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Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos, a mineral that naturally occurs in the form of thin, long fibers. People who are regularly exposed to asbestos attorney risk developing lung diseases like mesothelioma.

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

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma occurs in the lung's outer lining, or the pleura. It is the most prevalent type of mesothelioma, making up between 70 and 79% of all diagnosed cases. The condition can cause chest pain, shortness of breathe, and a feeling of weightiness.

This kind of cancer is often caused through exposure to asbestos, which is a grouping of minerals that are made up of microscopic fibres. When inhaled, these fibers cause irritation and DNA mutations. The pleura surrounds the chest cavity and lungs and therefore, these irritations could affect both the lungs as well as a person's heart. Mesothelioma is usually not symptomatic until 30 to 50 year after exposure.

Shortness of breath and chest pain are the most frequent symptoms. Some patients also experience coughing, difficulty breathing or chest tightness. Patients with this type of cancer have a past that includes asbestos case (Continuing) exposure at work. The most common jobs that expose workers to the risk of pleural mesothelioma include manufacturing, construction and shipbuilding. People who have served in the military could be at a higher risk due to the frequent asbestos usage in Navy ships and army bunkers.

The most commonly used staging system for pleural mesothelioma is the TNM (tumor lymph nodes, lymph nodes, and metastases) staging system. The stage a patient is in at the moment of diagnosis will determine what treatment plan they will receive. For instance, patients who have mesothelioma pleural stage three or four have a worse prognosis than patients with lower stages. Stage four mesothelioma often spreads to the diaphragm, the liver and/or a person's heart. This makes the cancer more difficult to treat and increase the risk of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

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

As with pleural asbestosis symptoms can take several years to manifest. Patients typically suffer from abdominal pain and may have a mass in their abdomen. This type of mesothelioma may also cause nausea, weight loss, and fever. A lot of these symptoms can be mistaken for gastrointestinal problems, leading to a mistaken diagnosis.

Generally speaking, doctors can detect mesothelioma through an extensive health history and physical exam. Imaging tests like X-rays and CT scans can be used to detect mesothelioma. These tests can reveal tumors, as well as other symptoms of cancer that aren't apparent on an X-ray.

The results of these tests allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma, determine the stage of the disease and suggest treatment options. The stage of the disease is determined based on the type of cells and whether or not the cancer has spread to other regions of the body.

The most important mesothelioma risk factor is asbestos law exposure. People who have worked in asbestos-related jobs, such as plumbing or electrical work, or in construction and manufacturing are more likely to develop the disease. Even if someone isn't employed in one of these areas however, they may be exposed to asbestos through family members and other sources. Anyone who suspects that they're at risk should talk to a doctor. A mesothelioma specialist can help those with a experience with asbestos to understand more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos exposure is a major mesothelioma risk factor, making up as much as 80 percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos can happen as a result of military service, work or living with someone who used to work with asbestos. Asbestos particles can be inhaled by people who are exposed to asbestos claim. These particles irritate the linings of the lungs, causing cancerous cells to grow in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma can 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 more senior. It takes mesothelioma between 20 and 60 years before it manifests cancer symptoms after the first exposure. It is important to note that mesothelioma could develop 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 is as hazardous as direct asbestos exposure.

Smoking increases the chance of mesothelioma developing, since it damages 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 women. This is due to the fact that men are more likely to work with asbestos and have a longer period of exposure than women. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who worked with asbestos, and to have asbestos fibers on their clothing. Women tend to have less exposure to asbestos and do not typically carry asbestos home on their clothing.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is a difficult cancer to identify because the symptoms often resemble other diseases. Due to this, patients are sometimes mistakenly diagnosed.

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

Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance image or MRI test, which uses radio waves and magnets in order to create a series of detailed images of inside the body. Another way for doctors to detect mesothelioma is by performing the procedure of a surgical biopsy. During a surgical biopsy, doctors take a small amount of tissue from the peritoneum or pleura to conduct further tests. A pathologist can then look at the tissue under microscopes to determine if it has cancerous cells.

The type of mesothelial cells involved as well as the benign or malignant nature of these cells, as well as the location the cancer, its type and the stage of the tumour, are used to categorize the disease. Some types of mesothelioma have an increased chance of metastasizing or spreading therefore it is essential to get a definitive diagnosis so that doctors can treat it before it becomes out of control.

Doctors can also run laboratory tests on tumors to determine particular proteins, genes and other factors which can help them identify the characteristics of cancer and plan treatment. These results are referred to as staging.

Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnose can be terrifying. It is crucial to remember that cancer can be treated particularly in its early stages. Many patients with mesothelioma survive for many years with the disease, without spreading to other parts of their body.

Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma through a variety of mechanisms. Asbestos fibres, small enough to not be felt or observed by naked eyes are able to become airborne, irritating the lung's lining (pleura). In time irritation leads to formation of scar tissue, which can cause changes in the structure of cells that eventually develop into tumors.

The pleura surrounds the lungs and heart and also the abdomen. Mesothelium is composed of cells that respond when exposed to asbestos. They inflame the tissue and cause it to scar. These changes can cause mesothelioma cancers.

Symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include breathing problems and chest pain, or an accumulation of fluid in the lungs (pleural effusion). In rare cases, cancer can spread into the tissues surrounding the reproductive organs and heart.

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

There are many types of mesothelioma treatments, which include chemotherapy, surgery, and immunotherapy. Most doctors use the combination of these treatments. Participating in clinical trials of mesothelioma treatments that are new could be beneficial for patients. To find out more, patients should speak with mesothelioma specialists who have experience treating the condition.