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Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos, a mineral that occurs naturally in the form of long, thin fibers. Workers who are regularly exposed to asbestos legal are at risk of developing lung diseases such as mesothelioma.

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 can be found in the lung's outer lining, also known as the pleura. It is the most prevalent mesothelioma type and is responsible for 70 to 79% of all diagnosed cases. This condition causes chest discomfort, shortness of breath and a feeling of heaviness.

This type of cancer is typically caused through exposure to asbestos, which is a cluster of minerals comprised of microscopic fibres. When inhaled, these fibers can cause irritation and DNA mutations. Pleura surrounds both the chest cavity and the lungs, and so irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma symptoms typically don't show until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

The most commonly reported symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include chest pain and breath shortness. Some patients may also feel tightness in their chest or coughing. They may also experience difficulty breathing. Patients with this type of cancer have a history that includes asbestos exposure at work. The most prevalent jobs that expose workers to the risk of developing pleural cancer are manufacturing, construction and shipbuilding. People who were in the military are at a greater 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 that a patient is at when they are diagnosed will assist their doctor in determining the best treatment plan for them. For instance, patients suffering from a pleural mesothelioma in stage three or four have a less favorable prognosis than those in lower stages. Stage four mesothelioma often spreads to the diaphragm, the liver and/or a person's heart. This can make the cancer more difficult to treat, and increase the chances of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

In contrast to pleural cancer, which forms in the lung's lining it develops in a membrane that surrounds the abdominal cavity, including organs such as the intestines and liver. Similar to pleural mesothelioma mesothelioma can be caused by asbestos exposure. Only 300-500 cases are diagnosed annually, which is less than pleural asbestosis.

As with pleural asbestosis, symptoms can take a long time to manifest. Patients usually experience abdominal pain, and may also have a lump in their abdomen. This mesothelioma type can cause nausea, weight loss, and fever. A lot of these symptoms are similar to those experienced by digestive problems, which can result in misdiagnosis.

Generally, doctors can find mesothelioma after a thorough medical history and physical exam. They may also employ imaging tests such as X-rays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to identify mesothelioma. These tests can reveal tumors and other signs of cancer that aren't visible on X-rays.

These test results allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma, determine the stage and recommend treatment options. The stage of the disease is determined based on the cell type and whether or not the cancer has spread to other areas of the body.

The most significant mesothelioma risk factor is asbestos exposure. People who have been in occupations which require asbestos, such as plumbing electrical work, manufacturing or construction, are at a higher risk of developing the disease. However, even if people aren't employed in these areas they could be exposed to asbestos through family members or other sources. Anyone who believes they are at risk should consult a doctor. If they have any history of exposure to asbestos, a mesothelioma specialist can assist them in finding out more about the risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos exposure is the main risk factor for mesothelioma making up as much as 80 percent of all cases. Exposure to asbestos can occur through military service, work or living with those who worked with asbestos. Asbestos particles are inhaled by those who are exposed to it. These particles can cause irritation to the linings and cause cancerous cells to grow in the mesothelium. Following exposure to asbestos, mesothelioma may occur between 15 and 60 year.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and aging. People in their 40s or 50s are more at risk of developing mesothelioma compared 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 remember that mesothelioma could be present in people who have been exposed to asbestos, but without having been directly exposed to it. This is referred to as secondary or indirect asbestos exposure and can be as hazardous as direct asbestos exposure.

Smoking increases the chance of mesothelioma since it damages mesothelium. It can also make it more vulnerable. Mesothelioma can also be caused by certain illnesses such as asbestosis and pneumonia. It is also important to know that mesothelioma occurs more frequently in men than women. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for a longer period of time and work with asbestos legal (take a look at the site here) for longer periods of time. Men are also more likely to live with someone who has had asbestos exposure and bring asbestos fibers that have escaped home on their clothes. Women are less likely to come into exposure to asbestos and don't typically carry asbestos on their clothes.

Diagnosis

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

The first step in identifying mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform a physical exam and take down a patient's medical history, including asbestos exposure. Doctors will also recommend a CT scan or chest X-ray in order to look for abnormalities, lumps 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 heart and blood vessels as well as a magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI, test, which uses magnets and radio waves to make a series of precise images of the inside of the body. A surgical biopsy is yet another way for doctors to diagnose mesothelioma. A surgical biopsy is when doctors remove a small piece of tissue from the pleura or peritoneum to conduct further tests. A pathologist will then look at the tissue using a magnifying lens to determine if it is a cancerous cell.

Mesothelioma is classified based on the mesothelial type involved, whether the cells are benign or malignant and the location of the tumor, the type, and the stage of the tumor. Some types of mesothelioma have a higher chance of metastasizing or spreading, so it's important to establish a clear diagnosis so doctors can treat it before it becomes out-of-control.

Doctors can also perform tests in the laboratory on tumors to determine specific proteins, genes, or other factors which can help them describe the characteristics of cancer and plan treatment. These results are known as staging.

Treatment

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

Asbestos exposure can cause mesothelioma by various mechanisms. asbestos attorney fibres, tiny enough to be felt or observed by naked eyes can be airborne, irritating the lung's lining (pleura). In time the irritation causes the formation of scar tissue that eventually result in tumors.

The Pleura is a protective layer that covers the lungs, heart and abdomen. Mesothelium consists of cells that respond when exposed to asbestos. They inflame the tissue and cause it to scar. These changes can result in malignant mesothelioma tumors.

Symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include shortness of breath, chest pain or the accumulation of fluid on the lung (pleural effusion). In rare cases, cancer can spread into the tissues around the reproductive organs as well as the heart.

A doctor will order a biopsy if imaging scans reveal a possible tumor in the lungs or stomach. The procedure involves the removal of some of the fluid or tumor to allow for tests in the laboratory. The results will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and help determine the best treatment plan.

There are a variety of treatment for mesothelioma such as chemotherapy and surgery. Most doctors use a combination of these treatments. Patients may also benefit from participating in a clinical study of new mesothelioma treatment. To learn more about the trials, patients should speak with mesothelioma specialists who have experience treating the condition.