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Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos is a mineral that occurs naturally in the form of long, thin fibers. Workers who are exposed to asbestos regularly are at risk of developing mesothelioma or other types of lung diseases.

It can take years for symptoms to appear after asbestos exposure. Different types of asbestos may cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer that affects the lung's outer lining (pleura). It is the most prevalent form of mesothelioma and accounts for 70% to 79% of diagnosed cases. Patients suffering from this condition suffer from chest pain and breath shortness and may experience a sensation of heaviness in the chest.

Exposure to asbestos, a group of minerals comprised of microscopic fibers, usually causes this kind of cancer. When inhaled, these fibers, cause irritation and DNA mutations. Pleura covers both the chest cavity and the lungs, and so irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma symptoms typically don't show until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

The most common symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are chest pain and breath shortness. Patients may have coughing problems, trouble breathing, or chest tightness. People with this cancer have a history of disease that includes asbestos exposure at work. The most common jobs that expose people to the risk of developing pleural cancer are construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding. People who have worked in the military may be at an especially high risk due to the widespread use of asbestos in Navy vessels and bunkers for the army.

The most commonly used staging system for pleural mysothelioma has been the TNM (tumor lymph nodes, lymph nodes and metastases) staging system. The stage a patient is in at the time of diagnosis will help determine what treatment plan they will receive. For example, patients with a pleural mesothelioma in stage three or four have a less favorable prognosis than those 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 increases the risk of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Contrary to pleural cancer which is found in the lining of the lung it develops in a membrane that covers the abdominal cavity, including organs such as the liver and intestines. Like pleural mesothelioma, peritoneal mesothelioma can be caused by asbestos exposure. It is estimated that only 300-500 cases are diagnosed each year, which is less than pleural asbestosis.

As with pleural asbestosis symptoms can take years to show. Typically, patients suffer from abdominal pain and a mass in the abdomen. The symptoms of this kind of mesothelioma may also include nausea as well as weight loss and fever. A lot of these symptoms are similar to symptoms of digestive problems, which can cause misdiagnosis.

The doctors can detect mesothelioma through looking over the medical history of the patient and performing a physical examination. They can also utilize imaging tests like X-rays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to detect mesothelioma. These tests can detect tumors and other signs of cancer which aren't visible on X-rays.

These tests enable doctors to identify mesothelioma, and determine the stage. They can also recommend treatment options. Staging is determined based on the cell type and whether or whether the cancer has spread to other parts of the body.

The most significant risk factor for mesothelioma is asbestos exposure. People who have been exposed to asbestos in jobs, such as electrical or plumbing work, or in manufacturing and construction are more likely to contract the disease. Even if an individual does not work in one of these areas they could still be exposed through family members or other sources. Anyone who believes they're at risk should speak with an expert. If they have a history of asbestos attorney exposure and mesothelioma is a concern, a specialist will assist them in finding out more about the risk.

Risk Factors

asbestos lawyer exposure is the main risk factor for mesothelioma, accounting for up to 80 percent of all cases. Exposure to asbestos can happen due to work, military service, or through living with a person who is exposed to asbestos or was previously exposed to doing the same. When exposed to asbestos, the particles can be breathed into the lungs and abdomen. These particles can cause irritation to the linings and cause cancerous cells to grow in the mesothelium. After exposure to asbestos, mesothelioma may develop between 15 and 60 years.

Other risk factors include genetics, smoking and aging. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely be diagnosed with mesothelioma compared to those who are younger or more senior. It takes mesothelioma between 20 and 60 years to manifest cancer symptoms after the first exposure. It is important to remember that mesothelioma can develop in people who were exposed to asbestos but did not work with it directly. This is known as secondary or indirect asbestos compensation exposure, and is as hazardous as direct asbestos exposure.

Smoking increases the risk of mesothelioma, since it damages mesothelium. It can also make it more vulnerable. In addition, mesothelioma may be worsened by certain diseases like asbestosis and pneumonia. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than women. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for a longer period of time and to work with asbestos for longer durations and to work with it. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who has worked with asbestos and to carry asbestos fibers on their clothing. Women are less likely to be exposed to asbestos, and they are less likely to carry asbestos on their clothing.

Diagnosis

It is difficult to recognize mesothelioma due to its symptoms being often similar to other diseases. This is why patients are sometimes mistakenly diagnosed.

NYU Langone doctors will perform a physical examination and record the patient's medical history, including asbestos exposure. Doctors can also order an X-ray of the chest or CT scan to detect lumps and other abnormalities as well as evidence of asbestos exposure in the past like plaques in the pleura (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the buildup of fluid between the lung and the chest wall (known as the pleural effusion).

Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance imaging or MRI test, which makes use of magnets and radio waves in order to create a series of detailed images of the inside of the body. A surgical biopsy is yet another method doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma. During a surgery biopsy, doctors remove a tiny part of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum, to be further examined. A pathologist then examines the tissue with a magnifying glass to determine if it contains cancerous cell.

Mesothelioma is classified according to the type of mesothelial cell involved, whether those cells are malignant or benign, and the location, type, and stage of the cancer. Some types of mesothelioma have a higher risk of metastasizing or spreading therefore it is essential to determine the type of mesothelioma so that doctors can treat it prior to it becoming out-of-control.

Doctors can also run laboratory tests on a tumor to identify particular proteins, genes, or other factors that can help them describe the characteristics of cancer and plan treatment. These results are called staging.

Treatment

A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be an incredibly frightening prospect. It is important to remember that cancer can be treated particularly in its initial stages. Many patients with mesothelioma survive for many years without the disease spreading to other organs of their body.

Exposure to asbestos Case can cause mesothelioma by various mechanisms. Asbestos particles, which are too small to be able to see or feel through the naked eye, can be airborne and cause irritation to the lining of the lungs (pleura). As time passes irritation leads to formation of scar tissue, which causes changes in the cell structure which eventually lead to tumors.

The pleura surrounds the heart and lungs and also the abdomen. Mesothelium is composed of cells that react to asbestos which causes it to become inflamed and develop scar tissue. These changes eventually cause mesothelioma cancers.

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 scans of imaging reveal an area of concern in the stomach or lungs the doctor will request a biopsies. During the procedure, doctors take a small sample of the fluid or tumor for laboratory tests. The results can confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and help determine the best treatment option.

There are a variety of mesothelioma treatment, which include chemotherapy, surgery, and immunotherapy. Most doctors utilize an amalgamation of these techniques. Patients may also benefit from participating in a clinical study of new mesothelioma treatments. To learn more about the trials, patients should speak with a mesothelioma specialist who has had experience treating the disease.