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Mesothelioma From Asbestos

Mesothelioma is a condition that occurs when the linings around organs in the body, like the lungs, stomach, reproductive organs and the heart, develop out of control. The majority of cases are linked to asbestos, a class of minerals that contain microscopic fibers that resist heat and chemicals.

After exposure, symptoms can take years to show. It can be difficult to identify because the first symptoms are similar to symptoms of other diseases.

Exposure

Many people in the US are exposed to asbestos at workplaces or at home. The most common type of exposure occurs through handling asbestos-containing materials or installing them on a job site. Asbestos is a naturally occurring fibrous material. In the United States it has been used for decades for its insulating qualities in construction and other fields, such as shipbuilding.

Asbestos was a sought-after product because of its durability and low cost. It can be dangerous to breathe or swallow. When it breaks or is disturbed, tiny fibers may float in the air and can be inhaled by unsuspecting people. Inhaling these fibers can cause mesothelioma to develop. Symptoms of mesothelioma may not be evident for 30 to 50 years after first exposure to asbestos.

When asbestos is breathed in, it becomes embedded in the tissue of the chest cavity (pleura) or abdominal cavity (peritoneum). These fibers can cause tumors known as mesothelioma as time passes. Mesothelioma, a rare cancer, is caused by asbestos case exposure.

Asbestos exposure can also be associated with asbestosis, a non-cancerous condition. Miners, asbestos lawyer workers, and electricians are at a higher chance of developing mesothelioma. Smoking is a risk factor, but it doesn't cause mesothelioma.

The earliest known mesothelioma case was reported in 1931, however the disease was not widely known until significant medical evidence linked it to exposure to asbestos. By the 1940s, a link was established and laws were enacted to regulate safety of workers and to ban the use of asbestos. Unfortunately, by this point many had already suffered asbestos-related illnesses and died.

The risk of malignant mesothelioma increases in proportion to the amount and duration of asbestos attorney exposure. This is why it is essential for those who have had exposure to either residential or occupational asbestos to know their levels of exposure as well as any potential symptoms. Anyone who is experiencing symptoms should seek out a physician immediately. A doctor can determine if the patient suffers from mesothelioma, or another asbestos-related disease.

Signs and symptoms

Asbestos can cause many symptoms. The asbestos fibers can penetrate the lung and cause scar tissue known as plaques in the pleural region. These plaques can stiffen the lung tissue, making it more difficult to breath. In time these plaques can turn into malignant pleural mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is a cancer of the mesothelium, which lines the exterior of many organs. Mesothelioma is also present in the membrane around the heart (pericardium) and more often the membrane that surrounds the testicles. It typically develops between 30 and 50 years after exposure to asbestos and is often misdiagnosed because it is a rare condition.

If you experience unusual or persistent symptoms, it is crucial to seek out a physician immediately, especially if asbestos has been inhaled. The symptoms of mesothelioma can be similar to those of other illnesses and are difficult to identify. A shortness of breath and chest discomfort, coughing up blood, weight loss, difficulty in breathing, fatigue, and fever are a few of the earliest symptoms. It is not uncommon for mesothelioma symptoms to be found in people who are older than 65 years old.

Mesothelioma is most commonly found in the lungs (pleura) however it can also occur in the abdomen (peritoneum) and, more rarely in the testicles (peritoneal mesothelioma). The majority of mesothelioma cases are caused by exposure to asbestos fibres or dust but some have been linked to other minerals like silica and erionite.

The most frequent mesothelioma symptoms are fatigue, shortness of breath, and dry cough. A buildup of fluid inside the lungs (pleural effusion) is a frequent sign. Fluid can also build up in the abdomen, which can cause nausea stomach pain, bloating, abdominal pain and weight loss.

Asbestos can trigger a variety of other serious health problems, including lung cancer and asbestosis, a non-cancerous scarring of the lung. If you've been exposed to asbestos, it is important to let a doctor know about the exposure. This will help them determine the best course of treatment for any new symptoms.

Diagnosis

When diagnosing mesothelioma doctors must also determine the stage. The stage is a measure of the extent of the cancer and helps doctors determine how the cancer will react to treatment.

The first step to diagnose mesothelioma is to talk with their physician about their symptoms and medical history. A physical exam can reveal lumps in the chest or abdomen. The doctor will also inquire about the patient's family history and health medical history. This information can narrow down the causes of symptoms, such as asbestos exposure.

Once doctors have the information they can run tests to confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma. A chest X-ray and CT scan can be used to look for signs of mesothelioma such as the presence of pleural plaques or thickened pleura, or fluid between the lung wall and the chest, known as a lymphatic effusion. Other imaging tests that can aid include an MRI, FDG-positron emission tomography (PET) mediastinoscopy (used to examine and sample lymph nodes in the centre of the chest) and endobronchial ultrasound.

A thoracoscopy is another test that may be used to detect mesothelioma that is present in the lungs of a person. This involves cutting a small hole within the chest between 2 ribs. A doctor then inserts flexible tube with an end camera. The tube is inserted into the throat or mouth while under anesthesia. It is connected to a monitor that lets the doctor see images of the area being examined. The doctor can then make use of the tube to collect tissue samples (biopsies) from the pleura.

Doctors can then examine the biopsies to determine if they are epithelioid or sarcomatoid or mixed mesothelioma. Epithelioid is the most common type of mesothelioma, accounting for 60-70 percent of all cases. It has a better prognosis when compared to mixed mesothelioma and sarcomatoid. The type of mesothelioma that is diagnosed is dependent on the amount of time the patient spent exposed to asbestos. People who were exposed asbestos for a longer amount of time are more likely to be diagnosed with mixed or sarcomatoid mesothelioma. This is due to the fact that mesothelioma cells are more aggressive than those of epithelioid mesothelioma.

Treatment

In some cases, mesothelioma cells develop into cancerous tumors which take over surrounding organs or tissues. Cancer can be spread to other parts of your body via the bloodstream or lymphatic system. Cancerous tumors can cause severe symptoms that affect the quality of life of an individual.

Mesothelioma is usually found in the lining of the chest cavity and abdomen or the heart. It may also occur in the lining around the testicles. It is less frequent for mesothelioma to occur in other areas of the body.

Exposure to asbestos may increase the chance of developing mesothelioma. Cancer may develop if asbestos fibers are inhaled, taken in, or absorbed by the skin. The resulting irritation causes genetic changes in the body that can lead to cancer.

Mesothelioma signs aren't always evident and may take up to 50 years for symptoms to manifest. Because of this, patients with mesothelioma usually are diagnosed after other health problems have developed. Fluid buildup, chest discomfort or breathing issues are all possible signs. Pleural mesothelioma is the most prevalent mesothelioma that accounts for 85 percent of all cases. It can be difficult to identify mesothelioma of the pleural region because the first symptoms, like chest pain and shortness of breath are similar to other diseases.

Mesothelioma sufferers have an increased risk of developing other forms of cancer. They are also more likely to have an ancestor with mesothelioma or other asbestos-related diseases. People who live near asbestos lawsuit-contaminated workers are at a higher risk, as they can carry asbestos fibers to their homes on their clothes. Radiation therapy can increase the risk of mesothelioma developing in patients who have received it. This is because radiation therapy may cause DNA mutations of cells.

Mesothelioma is a serious disease that can be fatal for those diagnosed. There is no known cure however patients can use different strategies to improve their health and quality of life. The most important thing is to find the appropriate treatment for the individual situation. Depending on their health, fitness and medical history, doctors can assist patients decide on the best treatment options.