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Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that is found in long, thin fibres. People who are exposed to asbestos regularly are at risk of developing mesothelioma as well as other lung diseases.

It can take years before symptoms begin to manifest after asbestos exposure. Different asbestos types may cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma is a type of cancer that occurs in the outer lung the lining (pleura). It is the most frequent type of mesothelioma, making up 70 to 79% of all diagnosed cases. This condition causes chest pain, shortness of breathe and a feeling of weightiness.

This type of cancer typically caused by exposure to asbestos which is a cluster of minerals comprised of microscopic fibres. When inhaled, these fibers cling to the lungs and cause irritation that leads to scarring and DNA mutations. Pleura covers both the chest cavity as well as the lungs, so irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma symptoms are usually not apparent until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

The most frequent symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are chest pain and breath shortness. Patients may also feel tightness in their chest and coughing, or breathing difficulties. People with this cancer have a history of disease that includes asbestos compensation exposure at work. The most common jobs that expose workers to the risk of pleural mesothelioma include manufacturing, construction and shipbuilding. People who served in the military are at higher risk due to the widespread use of asbestos in Navy vessels and bunkers in the Army.

The TNM (tumors lymph nodes and metastases staging system) is the most popular staging system for pleural adenocarcinoma. The stage a patient is in at the time of diagnosis will help determine what treatment plan they should follow. For example, patients with mesothelioma that is pleural in stage three or four have a less favorable prognosis than those in a lower stage. Mesothelioma in stage four is usually spread to the diaphragm, the liver and/or a person's heart. This makes the cancer more difficult to treat, and increase the risk 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 and organs such as the liver and intestines. Similar to pleural mesothelioma mesothelioma can be caused by asbestos exposure. It is estimated that only 300-500 cases are diagnosed each year which is lower than pleural asbestosis.

As with pleural asbestosis symptoms can take several years to manifest. The majority of patients suffer from abdominal pain and a mass in the abdomen. The symptoms of this type of mesothelioma could also include nausea, weight loss and fever. A lot of these symptoms are similar to symptoms of digestive problems, which can lead to incorrect diagnosis.

Doctors can detect mesothelioma by looking over the medical history of the patient and conducting a physical exam. They can also use imaging tests like X-rays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to identify mesothelioma. These tests can detect tumors and other cancer signs that are not evident on X-rays.

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

The most important mesothelioma risk factor is exposure to asbestos. People who have worked in professions which require asbestos, like plumbing manufacturing, electrical work or construction, are at increased risk of developing the disease. Even if an individual isn't employed in one of these fields however, they may still be exposed through family members or other sources. Anyone who believes they may be at risk should talk to an expert. A mesothelioma expert can help those who have had a history with asbestos to learn more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos exposure is the main mesothelioma risk factor, making up as much as 80 percent of all cases. Exposure to asbestos may occur as a result of work, military service, or by living with a person who is exposed to asbestos or was previously exposed to doing the same. When exposed to asbestos, particles are able to be inhaled into lungs and abdomen. These particles can cause irritation to the linings and trigger cancerous cells to grow in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma may take between 15 and 60 years to develop following exposure to asbestos legal (please click the next website page).

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and age. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely get mesothelioma than people younger or more senior. This is because mesothelioma typically takes 20 to 60 years after the initial exposure to asbestos before symptoms of cancer begin to manifest. It is important to remember that mesothelioma may develop in people who have been exposed to asbestos but did not deal with it directly. This is referred to as indirect or secondary asbestos exposure. It can be as dangerous as direct asbestos exposure.

Smoking can increase the likelihood of getting mesothelioma because it causes mesothelium damage and makes it more vulnerable to asbestos. In addition, mesothelioma may be worsened by certain diseases like pneumonia and asbestosis. It is also important to note that mesothelioma occurs more frequently in men than women. This is because men are more likely to work with asbestos and experience a more exposure than women. Men are also more likely to live with someone who worked with asbestos and carry asbestos fibers from their workplace on their clothes. Women tend to have less contact with asbestos and do not typically carry asbestos attorney home on their clothes.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is difficult to identify because the symptoms often resemble other conditions. This can result in patients being wrongly diagnosed.

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

Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram, which examines the heart and blood vessels as well as a magnetic resonance imaging, also known as MRI, test, which uses radio waves and magnets to make a series of detailed images of the interior of the body. A surgical biopsy is another way for doctors to diagnose mesothelioma. When a biopsy is performed doctors will remove a small piece of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum to be examined further. A pathologist can look at the tissue under microscopes to determine if it contains cancerous cells.

The type of mesothelial cell involved and the benign or malignant nature of the cells and the location, type and stage of the tumour, are used to categorize the disease. Some types of mesothelioma have greater chance of metastasizing or spreading and it's crucial to get a definitive diagnosis so doctors can treat it before it becomes out-of-control.

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

Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnose can be terrifying. But, it is crucial to remember that the disease is treatable, particularly in its early stages. Many mesothelioma patients live for a long time with the disease, without spreading to other areas of their body.

Exposure to asbestos can trigger mesothelioma in many ways. Asbestos fibers, too small to see or feel by the naked eye can become airborne and cause irritation to the lung's lining (pleura). Over time the irritation causes the formation of scar tissues and eventually tumors.

The Pleura is a covering that protects the lungs, heart and abdomen. Mesothelium is composed of cells that react when exposed to asbestos. They cause inflammation of the tissue and cause it to become scarred. As time passes, these changes lead to the development of malignant mesothelioma tumors.

The signs of pleural mesothelioma can include shortness of breath and chest pain, or a buildup of fluid on the lung (pleural effusion). In rare cases the cancer may grow to the tissues surrounding the heart and reproductive organs.

If scans of imaging reveal a possible mass in the stomach or lungs doctors will recommend biopsies. During the procedure, doctors take small amounts of the fluid or tumor for lab analysis. The results will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and determine the most effective treatment plan.

There are a variety of treatment for mesothelioma, including surgery and chemotherapy. The majority of doctors use an amalgamation of these techniques. Participating in clinical trials for new mesothelioma treatment may also be beneficial for patients. Patients can learn more by speaking with a mesothelioma doctor who has treated the disease.