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Mesothelioma and Asbestos

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

Symptoms of these diseases may not manifest for years after exposure to asbestos. Different asbestos types can cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma, a form of cancer, that develops in the lung's outer liner (pleura). It is the most prevalent form of mesothelioma and is responsible for 70 to 79% all diagnosed cases. Patients suffering from this condition experience pain in the chest and breathlessness, and they may feel the sensation of weight in the chest.

Exposure to asbestos, a group of minerals comprised of microscopic fibers causes this kind of cancer. The fibers, when inhaled can cause irritation and DNA mutations. The pleura surrounds the chest cavity and lungs and therefore, these irritations could affect both the lungs and the heart of a person. Mesothelioma usually doesn't show symptoms until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

The most commonly reported symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are chest pain and shortness of breath. Some patients also experience difficulty breathing or chest tightness. People with this cancer often have previous exposure to asbestos lawyer in the workplace. Manufacturing, construction and shipbuilding are among the most prevalent jobs that put people at high risk of developing pleural mesothelioma. People who were in the military are at a higher risk due to the frequent use of asbestos in Navy vessels and bunkers in the Army.

The most popular staging system for pleural mysothelioma has been the TNM (tumor lymph nodes, lymph nodes, and metastases) staging system. The stage that a patient is in at the time of diagnosis will help determine what treatment plan they should receive. For instance, patients suffering from a pleural mesothelioma in stage three or four have a less favorable prognosis than those in lower stages. Mesothelioma in stage four is usually spread to the diaphragm, liver and/or a person's heart. This makes it more difficult to treat and increase the risk of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

In contrast to pleural mesothelioma which is a lung-lining cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma develops in the peritoneum -- it is a membrane that lines the abdominal cavity as well as organs like the intestines and liver. Similar to pleural mesothelioma mesothelioma is caused by asbestos lawsuit exposure. It is estimated that only 300-500 cases are diagnosed each year which is lower than pleural asbestosis.

Like pleural mesothelioma, symptoms can take a long time to manifest. Patients generally experience abdominal pain, and could also experience a mass in their abdomen. This kind of mesothelioma can also cause nausea, weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms are similar to those experienced by digestive problems, which can cause confusion in diagnosis.

Generally, doctors can find mesothelioma after an extensive health history and physical examination. They can also use imaging tests such as X-rays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to identify mesothelioma. These tests can show tumors, as well as other signs of cancer that aren't apparent on an X-ray.

The results of these tests allow doctors to identify mesothelioma, and determine the stage. They also offer treatment options. Staging is determined based on the type of cell and whether or whether the cancer has spread to other parts of the body.

Asbestos exposure is the biggest risk factor. People who have worked in asbestos-containing occupations, like electrical or plumbing work, or in construction and manufacturing are more likely to develop the disease. However, even if people do not work in these fields, they can still be exposed to asbestos through family members or other sources. Anyone who believes they're at risk should consult a doctor. A mesothelioma expert can help those with a experience with asbestos to understand more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos exposure is the main risk factor for mesothelioma which accounts for as much as 80 percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos may occur through military service, work or living with people who have worked with asbestos settlement. When exposed to asbestos, particles can be inhaled into the abdomen and lungs. These particles irritate the linings of the abdomen, which causes cancerous cells to form in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma may take between 15 and 60 years to develop following exposure to asbestos.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics, and age. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely to get mesothelioma than people younger or older. It takes mesothelioma 20-60 years to manifest cancer symptoms after the first exposure. It is important to remember, too, that mesothelioma could be present in people who have been exposed to asbestos without having directly worked with it. This is referred to as indirect or secondary asbestos exposure. It can be as dangerous as direct asbestos exposure.

Smoking increases the chance of mesothelioma because it damages the mesothelium. It also makes it more prone to. Mesothelioma can also be caused by certain illnesses, including asbestosis and pneumonia. It is also important to remember that mesothelioma is more common in men than women. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos case for a longer time and to work with it. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who worked with asbestos and to have asbestos-containing fibers on their clothing. Women are less likely to come into exposure to asbestos and rarely carry asbestos claim around on their clothing.

Diagnosis

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

The first step in diagnosing mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform a physical exam and take notes on the medical history of a patient which includes asbestos exposure. Doctors can also order an X-ray chest or CT scan to detect lumps and other abnormalities, and also to look for evidence of past Asbestos Case exposure such as plaques in the pleura (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the accumulation of fluid between the lung and chest wall (known as pleural effusion).

Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram, which examines the heart and blood vessels, and 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 surgical biopsy, doctors remove a small amount of tissue from the peritoneum or pleura to conduct further tests. A pathologist can look at the tissue under microscopes to determine if it contains cancerous cells.

Mesothelioma is classified according to the type of mesothelial cell involved, whether those cells are malignant or benign and the location, type, and stage of the cancer. Some types of mesothelioma have greater risk of metastasizing or spreading and it's crucial to get a definitive diagnosis so doctors can treat it before it becomes out-of-control.

Doctors may also conduct laboratory tests on tumors to identify specific proteins, genes, 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 diagnosis can be an incredibly frightening prospect. However, it's important to remember that the cancer is treatable, especially in its initial stages. Many people with mesothelioma can be afflicted for a long time without spreading.

Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma through a variety of ways. Asbestos particles, which are too small to detect or feel through the naked eye, can become airborne and cause irritation to the lining of the lungs (pleura). As time passes, the irritation causes the formation of scar tissue which causes changes in the structure of cells that can eventually grow into tumors.

The pleura covers the heart and lungs, as well as the abdomen. Mesothelium is composed of cells that respond when exposed to asbestos. They inflame the tissue and cause it to scar. As time passes, these changes lead to the development of malignant mesothelioma tumors.

The signs of pleural mesothelioma can include breathlessness, chest pain or an accumulation of fluid on the lungs (pleural effusion). In rare cases the cancer may spread to the tissues surrounding the heart and reproductive organs.

If imaging scans show an area of concern in the lungs or stomach doctors will recommend a biopsies. During the procedure, doctors remove a small sample of the tumor or fluid for lab testing. The results will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and provide the most effective treatment plan.

There are several types of mesothelioma treatments, which include chemotherapy, surgery, and immunotherapy. Most doctors utilize the combination of these methods. Patients could also benefit from enrolling in a clinical trial of new mesothelioma treatment. Patients can learn more about the trials by consulting a mesothelioma expert who has treated mesothelioma.