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Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos is a natural mineral that is found in thin, long fibres. People who are regularly exposed to asbestos may develop lung diseases, such as mesothelioma.

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

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer of the outer lung lining, also known as the pleura. It is the most common mesothelioma type and is responsible for 70 to 79% all diagnosed cases. Patients with this disease feel chest pain and breathlessness, and they may feel an ache or heaviness in the chest.

Exposure to asbestos, a class of minerals composed of microscopic fibers, usually causes this type of cancer. When inhaled, these fibers can cause irritation and DNA mutations. The pleura is the area that surrounds the lungs and chest cavity, so these irritations can affect both the lungs as well as a person's heart. Mesothelioma usually doesn't show symptoms until 30 to 50 year after exposure.

The most frequent symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are chest pain and breath shortness. Patients may also suffer from chest tightness or coughing. They may also experience difficulty breathing. People with this cancer have a history of disease that includes asbestos exposure at work. Construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding are among the most frequent occupations that put people at a high risk of developing pleural mesothelioma. Individuals who have been in the military are at risk because of the extensive use of asbestos in Navy vessels and bunkers for the army.

The most popular staging system for pleural mesothelioma is the TNM (tumor, lymph nodes and metastases) staging system. The stage the patient is in at the time of diagnosis will help determine the treatment plan they should follow. Patients who have pleural mesothelioma which is in stage three or four will suffer a more negative prognosis than those in a less advanced stage. Stage four mesothelioma often spreads to the diaphragm, the liver or even a person's heart. This makes it more difficult to treat and increases the risk of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Unlike pleural mesothelioma, which develops in the lung lining, peritoneal mesothelioma develops in the peritoneum - a membrane that lines the abdominal cavity and organs like the intestines and the liver. Similar to pleural mesothelioma and peritoneal mesothelioma can be caused by asbestos exposure. The disease is less common than pleural mesothelioma, with just 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.

Like pleural mesothelioma, the symptoms can take years to show. Typically, patients are afflicted with abdominal pain as well as abdominal swelling. Symptoms of this type of mesothelioma can also include nausea, weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms can be mistaken for gastrointestinal problems, leading to a misdiagnosis.

Typically, doctors can identify mesothelioma after an exhaustive medical history and physical exam. They can also use imaging tests like Xrays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to detect mesothelioma. These tests can identify tumors as well as other signs of cancer which aren't visible on X-rays.

These tests enable doctors to identify mesothelioma, and determine the stage. They can also suggest treatments. The stage is determined by the type of cell as well as whether the tumor has spread.

Asbestos exposure is the main risk factor. People who have worked in jobs that involve asbestos (https://wfuniverse.net), like plumbing, manufacturing, electrical work or construction, are at a higher risk of developing the disease. Even if a person does not work in one of these fields however, they may be exposed to asbestos to asbestos through family members and other sources. Therefore, anyone who believes they could be at risk should speak to an expert. If they have a history of asbestos exposure, a mesothelioma specialist can assist them in finding out more about the risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos exposure is the primary mesothelioma risk factor, making up as much as 80 percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos can happen through work, military service, or by living with a person who works with asbestos or used to do such. When exposed to asbestos, the particles can be breathed into the abdomen and lungs. The particles cause irritation to the linings, causing cancerous cells to develop in the mesothelium. After asbestos exposure mesothelioma can be diagnosed between 15 and 60 years.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and age. People in their 40s and 50s are more at risk of developing mesothelioma compared to those younger or older. It takes mesothelioma between 20 and 60 years to show signs of cancer after the first exposure. It is also important to know that mesothelioma is a possibility in people who were exposed to asbestos but didn't engage directly with it. This is referred to as secondary or indirect asbestos exposure, and is as dangerous as direct asbestos exposure.

Smoking can increase the likelihood of getting mesothelioma because it causes mesothelium damage and makes it more prone to asbestos attorney. Mesothelioma can also be aggravated by certain illnesses such as asbestosis and pneumonia. It is also important to note that mesothelioma is more prevalent in males than females. This is due to men being more likely to work with asbestos and experience a an extended period of exposure than women. Additionally, men are more likely to live with someone who was exposed to asbestos and bring stray asbestos case fibers home on their clothing. Women tend to have less contact with asbestos and rarely carry asbestos around on their clothes.

Diagnosis

It is difficult to diagnose mesothelioma because its symptoms are often similar to other diseases. This can lead to victims being misdiagnosed.

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

Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance image or MRI test, which makes use of radio waves and magnets in order to produce a series of precise images of the inside of the body. Another method doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma is through the procedure of a surgical biopsy. During a surgery biopsy doctors take a tiny piece of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum to be tested further. A pathologist will then look at the tissue with a magnifying lens to determine if it contains cancerous cell.

The type of mesothelial cell involved as well as the benign or malignant nature of the cells and the location and stage of the tumor, are used to categorize the disease. Certain types of mesothelioma are more likely to spread or metastasize which is why it is crucial to establish a definitive diagnosis to ensure that doctors are able to treat the disease before it goes out of control.

Doctors can also run laboratory tests on tumors to determine specific genes, proteins and other factors that can help them describe the cancer's characteristics and plan treatment. These results are known as staging.

Treatment

A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be terrifying. It is crucial to remember, however, that cancer can be treated, especially at its early stages. Many mesothelioma patients live for years without the disease spreading to other parts of their body.

Exposure to asbestos can trigger mesothelioma in a number of ways. Asbestos fibers that are too small to be felt or viewed through the naked eye can be airborne and irritate the lung's lining (pleura). As time passes, the irritation causes the formation of scar tissue, which can cause changes in the structure of cells which eventually lead to tumors.

The Pleura is a covering that protects the abdomen, heart, and lungs. Mesothelium consists of cells that react to asbestos, causing it to inflame and develop scar tissue. These changes can eventually cause mesothelioma cancers.

Breathing problems, chest discomfort, or the accumulation of fluid on the lungs are all signs of pleural Msothelioma. In rare cases the cancer may spread to the tissues surrounding the heart and reproductive organs.

A doctor will order biopsy if scans show the possibility of a mass in the lungs or stomach. The procedure involves the removal of a small amount of fluid or tumor for tests in the laboratory. The results can confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and determine the best treatment option.

There are many types of treatment for mesothelioma including chemotherapy and surgery. Most doctors utilize combinations of these treatments. Participating in clinical trials for new mesothelioma treatment may also be beneficial for patients. To find out more, patients should speak to mesothelioma specialists who have experience treating the condition.