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Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos, a natural mineral, occurs naturally in the form of long, thin fibers. People who are exposed to asbestos on a regular basis are at risk of developing mesothelioma or other lung diseases.

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

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer that occurs in the outer lung liner (pleura). It is the most frequent mesothelioma form and is responsible for 70 to 79% all diagnosed cases. Patients with this disease feel chest pain and breath shortness and may also feel the sensation of weight in the chest.

This type of cancer typically caused through exposure to asbestos lawsuit, which is a grouping of minerals made up of microscopic fibres. These fibers, when inhaled, cause irritation and DNA mutations. The pleura covers the chest cavity and lungs, so these irritations can affect both the lungs and a person's heart. Mesothelioma symptoms typically don't show until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

The most common symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are chest pain and shortness of breath. Some patients may also suffer from chest tightness and coughing, or breathing difficulties. Patients with this type of cancer typically have previous exposure to asbestos in the workplace. The most common jobs that expose workers to the risk of developing pleural cancer are manufacturing, construction and shipbuilding. People who were in the military are at greater risk due the widespread use of asbestos in Navy vessels and Army bunkers.

The most popular staging method for pleural mesothelioma is the TNM (tumor lymph nodes, lymph nodes and metastases) staging system. The stage a patient has at diagnosis will aid their doctor in determining the best treatment plan for them. For instance, patients suffering from a pleural mesothelioma in stage three or four have a less favorable prognosis than those with lower stages. Mesothelioma in stage four can be spread to the liver, heart, or diaphragm. This makes it more difficult to treat and raises the chance of complications for patients.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

In contrast to pleural mesothelioma which develops in the lung lining, peritoneal mesothelioma develops in the peritoneum - an elongated membrane that covers the abdominal cavity as well as organs such as the liver and intestines. Like pleural mesothelioma, asbestos exposure is the reason for peritoneal msothelioma. The disease is less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma, and around 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.

Like pleural mesothelioma, the symptoms can take years to show. The majority of patients experience abdominal pain and an abdominal mass. The symptoms of this kind of mesothelioma can also include nausea, weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms are similar to symptoms of digestive issues, which could lead to incorrect diagnosis.

Generally, doctors can find mesothelioma through a thorough health history and physical examination. Imaging tests like X-rays and CT scans are a way to identify mesothelioma. These tests can show cancerous tumors or other indications of cancer that aren't apparent on an X-ray.

The results of these tests allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and determine the stage. They can also suggest treatment options. The staging is determined by the cell type and whether or the cancer has spread to other areas of the body.

asbestos legal (link homepage) exposure is the main risk factor. People who have worked in jobs which require asbestos, such as plumbing or manufacturing, electrical work or construction, are at increased risk of developing the disease. Even if they aren't employed in these areas they could be exposed to asbestos through family members or through other sources. For this reason, anyone who suspects they may be at risk should speak to a doctor. If they have an history of exposure to asbestos, a mesothelioma specialist can help them find out more about the risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos exposure is the primary mesothelioma risk factor, which accounts for as much as 80 percent of all cases. Exposure to asbestos can occur as a result of military service, work, or living with someone who used to work with asbestos litigation. Asbestos particles can be breathed in by those who are exposed to it. The particles cause irritation to the linings of the lungs, causing cancerous cells to develop in the mesothelium. After asbestos exposure mesothelioma is likely to develop between 15 and 60 years old.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and the advancing age. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely get mesothelioma than people younger or more senior. It is because mesothelioma generally occurs between 20 and 60 years from the initial time of exposure before the first signs of cancer appear. It is also important to know that mesothelioma can develop in people who were exposed to asbestos, but did not work with it directly. This is known as secondary or indirect asbestos exposure. It can be just as harmful as direct asbestos law exposure.

Smoking increases the chance of mesothelioma developing, as it damages the mesothelium. It also makes it more susceptible. In addition, mesothelioma may be exacerbated by certain illnesses like pneumonia and asbestosis. It is also important to know that mesothelioma is more prevalent in males than females. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for a longer period of time and work with asbestos for longer durations and to work with it. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who worked with asbestos, and to carry asbestos fibers on their clothing. Women are less likely to come into exposure to asbestos and don't typically carry asbestos around on their clothes.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is a difficult disease to diagnose because the symptoms can be similar to other conditions. This can result in patients being wrongly diagnosed.

NYU Langone doctors will perform a physical examination and record the patient's medical background including asbestos exposure. Doctors can also request an X-ray chest or CT scan to detect lumps and other abnormalities and also to look for evidence of previous asbestos exposure such as pleural plaques (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 imaging, or MRI test, which makes use of magnets and radio waves in order to create a series detailed images of the insides of the body. Another way for doctors to detect mesothelioma is to perform a surgical biopsy. In a surgical biopsy doctors remove a small amount of tissue from the pleura or peritoneum for further testing. A pathologist is then able to look at the tissue under microscopes to determine if it has 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 tumour, are used to categorize the disease. Some types of mesothelioma have greater chance of metastasizing or spreading, so it's important to determine the type of mesothelioma so doctors can treat it before it gets out of control.

Doctors can also run tests in the laboratory on a tumor to find specific genes, proteins or other elements that help them understand the characteristics of cancer and plan treatment. These results are called staging.

Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnosis can be terrifying. However, it is important to keep in mind that the cancer is treatable, particularly in its early stages. Many patients with mesothelioma survive for a long time with the disease, without spreading to other parts of their body.

Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma through many mechanisms. Asbestos fibres, small enough to not be felt or observed with the naked eyes are able to become airborne, irritating the lining of the lung (pleura). Over time, the irritation leads to the formation of scar tissues that eventually result in tumors.

The Pleura is a protective layer that protects the lungs, heart and abdomen. Mesothelium is made up of cells that react to asbestos which causes it to become inflamed and create scar tissue. Overtime, these changes lead to the development of malignant mesothelioma cancers.

The signs of pleural mesothelioma can include shortness of breath, chest pain or the accumulation of fluid on the lung (pleural effusion). In rare cases, cancer can spread into the tissues that surround the reproductive organs as well as the heart.

If imaging scans show a possible mass in the lungs or stomach doctors will recommend biopsies. During the procedure, doctors remove tiny amounts of fluid or tumor for lab tests. The results will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and indicate the most effective treatment plan.

There are a variety of treatment for mesothelioma such as chemotherapy and surgery. Most doctors utilize an amalgamation of these techniques. Participating in clinical trials for new mesothelioma treatment may also be beneficial for patients. Patients can learn more about the trials by consulting a mesothelioma expert who has treated mesothelioma.