this reason, anyone who is concerned that they might be at risk should speak to an experienced doctor. If they have an history of exposure to asbestos and mesothelioma is a concern, a specialist will help them find out more about the risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos is the most significant risk factor in mesothelioma. It is responsible for as much as 80percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos attorney can happen due to work, military service, or by living with a person who is exposed to asbestos or was previously exposed to doing the same. Asbestos particles can be breathed in by those who are exposed to asbestos. These particles can cause irritation to the linings and trigger cancerous cells to form in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma may take between 15 and 60 years to develop after exposure to asbestos case.

Other risk factors include genetics, smoking and age. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely get mesothelioma than people younger or more senior. Mesothelioma can take between 20 and 60 years before it manifests cancer symptoms after the first exposure. It is important to note that mesothelioma can occur in those who have been exposed to asbestos, but without having directly worked with it. This is known as indirect or secondary asbestos exposure and can be as hazardous as direct asbestos legal - find more info, exposure.

Smoking increases the chance of mesothelioma developing, because it damages the mesothelium. It also makes it more prone to. Mesothelioma can also be aggravated by certain illnesses, including asbestosis and pneumonia. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than women. This is due to the fact that men are more likely to be exposed to asbestos and endure a an extended period of exposure than women. Also, men are more likely to live with someone who has had asbestos exposure and bring asbestos fibers from their workplace on their clothes. Women are less likely to come into contact with asbestos and rarely carry asbestos case on their clothing.

Diagnosis

It is difficult to recognize mesothelioma since its symptoms are frequently similar to other illnesses. This is why patients are sometimes misdiagnosed.

NYU Langone doctors will perform physical examinations 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, and also to look for evidence of past asbestos exposure such as pleural plaques (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the formation of fluid between the lung and chest wall (known as pleural effusion).

Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI test, that uses radio waves and magnets to create a series of detailed images of inside the body. A surgical biopsy is a different way for doctors to diagnose mesothelioma. In a surgical biopsy doctors take a tiny piece of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum to be examined further. A pathologist can look at the tissue under microscopes to determine whether it has cancerous cells.

The mesothelial type involved as well as the benign or malignant nature of these cells and the location the cancer, its type and the stage of the cancer are used to classify the disease. Certain mesothelioma types have greater chance of metastasizing or spreading and it's crucial to get a definitive diagnosis so that doctors can treat it before it gets out-of-control.

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

Treatment

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

Exposure to asbestos can 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 irritate the lung's lining (pleura). As time passes the irritation causes the formation of scar tissue that eventually result in tumors.

The pleura is the area that surrounds the heart and lungs, as well as the abdomen. Mesothelium is composed of cells that react to exposure to asbestos which causes it to become inflamed and develop scar tissue. As time passes, these changes result in the growth of malignant mesothelioma tumors.

Symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include breathlessness and chest pain as well as a buildup of fluid in the lungs (pleural effusion). 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 stomach or lungs the doctor will request biopsies. During the procedure doctors remove a small amount of liquid or tumor for tests in the laboratory. The results will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma, and also determine the best treatment option.

There are a variety of treatment for mesothelioma including surgery and chemotherapy. Most doctors utilize a combination of these treatments. Patients may also benefit from enrolling in a clinical trial of new mesothelioma treatment. Patients can learn more about the trials by speaking with a mesothelioma doctor who has treated the condition.