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Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos is a natural mineral that is found in thin, long fibres. Workers who are regularly exposed to asbestos risk developing lung diseases, such as mesothelioma.

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

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma occurs in the outer lung lining, also known as the pleura. It is the most common form of mesothelioma and is responsible for 70 to 79% all diagnosed cases. Patients suffering from this condition feel chest pain and shortness of breath and may also feel the sensation of weight in the chest.

Exposure to asbestos, a class of minerals composed of microscopic fibers causes this kind of cancer. The fibers, when inhaled cause irritation and DNA mutations. Pleura is the lining of both the chest cavity and 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 pain and breath shortness. Some patients also experience difficulty breathing, or chest tightness. People with this cancer often have an history of exposure to asbestos in the workplace. The most common jobs that put people at risk of developing pleural cancer are manufacturing, construction, and shipbuilding. Individuals who have served in the military are at higher risk due to the widespread use of davenport asbestos attorney (right here on Youtube) in Navy vessels and bunkers for the Army.

The most common staging system for pleural mysothelioma has been the TNM (tumor, lymph nodes and metastases) staging system. The stage that the patient is in at the moment of diagnosis will determine what treatment plan they will receive. Patients suffering from pleural mesothelioma who is in stage three or four will have a less favorable prognosis compared to those who are in a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma often spreads to the diaphragm, the liver or even the heart of a patient. This makes it more difficult to treat and increase the chance of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

In contrast to pleural cancer, which forms in the lung's lining the peritoneal cancer is a result of the membrane that covers the abdominal cavity, including organs like the intestines and liver. Similar to pleural mesothelioma and peritoneal mesothelioma is caused by asbestos exposure. There are only 300-500 cases diagnosed annually, which is less than pleural asbestosis.

As with pleural asbestosis, symptoms can take years to manifest. Patients generally suffer from abdominal pain and may have a mass in their abdomen. This type of mesothelioma may cause nausea, weight loss, and fever. Many of these symptoms are similar to those of digestive issues, which could cause confusion in diagnosis.

Doctors can identify mesothelioma by examining the patient's medical history and performing a physical exam. Imaging tests like X-rays and CT scans can be used to identify mesothelioma. These tests can reveal tumors and other indications of cancer that aren't visible on an X-ray.

These tests enable doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and establish the stage. They can also recommend treatments. The stage is determined by the type of cell and whether the cancer has spread.

The most important risk factor for mesothelioma is asbestos exposure. People who have worked in asbestos-containing jobs, such as electrical or plumbing work, or in manufacturing and construction are more likely to contract the disease. However, even if individuals aren't employed in these areas, they can still be exposed to asbestos through family members or through other sources. Therefore, anyone who suspects they may be at risk should talk to an experienced doctor. A mesothelioma expert can help those with a history with asbestos to learn more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos exposure is a major risk factor for mesothelioma, accounting for up to 80 percent of all cases. Exposure to asbestos may occur through work, military service or by living with someone who is exposed to asbestos or was previously exposed to doing so. When exposed to asbestos, the particles can be breathed into the lungs and abdomen. These particles can cause irritation to the linings of the lungs, causing cancerous cells to grow in the mesothelium. Following exposure to asbestos mesothelioma attorney can occur between 15 and 60 years.

Other risk factors include genetics, smoking and age. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely to develop mesothelioma than those who are younger or older. This is because mesothelioma typically lasts between 20 and 60 years from the first exposure before symptoms of cancer begin to manifest. It is also important to note that mesothelioma may develop in people who have been exposed to asbestos but did not work with it directly. This is known as indirect or secondary asbestos exposure. It can be just as harmful as direct asbestos exposure.

Smoking increases the chance of mesothelioma because it damages the mesothelium. It also makes it more susceptible. In addition, mesothelioma may be caused by certain illnesses, such as asbestosis and pneumonia. It is also important to remember that mesothelioma is more common in men than women. This is because men are more likely to work with asbestos and have an extended period of exposure than women. Also, men are more likely to live with someone who was exposed to asbestos and bring asbestos fibers that have escaped home on their clothing. Women tend to have less exposure to asbestos and don't typically carry asbestos home on their clothes.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is difficult to recognize because the symptoms are often similar to other diseases. This can result in patients being wrongly diagnosed.

NYU Langone doctors will perform a physical examination and record the patient's medical history including asbestos exposure. Doctors may also request a CT scan or chest X-ray in order to look for abnormalities, lumps and evidence of asbestos exposure. These include plaques in the pleura, thickened pleura and calcium deposits.

Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram, which examines the blood vessels and the heart and magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI test, which uses magnets and radio waves to make a series of detailed images of the interior of the body. A surgical biopsy is a different method doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma. In a surgical biopsy doctors remove a small piece of tissue from the peritoneum or pleura for further analysis. A pathologist then examines the tissue under an magnifying glass to determine if 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 classify the disease. Certain types of mesothelioma are at greater risk of spreading or metastasizing and it's crucial to establish a clear diagnosis so that doctors can treat it before it gets out-of-control.

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

Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnose can be frightening. However, it is important to remember that the disease is treatable, particularly in its early stages. A lot of people suffering from mesothelioma live with the disease for a long time, without spreading.

Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma by various mechanisms. Asbestos fibers, which are too small to see or feel through the naked eye, can be airborne and cause irritation to the lung's lining (pleura). In time the irritation can lead to the formation of scar tissues and eventually tumors.

The pleura is the area that surrounds the heart and lungs, as well as the abdomen. Mesothelium consists of cells that react to exposure to asbestos and cause it to enflame and develop scar tissue. As time passes, these changes result in the growth of malignant mesothelioma tumors.

The symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are breathlessness and chest pain as well as an accumulation of fluid on the lungs (pleural effusion). In rare instances, the cancer can grow to the tissues surrounding the heart and reproductive organs.

A doctor may request biopsy if scans show the possibility of a mass in the lungs or stomach. The procedure involves the removal of some of the liquid or tumor for laboratory testing. The results will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and help determine the best treatment option.

There are several types of mesothelioma treatments, which include chemotherapy, surgery, and immunotherapy. The majority of doctors employ combinations of these treatments. Patients may also benefit from enrolling in a clinical trial of new mesothelioma treatment. To learn more about the trials, patients should speak to mesothelioma experts who have had experience treating the disease.