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Mesothelioma and Asbestos

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

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

Pleural Mesothelioma

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

This kind of cancer is often caused through exposure to asbestos case, which is a grouping of minerals composed of microscopic fibers. When inhaled, these fibers cling to the lung and cause irritation which causes scarring and DNA mutations. The pleura covers 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.

Shortness of breath and chest pain are the most frequently reported symptoms. Patients may also suffer from chest tightness, coughing or difficulty breathing. Patients with this cancer have a history that includes asbestos exposure at work. The most frequent jobs that expose people to the risk of developing pleural mesothelioma are manufacturing, construction and shipbuilding. People who served in the military are at greater risk due the frequent use of asbestos in Navy vessels and Army bunkers.

The TNM (tumors lymph nodes and metastases staging system) is the most common staging system used for pleural adenocarcinoma. The stage that a patient is at at diagnosis will aid their doctor in determining the most effective treatment plan for them. Patients with pleural mesothelioma that is in stage three or stage four will have a less favorable prognosis than those who are in a lower stage. Mesothelioma in stage four can spread to the liver, heart or diaphragm. This can make the cancer more difficult to treat, and increase the risk of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

As opposed to pleural mesothelioma that is a lung-lining cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma develops in the peritoneum -- an elongated membrane that covers the abdominal cavity and organs such as the liver and intestines. Similar to pleural mesothelioma, asbestos legal exposure is the cause of peritoneal msothelioma. The disease is much less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma. There are around 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.

As with pleural mesothelioma symptoms can take years to show. Most patients are afflicted with abdominal pain as well as abdominal swelling. This mesothelioma type can also cause nausea, weight loss, and fever. Many of these symptoms are similar to those experienced by digestive issues, which could result in confusion in diagnosis.

Generally, doctors can find mesothelioma by conducting an exhaustive health history and physical examination. Imaging tests such as X-rays or CT scans are a way to identify mesothelioma. These tests can identify tumors and other signs of cancer that are not visible on X-rays.

These test results enable doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and establish the stage. They can also recommend treatment options. The stage is determined by the kind of cell and if the cancer has spread.

Asbestos exposure is the main risk factor. People who have worked in jobs that require asbestos settlement, such as plumbing or manufacturing, electrical work or construction, are at a higher risk of developing the disease. However, even if individuals aren't employed in these fields, they can still be exposed to asbestos through family members or through other sources. Anyone who believes they're at risk should speak with a doctor. A mesothelioma specialist can help those with a experience with asbestos to understand more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos is the primary risk factor in mesothelioma. It accounts for up to the 80% of cases. Exposure to asbestos settlement can occur through work, military service or by living with someone who works with asbestos or has previously done so. When exposed to asbestos, the particles can be inhaled into the abdomen and lungs. They can cause irritation to the linings of the abdomen and can cause cancerous cells to develop in the mesothelium. After exposure to asbestos mesothelioma is likely to develop between 15 and 60 years old.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics, and the advancing age. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely to be diagnosed with mesothelioma compared to those who are younger or more senior. Mesothelioma can take between 20 and 60 years to show signs of cancer after the first exposure. It is also important to note that mesothelioma is a possibility in people who have been exposed to asbestos but didn't deal with it directly. This is known as secondary or indirect exposure to asbestos and it can be just as dangerous as direct exposure.

Smoking increases the risk of mesothelioma, since it damages mesothelium. It also makes it more prone to. Mesothelioma is also aggravated by certain illnesses, including asbestosis and pneumonia. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than females. This is because men are more likely to be exposed to asbestos and endure a more exposure than women. Also, men are more likely to live with someone who has was exposed to asbestos and bring stray asbestos fibers home on their clothes. Women are less likely to come into exposure to asbestos and rarely carry asbestos around on their clothes.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is a difficult disease to identify because the symptoms can be similar to other diseases. This is why patients are sometimes misdiagnosed.

NYU Langone doctors will perform an examination of the body and document the patient's medical history including asbestos exposure. Doctors can also order an X-ray of the chest or CT scan to detect lumps or other abnormalities, and also to look for evidence of past asbestos exposure such as plaques in the pleura (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the formation of fluid between the lung and the chest wall (known as the pleural effusion).

Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram which examines the blood vessels and the heart as well as a magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI test, which uses radio waves and magnets to create detailed images of the inside of the body. Another method doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma is through the procedure of a surgical biopsy. When a biopsy is performed, doctors remove a tiny part of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum to be further examined. A pathologist is then able to look at the tissue under a microscope to see if it contains cancerous cells.

Mesothelioma is classified based on the type of mesothelial cell involved, whether those cells are malignant or benign and also the location, type, and stage of the cancer. Some types of mesothelioma have an increased chance of metastasizing or spreading and it's crucial to determine the type of mesothelioma to ensure that the doctors can treat it before it gets out-of-control.

Doctors can also run tests in the laboratory on a tumor to identify specific genes, proteins, or other factors that can help them describe the cancer's characteristics and plan treatment. These results are referred to as staging.

Treatment

A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be terrifying. However, it's important to remember that the disease is treatable, especially in its earlier stages. Many mesothelioma patients live for years without the disease spreading to other organs of their body.

Exposure to asbestos lawyer can trigger mesothelioma through a variety of ways. Asbestos fibers, which are tiny enough to be felt or viewed with the naked eyes are able to become airborne and irritate the lung's lining (pleura). Over time, the irritation leads to the formation of scar tissues and eventually tumors.

The Pleura is a covering that protects the abdomen, heart, and lungs. Mesothelium consists of cells that react to exposure to asbestos which causes it to become inflamed and form scar tissue. As time passes, these changes lead to the development of malignant mesothelioma tumors.

A shortness of breath, chest discomfort, or the accumulation of fluid on the lungs are all signs of the pleural Msothelioma. In rare instances, the cancer can grow to the tissues surrounding the heart and reproductive organs.

If imaging scans show an underlying mass in the stomach or lungs, a doctor will order biopsies. During the procedure, doctors will remove a small sample of the fluid or tumor for lab tests. The results can confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and determine the best treatment option.

There are many types of treatment for mesothelioma including surgery and chemotherapy. Most doctors use a combination of these treatments. Enrolling in clinical trials of mesothelioma treatments that are new could be beneficial to patients. To learn more about the trials, patients should speak to a mesothelioma specialist who has had experience treating the disease.