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Mesothelioma and asbestos Case

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

It may take decades for symptoms to appear after exposure to asbestos. Different asbestos types can cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma, a form of cancer, that affects the lung's outer liner (pleura). It is the most common mesothelioma form and is responsible for 70 to 79% of all diagnosed cases. This condition causes chest pain, breath shortness and a feeling heaviness.

This type of cancer is typically caused by exposure to asbestos which is a collection of minerals composed of microscopic fibers. These fibers, when inhaled can cause irritation and DNA mutations. The pleura surrounds the chest cavity and lungs This means that these irritations can affect both the lungs and a person's heart. Mesothelioma typically doesn't manifest until 30 to 50 year after exposure.

The most common symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are chest pain and shortness of breath. Patients may also feel tightness in their chest or coughing. They may also experience difficulty breathing. Patients with this type of cancer have a past that includes asbestos exposure at work. The most prevalent jobs that expose people to the risk of developing pleural mesothelioma are manufacturing, construction, and shipbuilding. People who were in the military are at greater risk due to the frequent use of asbestos in Navy vessels and bunkers in the Army.

The most commonly used staging system for pleural mysothelioma has been the TNM (tumor lymph nodes, lymph nodes and metastases) staging system. The stage that a patient is in at the time of diagnosis can help determine what treatment plan they should follow. For instance, patients suffering from mesothelioma that is pleural in stage three or four have a worse prognosis than those with lower stages. Stage four mesothelioma is often spread to the diaphragm, the liver or even a person's heart. This can make it more difficult to treat and increase the likelihood of complications for patients.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

As opposed to pleural mesothelioma that is a lung-lining cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma is found in the peritoneum, it is a membrane that lines the abdominal cavity and organs such as the liver and intestines. Like pleural mesothelioma, peritoneal mesothelioma is caused by asbestos exposure. The disease is much less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma. There are only about 300-500 cases diagnosed each year.

Like pleural mesothelioma, the symptoms can take a long time to manifest. Most patients are afflicted with abdominal pain as well as an abdominal mass. This type of mesothelioma may cause nausea, weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms are similar to those of digestive issues, which could result in confusion in diagnosis.

The doctors can detect mesothelioma through looking over the medical history of the patient and performing a physical exam. They can also use imaging tests such as X-rays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to detect mesothelioma. These tests can show tumors, as well as other symptoms of cancer that aren't apparent on an X-ray.

These test results allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and determine the stage and recommend treatment options. The stage is determined by the type of cell as well as whether the tumor has spread.

The most important mesothelioma risk factor is asbestos case exposure. People who have been in occupations that involve asbestos, such as plumbing, manufacturing, electrical work, or construction, are at increased risk of developing the disease. Even if they do not work in these fields they could be exposed to asbestos 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 expert can help those who have a history with asbestos to learn more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos is the main risk factor for mesothelioma. It accounts for up to 80% of all cases. Exposure to asbestos can occur through work, military service, or by living with someone who works with asbestos or was previously exposed to doing such. Asbestos particles can be inhaled by those who are exposed to asbestos. These particles can cause irritation to the linings, causing cancerous cells to form in the mesothelium. After asbestos settlement exposure mesothelioma can occur between 15 and 60 year.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics, and the advancing age. People in their 40s and 50s are at greater risk of developing mesothelioma as compared to those younger or older. This is because mesothelioma typically takes 20 to 60 years from the first exposure before cancer symptoms appear. It is important to keep in mind that mesothelioma may develop in people who have been exposed to asbestos without having worked with it directly. This is known as secondary or indirect asbestos law exposure. It can be just as harmful as direct asbestos exposure.

Smoking can increase the likelihood of developing mesothelioma due to the fact that it damages the mesothelium, which makes it more prone to asbestos. Furthermore, mesothelioma is caused by certain illnesses, such as pneumonia and asbestosis. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than women. This is due to the fact that men are more likely to work with asbestos and experience a more exposure than women. Men are also more likely to live with someone who has was exposed to asbestos and bring asbestos fibers from their workplace on their clothes. Women tend to have less exposure to asbestos and rarely carry asbestos on their clothes.

Diagnosis

It is difficult to diagnose mesothelioma since its symptoms are often similar to other conditions. This could lead to patients being misdiagnosed.

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

Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance scan, or MRI test, that uses radio waves and magnets in order to create a series of detailed images of inside the body. A surgical biopsy is another method for doctors to identify mesothelioma. During a surgical biopsy, doctors remove a small amount of tissue from the pleura or peritoneum to conduct further tests. A pathologist can then examine the tissue with microscopes to determine whether it has cancerous cells.

Mesothelioma can be classified based on the type of mesothelial cells involved, whether these cells are benign or malignant and also the location, type, and stage of the tumor. Some types of mesothelioma have an increased risk of metastasizing or spreading therefore it is essential to get a definitive diagnosis to ensure that the doctors can treat it before it gets out of control.

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

Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnosis can be terrifying. But, it is crucial to keep in mind that the cancer is treatable, especially in its early stages. Many people with mesothelioma live for years with the disease without it spreading to other organs of their body.

Asbestos exposure can trigger mesothelioma via various mechanisms. Asbestos fibers, too small to detect or feel with the naked eye, can become airborne and irritate the lining of the lungs (pleura). Over time irritation leads to formation of scar tissue which can cause changes in the structure of cells that eventually develop into tumors.

The pleura covers the lungs and the heart and also the abdomen. Mesothelium is made up of cells that react to asbestos which causes it to become inflamed and form scar tissue. Overtime, these changes lead to the development of malignant mesothelioma cancers.

Shortness of breath, chest discomfort, or the accumulation of fluid on the lungs are all symptoms of the pleural Msothelioma. In rare instances the cancer may grow to the tissues surrounding the heart and reproductive organs.

If imaging scans show a possible mass in the lungs or stomach the doctor will request biopsies. In the course of the procedure, doctors remove a small amount of fluid or tumor to allow for tests in the laboratory. The results can confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and determine the best treatment option.

There are many types of mesothelioma treatment options, including chemotherapy, surgery and immunotherapy. Most doctors utilize the combination of these treatments. Patients may also benefit from taking part in a clinical trial of new mesothelioma treatment. To find out more, patients should speak with a mesothelioma specialist who has had experience treating the disease.