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Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that is made up of long, thin fibres. Workers who are regularly exposed to asbestos risk developing lung diseases such as mesothelioma.

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 of the outer lung lining, or the pleura. It is the most frequent type of mesothelioma, making up 70 to 79% of all diagnosed cases. This condition causes chest discomfort, shortness of breath and a feeling of heaviness.

This kind of cancer is often caused by exposure to asbestos, which is a cluster of minerals that are made up of microscopic fibres. Once inhaled, the fibers stick inside the lung and cause irritation which leads to scarring and DNA mutations. The pleura surrounds the chest cavity and lungs This means that these irritations can affect both the lungs and a person's 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 coughing, difficulty breathing, or chest tightness. Patients with this type of cancer typically have an history of exposure to asbestos lawsuit in the workplace. The most common jobs that put people at risk of pleural mesothelioma include construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding. Individuals who have served in the military are at a greater risk due the extensive use asbestos in Navy vessels and bunkers for the Army.

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

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Unlike pleural mesothelioma, which is a lung-lining cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma forms in the peritoneum -- an elongated membrane that covers the abdominal cavity and organs such as the intestines and the liver. Similar to pleural mesothelioma and peritoneal mesothelioma is caused by asbestos exposure. There are only 300-500 cases diagnosed annually which is lower than the pleural asbestosis.

As with pleural mesothelioma symptoms may take years to appear. The majority of patients suffer from abdominal pain and abdominal swelling. This type of mesothelioma may cause nausea, weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms are similar to those experienced by digestive issues, which could cause confusion in diagnosis.

Typically, doctors can identify mesothelioma through an exhaustive health history and physical examination. They can also utilize imaging tests like X-rays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to help find mesothelioma. These tests can identify tumors as well as other signs of cancer that are not visible on X-rays.

The results of these tests allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and establish the stage. They can also suggest treatment options. Staging is determined based on the cell type and whether or whether the cancer has spread to other regions of the body.

asbestos settlement exposure is the most important risk factor. People who have worked in asbestos-containing jobs, such as plumbing or electrical work, or in construction and manufacturing are more likely to contract the disease. Even if they aren't employed in these fields they may be exposed to asbestos through family members or through other sources. Therefore, anyone who believes they could be at risk should speak to an experienced doctor. A mesothelioma specialist can assist those who have had a history with asbestos to learn more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos exposure is a major risk factor for mesothelioma, accounting for up to 80 percent of all cases. Exposure to asbestos may occur as a result of work, military service, or living with someone who used to work with asbestos. Asbestos particles can be breathed in by people who are exposed to asbestos. The particles cause irritation to the linings of the abdomen, which causes cancerous cells to grow in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma can take between 15 and 60 years to develop after exposure to asbestos lawyer.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and age. People in their 40s or 50s are more at chance of developing mesothelioma to those who are younger or older. This is because mesothelioma typically occurs between 20 and 60 years after the initial time of exposure before cancer symptoms appear. It is important to remember, too, that mesothelioma can occur in those who have been exposed to asbestos without having worked with it directly. This is referred to as secondary or indirect asbestos exposure, and is just as harmful as direct asbestos exposure.

Smoking increases the risk of developing mesothelioma since it damages the mesothelium and makes it more prone to asbestos. In addition, mesothelioma may be exacerbated by certain illnesses like 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 period of time and to have worked with it. Men are also more likely to live with someone who has worked with asbestos case (find more) and carry asbestos fibers that have escaped home on their clothes. Women are less likely to be in contact with asbestos, and don't typically carry asbestos on their clothes.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is a difficult disease to diagnose because the symptoms can be similar to other diseases. Due to this, patients are sometimes wrongly diagnosed.

The first step to diagnose mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform a physical exam and take note of the medical history of the patient, including asbestos exposure. Doctors can also request an X-ray of the chest or CT scan to look for lumps and other abnormalities, and also to look for evidence of past asbestos exposure like pleural plaques (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the formation of fluid between the lung and the chest wall (known as pleural effusion).

Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram, which examines the blood vessels and the heart and magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI test, which makes use of radio waves and magnets to create detailed images of the inside of the body. A surgical biopsy is a different method doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma. In a surgical biopsy doctors remove a small piece of tissue from the pleura or peritoneum to conduct further tests. A pathologist will then look at the tissue with an magnifying glass to determine if it is a cancerous cell.

The type of mesothelial cell involved, the malignant or benign nature of the cells as well as the location the cancer, its type and the stage of the tumor, are used to categorize the disease. Certain types of mesothelioma are at a higher chance of metastasizing or spreading therefore it is essential to establish a clear diagnosis to ensure that the doctors can treat it before it gets out of control.

Doctors may also conduct tests in the lab on tumors to identify specific genes, proteins, or other factors which will help them identify the characteristics of cancer and plan treatment. These results are referred to as staging.

Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnose can be terrifying. But, it is crucial to remember that the cancer is treatable, especially in its initial stages. Many people with mesothelioma live for many years with the disease, without spreading to other areas of their body.

Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma through various mechanisms. Asbestos fibers, which are tiny enough to be felt or seen through the naked eye, can become airborne, causing irritation to the lining of the lung (pleura). Over time irritation can lead to formation of scar tissue, which causes changes in the structure of cells which eventually lead to tumors.

The pleura is a protective covering that surrounds the lungs, heart and abdomen. Mesothelium consists of cells that react when exposed to asbestos. They cause inflammation of the tissue and cause it to become scarred. These changes can eventually cause mesothelioma cancers.

The signs of pleural mesothelioma can include shortness of breath and chest pain as well as the accumulation of fluid on the lung (pleural effusion). In rare cases the cancer may be spread to the tissues around the heart and reproductive organs.

If imaging scans reveal an area of concern in the stomach or lungs the doctor will request a biopsies. During the procedure, doctors remove a small sample of the fluid or tumor for laboratory analysis. The results can confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and provide the most effective treatment plan.

There are many types of mesothelioma treatments, which include chemotherapy, surgery, and immunotherapy. The majority of doctors use the combination of these methods. Patients could also benefit from enrolling in a clinical trial of new mesothelioma therapies. Patients can learn more by consulting a mesothelioma specialist who has treated the condition.