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Mesothelioma and asbestos Case

Asbestos is a natural mineral that is found in long, thin fibres. Workers who are exposed to asbestos on a regular basis risk developing mesothelioma and other lung diseases.

It could take a long time for symptoms to appear after exposure to asbestos. Different asbestos types may cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

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

This kind of cancer is usually caused through exposure to asbestos, which is a grouping of minerals that are composed of microscopic fibers. When inhaled, these fibers are absorbed into the lungs and cause irritation that results in scarring and DNA mutations. Pleura is the lining of both the chest cavity as well as the lungs, and so irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma symptoms usually don't appear until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

Chest pain and shortness breath are the most common symptoms. Some patients also experience coughing, difficulty breathing or chest tightness. People with this cancer have a history that includes asbestos lawsuit exposure at work. The most frequent jobs that expose people to the risk of pleural mesothelioma include construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding. Individuals who have served in the military are at greater risk due the widespread use of asbestos in Navy vessels and bunkers in the Army.

The TNM (tumors lymph nodes, tumors, and metastases staging system) is the most commonly used staging system used to treat the pleural adenocarcinoma. The stage the patient is in at the time of diagnosis will help determine what treatment plan they will receive. Patients who have pleural mesothelioma which is in stage three or four will have a worse prognosis compared to those in a less advanced stage. Stage four mesothelioma can be spread to the liver, heart, or diaphragm. This can make the cancer more difficult to treat and increase the chance of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Contrary to pleural cancer which is found in the lining of the lung the peritoneal cancer is a result of a membrane that covers the abdominal cavity, which includes organs such as the intestines and the liver. Like pleural mesothelioma, peritoneal mesothelioma is triggered by asbestos exposure. It is estimated that only 300-500 cases are diagnosed annually this is less than pleural asbestosis.

As with pleural asbestosis, symptoms can take years to show. Typically, patients are afflicted with abdominal pain as well as an abdominal mass. This mesothelioma type can cause nausea, weight loss, and fever. Many of these symptoms could be misinterpreted as gastrointestinal issues which can lead to a misdiagnosis.

Doctors can identify mesothelioma by examining the patient's medical history and performing a physical exam. They may also employ imaging tests like Xrays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to identify mesothelioma. These tests can identify tumors and other cancer signs that are not visible on X-rays.

These test results enable doctors to identify mesothelioma, and determine the stage. They can also suggest treatment options. The stage is determined by the kind of cell and if the tumor has spread.

Asbestos exposure is the most important risk factor. People who have been in occupations which require asbestos, such as plumbing or electrical work, manufacturing or construction, are at a higher risk of developing the disease. However, even if individuals do not work in these fields they may be exposed to asbestos through family members or through other sources. Anyone who suspects that they're 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 their risk.

Risk Factors

asbestos lawyer exposure is a major risk factor for mesothelioma, accounting for up to 80 percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos can happen as a result of work, military service, or by living with someone who is exposed to asbestos or has previously done the same. When exposed to asbestos, small particles can be inhaled into the abdomen and lungs. These particles can cause irritation to the linings and cause cancerous cells to grow in the mesothelium. After asbestos exposure, mesothelioma may be diagnosed between 15 and 60 year.

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 older. This is because mesothelioma typically occurs between 20 and 60 years from the first exposure before symptoms of cancer begin to manifest. It is important to note, too, that mesothelioma could develop in those who have been exposed to asbestos, but without having worked with it directly. This is known as secondary or indirect asbestos exposure. It can be just as harmful as direct asbestos exposure.

Smoking increases the risk of developing mesothelioma since it causes mesothelium damage and makes it more susceptible to asbestos. Additionally, mesothelioma can be caused by certain illnesses, such as pneumonia and asbestosis. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than females. This is due to the fact that men are more likely to be exposed to asbestos and endure a more exposure than women. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who had worked with asbestos and to have asbestos-containing fibers on their clothing. Women are less likely to come into contact with asbestos and don't typically carry asbestos around on their clothes.

Diagnosis

It is difficult to identify mesothelioma due to its symptoms being often similar to other diseases. This can result in patients being misdiagnosed.

The first step in identifying mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform an examination and write note of the medical history of the patient which includes asbestos exposure. Doctors will also recommend a CT scan or chest X-ray in order to look for lumps, abnormalities, and evidence of exposure to asbestos. These include plaques on the pleura, pleura that are thickened and calcium deposits.

Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram, which examines the blood vessels and the heart as well as a magnetic resonance imaging, also known as MRI, test, which makes use of radio waves and magnets to create precise images of the inside of the body. A surgical biopsy is another way for doctors to diagnose mesothelioma. In a surgical biopsy doctors remove a small piece of tissue from the pleura or peritoneum for further analysis. A pathologist will then look at the tissue using a magnifying lens to determine if it contains cancerous cells.

Mesothelioma can be classified based on the type of mesothelial cell involved, whether those cells are benign or malignant and also the location of the tumor, its type, and the stage of the tumor. Certain types of mesothelioma are more likely to grow or spread, so it is important to establish a definitive diagnosis to ensure that doctors are able to treat the disease before it becomes out of control.

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

Treatment

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

Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma by a variety of mechanisms. asbestos lawyer fibers that are too small to be felt or viewed with the naked eyes can be airborne, irritating the lung's lining (pleura). As time passes, the irritation causes the formation of scar tissue, which causes changes in the cell structure that eventually develop into tumors.

The Pleura is a protective layer that surrounds the lungs, heart and abdomen. Mesothelium is made up of cells that react when exposed to asbestos lawyer. They cause inflammation of the tissue and cause it to become scarred. These changes eventually result in malignant mesothelioma tumors.

Symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include shortness of breath and chest pain, or an accumulation of fluid on the lungs (pleural effusion). In rare instances cancer can spread to the tissues that surround the reproductive organs as well as the heart.

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

There are many types of treatment for mesothelioma, such as chemotherapy and surgery. Most doctors utilize combinations of these treatments. Enrolling in clinical trials of new mesothelioma treatment may also be beneficial to patients. To find out more, patients should speak with a mesothelioma specialist who has had experience treating the disease.