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Mesothelioma and Asbestos

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

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

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer of the lung's outer lining, or the pleura. It is the most common mesothelioma type and is responsible for 70 to 79% all diagnosed cases. The condition can cause chest pain, shortness of breathe, and a feeling of weightiness.

This kind of cancer is usually caused by exposure to asbestos which is a cluster of minerals that are made up of microscopic fibres. Once inhaled, these fibers cling to the lung and cause irritation which results in scarring and DNA mutations. The pleura surrounds the chest cavity and lungs and therefore, these irritations could affect both the lungs as well as a person's heart. Mesothelioma symptoms are usually not apparent until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

The most commonly reported symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are chest pain and breath shortness. Patients may also experience difficulty breathing, or chest tightness. People who suffer from this cancer usually have previous exposure to asbestos in the workplace. The most common jobs that put people at risk of developing pleural mesothelioma are manufacturing, construction, and shipbuilding. People who have worked in the military could be at a higher risk because of the extensive asbestos use in Navy vessels and army bunkers.

The most commonly used staging method for pleural mesothelioma is the TNM (tumor lymph nodes, lymph nodes and metastases) staging system. The stage a patient has when they are diagnosed will aid their doctor in determining the most effective treatment plan for them. For instance, patients who have a pleural mesothelioma in stage three or four have a less favorable prognosis than patients with lower stages. Stage four mesothelioma often spreads to the diaphragm, liver or even the heart of a patient. This makes it more difficult to treat and increases the likelihood of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Unlike pleural mesothelioma, which is a lung-lining cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma forms in the peritoneum, a membrane that lines the abdominal cavity as well as organs such as the intestines and liver. Similar to pleural mesothelioma mesothelioma is caused by asbestos exposure. The disease is less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma, and only about 300-500 cases diagnosed each year.

Like pleural mesothelioma, symptoms can take a long time to manifest. Patients generally have abdominal pain, and may also have a lump in their abdomen. Symptoms of this type of mesothelioma could also include nausea as well as weight loss and fever. A lot of these symptoms are similar to symptoms of digestive problems, which can lead to confusion in diagnosis.

Generally, doctors can find mesothelioma through a thorough health history and physical examination. Imaging tests like X-rays and CT scans can be used to identify mesothelioma. These tests can reveal tumors, as well as other indications of cancer that aren't apparent on an X-ray.

These tests enable doctors to diagnose mesothelioma, identify the stage and suggest treatment options. The stage of the disease is determined based on the cell type and whether or the cancer has spread to other areas of the body.

The most significant mesothelioma risk factor is exposure to asbestos. People who have worked in jobs that involve asbestos, like plumbing or manufacturing, electrical work, or construction, are at increased risk of developing the disease. However, even if individuals aren't employed in these fields they may be exposed to asbestos through family members or other sources. This is why anyone who is concerned that they might be at risk should speak to a doctor. A mesothelioma specialist can assist those who have had a previous history of asbestos to find out more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos is the primary risk factor for mesothelioma. It accounts for up to the 80% of cases. Exposure to asbestos may occur through work, military service or by living with a person who is exposed to asbestos or used to do so. When exposed to asbestos, particles can be breathed into the abdomen and lungs. They can cause irritation to the linings of the abdomen and can cause cancerous cells to develop in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma may take between 15 and 60 years to develop following exposure to asbestos.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics, and age. The people in their 40s or 50s are at greater risk of developing mesothelioma as compared to those younger or older. It takes mesothelioma 20-60 years to show signs of cancer after the first exposure. It is important to keep in mind that mesothelioma could be present in those 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 developing, since it damages mesothelium. It also makes it more susceptible. Furthermore, mesothelioma is caused by certain illnesses, such as pneumonia and asbestosis. It is also important to remember that mesothelioma is more common in males than females. This is because men are more likely to work with asbestos and experience a a longer period of exposure than women. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who had worked with asbestos, and to have asbestos-containing fibers on their clothing. Women tend to have less exposure to asbestos lawyer (to Webcatalog) and rarely carry asbestos around on their clothes.

Diagnosis

It is difficult to identify mesothelioma due to its symptoms being often similar to other diseases. Due to this, patients are sometimes mistakenly diagnosed.

The first step in identifying mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform a physical exam and take note of the medical history of the patient, including asbestos exposure. Doctors can also request a chest X-ray or CT scan to detect lumps or other abnormalities, as well as evidence of previous asbestos exposure such as plaques on the pleura (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the accumulation of fluid between the lung and chest wall (known as pleural effusion).

Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance scan or MRI test, that uses radio waves and magnets to create a series detailed images of the insides of the body. Another way for doctors to detect mesothelioma is by performing a surgical biopsy. When a biopsy is performed, doctors remove a tiny piece of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum to be further examined. A pathologist can examine the tissue under microscopes to determine whether it contains cancerous cells.

The type of mesothelial cells involved as well as the benign or malignant nature of these cells, as well as the location, type and stage of the tumor, are used to categorize the disease. Certain types of mesothelioma are more likely to grow or spread which is why it is crucial to establish a definitive diagnosis so that doctors can treat the disease before it becomes out of control.

Doctors may also conduct laboratory tests on tumors to determine particular proteins, genes or other elements which can help them identify the characteristics of cancer and plan treatment. These results are referred to as staging.

Treatment

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

Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma through a variety of mechanisms. Asbestos particles, which are too small to detect or feel by the naked eye can be airborne and cause irritation to the lung's lining (pleura). Over time the irritation causes the formation of scar tissue and eventually tumors.

The pleura is a protective covering that surrounds the abdomen, heart, and lungs. Mesothelium is made up of cells that react to asbestos which causes it to become inflamed and develop scar tissue. These changes can result in malignant mesothelioma tumors.

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

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

There are a variety of treatment for mesothelioma including surgery and chemotherapy. Most doctors utilize combinations of these treatments. Enrolling in clinical trials of mesothelioma treatments may be beneficial to patients. Patients can learn more by consulting a mesothelioma expert who has treated the disease.