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Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos is a mineral that naturally forms in the form of long, thin fibers. Workers who are regularly exposed to asbestos legal risk developing lung diseases like mesothelioma.

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

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma occurs in the lung's outer lining or the pleura. It is the most frequent type of mesothelioma, making up 70 to 79% of diagnosed cases. People with this condition suffer from chest pain and shortness of breath and may experience a sensation of heaviness in the chest.

Exposure to asbestos, a class of minerals comprised of microscopic fibers, typically causes this kind of cancer. The fibers, when inhaled can cause irritation and DNA mutations. Pleura covers both the chest cavity and the lungs, 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 frequently reported symptoms. Patients may also experience chest tightness or coughing. They may also experience difficulty breathing. People who suffer from this cancer usually have previous exposure to asbestos in the workplace. Manufacturing, construction and shipbuilding are the most prevalent occupations which put people at risk risk of developing pleural mesothelioma. Individuals who have served in the military are at greater risk due to the extensive use asbestos in Navy vessels and bunkers for the Army.

The TNM (tumors lymph nodes, tumors, and metastases staging system) is the most commonly used staging system used to treat the pleural cancer. The stage a patient is in when they are diagnosed will assist their doctor in determining the most effective treatment plan for them. For example, patients with a pleural mesothelioma in stage three or four have a poorer prognosis than patients with a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma is often spread to the diaphragm, the liver or even a person's heart. This makes it more difficult to treat and increases the chance of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

In contrast to pleural cancer, which forms in the lung's lining, peritoneal cancer develops in the membrane that covers the abdominal cavity, which includes organs such as the liver and intestines. Like pleural mesothelioma, asbestos exposure is the primary cause of peritoneal mesothelioma. The disease is less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma, and only about 300-500 cases diagnosed each year.

As with pleural mesothelioma symptoms may take years to appear. Patients typically suffer from abdominal pain and could also experience a mass in their abdomen. The symptoms of this kind of mesothelioma can also include nausea, weight loss and fever. A lot of these symptoms are similar to those of gastrointestinal issues, which can result in misdiagnosis.

Doctors can identify mesothelioma by examining the patient's medical history and performing a physical exam. They can also use imaging tests such as X-rays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to identify mesothelioma. These tests can reveal tumors and other cancer signs that aren't evident on X-rays.

The results of these tests allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and determine the stage and recommend treatment options. Staging is determined based on the type of cells and whether or the tumor has spread to other parts of the body.

Asbestos exposure is the biggest risk factor. People who have been in occupations that involve asbestos, like plumbing or manufacturing, electrical work, or construction, are at a higher risk of developing the disease. Even if they aren't employed in these fields they may be exposed to asbestos through family members or through other sources. For this reason, anyone who believes they could be at risk should talk to an expert. A mesothelioma specialist can help those who have a history with asbestos litigation to learn 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 may occur through work, military service or by living with someone who is exposed to asbestos or has previously done such. asbestos claim particles are inhaled by people who are exposed to it. They can cause irritation to the linings of the abdomen and cause cancerous cells to develop in the mesothelium. After asbestos exposure, mesothelioma may be diagnosed between 15 and 60 year.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics, and the advancing age. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely to get mesothelioma than people younger or older. This is because mesothelioma typically lasts between 20 and 60 years from the initial exposure to asbestos before symptoms of cancer begin to manifest. It is important to note that mesothelioma may occur in people who have been exposed to asbestos, but without having directly worked with it. This is called secondary or indirect exposure to asbestos. It can be just as dangerous as direct exposure.

Smoking increases the risk of developing mesothelioma due to the fact that it damages the mesothelium, which makes it more prone to asbestos. Mesothelioma can also be caused by certain diseases, such as asbestosis and pneumonia. 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 period of time and to work with it. Additionally, men are more likely to live with someone who had asbestos exposure and bring stray asbestos fibers home on their clothing. Women tend to be less exposed to asbestos case, articlescad.com noted,, and they don't usually carry asbestos on their clothing.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is a difficult cancer to diagnose because the symptoms often resemble other diseases. 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 may also request a CT scan or chest X-ray 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 an echocardiogram, which examines the blood vessels and the heart, and a magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI, test, which uses radio waves and magnets to make a series of detailed images of the inside of the body. A surgical biopsy is a different method for doctors to identify mesothelioma. In a surgical biopsy, doctors remove a tiny piece of tissue from pleura or the peritoneum, to be tested further. A pathologist is then able to examine the tissue with a microscope to see if it contains cancerous cells.

The type of mesothelial cell involved as well as the benign or malignant nature of those cells as well as the location, type and stage of the cancer are used to classify the disease. Certain mesothelioma types have a higher risk of metastasizing or spreading and it's crucial to establish a clear diagnosis to ensure that the doctors can treat it prior to it becoming out-of-control.

Doctors may also conduct laboratory tests on a tumor to identify specific proteins, genes or other elements that help them understand the characteristics of cancer and plan treatment. These results are referred to as staging.

Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnosis can be terrifying. However, it is important to remember that the disease can be treated, particularly in its earlier stages. Many people with mesothelioma live for many years with the disease, without spreading to other areas of their body.

Exposure to asbestos can trigger mesothelioma in a number of ways. Asbestos fibers, which are tiny enough to be felt or seen by naked eyes can be airborne, causing irritation to the lung's lining (pleura). As time passes the irritation causes the formation of scar tissues and eventually tumors.

The Pleura is a protective layer that protects the abdomen, heart, and lungs. Mesothelium is composed of cells that react when exposed to asbestos. They cause inflammation of the tissue and cause it to scar. Overtime, these changes cause the development of malignant mesothelioma cancers.

Shortness of breath, chest pain or fluid accumulation on the lungs are all symptoms of pleural mesothelioma. In rare instances cancer may spread to the tissues around the reproductive organs and heart.

If scans of imaging reveal an area of concern in the lungs or stomach, a doctor will order a biopsies. The procedure involves the removal of small amounts of liquid or tumor for laboratory testing. The results can confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis, and determine the best treatment option.

There are a variety of treatment for mesothelioma including surgery and chemotherapy. Most doctors use combinations of these treatments. Patients may also benefit from participating in a clinical study of new mesothelioma treatment. Patients can learn more about the trials by speaking with a mesothelioma doctor who has treated mesothelioma.