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Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that is made up of thin, long fibres. People who are exposed to asbestos may develop lung diseases like mesothelioma.

It could take a long time before symptoms begin to manifest after exposure to asbestos case (stay with me). Different types of asbestos may cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma, a form of cancer, that develops in the lung's outer the lining (pleura). It is the most prevalent mesothelioma type and accounts for 70% to 79% all diagnosed cases. Patients with this disease suffer from chest pain and breath shortness and may also feel a sensation of heaviness in the chest.

This kind of cancer is usually caused by exposure to asbestos, which is a grouping of minerals that are comprised of microscopic fibres. When inhaled, these fibers stick inside the lung and cause irritation which results in scarring and DNA mutations. Pleura surrounds both the chest cavity and the lungs, and so irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma is usually not symptomatic until 30 to 50 year after exposure.

Chest pain and shortness breath are the most frequently reported symptoms. Patients may also feel tightness in their chest, coughing or difficulty breathing. Patients with this type of cancer typically have an history of exposure to asbestos in the workplace. Construction, manufacturing, and shipbuilding are the most prevalent jobs that put people at a high chance of developing pleural mesothelioma. People who have served in the military could be at a higher risk due to the widespread use of asbestos in Navy ships and army bunkers.

The TNM (tumors lymph nodes and metastases staging system) is the most common staging system for pleural adenocarcinoma. The stage a patient has upon diagnosis will aid their doctor in determining the best treatment plan for them. For instance, patients suffering from mesothelioma that is pleural in stage three or four have a poorer prognosis than those in lower stages. Stage four mesothelioma may spread to the liver, heart, or diaphragm. This can make the cancer more difficult to treat, and increase the chances of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

As opposed to pleural mesothelioma that develops in the lung lining, peritoneal mesothelioma forms in the peritoneum -- it is a membrane that lines the abdominal cavity as well as organs like the intestines and the liver. Like pleural mesothelioma, asbestos exposure is the primary cause of peritoneal msothelioma. The disease is less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma. There are only about 300-500 cases diagnosed each year.

As with pleural asbestosis, symptoms can take several years to manifest. Patients generally suffer from abdominal pain and may have a mass in their abdomen. The symptoms of this type of mesothelioma could also include nausea as well as weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms could be mistaken for gastrointestinal problems which can lead to a mistaken diagnosis.

Doctors can identify mesothelioma by looking over the medical history of the patient and performing a physical exam. They can also utilize 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 visible on X-rays.

These tests enable doctors to identify mesothelioma, and determine the stage. They also offer treatments. Staging is determined based on the type of cells and whether or not the cancer has spread to other regions of the body.

Asbestos exposure is the main risk factor. People who have worked in jobs which require asbestos, such as plumbing, electrical work, manufacturing or construction, are at a higher risk of developing the disease. Even if an individual isn't employed in one of these fields they could still be exposed through family members and other sources. Anyone who believes they are at risk should talk to a doctor. A mesothelioma expert can help those who have a previous history of asbestos to find out more about their risk.

Risk Factors

asbestos lawyer is the primary risk factor in mesothelioma. It is responsible for up to 80% of all cases. Exposure to asbestos may occur due to work, military service, or by living with someone who is exposed to asbestos or was previously exposed to doing so. Asbestos particles are inhaled by those who are exposed to asbestos. They can cause irritation to the linings of the abdomen and trigger cancerous cells to grow in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma can take anywhere between 15 and 60 years to develop following exposure to asbestos.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics, and the advancing age. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely to be diagnosed with mesothelioma compared to those who are younger or older. This is because mesothelioma usually lasts between 20 and 60 years after the initial exposure before the first signs of cancer appear. It is important to remember that mesothelioma can develop in those who were exposed to asbestos, but did not work with it directly. This is referred to as secondary or indirect asbestos exposure. It can be just as harmful as direct asbestos exposure.

Smoking increases a person's chances of developing mesothelioma due to the fact that it damages the mesothelium and makes it more susceptible to asbestos. Mesothelioma is also aggravated by certain diseases, such as asbestosis and pneumonia. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than women. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos compensation for a longer period of time and to have worked with asbestos for longer periods of time. Also, men are more likely to live with someone who was exposed to asbestos and bring asbestos fibers from their workplace on their clothes. Women are less likely to be exposed to asbestos settlement, and don't typically carry asbestos on their clothes.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is a difficult disease to recognize because the symptoms are often similar to other diseases. This can lead to victims being incorrectly diagnosed.

The first step to diagnose mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform a physical exam and take notes on the medical history of a patient including asbestos compensation exposure. Doctors can also order an X-ray chest or CT scan to detect lumps and other abnormalities, as well as evidence of past asbestos exposure like pleural plaques (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the accumulation of fluid between the lung and the chest wall (known as pleural effusion).

Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance imaging or MRI test, which uses radio waves and magnets to create a series of detailed images of the insides of the body. Another way doctors can diagnose mesothelioma is to perform a surgical biopsy. When a biopsy is performed doctors will remove a small piece of tissue from pleura or the peritoneum, to be examined further. A pathologist can then examine the tissue with microscopes to determine whether it contains cancerous cells.

The mesothelial type involved, the malignant or benign nature of those cells and the location and stage of the tumour, are used to categorize the disease. Some types of mesothelioma have a higher chance of metastasizing or spreading, so it's important to determine the type of mesothelioma to ensure that the doctors can treat it before it becomes out of control.

Doctors may also conduct tests in the laboratory on tumors in order to determine specific proteins, genes or other factors that can help them describe the characteristics of cancer and plan treatment. These results are called staging.

Treatment

A diagnosis of mesothelioma may be terrifying. But, it is crucial to remember that the disease can be treated, particularly in its earlier stages. Many patients with mesothelioma survive for years without the disease spreading to other parts of their body.

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

The Pleura is a covering that surrounds the abdomen, heart, and lungs. Mesothelium consists of cells that react to asbestos and cause it to enflame and form scar tissue. Overtime, these changes lead to the development of malignant mesothelioma cancers.

The symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are shortness of breath and chest pain as well as a buildup of fluid in the lungs (pleural effusion). In rare cases cancer may spread to the tissues that surround the reproductive organs as well as the heart.

If imaging scans show a possible mass in the stomach or lungs, a doctor will order biopsies. During the procedure, doctors will remove tiny amounts of fluid or tumor for lab tests. The results will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma, and also determine the best treatment plan.

There are many types of treatment for mesothelioma including surgery and chemotherapy. Most doctors utilize a combination of these treatments. Participating in clinical trials for mesothelioma treatments may be beneficial to patients. To learn more, patients should speak to mesothelioma experts who have expertise in treating the condition.