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Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos is a natural mineral that is made up of thin, long fibres. Workers who are regularly exposed to asbestos may develop lung diseases like mesothelioma.

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

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma occurs in the lung's outer lining, or the pleura. It is the most prevalent form of mesothelioma and accounts for 70% to 79% of diagnosed cases. The condition can cause chest discomfort, shortness of breath and a feeling of weightiness.

This kind of cancer is usually caused through exposure to asbestos, which is a collection of minerals made up of microscopic fibres. When inhaled, these fibers, cause irritation and DNA mutations. Pleura surrounds both the chest cavity as well as the lungs, and so irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma symptoms are usually not apparent until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

Chest pain and shortness breath are the most frequent symptoms. Some patients have coughing problems, trouble breathing or chest tightness. People with this cancer have a history of disease that includes asbestos exposure at work. The most common jobs that expose workers to the risk of pleural mesothelioma include construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding. People who served in the military are at greater risk due to the extensive use asbestos in Navy vessels and Army bunkers.

The most popular staging system for pleural mesothelioma is the TNM (tumor lymph nodes, lymph nodes and metastases) staging system. The stage that the patient is in at the time of diagnosis will help determine what treatment plan they should receive. Patients with pleural mesothelioma that is in stage three or four will suffer a more negative outlook than those who are in a less advanced stage. Mesothelioma in stage four can be spread to the liver, heart, or diaphragm. This can make it more difficult to treat and increases the chance of complications for patients.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Unlike pleural mesothelioma, which is a lung-lining cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma forms in the peritoneum - an elongated membrane that covers the abdominal cavity as well as organs such as the intestines and liver. Like pleural mesothelioma, peritoneal mesothelioma can be caused by asbestos exposure. There are only 300-500 cases diagnosed each year which is lower than pleural asbestosis.

As with pleural asbestosis, symptoms can take a long time to show. Typically, patients experience abdominal pain and a mass in the abdomen. The symptoms of this kind of mesothelioma may also include nausea, weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms are similar to those experienced by digestive issues, which could cause incorrect diagnosis.

Typically, doctors can identify mesothelioma through an exhaustive medical history and physical exam. They can also utilize imaging tests like X-rays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to identify mesothelioma. These tests can reveal tumors as well as other signs of cancer that aren't visible on X-rays.

These test results enable doctors to identify mesothelioma, and determine the stage. They also offer treatment options. The stage of the disease is determined based on the type of cell and whether or not the cancer has spread to other regions of the body.

The most significant risk factor for mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos. People who have worked in asbestos-related jobs, such as electrical or plumbing work, or in manufacturing and construction are more likely to contract the disease. Even if a person is not employed in one of these areas they could still be exposed through family members and other sources. Anyone who thinks they may be at risk should talk to a doctor. A mesothelioma expert can help those with a history with asbestos to learn more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos is the most significant mesothelioma-related risk factor. It accounts for as much as the 80% of cases. Exposure to asbestos can happen through military service, work, or living with people who have worked with asbestos. Asbestos particles can be inhaled by people who are exposed to it. These particles can cause irritation to the linings of the abdomen, which causes cancerous cells to form in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma can take anywhere between 15 and 60 years to develop after exposure to asbestos.

Other risk factors include genetics, smoking and aging. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely get mesothelioma than people younger or more senior. It takes mesothelioma between 20 and 60 years to show signs of cancer after the first exposure. It is also important to know that mesothelioma may develop in those who were exposed to asbestos lawsuit, but did not work with it directly. This is referred to as secondary or indirect asbestos exposure and can be just as harmful as direct asbestos exposure.

Smoking increases the chance of mesothelioma developing, since it damages mesothelium. It also makes it more susceptible. In addition, mesothelioma may be worsened by certain diseases like pneumonia and asbestosis. It is also important to know that mesothelioma is more prevalent for men than women. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for a longer period of time and to work with it. 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 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 often misdiagnosed.

NYU Langone doctors will perform an examination of the body and document the patient's medical background including asbestos exposure. Doctors can also order an X-ray of the chest or CT scan to look for lumps or other abnormalities, as well as evidence of past asbestos exposure like plaques on the pleura (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the formation of fluid between the lung and the chest wall (known as the pleural effusion).

Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram, which examines the heart and blood vessels, and a magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI test that uses magnets and radio waves to make a series of precise images of the inside of the body. A surgical biopsy is a different method doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma. In a surgical biopsy doctors will remove a small piece 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 if it contains cancerous cells.

The mesothelial type involved and the benign or malignant nature of those cells as well as the location the cancer, its type and the stage of the tumor, are used to classify the disease. Certain types of mesothelioma are at greater chance of metastasizing or spreading, so it's important to establish a clear diagnosis so doctors can treat it before it becomes out of control.

Doctors can also run tests in the laboratory on a tumor to identify specific genes, proteins or other elements which can help them identify the cancer's characteristics and plan treatment. These results are referred to as staging.

Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnosis is an incredibly frightening prospect. However, it's important to remember that the disease is treatable, especially in its earlier stages. Many people with mesothelioma live for many years without the disease spreading to other organs of their body.

Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma through a variety of ways. Asbestos fibers, which are too small to see or feel with the naked eye, can become airborne and cause irritation to the lining of the lungs (pleura). Over time the irritation causes the formation of scar tissues that eventually result in tumors.

The Pleura is a covering that covers the abdomen, heart, and lungs. Mesothelium is made up of cells that react when exposed to asbestos. They cause inflammation of the tissue and cause it to scar. In time, these changes can result in the growth of malignant mesothelioma tumors.

Breathing problems, chest discomfort or fluid buildup on the lungs are all symptoms of the pleural mesothelioma. In rare cases, the cancer can be spread to the tissues around the heart and reproductive organs.

A doctor will request biopsy if scans show a potential lung tumor or stomach. The procedure involves the removal of a small amount of liquid or tumor for tests in the laboratory. The results can confirm the diagnosis of east Orange Mesothelioma lawsuit and determine the best treatment option.

There are a variety of mesothelioma treatment options, including chemotherapy, surgery and immunotherapy. Most doctors utilize an amalgamation of these techniques. Patients may also benefit from participating in a clinical study of new mesothelioma therapies. To learn more about the trials, patients should speak to buffalo mesothelioma lawsuit specialists who have experience treating the condition.