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Mesothelioma and Asbestos

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

The symptoms of these diseases may not show up for decades after exposure to asbestos. Different asbestos types can cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer of the lung's outer lining, also known as the pleura. It is the most frequent form of mesothelioma 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 an ache or heaviness in the chest.

Exposure to asbestos, a family of minerals comprised of microscopic fibers causes this type of cancer. Once inhaled, the fibers stick inside the lungs and cause irritation that leads to scarring and DNA mutations. Pleura covers both the chest cavity as well as the lungs, which means that irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma symptoms usually don't appear until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

The most commonly reported symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include chest discomfort and shortness of breath. Some patients may also experience chest tightness, coughing or difficulty breathing. People with this cancer often have an history of exposure to asbestos - visit the next post - in the workplace. The most prevalent jobs that expose people to the risk of developing pleural cancer are manufacturing, construction and shipbuilding. Individuals who have served in the military are at greater risk due to the frequent use of asbestos settlement in Navy vessels and bunkers for the Army.

The most commonly used staging method for pleural mesothelioma is the TNM (tumor, lymph nodes and metastases) staging system. The stage that a patient is at when they are diagnosed will help their doctor determine the best treatment plan for them. For example, patients with mesothelioma pleural stage three or four have a worse prognosis than patients with a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma may develop into the liver, heart or diaphragm. This could make the cancer more difficult to treat, and increase the risk of complications for patients.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

As opposed to pleural mesothelioma that is a lung-lining cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma develops in the peritoneum -- an elongated membrane that covers the abdominal cavity as well as organs like the liver and intestines. Similar to pleural mesothelioma and peritoneal mesothelioma is triggered by asbestos exposure. It is estimated that only 300-500 cases are diagnosed each year this is less than the pleural asbestosis.

As with pleural mesothelioma symptoms can take a long time to manifest. Most patients experience abdominal pain and abdominal swelling. This type of mesothelioma may also cause nausea, weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms could be misinterpreted as gastrointestinal issues, leading to a mistaken diagnosis.

Typically, doctors can identify mesothelioma through an exhaustive health history and physical examination. They can also use imaging tests like Xrays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to identify mesothelioma. These tests can reveal tumors as well as other signs of cancer which aren't evident on X-rays.

These tests enable doctors to diagnose mesothelioma, identify the stage and suggest treatment options. The stage is determined by the type of cell and whether the tumor has spread.

The most significant mesothelioma risk factor is exposure to asbestos. People who have worked in asbestos-related jobs, such as electrical or plumbing work or in construction and manufacturing are more likely to develop the disease. Even if an individual isn't employed in one of these fields they could still be exposed to asbestos attorney through family members and other sources. This is why anyone who is concerned that they might be at risk should speak to an expert. A mesothelioma expert can help those who have a previous history of asbestos to find out more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos exposure is the primary risk factor for mesothelioma accounting for up to 80 percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos claim can happen 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 breathed in by people who are exposed to asbestos. These particles irritate the linings of the abdomen, which causes cancerous cells to develop in the mesothelium. After exposure to asbestos, mesothelioma may develop between 15 and 60 years.

Other risk factors include genetics, smoking and age. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely to be diagnosed with mesothelioma compared to those who are younger or more senior. It takes mesothelioma 20-60 years to show signs of cancer after the first exposure. It is important to remember that mesothelioma can occur in people who have been exposed to asbestos without having worked 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 risk of mesothelioma, because it damages the mesothelium. It also makes it more prone to. Mesothelioma can also be aggravated by certain illnesses, including asbestosis and pneumonia. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than females. This is because men are more likely to work with asbestos and experience a more exposure than women. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who had worked with asbestos, and to carry asbestos fibers on their clothing. Women tend to have less contact with asbestos and rarely carry asbestos on their clothing.

Diagnosis

It is difficult to recognize mesothelioma because its symptoms are frequently similar to other illnesses. Due to this, patients are sometimes wrongly diagnosed.

NYU Langone doctors will perform physical examinations and document the patient's medical background, including asbestos exposure. Doctors can also request a chest X-ray or CT scan to check for lumps and other abnormalities, as well as evidence of previous asbestos exposure such as plaques in the pleura (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the accumulation of fluid between the lung and the chest wall (known as pleural effusion).

Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram which examines the blood vessels and the heart and magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI, test that uses magnets and radio waves to create detailed images of the interior of the body. Another way doctors can diagnose mesothelioma is by performing the procedure of a surgical biopsy. In a surgical biopsy doctors will remove a small part of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum, to be examined further. A pathologist can look at the tissue under a microscope to see if it has cancerous cells.

The mesothelial type involved and the benign or malignant nature of the cells, as well as the location, type and stage of the tumor, are used to classify the disease. Certain types of mesothelioma are more likely to spread or metastasize and spread, therefore it is essential to have a clear diagnosis so that doctors can treat the disease before it gets out of control.

Doctors may also conduct laboratory tests on tumors to identify specific proteins, genes or other factors that will help them identify cancer characteristics and determine the best treatment. These results are referred to as staging.

Treatment

A diagnosis of mesothelioma may be terrifying. It is crucial to remember that cancer can be treated especially at its early stages. Many patients with mesothelioma survive for many years with the disease without it spreading to other organs of their body.

Asbestos exposure can cause mesothelioma through a variety of mechanisms. Asbestos fibers, which are too small to detect or feel through the naked eye, can become airborne and irritate the lung's lining (pleura). Over time irritation can lead to formation of scar tissue, which can cause changes in the cell structure that eventually develop into tumors.

The pleura is a protective covering that surrounds the abdomen, heart, and lungs. Mesothelium is composed of cells that respond when exposed to asbestos. They inflame the tissue and cause it to become scarred. In time, these changes can lead to the development of malignant mesothelioma cancers.

A shortness of breath, chest discomfort or fluid buildup on the lungs are all indications of pleural mesothelioma. In rare instances, the cancer can grow to the tissues surrounding the heart and reproductive organs.

A doctor will order biopsy if imaging scans show the possibility of a lung tumor or stomach. During the procedure, doctors remove small amounts of the fluid or tumor for laboratory analysis. The results can confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis, and provide the best treatment plan.

There are several types of mesothelioma treatments, which include chemotherapy, surgery, and immunotherapy. The majority of doctors use the combination of these methods. Participating in clinical trials for mesothelioma treatments that are new could be beneficial to patients. To learn more about the trials, patients should speak with a mesothelioma specialist who has expertise in treating the condition.