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Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that comes in thin, long fibres. People who are exposed to asbestos regularly are at risk of developing mesothelioma as well as other lung diseases of different types.

It may take decades before symptoms begin to manifest after exposure to asbestos claim. Different asbestos types may cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma is a type of cancer that develops in the outer lung liner (pleura). It is the most common mesothelioma type and is responsible for 70 to 79% all diagnosed cases. The condition can cause chest discomfort, shortness of breath, and a feeling of heaviness.

This kind of cancer is typically caused through exposure to asbestos, which is a cluster of minerals that are composed of microscopic fibers. When inhaled, these fibers are absorbed into the lung and cause irritation which causes scarring and DNA mutations. The pleura covers the chest cavity and lungs, so these irritations can affect both the lungs as well as the heart of a person. Mesothelioma usually doesn't show symptoms until 30 to 50 year after exposure.

Shortness of breath and chest pain are the most frequently reported symptoms. Some patients may also experience chest tightness and coughing, or breathing difficulties. 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 high risk of developing pleural mesothelioma. Individuals who have served in the military are at a greater risk due to the frequent use of asbestos in Navy vessels and bunkers for the Army.

The most common staging system for pleural mesothelioma is the TNM (tumor lymph nodes, lymph nodes and metastases) staging system. The stage that a patient is in at the time of diagnosis will help determine what treatment plan they should receive. Patients suffering from pleural mesothelioma who is in stage three or four will suffer a more negative prognosis than those who are in a less advanced stage. Mesothelioma in stage four is usually spread to the diaphragm, liver and/or a person's heart. This makes it more difficult to treat and increases the likelihood of complications for patients.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Unlike pleural mesothelioma, which is a lung-lining cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma is found in the peritoneum - an elongated membrane that covers the abdominal cavity and organs such as the intestines and the liver. Like pleural mesothelioma, peritoneal mesothelioma is triggered by asbestos exposure. The disease is less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma. There are around 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.

As with pleural asbestosis, symptoms can take a long time to manifest. Patients usually have abdominal pain, and may have a mass in their abdomen. This type of mesothelioma may also cause nausea, weight loss and fever. A lot of these symptoms are similar to those experienced by digestive problems, which can lead to confusion in diagnosis.

Doctors can detect mesothelioma by looking over the medical history of the patient and conducting a physical exam. They can also use imaging tests like X-rays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to help find mesothelioma. These tests can show tumors and other signs of cancer that aren't apparent on an X-ray.

These test results allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma, identify the stage and suggest treatment options. The staging is determined by the type of cell and whether or not the tumor has spread to other parts of the body.

The most significant risk factor for mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos. People who have been in occupations that involve asbestos, such as plumbing, manufacturing, electrical work, or construction, are at a higher risk of developing the disease. However, even if individuals aren't employed in these fields they could be exposed to asbestos through family members or through other sources. Anyone who suspects that they're at risk should talk to a doctor. A mesothelioma specialist can help those who have had a experience with asbestos litigation to understand more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos is the main risk factor for mesothelioma. It accounts for as much as 80percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos can occur as a result of work, military service or through living with a person who works with asbestos or used to do the same. Asbestos particles can be breathed in by people who are exposed to it. These particles can cause irritation to the linings, causing cancerous cells to develop in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma may take between 15 and 60 years to develop after exposure to asbestos.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and aging. People in their 40s or 50s are at a higher chance of developing mesothelioma to those who are 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 attorney but didn't deal with it directly. This is known as indirect or secondary asbestos lawyer exposure. It can be just as harmful as direct asbestos exposure.

Smoking increases the chance of mesothelioma because it damages the mesothelium. It also makes it more prone to. Mesothelioma can also be caused by certain illnesses such as asbestosis and pneumonia. It is also important to know that mesothelioma is more common in males than females. This is because men are more likely to work with asbestos and have an extended period of exposure than women. Additionally, men are more likely to live with someone who has worked with asbestos and carry stray asbestos fibers home on their clothes. Women tend to be less exposed to asbestos and they are less likely to bring asbestos home on their clothing.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is a difficult disease to recognize because the symptoms often resemble other conditions. This can lead to victims being wrongly diagnosed.

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

Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram which examines the heart and blood vessels as well as a magnetic resonance imaging, also known as MRI, test that uses magnets and radio waves to create precise images of the inside of the body. Another way for doctors to detect mesothelioma is through the procedure of a surgical biopsy. During a surgery biopsy, doctors remove a tiny part of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum, to be tested further. A pathologist then examines the tissue using a magnifying lens to determine if it contains cancerous cell.

The type of mesothelial cell involved and the benign or malignant nature of the cells as well as the location, type and stage of the cancer are used to classify the disease. Some types of mesothelioma have a higher risk of spreading or metastasizing, so it's important to determine the type of mesothelioma so doctors can treat it prior to it becoming out-of-control.

Doctors can also perform tests in the lab on tumors to identify specific genes, proteins or other elements that can aid in describing cancer characteristics and determine the best treatment. These results are known as staging.

Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnosis can be an incredibly frightening prospect. However, it is important to remember that the disease is treatable, especially in its initial stages. Many patients with mesothelioma survive for many years with the disease without it spreading to other parts of their body.

Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma through a variety of ways. Asbestos particles, which are too small to see or feel through the naked eye, can become airborne and irritate the lining of the lungs (pleura). In time, the irritation causes the formation of scar tissue, which causes changes in the cell structure that eventually develop into tumors.

The pleura covers the heart and lungs and also the abdomen. Mesothelium is composed of cells that react to exposure to asbestos and cause it to enflame and form scar tissue. These changes can cause mesothelioma cancers.

Breathing problems, chest pain or fluid accumulation on the lungs are all indications of pleural Msothelioma. In rare instances, the cancer can spread to the tissues surrounding the heart and reproductive organs.

If imaging scans reveal a possible mass in the stomach or lungs the doctor will request a biopsies. In the course of the procedure, doctors remove small amounts of fluid or tumor for laboratory testing. The results will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and help determine the best treatment option.

There are several types of mesothelioma treatment options, including surgery, chemotherapy and immunotherapy. The majority of doctors employ a combination of these treatments. Patients may also benefit from participating in a clinical study of new mesothelioma therapies. To learn more about the trials, patients should consult a mesothelioma specialist who has had experience treating the disease.