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Mesothelioma and Asbestos

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

It can take years for symptoms to appear after asbestos exposure. Different types of asbestos can cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer that occurs in the outer lung the lining (pleura). It is the most frequent form of mesothelioma and accounts for 70% to 79% of diagnosed cases. The condition can cause chest pain, shortness of breathe, and a feeling of heaviness.

This kind of cancer is often caused through exposure to asbestos, which is a cluster of minerals that are composed of microscopic fibers. These fibers, when inhaled, cause irritation and DNA mutations. Pleura surrounds both the chest cavity as well as the lungs, and so irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma usually doesn't show symptoms until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

Shortness of breath and chest pain are the most frequently reported symptoms. Patients may also experience difficulty breathing or chest tightness. People with this cancer often have a history of exposure to asbestos in the workplace. The most frequent jobs that expose people to the risk of developing pleural mesothelioma are manufacturing, construction, and shipbuilding. Individuals who have served in the military are at a greater risk due the frequent use of asbestos in Navy vessels and bunkers in the Army.

The most popular staging system for pleural mesothelioma is the TNM (tumor lymph nodes, lymph nodes, and metastases) staging system. The stage a patient has when they are diagnosed will assist their doctor in determining the best treatment plan for them. Patients suffering from pleural mesothelioma who is in stage three or four will have a worse prognosis compared to those in a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma is often spread to the diaphragm, the liver and/or a person's heart. This could make the cancer more difficult to treat, and increase the risk of complications for patients.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

In contrast to pleural cancer, that develops in the lining of the lung, peritoneal cancer develops in a membrane that surrounds the abdominal cavity, which includes organs like the intestines and the liver. Like pleural mesothelioma, peritoneal mesothelioma can be caused by asbestos exposure. The disease is less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma. There are just 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.

As with pleural asbestosis symptoms can take years to manifest. Patients typically suffer from abdominal pain and may also have a lump in their abdomen. This kind of mesothelioma can also cause nausea, weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms can be mistaken for gastrointestinal problems, leading to a mistaken diagnosis.

Generally speaking, doctors can detect mesothelioma through an extensive health history and physical exam. They can also use imaging tests like Xrays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to identify mesothelioma. These tests can reveal tumors and other symptoms of cancer that aren't visible on X-rays.

These test results enable doctors to identify mesothelioma, and determine the stage. They also offer treatment options. The stage is determined by the type of cell as well as whether the tumor has spread.

asbestos litigation exposure is the most important risk factor. People who have worked in asbestos-related professions, such as electrical or plumbing work or in construction and manufacturing are more likely to contract the disease. Even if someone isn't employed in any of these areas they could be exposed to asbestos through family members or other sources. This is why anyone who believes they could be at risk should talk to an experienced doctor. If they have a history of asbestos exposure, a mesothelioma specialist can help them find out more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos is the primary risk factor for mesothelioma. It is responsible for as much as 80% of all cases. Exposure to asbestos can occur due to work, military service, or by living with someone who works with asbestos or was previously exposed to doing such. When exposed to asbestos, particles can be breathed into the abdomen and lungs. These particles irritate the linings, causing cancerous cells to develop in the mesothelium. After asbestos exposure, mesothelioma may be diagnosed between 15 and 60 years old.

Other risk factors include genetics, smoking and aging. People in their 40s and 50s are at a higher risk of developing mesothelioma compared to those younger or older. Mesothelioma can take between 20 and 60 years to manifest cancer symptoms after the first exposure. It is also important to know that mesothelioma may develop in those who were exposed to asbestos but did not work with it directly. This is referred to as secondary or indirect exposure to asbestos. It could be as hazardous as direct exposure.

Smoking increases the risk of getting mesothelioma because it causes mesothelium damage and makes it more susceptible to asbestos. Mesothelioma can also be caused by certain illnesses, including asbestosis and pneumonia. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than females. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for a longer period of time and to work with it. Also, men are more likely to live with someone who had asbestos case exposure and bring asbestos fibers from their workplace on their clothing. Women are less likely to come into exposure to asbestos and rarely carry asbestos lawyer home on their clothes.

Diagnosis

It is difficult to identify mesothelioma because its symptoms are often similar to other conditions. Due to this, patients are often mistakenly diagnosed.

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

Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance image or MRI test, which uses radio waves and magnets in order to create a series detailed images of the inside of the body. Another method doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma is to perform an operation called a biopsy. In a surgical biopsy doctors take a small amount of tissue from the pleura or peritoneum to conduct further tests. A pathologist can examine the tissue with microscopes to determine whether it has cancerous cells.

Mesothelioma is classified based on the type of mesothelial cell involved, whether those cells are malignant or benign and also the location of the tumor, its type, and the stage of the cancer. Some types of mesothelioma have greater risk of metastasizing or spreading therefore it is essential to get a definitive diagnosis so that doctors can treat it prior to it becoming out of control.

Doctors may also conduct laboratory tests on tumors to identify specific proteins, genes, or other factors which will help them identify cancer characteristics and plan treatment. These results are referred to as staging.

Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnose can be frightening. However, it is important to remember that the cancer can be treated, particularly in its initial stages. Many mesothelioma patients live for years without the disease spreading to other parts of their body.

Exposure to asbestos lawsuit can cause mesothelioma through a variety of ways. Asbestos fibers that are too small to be felt or viewed by naked eyes, can become airborne and irritate the lining of the lung (pleura). As time passes, the irritation causes the formation of scar tissue, which leads to changes in the cell structure which eventually lead to tumors.

The Pleura is a covering that covers the abdomen, heart, and lungs. Mesothelium consists of cells that respond when exposed to asbestos. They cause inflammation to the tissue and cause it to become scarred. These changes can lead to malignant mesothelioma tumours.

A shortness of breath, chest discomfort or fluid buildup on the lungs are all indications of pleural msothelioma. In rare cases cancer can spread to the tissues that surround the reproductive organs and heart.

If imaging scans show a possible mass in the lungs or stomach doctors will recommend a biopsies. During the procedure, doctors take small amounts of the tumor or fluid for lab tests. The results can confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma, and also determine the best treatment option.

There are a variety of treatment for mesothelioma such as chemotherapy and surgery. Most doctors utilize combinations of these treatments. Participating in clinical trials of new mesothelioma treatment may also be beneficial to patients. Patients can find out more by speaking with a mesothelioma doctor who has treated the condition.