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Mesothelioma and Asbestos

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

Symptoms of these diseases may not manifest for years after exposure to asbestos claim. Different asbestos types may cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma, a form of cancer, that develops in the outer lung the lining (pleura). It is the most prevalent mesothelioma type and is responsible for 70 to 79% of all diagnosed cases. Patients suffering from this condition suffer from chest pain and shortness of breath and may experience an ache or heaviness in the chest.

Exposure to asbestos lawsuit, a family of minerals comprised of microscopic fibers, usually causes this type of cancer. These fibers, when inhaled can cause irritation and DNA mutations. Pleura is the lining of both the chest cavity and the lungs, so irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma symptoms are usually not apparent until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

The most frequent symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are chest pain and breath shortness. Patients may have coughing problems, trouble breathing, or chest tightness. People who suffer from this cancer usually have an history of exposure to asbestos attorney in the workplace. The most prevalent jobs that put people at risk of developing pleural cancer are manufacturing, construction, and shipbuilding. People who have served in the military are at risk due to the widespread asbestos case; try Tractiontoolkit, use in Navy vessels and bunkers for the army.

The most commonly used staging method for pleural mesothelioma is the TNM (tumor lymph nodes, lymph nodes, and metastases) staging system. The stage a patient is in at the moment of diagnosis will determine the treatment plan they should follow. Patients who have pleural mesothelioma which is in stage three or four will have a worse prognosis compared to those who are in a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma is often spread to the diaphragm, liver and/or a person's heart. This makes it more difficult to treat and increase the risk of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

As opposed to pleural mesothelioma that develops in the lung lining, peritoneal mesothelioma forms in the peritoneum -- a membrane that lines the abdominal cavity and organs such as the intestines and liver. Like pleural mesothelioma, asbestos exposure is the reason for peritoneal msothelioma. Only 300-500 cases are diagnosed each year this is less than the pleural asbestosis.

Like pleural mesothelioma, the symptoms can take a long time to manifest. Patients typically experience abdominal pain, and could also experience a mass in their abdomen. The symptoms of this type of mesothelioma may also include nausea as well as weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms could be mistaken for gastrointestinal problems and can lead to a misdiagnosis.

The doctors can detect mesothelioma through looking over the medical history of the patient and performing a physical examination. Imaging tests like X-rays and CT scans can be used to identify mesothelioma. These tests can show tumors and other indications of cancer that aren't visible on X-rays.

The results of these tests allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma, identify the stage of the disease and suggest treatment options. The stage is determined by the kind of cell and if the tumor has spread.

The most important mesothelioma risk factor is exposure to asbestos. People who have worked in jobs that require asbestos, such as plumbing, electrical work, manufacturing or construction, are at increased risk of developing the disease. Even if a person isn't employed in one of these areas, he or she can still be exposed through family members and other sources. Anyone who thinks they're at risk should speak with an expert. If they have any history of exposure to asbestos and mesothelioma is a concern, a specialist will assist them in finding out more about the risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos is the primary risk factor for mesothelioma. It is responsible for up to the 80% of cases. Exposure to asbestos can happen through military service, work, or living with those who worked with asbestos. When exposed to asbestos, small particles are able to be inhaled into abdomen and lungs. These particles irritate the linings, causing cancerous cells to form in the mesothelium. Following exposure to asbestos mesothelioma is likely to be diagnosed between 15 and 60 years.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and the advancing age. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely to get mesothelioma than people younger or more senior. This is because mesothelioma usually occurs between 20 and 60 years from the first exposure before symptoms of cancer begin to manifest. It is important to remember that mesothelioma is a possibility in those who were exposed to asbestos, but did not deal with it directly. This is known as secondary or indirect exposure to asbestos. It can be just as dangerous as direct exposure.

Smoking can increase the likelihood of developing mesothelioma since it damages the mesothelium, which makes it more prone to asbestos. Mesothelioma is also aggravated by certain illnesses, including asbestosis and pneumonia. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma compared to women. This is because men are more likely to be exposed to asbestos and endure a an extended period of exposure than women. Additionally, men are more likely to live with someone who has worked with asbestos settlement and carry asbestos fibers that have escaped home on their clothing. Women tend to have less exposure to asbestos and rarely carry asbestos around on their clothes.

Diagnosis

It is difficult to recognize mesothelioma because its symptoms are often similar to other conditions. This is why patients are sometimes mistakenly diagnosed.

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 check for lumps or other abnormalities, as well as evidence of asbestos exposure in the past like plaques on the pleura (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the buildup of fluid between the lung and chest wall (known as the pleural effusion).

Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance image or MRI test, that uses radio waves and magnets to create a series 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 remove a tiny piece of tissue from pleura or the peritoneum to be further examined. A pathologist can examine the tissue with microscopes to determine whether it has cancerous cells.

Mesothelioma is classified according to the type of mesothelial cells involved, whether those cells are benign or malignant and also the location of the tumor, the type, and the stage of the tumor. Some types of mesothelioma have a higher chance of metastasizing or spreading therefore it is essential to establish a clear diagnosis so doctors can treat it prior to it becoming out-of-control.

Doctors may also conduct tests in the lab on tumors to determine specific proteins, genes, or other factors which can aid in describing the characteristics of cancer and plan treatment. These results are known as staging.

Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnose can be terrifying. But, it is crucial to remember that the disease is treatable, especially in its initial stages. Many mesothelioma patients live for a long time with the disease, without spreading to other organs of their body.

Exposure to asbestos may cause mesothelioma through a variety of ways. Asbestos fibers, which are too small to be felt or seen with the naked eyes, can become airborne and irritate the lining of the lung (pleura). As time passes the irritation causes the formation of scar tissue that eventually result in tumors.

The pleura surrounds the heart and lungs and also the abdomen. Mesothelium is made up of cells that respond when exposed to asbestos. They cause inflammation to the tissue and cause it to scar. As time passes, these changes result in the growth of malignant mesothelioma tumors.

The signs of pleural mesothelioma can include shortness of breath and chest pain as well as an accumulation of fluid on the lungs (pleural effusion). In rare cases, the cancer can spread to the tissues surrounding the heart and reproductive organs.

If imaging scans show a possible mass in the stomach or lungs doctors will recommend a biopsies. During the procedure, doctors remove small amounts of the fluid or tumor for laboratory analysis. The results will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and indicate the best treatment plan.

There are several types of mesothelioma treatments, including chemotherapy, surgery and immunotherapy. Most doctors use combinations of these treatments. Patients could also benefit from enrolling in a clinical trial of new mesothelioma therapies. Patients can learn more about the trials by speaking with a mesothelioma doctor who has treated mesothelioma.