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Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos, a natural mineral, occurs naturally in the form of long, thin fibers. Workers who are exposed asbestos regularly are at risk of developing mesothelioma as well as other lung diseases.

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

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma lawyer is a cancer of the lung's outer lining or pleura. It is the most common mesothelioma form and is responsible for 70 to 79% of diagnosed cases. People with this condition experience pain in the chest and shortness of breath and may experience a sensation of heaviness in the chest.

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

Shortness of breath and chest pain are the most frequently reported symptoms. Patients may also suffer from chest tightness or coughing. They may also experience difficulty breathing. Patients with this type of cancer typically have previous exposure to asbestos in the workplace. The most common jobs that expose people to the risk of developing pleural mesothelioma are manufacturing, construction, and shipbuilding. Individuals who have served in the military are at greater risk due the widespread use of asbestos in Navy vessels and Army bunkers.

The most common staging method for pleural mesothelioma is the TNM (tumor lymph nodes, lymph nodes and metastases) staging system. The stage the patient is in at the moment of diagnosis will determine the treatment plan they will receive. For instance, patients who have mesothelioma that is pleural in stage three or four have a worse prognosis than those in a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma can spread to the liver, heart, or diaphragm. This could make the cancer more difficult to treat, and increase the chance of complications for patients.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

In contrast to pleural cancer, which is found in the lining of the lung, peritoneal cancer develops in a membrane that surrounds the abdominal cavity, which includes organs such as the liver and intestines. Similar to pleural mesothelioma mesothelioma is caused by asbestos exposure. The disease is less common than pleural mesothelioma, and around 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.

As with pleural asbestosis symptoms can take years to manifest. Most patients experience abdominal pain and an abdominal mass. Symptoms of this type of mesothelioma could also include nausea or weight loss, as well as fever. A lot of these symptoms can be misinterpreted as gastrointestinal issues, leading to a false diagnosis.

Generally, doctors can find mesothelioma after an exhaustive medical history and physical exam. They can also use imaging tests like X-rays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to help find mesothelioma. These tests can show tumors and other symptoms of cancer that aren't apparent on an X-ray.

The results of these tests allow doctors to identify mesothelioma, and determine the stage. They can also recommend treatments. The stage is determined by the type of cell as well as whether the cancer has spread.

The most important mesothelioma-related risk factor is exposure to asbestos. People who have worked in professions which require asbestos, like plumbing manufacturing, electrical work, or construction, are at greater risk of developing the disease. Even if someone isn't employed in one of these areas they could be exposed to asbestos to asbestos through family members and other sources. For this reason, anyone who suspects they may be at risk should speak to an experienced doctor. A mesothelioma specialist can assist those with a experience with asbestos to understand more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos is the most significant risk factor for mesothelioma. It accounts for up to 80% of all cases. Exposure to asbestos can happen through military service, work or living with those who worked with asbestos. When exposed to el monte asbestos lawsuit, the particles can be breathed into the abdomen and lungs. These irritate the linings and cause cancerous cells to develop in the mesothelium. Following exposure to asbestos mesothelioma can be diagnosed between 15 and 60 year.

Other risk factors include genetics, smoking and age. People in their 40s or 50s are at a higher chance of developing mesothelioma to those younger or older. It takes mesothelioma 20-60 years to show signs of cancer after the first exposure. It is also important to know that mesothelioma can develop in people who were exposed to asbestos, but did not deal with it directly. This is called indirect or secondary exposure to asbestos and it could be as hazardous as direct exposure.

Smoking increases the chance of mesothelioma developing, because it damages the mesothelium. It also makes it more prone to. Additionally, mesothelioma can be exacerbated by certain illnesses like pneumonia and asbestosis. It is also important to remember that mesothelioma occurs more frequently in males than females. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for longer periods of time and to work with asbestos for longer periods of time. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who has worked with asbestos and to have asbestos-containing fibers on their clothing. Women are less likely to come into contact with amarillo asbestos lawsuit (image source) and don't typically carry asbestos home on their clothing.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is a difficult disease to diagnose because the symptoms can be similar to other conditions. This could lead to patients being misdiagnosed.

NYU Langone doctors will perform physical examinations and document the patient's medical background, including asbestos exposure. Doctors may also order an X-ray chest or CT scan to check for 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 accumulation of fluid between the lung and the chest wall (known as the pleural effusion).

Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram, which examines the heart and blood vessels as well as a magnetic resonance imaging, also known as MRI, test, which makes use of magnets and radio waves to make a series of detailed images of the interior of the body. Another method doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma is by performing the procedure of a surgical biopsy. When a biopsy is performed, doctors remove a tiny piece of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum, to be tested further. A pathologist can then examine the tissue with a magnifying lens to determine if it is a cancerous cells.

Mesothelioma is classified based on the type of mesothelial cell involved, whether those cells are malignant or benign and also the location of the tumor, the type, and the stage of the cancer. Certain types of mesothelioma are at an increased risk of metastasizing or spreading, so it's important to establish a clear diagnosis to ensure that the doctors can treat it before it becomes out of control.

Doctors can also perform laboratory tests on tumors to determine specific genes, proteins or other elements that can aid in describing the characteristics of cancer and plan treatment. These results are known as staging.

Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnosis is a frightening prospect. However, it is important to remember that the cancer is treatable, particularly in its early stages. Many mesothelioma patients live for many years with the disease without it spreading to other parts of their body.

Exposure to asbestos may cause mesothelioma through a variety of ways. Asbestos fibers, which are tiny enough to be felt or seen by naked eyes can be airborne, irritating the lining of the lung (pleura). In time irritation leads to formation of scar tissue which can cause changes in the structure of cells that eventually develop into tumors.

The Pleura is a covering that covers the abdomen, heart, and lungs. Mesothelium consists of cells that react to exposure to asbestos and cause it to enflame and develop scar tissue. Overtime, these changes lead to the development of malignant mesothelioma tumors.

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

A doctor may request biopsy if imaging scans reveal a possible lung tumor or stomach. The procedure involves the removal of small amounts of fluid or tumor to allow for lab tests. The results will confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis and determine the best treatment plan.

There are many types of treatment for mesothelioma including surgery and chemotherapy. Most doctors utilize combinations of these treatments. Enrolling in clinical trials of new mesothelioma treatment may also be beneficial to patients. Patients can learn more by speaking with a mesothelioma doctor who has treated mesothelioma.