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Mesothelioma and Asbestos

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

The symptoms of these diseases might not be evident for a long time after exposure to asbestos. Different asbestos law types may cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer of the lung's outer lining or pleura. It is the most frequent type of mesothelioma, making up 70 to 79% of all diagnosed cases. Patients with this disease feel chest pain and shortness of breath and may experience an ache or heaviness in the chest.

Exposure to asbestos, a group of minerals composed of microscopic fibers, typically causes this kind of cancer. Once inhaled, these fibers stick inside the lungs and cause irritation that leads to scarring and DNA mutations. The pleura surrounds the lungs and chest cavity, so these irritations can affect both the lungs as well as the heart of a person. Mesothelioma symptoms usually don't appear until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

The most commonly reported symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include chest pain and breath shortness. Patients may also experience coughing, difficulty breathing or chest tightness. Patients with this type of cancer typically have previous exposure to asbestos in the workplace. Manufacturing, construction and shipbuilding are among the most frequent jobs that put people at high chance of developing pleural mesothelioma. People who were in the military are at greater risk due the extensive use asbestos in Navy vessels and bunkers in the Army.

The most common staging system for pleural mesothelioma is the TNM (tumor lymph nodes, lymph nodes, and metastases) staging system. The stage a patient is in at the moment of diagnosis will determine what treatment plan they will receive. For example, patients with mesothelioma that is pleural in stage three or four have a less favorable prognosis than patients with a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma is often spread to the diaphragm, liver and/or a person's heart. This could make the cancer more difficult to treat and increase the risk of complications for patients.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

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

Like pleural mesothelioma, symptoms can take a long time to manifest. The majority of patients are afflicted with abdominal pain as well as abdominal swelling. The symptoms of this kind of mesothelioma can also include nausea or weight loss, as well as fever. Many of these symptoms could be mistaken for gastrointestinal problems which can lead to a misdiagnosis.

Generally, doctors can find mesothelioma by conducting a thorough health history and physical examination. They may also employ imaging tests such as X-rays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to help find mesothelioma. These tests can identify tumors and other signs of cancer that are not evident on X-rays.

These tests enable doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and determine the stage and recommend treatment options. The staging is determined by the type of cells and whether or not the tumor has spread to other areas of the body.

Asbestos exposure is the most important risk factor. People who have worked in professions that require asbestos, such as plumbing or manufacturing, electrical work or construction, are at increased risk of developing the disease. Even if they do not work in these fields they could be exposed to asbestos through family members or through other sources. For this reason, anyone who is concerned that they might be at risk should talk to a doctor. A mesothelioma specialist can help those with a experience with asbestos to understand more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos is the most significant risk factor in mesothelioma. It is responsible for as much as 80% of all cases. Exposure to asbestos settlement may occur through work, military service, or through living with a person who is exposed to asbestos or was previously exposed to doing such. Asbestos particles can be breathed in by people who are exposed to it. These irritate the linings and trigger cancerous cells to develop in the mesothelium. Following exposure to asbestos, mesothelioma may be diagnosed between 15 and 60 years old.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics, and age. The people in their 40s or 50s are more at risk of developing mesothelioma as compared to people who are younger or more. It takes mesothelioma between 20 and 60 years to manifest cancer symptoms after the first exposure. It is important to note that mesothelioma could be present in people who have been exposed to asbestos without having been directly exposed to it. This is called secondary or indirect exposure to asbestos, and it could be as hazardous as direct exposure.

Smoking increases the chance of mesothelioma since it damages mesothelium. It also makes it more susceptible. In addition, mesothelioma may be exacerbated by certain illnesses like asbestosis and pneumonia. It is also important to know that mesothelioma is more common in men than women. This is due to the fact that men are more likely to be exposed to asbestos and endure a more exposure than women. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who had worked with asbestos, and to have asbestos fibers on their clothing. Women are less likely to come exposed to asbestos, and don't typically carry asbestos case (www.engel-und-waisen.de) on their clothes.

Diagnosis

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

The first step in identifying mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform an examination and write down a patient's medical history, including asbestos exposure. Doctors may also order a chest X-ray or CT scan to detect lumps and other abnormalities and also to look for evidence of past asbestos exposure such as plaques in the pleura (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the accumulation of fluid between the lung and chest wall (known as the pleural effusion).

Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance scan or MRI test, that uses magnets and radio waves to create a series of detailed images of the inside of the body. A surgical biopsy is another method for doctors to identify mesothelioma. When a biopsy is performed, doctors remove a tiny part of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum, to be further examined. A pathologist is then able to examine the tissue with microscopes to determine if it is contaminated with cancerous cells.

The type of mesothelial cells involved as well as the benign or malignant nature of those cells as well as the location and stage of the cancer are used to classify the disease. Some types of mesothelioma have an increased chance of metastasizing or spreading and it's crucial to establish a clear diagnosis to ensure that the doctors can treat it before it gets out of control.

Doctors can also run laboratory tests on tumors to determine specific genes, proteins, or other factors that can help them describe the characteristics of the cancer and determine a treatment. These results are referred to as staging.

Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnosis can be a frightening prospect. It is important to remember that cancer can be treated, particularly in its early stages. Many mesothelioma patients live for a long time with the disease without it spreading to other areas of their body.

Asbestos exposure can cause mesothelioma through various mechanisms. Asbestos particles, which are too small to be able to see or feel through the naked eye, can become airborne and cause irritation to the lining of the lungs (pleura). In time, the irritation causes the formation of scar tissue which can cause changes in the cell structure that eventually develop into tumors.

The pleura is a protective covering that covers the lungs, heart and abdomen. Mesothelium consists of cells that react when exposed to asbestos. They inflame the tissue and cause it to scar. These changes can eventually result in malignant mesothelioma tumors.

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

If scans of imaging reveal an area of concern in the lungs or stomach the doctor will request biopsies. During the procedure, doctors will remove tiny amounts of fluid or tumor for laboratory tests. The results will confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis and indicate the best treatment option.

There are several types of mesothelioma treatments, including surgery, chemotherapy and immunotherapy. Most doctors utilize the combination of these treatments. Patients could also benefit from participating in a clinical study of new mesothelioma treatment. Patients can learn more by speaking with a mesothelioma doctor who has treated the disease.