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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 are at risk of developing lung diseases, such as mesothelioma.

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

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer that affects the lung's outer liner (pleura). It is the most common mesothelioma type and is responsible for 70 to 79% of diagnosed cases. People with this condition experience pain in the chest and shortness of breath, and they may feel the sensation of weight in the chest.

Exposure to asbestos, a group of minerals comprised of microscopic fibers, usually causes this type of cancer. When inhaled, these fibers cause irritation and DNA mutations. Pleura is the lining of both the chest cavity as well as the lungs, and 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 common symptoms. Patients may also suffer from chest tightness or coughing. They may also experience difficulty breathing. Patients with this type of cancer have a history of disease that includes asbestos exposure at work. Manufacturing, construction, and shipbuilding are the most prevalent occupations that put people at high chance of developing pleural mesothelioma. Individuals who have served in the military are at a higher risk due to the widespread use of asbestos in Navy vessels and Army bunkers.

The most common staging system for pleural mesothelioma is the TNM (tumor lymph nodes, lymph nodes, and metastases) staging system. The stage a patient is in when they are diagnosed will aid their doctor in determining the most appropriate treatment plan for them. Patients who have pleural mesothelioma which is in stage three or stage four will have a less favorable outlook than those who are in a less advanced stage. Stage four mesothelioma can spread to the liver, heart or diaphragm. This makes the cancer more difficult to treat, and increase the chances of complications for patients.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Contrary to pleural cancer which forms in the lining of the lung it develops in the membrane that covers the abdominal cavity, including organs such as the intestines and the liver. Similar to pleural mesothelioma, asbestos exposure is the cause of peritoneal msothelioma. The disease is much less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma, and only about 300-500 cases diagnosed each year.

As with pleural mesothelioma symptoms can take a long time to manifest. Patients generally suffer from abdominal pain and could also experience a mass in their abdomen. Symptoms of this type of mesothelioma can also include nausea, weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms are similar to symptoms of digestive problems, which can lead to confusion in diagnosis.

The doctors can detect mesothelioma through reviewing the medical history of the patient and performing a physical examination. Imaging tests like X-rays and CT scans can be used to identify mesothelioma. These tests can identify tumors and other signs of cancer that aren't visible on X-rays.

These test results enable doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and establish the stage. They can also suggest treatment options. The stage is determined by the type of cell and whether the tumor has spread.

The most important mesothelioma-related risk factor is exposure to asbestos compensation. People who have worked in professions which require asbestos, like plumbing manufacturing, electrical work or construction, are at greater 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 suspects they may be at risk should talk to an expert. A mesothelioma specialist can help those who have a previous history of asbestos to find out more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos exposure is the main risk factor for mesothelioma, accounting for up to 80 percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos case may occur through military service, work, or living with someone who used to work with asbestos. When exposed to asbestos, particles are able to be inhaled into abdomen and lungs. These particles can cause irritation to the linings and cause cancerous cells to form 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 more at chance of developing mesothelioma to those younger or older. It takes mesothelioma between 20 and 60 years before it manifests cancer symptoms after the first exposure. It is important to note, too, that mesothelioma could be present in people who have been exposed to asbestos without having directly worked with it. This is known as indirect or secondary exposure to asbestos. It can be just as dangerous as direct exposure.

Smoking increases a person's chances of developing mesothelioma since it causes mesothelium damage and makes it more susceptible to asbestos. In addition, mesothelioma may be worsened by certain diseases like asbestosis and pneumonia. It is also important to remember that mesothelioma is more prevalent for men than women. This is because men are more likely to work with asbestos and have more exposure than women. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who has worked with asbestos and to have asbestos-containing fibers on their clothing. Women tend to have less exposure to asbestos and rarely carry asbestos around on their clothing.

Diagnosis

It is difficult to diagnose mesothelioma since its symptoms are often similar to other conditions. This can result in patients being incorrectly diagnosed.

The first step to diagnose mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform an examination and write down a patient's medical history, including asbestos exposure. Doctors may also request an CT scan or chest X-ray to check for lumps, abnormalities and evidence of exposure to asbestos claim. 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 to produce a series of precise images of inside the body. Another way doctors can diagnose mesothelioma is by performing a surgical biopsy. During a surgical biopsy, doctors take a small amount of tissue from the pleura or peritoneum to conduct further tests. A pathologist can then examine the tissue with microscopes to determine whether it is contaminated with cancerous cells.

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

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

Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnose can be frightening. However, it's important to remember that the cancer can be treated, particularly in its earlier stages. Many patients with mesothelioma be afflicted for many years without it expanding.

Asbestos exposure can cause mesothelioma through many mechanisms. asbestos legal (click the following post) fibres, tiny enough to be felt or observed by naked eyes can be airborne, causing irritation to the lung's lining (pleura). As time passes, the irritation causes the formation of scar tissue which can cause changes in the cell structure which eventually lead to tumors.

The Pleura is a protective layer that surrounds the abdomen, heart, and lungs. Mesothelium is made up of cells that react when exposed to asbestos. They inflame the tissue and cause it to become scarred. In time, these changes can cause the development of malignant mesothelioma cancers.

The symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are breathlessness and chest pain, or a buildup of fluid in the lung (pleural effusion). In rare cases the cancer may spread to the tissues surrounding the heart and reproductive organs.

If imaging scans reveal an area of concern in the stomach or lungs, a doctor will order biopsies. During the procedure doctors remove a small amount of liquid or tumor for lab tests. The results can confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis and determine the best treatment option.

There are several types of mesothelioma treatment, including surgery, chemotherapy and immunotherapy. Most doctors utilize the combination of these treatments. 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 mesothelioma.