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Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos is a natural mineral that is made up of thin, long fibres. Workers who are exposed asbestos regularly risk developing mesothelioma and other lung diseases of different types.

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

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma can be found in the lung's outer lining or pleura. It is the most common mesothelioma form and is responsible for 70 to 79% of diagnosed cases. This condition causes chest pain, shortness of breathe and a feeling of heaviness.

Exposure to asbestos, a family of minerals made of microscopic fibers causes this kind of cancer. Once inhaled, these fibers stick inside the lung and cause irritation which results in scarring and DNA mutations. Pleura covers both the chest cavity as well as the lungs, and so irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma is usually not symptomatic until 30 to 50 year after exposure.

The most frequent symptoms of pleural melanoma are chest discomfort and shortness of breath. Some patients also experience coughing, difficulty breathing or chest tightness. People with this cancer have a history that includes asbestos exposure at work. The most common jobs that expose people to the risk of developing pleural mesothelioma are construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding. People who were in the military are at greater risk due the extensive use asbestos lawyer in Navy vessels and bunkers for the Army.

The TNM (tumors lymph nodes and metastases staging system) is the most commonly used staging system used for pleural adenocarcinoma. The stage that a patient is in at the moment of diagnosis will determine what treatment plan they should follow. For instance, patients who have mesothelioma pleural stage three or four have a less favorable prognosis than patients with lower stages. Stage four mesothelioma often spreads to the diaphragm, the liver or even the heart of a patient. This can make it more difficult to treat and increase the chance of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

In contrast to pleural cancer, that develops in the lung's lining the peritoneal cancer is a result of a membrane that surrounds the abdominal cavity, including organs such as the liver and intestines. Like pleural mesothelioma, peritoneal mesothelioma is caused by asbestos exposure. There are only 300-500 cases diagnosed annually this is less than pleural asbestosis.

Like pleural mesothelioma, the symptoms can take a long time to manifest. Patients usually experience abdominal pain, and may have a mass in their abdomen. Symptoms of this type of mesothelioma could also include nausea, weight loss and fever. A lot of these symptoms are similar to symptoms of gastrointestinal issues, which can lead to 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 detect mesothelioma. These tests can reveal tumors and other signs of cancer that aren't evident on X-rays.

The results of these tests allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and determine the stage of the disease and suggest treatment options. The stage is determined by the type of cell and whether the cancer has spread.

The most significant mesothelioma-related risk factor is exposure to Asbestos Case. People who have been exposed to asbestos in professions, such as electrical or plumbing work, or in construction and manufacturing, are more likely to contract the disease. Even if an individual does not work in one of these areas, he or she can be exposed to asbestos through family members or other sources. Anyone who suspects that they are at risk should talk to an expert. A mesothelioma specialist can assist those who have had a history with asbestos case to learn more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos exposure is the primary mesothelioma risk factor, making up as much as 80 percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos may occur through work, military service or through living with a person who works with asbestos or was previously exposed to doing so. Asbestos particles can be inhaled by those who are exposed to asbestos lawyer. They can cause irritation to the linings of the abdomen and cause cancerous cells to grow in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma can take between 15 and 60 years to develop after exposure to asbestos.

Other risk factors include genetics, smoking and aging. The people in their 40s or 50s are at greater risk of developing mesothelioma as compared to those who are younger or older. Mesothelioma can take between 20 and 60 years before it manifests cancer symptoms after the first exposure. It is important to remember that mesothelioma is a possibility in people who were exposed to asbestos but did not work with it directly. This is referred to as secondary or indirect exposure to asbestos, and it is just as harmful as direct exposure.

Smoking increases the chance of mesothelioma developing, since it damages mesothelium. It can also make it more vulnerable. Mesothelioma can also be caused by certain diseases, such as asbestosis and pneumonia. It is also important to remember that mesothelioma is more common in males than females. This is because men are more likely to be exposed to asbestos and endure a more exposure than women. Men are also more likely to live with someone who was exposed to asbestos attorney and bring asbestos fibers from their workplace on their clothing. Women tend to have less contact with asbestos and rarely carry asbestos home on their clothing.

Diagnosis

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

The first step to diagnose mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform an examination of the body and take down a patient's medical history which includes asbestos exposure. Doctors can also order a chest X-ray or CT scan to detect lumps and other abnormalities as well as evidence of asbestos exposure in the past such as plaques on the pleura (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the buildup of fluid between the lung and the chest wall (known as pleural effusion).

Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance scan or MRI test, that uses magnets and radio waves to produce a series of precise images of the insides of the body. A surgical biopsy is a different method doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma. When a biopsy is performed doctors will remove a small part of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum, to be examined further. A pathologist then examines the tissue under a magnifying lens to determine if it is a cancerous cell.

The type of mesothelial cell involved as well as the benign or malignant nature of the cells and the location and stage of the tumor, are used to classify the disease. Certain types of mesothelioma are at greater risk of metastasizing or spreading, so it's important to get a definitive diagnosis to ensure that the doctors can treat it before it becomes out-of-control.

Doctors may also conduct tests in the lab on a tumor to identify particular proteins, genes, or other factors that help them understand the characteristics of the cancer and determine a treatment. These results are known as staging.

Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnose can be frightening. It is important to keep in mind that cancer can be treated particularly in its initial stages. Many people with mesothelioma live for years with the disease without it spreading to other parts of their body.

Asbestos exposure can cause mesothelioma through a variety of mechanisms. Asbestos particles, which are too small to be able to see or feel through the naked eye, can become airborne and irritate the lining of the lungs (pleura). In time, the irritation leads to the formation of scar tissues and eventually tumors.

The pleura surrounds the lungs and heart, as well as the abdomen. Mesothelium consists of cells that react when exposed to asbestos lawyer. They inflame the tissue and cause it to scar. These changes can eventually cause mesothelioma cancers.

Shortness of breath, chest pain or fluid accumulation on the lungs are all signs of the pleural Msothelioma. In rare instances cancer can spread to the tissues around the reproductive organs and the heart.

A doctor may request a biopsy if imaging scans show a potential tumor in the lungs or stomach. During the procedure, doctors take small amounts of the tumor or fluid for lab testing. The results will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and determine the best treatment option.

There are a variety of mesothelioma treatment, including chemotherapy, surgery and immunotherapy. Most doctors utilize an amalgamation of these techniques. Patients could also benefit from participating in a clinical study of new mesothelioma therapies. Patients can learn more about the trials by speaking with a mesothelioma doctor who has treated the disease.