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Mesothelioma and Asbestos

asbestos law is a naturally occurring mineral that is found in long, thin fibres. Workers who are regularly exposed to asbestos risk developing lung diseases like mesothelioma.

Symptoms of these diseases may not show up for decades after exposure to asbestos. Different asbestos types may cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer that affects the outer lung lining (pleura). It is the most frequent form of mesothelioma and is responsible for 70 to 79% all diagnosed cases. The condition can cause chest pain, shortness of breathe and a feeling heavyness.

This kind of cancer is often caused through exposure to asbestos, which is a cluster of minerals comprised of microscopic fibres. Once inhaled, the fibers stick inside the lung and cause irritation that causes scarring and DNA mutations. The pleura surrounds the lungs and chest cavity, so these irritations can affect both the lungs as well as the heart of a person. Mesothelioma typically doesn't manifest until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

Shortness of breath and chest pain are the most common symptoms. Some patients may also experience chest tightness, coughing or difficulty breathing. Patients with this type of cancer typically have previous exposure to asbestos lawsuit in the workplace. Manufacturing, construction and shipbuilding are the most prevalent jobs that put people at a high risk of developing pleural mesothelioma. People who have worked in the military may be at an especially high risk because of the extensive asbestos use in Navy ships and bunkers for the army.

The TNM (tumors lymph nodes and metastases staging system) is the most popular staging system used for the pleural cancer. The stage the patient is in at the moment of diagnosis will determine what treatment plan they will receive. Patients with pleural mesothelioma that is in stage three or four will have a worse prognosis than those in a less advanced stage. Mesothelioma in stage four can spread to the heart, liver or diaphragm. This makes the cancer more difficult to treat, and increase the chance of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

As opposed to pleural mesothelioma that develops in the lung lining, peritoneal mesothelioma is found in the peritoneum - a membrane that lines the abdominal cavity as well as organs such as the intestines and liver. Like pleural mesothelioma, exposure to asbestos is the cause of peritoneal msothelioma. The disease is less common than pleural mesothelioma, with just 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.

As with pleural asbestosis, symptoms can take years to show. Most patients suffer from abdominal pain and an abdominal mass. Symptoms of this type of mesothelioma may also include nausea or weight loss, as well as fever. Many of these symptoms could be mistaken for gastrointestinal problems which can lead to a misdiagnosis.

Typically, doctors can identify mesothelioma by conducting a thorough 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 show tumors, as well as other symptoms of cancer that aren't visible on an X-ray.

These test results enable doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and determine the stage. They can also recommend treatments. The stage is determined by the type of cell and whether the tumor has spread.

Asbestos exposure is the biggest risk factor. People who have worked in jobs which require asbestos case (click here to read), such as plumbing, manufacturing, electrical work, or construction, are at a higher risk of developing the disease. Even if they aren't employed in these areas they could be exposed to asbestos through family members or other sources. This is why anyone who is concerned that they might be at risk should talk to a doctor. If they have a history of asbestos exposure or mesothelioma, a specialist can assist them in learning more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos exposure is a major risk factor for mesothelioma, making up as much as 80 percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos can occur due to military service, work or living with someone who used to work with asbestos. When exposed to asbestos, small particles are able to be inhaled into abdomen and lungs. These irritate the linings and can cause cancerous cells to develop in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma can take between 15 and 60 years to develop following exposure to asbestos.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and the advancing age. The people in their 40s or 50s are at a higher risk of developing mesothelioma compared to people who are younger or more. This is because mesothelioma typically occurs between 20 and 60 years after the initial exposure before the first signs of cancer appear. It is important to remember, too, that mesothelioma can occur in people who have been exposed to asbestos, but without having directly worked with it. This is referred to as indirect or secondary exposure to asbestos. It can be just as dangerous as direct exposure.

Smoking increases the chance of mesothelioma because it damages the mesothelium. It also makes it more prone to. In addition, mesothelioma may be exacerbated by certain illnesses like pneumonia and asbestosis. It is also important to note that mesothelioma is more common in men than women. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for longer periods of time and work with it. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who had worked with asbestos and to have asbestos fibers on their clothing. Women are less likely to come exposed to asbestos compensation and they don't usually bring asbestos home on their clothes.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is a difficult cancer to diagnose because the symptoms often resemble other diseases. This is why patients are sometimes mistakenly diagnosed.

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

Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram, which examines the heart and blood vessels as well as a magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI test, which makes use of magnets and radio waves to make a series of detailed images of the interior of the body. A surgical biopsy is a different way for doctors to diagnose mesothelioma. During a surgery biopsy doctors will remove a small part of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum to be tested further. A pathologist can look at the tissue under a microscope to see if it has cancerous cells.

Mesothelioma can be classified based on the mesothelial type involved, whether those cells are malignant or benign and the location of the tumor, its type, and the stage of the tumor. Certain types of mesothelioma may be more likely to grow or spread and spread, therefore it is essential to have a clear diagnosis so doctors can treat the disease before it goes out of control.

Doctors can also perform laboratory tests on tumors to determine specific proteins, genes or other elements that will help them identify the characteristics of cancer and plan treatment. These results are called staging.

Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnosis is terrifying. It is important to remember, however, that cancer can be treated, particularly in its early stages. Many people with mesothelioma can be afflicted for many years without it spreading.

Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma in a number of ways. Asbestos fibers, which are too small to be able to see or feel with the naked eye, can be airborne and cause irritation to the lung's lining (pleura). In time the irritation can lead to the formation of scar tissues and eventually tumors.

The pleura is the area that surrounds the lungs and the heart and also the abdomen. Mesothelium is composed of cells that respond when exposed to asbestos. They inflame the tissue and cause it to become scarred. These changes eventually cause mesothelioma cancers.

Symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include breathlessness and chest pain as well as an accumulation of fluid on the lungs (pleural effusion). In rare cases cancer can spread to the tissues surrounding the reproductive organs as well as the heart.

If imaging scans show an underlying mass in the lungs or stomach doctors will recommend biopsies. During the procedure, doctors will remove tiny amounts of fluid or tumor for laboratory testing. The results can confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and determine the best treatment plan.

There are several types of mesothelioma treatment options, which include chemotherapy, surgery, and immunotherapy. Most doctors use a combination of these treatments. Participating in clinical trials for new mesothelioma treatment may also be beneficial to patients. To learn more, patients should consult mesothelioma specialists who have had experience treating the disease.