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Mesothelioma and Asbestos

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

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

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma can be found in the outer lung lining, or pleura. It is the most frequent mesothelioma type, accounting for up between 70 and 79% of all diagnosed cases. Patients suffering from this condition feel chest pain and breathlessness and may also feel a sensation of heaviness in the chest.

This kind of cancer is usually caused through exposure to asbestos, which is a collection of minerals composed of microscopic fibers. These fibers, when inhaled, cause irritation and DNA mutations. The pleura surrounds the lungs and chest cavity This means that these irritations can affect both the lungs as well as a person's heart. Mesothelioma is usually not symptomatic until 30 to 50 year after exposure.

The most common symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include chest pain and breath shortness. Some patients may also suffer from chest tightness, coughing or difficulty breathing. Patients with this cancer have a history that includes asbestos exposure at work. Manufacturing, construction and shipbuilding are the most common occupations that put people at a high risk of developing pleural mesothelioma. People who served in the military are at a greater risk due to the widespread use of asbestos in Navy vessels and bunkers for the Army.

The most popular staging method for pleural mesothelioma is the TNM (tumor lymph nodes, lymph nodes, and metastases) staging system. The stage a patient is in at the time of diagnosis will help determine the treatment plan they should follow. Patients suffering from pleural mesothelioma who is in stage three or four will have a worse outlook than those in a less advanced stage. Mesothelioma in stage four can be spread to the liver, heart, or diaphragm. This could make the cancer more difficult to treat and increase the risk of complications for patients.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

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

As with pleural asbestosis symptoms can take several years to manifest. Patients typically suffer from abdominal pain and may also have a lump in their abdomen. This type of mesothelioma may also cause nausea, weight loss, and fever. Many of these symptoms can be mistaken for gastrointestinal problems, leading to a mistaken diagnosis.

Generally speaking, doctors can detect mesothelioma after an extensive medical history and physical exam. They may also employ imaging tests like Xrays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to help find mesothelioma. These tests can show tumors and other indications of cancer that aren't visible on an X-ray.

These test results allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma, determine the stage and recommend treatment options. The stage is determined by the type of cell as well as whether the tumor has spread.

Asbestos exposure is the biggest risk factor. People who have been in occupations that require asbestos, like plumbing electrical work, manufacturing or construction, are at greater risk of developing the disease. Even if they aren't employed in these fields they may be exposed to asbestos through relatives or other sources. Anyone who thinks they're at risk should talk to a doctor. A mesothelioma specialist can help those who have a experience with asbestos to understand more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos exposure is a major risk factor for mesothelioma making up as much as 80 percent of all cases. Exposure to asbestos compensation may occur as a result of military service, work or living with those who worked with asbestos. When exposed to asbestos, particles are able to be inhaled into lungs and abdomen. These particles irritate the linings of the lungs, causing cancerous cells to form in the mesothelium. After asbestos exposure, mesothelioma may occur between 15 and 60 year.

Other risk factors include genetics, smoking and aging. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely to develop mesothelioma than those who are younger or older. It takes mesothelioma between 20 and 60 years to manifest cancer symptoms after the first exposure. It is important to keep in mind that mesothelioma may be present in those who have been exposed to asbestos, but without having worked with it directly. This is known as secondary or indirect asbestos law exposure. It can be as dangerous as direct asbestos litigation exposure.

Smoking increases the chance of mesothelioma as it damages the mesothelium. It can also make it more vulnerable. Mesothelioma can also be aggravated by certain diseases, such as asbestosis and pneumonia. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma compared to women. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for a longer period of time and work with asbestos for longer periods of time. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who been exposed to asbestos, and to carry asbestos fibers on their clothing. Women tend to have less exposure to asbestos and do not typically carry asbestos around on their clothes.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is a difficult disease to identify because the symptoms often resemble other conditions. Due to this, patients are sometimes mistakenly diagnosed.

The first step in diagnosing mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform an examination and write notes on the medical history of a patient including asbestos exposure. Doctors will also recommend a CT scan or chest X-ray in order to look for lumps, abnormalities and evidence of exposure to asbestos. These include plaques in the pleura, thickened pleura and calcium deposits.

Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram which examines the heart and blood vessels and magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI test, which makes use of magnets and radio waves to create precise images of the inside of the body. A surgical biopsy is yet another way for doctors to diagnose mesothelioma. When a biopsy is performed, doctors remove a tiny part of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum, to be examined further. A pathologist is then able to look at the tissue under microscopes to determine whether it is contaminated with cancerous cells.

The type of mesothelial cells involved as well as the benign or malignant nature of the cells as well as the location and stage of the tumour, are used to categorize the disease. Certain mesothelioma types have a higher risk of spreading or metastasizing and it's crucial to get a definitive diagnosis so doctors can treat it prior to it becoming out of control.

Doctors may also conduct tests in the lab on tumors in order to determine specific genes, proteins or other factors that can aid in describing cancer characteristics and plan treatment. These results are called staging.

Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnosis is a frightening prospect. But, it is crucial to remember that the cancer is treatable, particularly in its earlier stages. Many patients with mesothelioma live with the disease for a long time without expanding.

Exposure to asbestos can trigger mesothelioma through a variety of ways. Asbestos fibers, too small to detect or feel through the naked eye, can become airborne and cause irritation to the lung's lining (pleura). Over time irritation can lead to formation of scar tissue, which leads to changes in the structure of cells that can eventually grow into tumors.

The pleura covers the heart and lungs, as well as the abdomen. Mesothelium consists of cells that react when exposed to asbestos. They cause inflammation to the tissue and cause it to scar. As time passes, these changes cause the development of malignant mesothelioma cancers.

The signs of pleural mesothelioma can include breathing problems and chest pain, or the accumulation of fluid on the lungs (pleural effusion). In rare cases the cancer may spread to the tissues surrounding the heart and reproductive organs.

If scans of imaging reveal an underlying mass in the lungs or stomach the doctor will request a biopsies. During the procedure, doctors remove small amounts of the fluid or tumor for laboratory analysis. The results will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma, and also determine the most effective treatment plan.

There are many types of treatment for mesothelioma including surgery and chemotherapy. Most doctors utilize a combination of these treatments. Patients could also benefit from enrolling in a clinical trial of new mesothelioma therapies. Patients can learn more by consulting a mesothelioma specialist who has treated the condition.