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Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos Legal, a mineral that naturally forms in the form of long, thin fibers. People who are exposed to asbestos are at risk of developing lung diseases such as mesothelioma.

The symptoms of these diseases may not manifest for years after exposure to asbestos litigation. Different asbestos types can 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 form and accounts for 70% to 79% of all diagnosed cases. This condition causes chest pain, breath shortness and a feeling of heaviness.

This type of cancer is usually caused by exposure to asbestos which is a cluster of minerals that are made up of microscopic fibres. Once inhaled, these fibers cling to the lungs and cause irritation that leads to 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.

Shortness of breath and chest pain are the most frequent symptoms. Some patients also experience coughing, difficulty breathing or chest tightness. People with this cancer often have an history of exposure to asbestos in the workplace. Construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding are the most common jobs which put people at risk danger of developing pleural melanoma. People who were in the military are at higher risk due to the widespread use of asbestos in Navy vessels and bunkers for the Army.

The most common staging method for pleural mesothelioma is the TNM (tumor lymph nodes, lymph nodes and metastases) staging system. The stage that the patient is in at the moment of diagnosis will determine the treatment plan they will receive. Patients with pleural mesothelioma that is in stage three or four will have a less favorable prognosis than those who are in a less advanced stage. Mesothelioma in stage four is usually spread to the diaphragm, the liver and/or a person's heart. This makes it more difficult to treat and increase the risk of complications for patients.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

In contrast to pleural mesothelioma which is a lung-lining cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma is found in the peritoneum, it is a membrane that lines the abdominal cavity as well as organs like the liver and intestines. As with pleural mesothelioma asbestos exposure is the primary cause of peritoneal msothelioma. Only 300-500 cases are diagnosed each year, which is less than pleural asbestosis.

As with pleural asbestosis, symptoms can take years to show. Patients generally experience abdominal pain, and may have a mass in their abdomen. This kind of mesothelioma can also cause nausea, weight loss and fever. A lot of these symptoms are similar to symptoms of digestive problems, which can result in incorrect diagnosis.

Doctors can detect mesothelioma by reviewing the medical history of the patient and performing a physical examination. Imaging tests like X-rays or CT scans can be used to detect mesothelioma. These tests can reveal tumors, as well as other indications 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 of the disease is determined based on the type of cell and whether or the tumor has spread to other regions of the body.

Asbestos exposure is the most important risk factor. People who have worked in jobs that involve asbestos, such as plumbing, electrical work, manufacturing or construction, are at a higher risk of developing the disease. Even if someone isn't employed in one of these areas, he or she can still be exposed through family members and other sources. For this reason, anyone who believes they could be at risk should talk to an experienced doctor. If they have a history of asbestos exposure and mesothelioma is a concern, a specialist will help them find out more about the risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos is the primary mesothelioma-related risk factor. It accounts for as much as 80% of all cases. Exposure to asbestos can happen through work, military service or by living with someone who is exposed to asbestos or was previously exposed to doing the same. When exposed to asbestos, the particles can be inhaled into the abdomen and lungs. These particles can cause irritation to the linings of the lungs, causing cancerous cells to grow in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma can take anywhere between 15 and 60 years to develop after exposure to asbestos.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and aging. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely to develop mesothelioma than those who are younger or more senior. 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 have been exposed to asbestos but did not work with it directly. This is known as secondary or indirect asbestos exposure. It can be as dangerous 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 aggravated by certain illnesses such as asbestosis and pneumonia. It is also important to note that mesothelioma is more common in males than females. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos case for longer periods of time and work with asbestos for longer periods of time. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who had worked with asbestos legal, and to have asbestos-containing fibers on their clothing. Women are less likely to come in contact with asbestos, and don't typically carry asbestos on their clothing.

Diagnosis

It is difficult to recognize mesothelioma due to its symptoms being often similar to other diseases. This can result in patients being incorrectly diagnosed.

NYU Langone doctors will perform a physical examination and record the patient's medical history including asbestos legal exposure. Doctors will also recommend a CT scan or chest X-ray to look for lumps, abnormalities and evidence of exposure to asbestos. These include plaques on the pleura, pleura that are thickened and calcium deposits.

Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram which examines the blood vessels and the heart, and a magnetic resonance imaging, also known as MRI test, which uses radio waves and magnets to make a series of detailed images of the interior of the body. A surgical biopsy is a different method doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma. When a biopsy is performed doctors take a tiny part of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum, to be examined further. A pathologist will then look at the tissue under a magnifying glass to determine whether it contains cancerous cells.

The type of mesothelial cells involved as well as the benign or malignant nature of the cells as well as the location the cancer, its type and the stage of the tumor, are used to classify the disease. Some types of mesothelioma are more likely to grow or spread which is why it is crucial to get a definite diagnosis to ensure that doctors are able to treat the disease before it goes out of control.

Doctors may also conduct tests in the lab on tumors to identify specific genes, proteins or other elements that will help them identify cancer characteristics and plan treatment. These results are known as staging.

Treatment

A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be terrifying. It is important to keep in mind that cancer can be treated, especially at its early stages. Many mesothelioma patients live for a long time with the disease, without spreading to other parts of their body.

Exposure to asbestos can trigger mesothelioma in a number of ways. Asbestos particles, which are too small to detect or feel with the naked eye, can become airborne and irritate the lung's lining (pleura). As time passes the irritation causes the formation of scar tissue and eventually tumors.

The pleura surrounds the lungs and heart and the abdomen. Mesothelium consists of cells that react to exposure to asbestos which causes it to become inflamed and create scar tissue. As time passes, these changes lead to the development of malignant mesothelioma tumors.

Symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include shortness of breath, chest pain or the accumulation of fluid on the lung (pleural effusion). In rare cases cancer can spread to the tissues that surround the reproductive organs as well as the heart.

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

There are a variety of treatment for mesothelioma including surgery and chemotherapy. Most doctors utilize the combination of these treatments. Patients can also benefit by enrolling in a clinical trial of new mesothelioma therapies. Patients can find out more by speaking with a mesothelioma doctor who has treated mesothelioma.