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Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos, a mineral that naturally forms in the form of long, thin fibers. People who are exposed to asbestos are at risk of developing lung diseases, such as mesothelioma.

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

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma, a form of cancer, that affects the lung's outer lining (pleura). It is the most frequent form of mesothelioma and accounts for 70% to 79% of all diagnosed cases. People with this condition suffer from chest pain and breathlessness and may also feel an ache or heaviness in the chest.

This kind of cancer is typically caused by exposure to asbestos which is a cluster of minerals comprised of microscopic fibres. Once inhaled, these fibers cling to the lung and cause irritation which leads to scarring and DNA mutations. The pleura is the area that surrounds the lungs and chest cavity and therefore, these irritations could affect both the lungs as well as the heart of a person. Mesothelioma typically doesn't manifest until 30 to 50 year after exposure.

The most commonly reported symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include chest pain and breath shortness. Some patients may also feel tightness in their chest or coughing. They may also experience difficulty breathing. Patients with this type of cancer have a history that includes asbestos litigation exposure at work. Manufacturing, construction and shipbuilding are among the most common jobs that put people at high chance of developing pleural mesothelioma. Individuals who have served in the military are at higher risk due to the extensive use asbestos in Navy vessels and Army bunkers.

The most commonly used staging system for pleural mesothelioma is the TNM (tumor lymph nodes, lymph nodes and metastases) staging system. The stage that a patient is in at the moment of diagnosis will determine the treatment plan they should receive. For example, patients with mesothelioma pleural stage three or four have a less favorable prognosis than patients with a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma often spreads to the diaphragm, liver and/or a person's heart. This can make the cancer more difficult to treat, and increase the risk of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Unlike pleural mesothelioma, which develops in the lung lining, peritoneal mesothelioma develops in the peritoneum, it is a membrane that lines the abdominal cavity as well as organs such as the intestines and the liver. Like pleural mesothelioma, peritoneal mesothelioma is caused by asbestos case (e-spoclub.com) exposure. Only 300-500 cases are diagnosed annually, which is less than pleural asbestosis.

Like pleural mesothelioma, symptoms can take a long time to manifest. Patients generally experience abdominal pain, and could also experience a mass in their abdomen. This kind of mesothelioma can also cause nausea, weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms are similar to those experienced by digestive problems, which can lead to incorrect diagnosis.

Generally speaking, doctors can detect mesothelioma through an exhaustive health history and physical exam. They may also employ imaging tests like Xrays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to detect mesothelioma. These tests can reveal tumors and other signs of cancer which aren't visible on X-rays.

These test results allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma, identify the stage of the disease and suggest treatment options. The stage is determined by the type of cell as well as whether the cancer has spread.

The most important risk factor for mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos. People who have been exposed to asbestos in jobs, such as electrical or plumbing work or in construction, manufacturing and manufacturing, are more likely to develop the disease. However, even if individuals aren't employed in these fields they may be exposed to asbestos through family members or other sources. Therefore, anyone who suspects they may be at risk should talk to an expert. If they have any history of exposure to asbestos, a mesothelioma specialist can help them find out more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos is the primary risk factor for mesothelioma. It is responsible for up to the 80% of cases. Exposure to asbestos claim may occur through work, military service, or by living with a person who works with asbestos or has previously done so. Asbestos particles are inhaled by those who are exposed to it. These particles irritate the linings, causing cancerous cells to form in the mesothelium. After exposure to asbestos mesothelioma can occur between 15 and 60 year.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and age. People in their 40s and 50s are at a higher chance of developing mesothelioma to those who are younger or older. This is because mesothelioma typically lasts between 20 and 60 years from the initial exposure to asbestos before the first signs of cancer appear. It is important to remember, too, that mesothelioma may be present in people who have been exposed to asbestos without having worked with it directly. This is known as indirect or secondary asbestos exposure. It can be as hazardous as direct asbestos exposure.

Smoking increases the risk of getting mesothelioma because it damages the mesothelium, which makes it more vulnerable to asbestos. Furthermore, mesothelioma is caused by certain illnesses, such as pneumonia and asbestosis. 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 time and to work with it. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who had worked with asbestos and to have asbestos-containing fibers on their clothing. Women tend to have less contact with asbestos and rarely carry asbestos around on their clothing.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is difficult to recognize because the symptoms often resemble other diseases. This can lead to victims being wrongly diagnosed.

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

Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance scan, or MRI test, which makes use of radio waves and magnets to create a series detailed images of inside the body. A surgical biopsy is a different method for doctors to identify mesothelioma. In a surgical biopsy doctors take 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 whether it contains cancerous cells.

Mesothelioma can be classified based on the type of mesothelial cells involved, whether the cells are benign or malignant and also the location of the tumor, its type, and the stage of the cancer. Certain types of mesothelioma are at greater risk of metastasizing or spreading therefore it is essential to determine the type of mesothelioma so doctors can treat it prior to it becoming out-of-control.

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

Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnosis is an incredibly frightening prospect. It is important to remember, however, that cancer can be treated, particularly in its early stages. Many mesothelioma patients live for years without the disease spreading to other organs of their body.

Exposure to asbestos may cause mesothelioma in a number of ways. Asbestos fibres, too small to be felt or seen with the naked eyes can be airborne and irritate the lung's lining (pleura). Over time the irritation causes the formation of scar tissue that eventually result in tumors.

The pleura covers the lungs and the heart, as well as the abdomen. Mesothelium consists of cells that react to exposure to asbestos, causing it to inflame and create scar tissue. These changes can result in malignant mesothelioma tumors.

Shortness of breath, chest discomfort, or the accumulation of fluid on the lungs are all signs of pleural msothelioma. In rare instances, the cancer can be spread to the tissues around the heart and reproductive organs.

A doctor may request a biopsy if imaging scans reveal a possible tumor in the lungs or stomach. During the procedure, doctors remove tiny amounts of fluid or tumor for laboratory testing. The results will confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis, and determine the best treatment plan.

There are a variety of treatment for mesothelioma including surgery and chemotherapy. The majority of doctors use an amalgamation of these techniques. Enrolling in clinical trials of mesothelioma treatments that are new could be beneficial to patients. To find out more, patients should speak with mesothelioma experts who have expertise in treating the condition.