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Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos is a natural mineral that comes in long, thin fibres. People who are regularly exposed to asbestos are at risk of developing lung diseases like mesothelioma.

It may take decades for symptoms to show up after exposure to asbestos. Different asbestos types can cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma occurs in the lung's outer lining also known as the pleura. It is the most frequent type of mesothelioma, making up 70 to 79% of all diagnosed cases. This condition causes chest discomfort, shortness of breath and a feeling heavyness.

This type of cancer usually caused by exposure to asbestos, which is a cluster of minerals that are made up of microscopic fibres. The fibers, when inhaled can cause irritation and DNA mutations. Pleura covers both the chest cavity as well as the lungs, so irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma typically doesn't manifest until 30 to 50 year after exposure.

The most commonly reported symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include chest pain and shortness of breath. Patients may have coughing problems, trouble breathing, or chest tightness. Patients with this cancer have a history of disease that includes asbestos exposure at work. The most common jobs that expose workers to the risk of pleural mesothelioma include manufacturing, construction, and shipbuilding. People who have served in the military are at an especially high risk because of the extensive use of asbestos in Navy ships and bunkers for the army.

The TNM (tumors lymph nodes and metastases staging system) is the most common staging system for the pleural adenocarcinoma. The stage a patient is in at diagnosis will help their doctor determine the most appropriate treatment plan for them. Patients with pleural mesothelioma that is in stage three or four will suffer a more negative prognosis than those in a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma often spreads to the diaphragm, liver or even a person's heart. This can make the cancer more difficult to treat, and increase the chance of complications for patients.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

As opposed to pleural mesothelioma that develops in the lung lining, peritoneal mesothelioma is found in the peritoneum -- an elongated membrane that covers the abdominal cavity as well as organs like the intestines and the liver. Similar to pleural mesothelioma, asbestos litigation exposure is the reason for peritoneal msothelioma. There are only 300-500 cases diagnosed each year which is lower than pleural asbestosis.

As with pleural asbestosis symptoms can take a long time to manifest. Patients generally 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 of gastrointestinal issues, which can lead to confusion in diagnosis.

Generally speaking, doctors can detect mesothelioma after a thorough health history and physical examination. They can also use imaging tests like X-rays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to help find mesothelioma. These tests can identify tumors and other cancer signs which aren't evident on X-rays.

The results of these tests allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and determine the stage and suggest treatment options. The stage of the disease is determined based on the type of cells and whether or the cancer has spread to other parts of the body.

The most significant risk factor for mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos attorney. People who have worked in asbestos-related jobs, such as electrical or plumbing work or in construction, manufacturing and manufacturing, are more likely to contract the disease. Even if someone does not work in one of these fields however, they may still be exposed to asbestos law through family members and other sources. Anyone who suspects that they are at risk should consult an expert. A mesothelioma expert can help those who have a experience with asbestos to understand more about their risk.

Risk Factors

asbestos legal is the primary risk factor in mesothelioma. It accounts for up to 80percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos can occur as a result of work, military service, or by living with a person who works with asbestos or was previously exposed to doing such. When exposed to asbestos, the particles are able to be inhaled into abdomen and lungs. These particles irritate the linings, causing cancerous cells to develop in the mesothelium. After asbestos exposure mesothelioma can develop between 15 and 60 year.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and age. The people in their 40s or 50s are at a higher chance of developing mesothelioma to those who are younger or older. This is because mesothelioma usually takes 20 to 60 years after the initial exposure to asbestos before the first signs of cancer appear. It is important to remember, too, that mesothelioma may be present in people who have been exposed to asbestos, but without having directly worked with it. This is called secondary or indirect exposure to asbestos, and it is just as harmful as direct exposure.

Smoking increases the risk of developing mesothelioma due to the fact that it damages the mesothelium, which makes it more vulnerable to asbestos. Furthermore, mesothelioma is exacerbated by certain illnesses like asbestosis and pneumonia. It is also important to know that mesothelioma is more prevalent in males than females. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for longer periods of time and work with asbestos for longer durations and to work with it. Men are also more likely to live with someone who has worked with asbestos and carry stray asbestos fibers home on their clothes. Women are less likely to come exposed to asbestos, and they are less likely to carry asbestos on their clothing.

Diagnosis

It is difficult to identify mesothelioma since its symptoms are often similar to other conditions. This could lead to patients being incorrectly diagnosed.

NYU Langone doctors will perform an examination of the body and document the patient's medical background including asbestos exposure. Doctors can also order an X-ray chest or CT scan to check for lumps or other abnormalities, as well as evidence of past asbestos exposure such as 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 scan or MRI test, which uses magnets and radio waves in order to produce a series of precise images of inside the body. A surgical biopsy is another method doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma. In a surgical biopsy doctors remove a small piece of tissue from the peritoneum or pleura for further testing. A pathologist can then look at the tissue under microscopes to determine whether it has cancerous cells.

Mesothelioma is classified according to the type of mesothelial cell involved, whether those cells are malignant or benign and the location of the tumor, its type, and the stage of the tumor. Certain types of mesothelioma are at an increased risk of metastasizing or spreading, so it's important to establish a clear diagnosis so that doctors can treat it prior to it becoming out-of-control.

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

Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnosis is an incredibly frightening prospect. But, it is crucial to remember that the cancer is treatable, especially in its earlier stages. Many people with mesothelioma live for many years with the disease, without spreading to other areas of their body.

Exposure to asbestos can trigger mesothelioma in many ways. Asbestos fibres, small enough to not be felt or viewed by naked eyes, can become airborne, causing irritation to the lining of the lung (pleura). Over time the irritation causes the formation of scar tissues and eventually tumors.

The Pleura is a protective layer that surrounds the abdomen, heart, and lungs. Mesothelium is composed of cells that react to exposure to asbestos and cause it to enflame and create scar tissue. As time passes, these changes result in the growth of malignant mesothelioma tumors.

Symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include shortness of breath and chest pain as well as the accumulation of fluid in the lung (pleural effusion). In rare instances, the cancer can be spread to the tissues around the heart and reproductive organs.

If imaging scans show a possible mass in the stomach or lungs the doctor will request a biopsies. During the procedure doctors remove a small amount of liquid or tumor for laboratory testing. The results can confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and help determine the best treatment option.

There are a variety of treatment for mesothelioma, including surgery and chemotherapy. The majority of doctors employ a combination of these treatments. Patients can also benefit by taking part in a clinical trial of new mesothelioma treatment. Patients can find out more by speaking with a mesothelioma doctor who has treated the disease.