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Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos, a mineral that naturally forms in the form of thin, long fibers.  compton asbestos attorneys  who are exposed asbestos regularly are at risk of developing mesothelioma as well as other lung diseases of different types.

The symptoms of these diseases may not be evident for a long time after exposure to asbestos. Different types of asbestos may cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma occurs in the lung's outer lining also known as the pleura. It is the most common mesothelioma that accounts for up 70% to 79% of all diagnosed cases. This condition causes chest pain, breath shortness and a feeling heaviness.

This kind of cancer is usually caused through exposure to asbestos, which is a grouping of minerals that are comprised of microscopic fibres. The fibers, when inhaled 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 is usually not symptomatic until 30 to 50 year after exposure.

Chest pain and shortness breath are the most frequently reported symptoms. Patients may also experience difficulty breathing or chest tightness. People who suffer from this cancer usually have a history of exposure to asbestos in the workplace. Manufacturing, construction and shipbuilding are the most prevalent occupations which put people at risk risk of developing pleural mesothelioma. People who have worked in the military may be at an especially high risk due to the widespread use of asbestos in Navy ships and army bunkers.

The most popular staging method for pleural mesothelioma is the TNM (tumor lymph nodes, lymph nodes and metastases) staging system. The stage that the patient is in at the time of diagnosis can help determine what treatment plan they will receive. For instance, patients who have mesothelioma pleural stage three or four have a less favorable prognosis than those in a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma can be spread to the liver, heart or diaphragm. This can make it more difficult to treat and raises the risk of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Contrary to pleural cancer which forms in the lining of the lung it develops in the membrane that covers the abdominal cavity, which includes organs such as the intestines and the liver. Similar to pleural mesothelioma and peritoneal mesothelioma can be caused by asbestos exposure. Only 300-500 cases are diagnosed each year this is less than pleural asbestosis.

As with pleural asbestosis symptoms can take a long time to manifest. Patients generally have abdominal pain, and could also experience a mass in their abdomen. This type of mesothelioma may also cause nausea, weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms are similar to symptoms of digestive issues, which could lead to misdiagnosis.

Doctors can detect mesothelioma by examining the patient's medical history and performing a physical exam. They can also use imaging tests like Xrays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to detect mesothelioma. These tests can reveal tumors and other symptoms of cancer that aren't visible on an X-ray.

The results of these tests allow doctors to identify mesothelioma, and determine the stage. They can also suggest treatment options. The stage is determined by the type of cell as well as whether the tumor has spread.

Asbestos exposure is the most important risk factor. People who have worked in asbestos-containing occupations, like electrical or plumbing work or in construction, manufacturing and manufacturing, are more likely to contract the disease. Even if they do not work in these areas they may be exposed to asbestos through family members or through other sources. Anyone who thinks they are at risk should talk to a doctor. If they have any history of exposure to asbestos, a mesothelioma specialist can assist them in learning more about the risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos exposure is the primary risk factor for mesothelioma accounting for up to 80 percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos may occur due to work, military service, or living with those who worked with asbestos. Asbestos particles are inhaled by those who are exposed to it. The particles cause irritation to the linings, causing cancerous cells to develop in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma can take between 15 and 60 years to develop after exposure to asbestos.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics, and the advancing age. The people in their 40s or 50s are at a higher 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 keep in mind, too, that mesothelioma could be present in people who have been exposed to asbestos without having worked with it directly. This is called secondary or indirect exposure to asbestos and it is just as harmful as direct exposure.

Smoking increases the chance of mesothelioma developing, because it damages the mesothelium. It also makes it more prone to. Mesothelioma is also aggravated by certain diseases, such as asbestosis and pneumonia. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than females. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for longer periods of time and work with asbestos for longer durations and to work with it. Also, men are more likely to live with someone who was exposed to asbestos and bring stray asbestos fibers home on their clothing. Women are less likely to come into exposure to asbestos and rarely carry asbestos home on their clothes.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is a difficult disease to recognize because the symptoms are often similar to other diseases. This could lead to patients being wrongly diagnosed.

The first step to diagnose mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform an examination of the body and take down a patient's medical history including asbestos exposure. Doctors will also recommend an CT scan or chest X-ray in order to look for lumps, abnormalities, 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 and magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI test that uses magnets and radio waves to create detailed images of the inside of the body. A surgical biopsy is another way for doctors to diagnose mesothelioma. During a surgery biopsy doctors will remove a small piece of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum to be further examined. A pathologist can look at the tissue under a microscope to see if it has cancerous cells.

Mesothelioma can be classified based on the type of mesothelial cells involved, whether those cells are malignant or benign and the location of the tumor, the type, and the stage of the tumor. Certain mesothelioma types have greater risk of metastasizing or spreading and it's crucial to establish a clear diagnosis to ensure that the doctors can treat it prior to it becoming out-of-control.

Doctors can also perform laboratory tests on tumors in order to determine specific genes, proteins or other elements that will help them identify the characteristics of cancer and plan treatment. These results are referred to as staging.

Treatment

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

Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma by various mechanisms. Asbestos fibers, which are too small to see or feel with the naked eye, can become airborne and cause irritation to the lung's lining (pleura). In time the irritation can lead to the formation of scar tissues and eventually tumors.

The Pleura is a protective layer that surrounds the lungs, heart and abdomen. Mesothelium consists of cells that react to exposure to asbestos and cause it to enflame and form scar tissue. In time, these changes can lead to the development of malignant mesothelioma tumors.

The symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are breathlessness, chest pain or the accumulation of fluid in the lungs (pleural effusion). In rare cases, cancer can spread into the tissues that surround the reproductive organs as well as the heart.

A doctor will request biopsy if imaging scans reveal a possible lung tumor or stomach. The procedure involves the removal of a small amount of liquid or tumor for tests in the laboratory. The results can confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis and determine the most effective treatment plan.

There are many types of mesothelioma treatment options, including chemotherapy, surgery and immunotherapy. Most doctors utilize a combination of these treatments. Patients could also benefit from taking part in a clinical trial of new mesothelioma treatments. To learn more about the trials, patients should speak with mesothelioma specialists who have experience treating the condition.