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Mesothelioma and Asbestos

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

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

Pleural Mesothelioma

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

Exposure to asbestos, a class of minerals comprised of microscopic fibers, typically causes this kind of cancer. Once inhaled, the fibers are absorbed into the lung and cause irritation which causes scarring and DNA mutations. Pleura covers both the chest cavity as well as the lungs, so irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma symptoms usually don't appear until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

The most commonly reported symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include chest discomfort and shortness of breath. Patients may also suffer from chest tightness and coughing, or breathing difficulties. Patients with this type of cancer have a past that includes asbestos exposure at work. Manufacturing, construction and shipbuilding are the most common jobs which put people at risk chance of developing pleural mesothelioma. People who served in the military are at a greater risk due the widespread use of asbestos in Navy vessels and bunkers in the Army.

The TNM (tumors lymph nodes, tumors, and metastases staging system) is the most popular staging system for pleural adenocarcinoma. The stage a patient is in at the time of diagnosis will help determine the treatment plan they will receive. For example, patients with a pleural mesothelioma in stage three or four have a less favorable prognosis than those with lower stages. Stage four mesothelioma often spreads to the liver, diaphragm or even a person's heart. This makes it more difficult to treat and raises the risk of complications for patients.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Unlike pleural cancer, that develops in the lung's lining it develops in a membrane that surrounds the abdominal cavity, which includes organs such as the liver and intestines. Like pleural mesothelioma, exposure to Asbestos Case [It-Viking.Ch] is the cause of peritoneal msothelioma. The disease is less common than pleural mesothelioma, with only about 300-500 cases diagnosed each year.

As with pleural mesothelioma symptoms may take years to appear. Most patients are afflicted with abdominal pain as well as abdominal swelling. The symptoms of this type of mesothelioma may also include nausea, weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms could be misinterpreted as digestive issues which can lead to a misdiagnosis.

Generally speaking, doctors can detect mesothelioma through a thorough medical history and physical exam. Imaging tests such as X-rays or CT scans can be used to detect mesothelioma. These tests can identify tumors and other signs of cancer that aren't visible on X-rays.

These test results allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and determine the stage and suggest treatment options. The stage of the disease is determined based on the type of cells and whether or whether the tumor has spread to other regions of the body.

asbestos attorney exposure is the biggest risk factor. People who have been in occupations that involve asbestos, like plumbing manufacturing, electrical work or construction, are at greater risk of developing the disease. However, even if people aren't employed in these fields they could be exposed to asbestos attorney through family members or through other sources. This is why anyone who suspects they may be at risk should talk to an expert. 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 risk factor for mesothelioma, which accounts for as much as 80 percent of all cases. Exposure to asbestos can happen due to work, military service or through living with a person who is exposed to asbestos or has previously done such. When exposed to asbestos, the particles can be inhaled into the lungs and abdomen. These particles can cause irritation to the linings of the lungs, causing cancerous cells to form in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma may take between 15 and 60 years to develop after exposure to asbestos.

Other risk factors include genetics, smoking and age. The people in their 40s or 50s are at greater chance of developing mesothelioma to people who are younger or more. It takes mesothelioma 20-60 years before it manifests cancer symptoms after the first exposure. It is important to remember that mesothelioma may develop in people who were exposed to asbestos compensation but didn't deal with it directly. This is known as indirect or secondary asbestos exposure. It can be just as harmful as direct asbestos exposure.

Smoking increases a person's chances of developing mesothelioma since it damages the mesothelium, which makes it more susceptible to asbestos. Mesothelioma can also be caused by certain diseases, such as asbestosis and pneumonia. It is also important to remember that mesothelioma is more common in males than females. This is due to the fact that men are more likely to work with asbestos and experience a a longer period of exposure than women. Also, men are more likely to live with someone who was exposed to asbestos and bring stray asbestos litigation fibers home on their clothing. Women are less likely to be exposed to asbestos, and they don't usually carry asbestos on their clothes.

Diagnosis

It is difficult to recognize mesothelioma due to its symptoms being frequently similar to other illnesses. Due to this, patients are often misdiagnosed.

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

Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram which examines the heart and blood vessels as well as a magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI, test, which makes use of radio waves and magnets to make a series of detailed images of the interior of the body. Another way for doctors to detect mesothelioma is through a surgical biopsy. When a biopsy is performed doctors take a tiny piece of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum to be further examined. A pathologist can examine the tissue with microscopes to determine whether it is contaminated with cancerous cells.

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

Doctors can also run tests in the lab on a tumor to identify specific genes, proteins or other elements that can help them describe the cancer's characteristics and plan treatment. These results are called staging.

Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnose can be frightening. It is important to remember, however, that cancer can be treated, especially at its early stages. Many people with mesothelioma live for many years without the disease spreading to other parts of their body.

Exposure to asbestos may cause mesothelioma in many ways. Asbestos fibers, too small to detect or feel by the naked eye can be airborne and cause irritation to the lung's lining (pleura). Over time, the irritation leads to the formation of scar tissues, which eventually lead to tumors.

The pleura surrounds the heart and lungs, as well as the abdomen. Mesothelium is made up of cells that respond when exposed to asbestos. They cause inflammation of the tissue and cause it to become scarred. These changes can lead to malignant mesothelioma tumours.

The signs of pleural mesothelioma can include breathlessness and chest pain, or the accumulation of fluid in the lungs (pleural effusion). In rare cases, the cancer can spread to the tissues surrounding the heart and reproductive organs.

A doctor will order biopsy if imaging scans show a potential tumor in the lungs or stomach. During the procedure doctors remove a small amount of fluid or tumor for tests in the laboratory. The results will confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis, and determine the best treatment option.

There are a variety of mesothelioma treatments, including surgery, chemotherapy and immunotherapy. Most doctors use a combination of these treatments. Participating in clinical trials of mesothelioma treatments may be beneficial to patients. To learn more about the trials, patients should speak to mesothelioma experts who have had experience treating the disease.