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Mesothelioma and Asbestos

asbestos litigation is a natural mineral that comes in long, thin fibres. Workers who are exposed asbestos on a regular basis are at risk of developing mesothelioma as well as other lung diseases.

It could take a long time before symptoms begin to manifest after asbestos Case exposure. Different types of asbestos may cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

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

This type of cancer is often caused by exposure to asbestos, which is a cluster of minerals made up of microscopic fibres. Once inhaled, these fibers stick inside 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, so irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma symptoms typically don't show until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

The most commonly reported symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include chest pain and breath shortness. Patients may also feel tightness in their chest and coughing, or breathing difficulties. People with this cancer have a past that includes asbestos exposure at work. The most prevalent jobs that put people at risk of developing pleural cancer are manufacturing, construction and shipbuilding. People who have served in the military may be at an especially high risk because of the extensive use of asbestos in Navy vessels and army bunkers.

The most popular staging method for pleural mesothelioma is the TNM (tumor, lymph nodes and metastases) staging system. The stage a patient has upon diagnosis will aid their doctor in determining the most appropriate treatment plan for them. For instance, patients suffering from mesothelioma that is pleural in stage three or four have a poorer prognosis than patients with a lower stage. Mesothelioma in stage four is usually spread to the diaphragm, the liver or even the heart of a patient. This can make the cancer more difficult to treat, and increase the chance of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Unlike pleural mesothelioma, which develops in the lung lining, 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 can be caused by asbestos exposure. It is estimated that only 300-500 cases are diagnosed annually, which is less than pleural asbestosis.

As with pleural asbestosis symptoms can take years to manifest. Patients generally have abdominal pain, and may have a mass in their abdomen. This type of mesothelioma may cause nausea, weight loss, and fever. A lot of these symptoms can be misinterpreted as digestive issues which can lead to a false diagnosis.

Doctors can detect mesothelioma by looking over the medical history of the patient and performing a physical exam. Imaging tests like X-rays or CT scans are a way to identify mesothelioma. These tests can show tumors and other symptoms of cancer that aren't visible on X-rays.

These test results enable doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and establish the stage. They can also suggest treatment options. The stage of the disease is determined based on the type of cell and whether or not the tumor has spread to other regions of the body.

Asbestos exposure is the most important risk factor. People who have been in occupations that require asbestos, like plumbing, electrical work, manufacturing or construction, are at greater risk of developing the disease. However, even if individuals aren't employed in these areas, they can still be exposed to asbestos through relatives or other sources. This is why anyone who suspects they may be at risk should talk to an experienced doctor. If they have an history of exposure to asbestos and mesothelioma is a concern, a specialist will assist them in learning more about the risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos exposure is a major mesothelioma risk factor, which accounts for as much as 80 percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos can occur due to work, military service or by living with someone who works with asbestos or has previously done so. When exposed to asbestos, small particles can be breathed into the lungs and abdomen. They can cause irritation to the linings of the abdomen and trigger cancerous cells to develop in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma can take anywhere between 15 and 60 years to develop following exposure to asbestos.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and age. The people in their 40s or 50s are at a higher risk of developing mesothelioma as compared to those who are younger or older. It takes mesothelioma between 20 and 60 years to manifest cancer symptoms after the first exposure. It is important to remember that mesothelioma is a possibility in those who were exposed to asbestos lawsuit, but did not work with it directly. This is referred to as indirect or secondary asbestos exposure, and is as hazardous as direct asbestos claim exposure.

Smoking increases the chance of mesothelioma developing, since it damages mesothelium. It also makes it more susceptible. Furthermore, mesothelioma is worsened by certain diseases like 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 a longer period of time and to have worked with asbestos for longer periods of time. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who has worked with asbestos, and to have asbestos fibers on their clothing. Women are less likely to be in contact with asbestos, and don't typically bring asbestos home on their clothes.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is a difficult cancer to diagnose because the symptoms often resemble other conditions. This is why patients are sometimes misdiagnosed.

The first step to diagnose mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform an examination of the body and take notes on the medical history of a patient which includes asbestos exposure. Doctors will also order 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, and a magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI test, which uses radio waves and magnets to create detailed images of the inside of the body. Another way for doctors to detect mesothelioma is to perform the procedure of a surgical biopsy. A surgical biopsy is when doctors take a small amount of tissue from the peritoneum or pleura to conduct further tests. A pathologist can then examine the tissue under an magnifying glass to determine whether it contains cancerous cell.

The type of mesothelial cell involved and the benign or malignant nature of those cells and the location the cancer, its type and the stage of the cancer are used to categorize the disease. Some types of mesothelioma have an increased risk of spreading or metastasizing, so it's important 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 determine particular proteins, genes and other factors that help them understand the characteristics of the cancer and determine a treatment. These results are referred to as staging.

Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnose can be terrifying. It is important to keep in mind that cancer can be treated particularly in its initial stages. Many patients with mesothelioma survive for a long time with the disease, without spreading to other organs of their body.

Exposure to asbestos may cause mesothelioma in many ways. Asbestos fibers that are too small to be felt or viewed with the naked eyes can be airborne and irritate the lining of the lung (pleura). Over time the irritation causes the formation of scar tissue that eventually result in tumors.

The Pleura is a covering that protects the abdomen, heart, and lungs. Mesothelium consists of cells that react to asbestos which causes it to become inflamed and form scar tissue. These changes eventually lead to malignant mesothelioma tumours.

Shortness of breath, chest pain or fluid accumulation on the lungs are all signs of pleural mesothelioma. In rare instances, cancer can spread into the tissues surrounding the reproductive organs and heart.

A doctor will order a biopsy if imaging scans show the possibility of a lung tumor or stomach. The procedure involves the removal of small amounts of fluid or tumor for laboratory testing. The results will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and help determine the best treatment plan.

There are many types of treatment for mesothelioma including chemotherapy and surgery. The majority of doctors employ the combination of these treatments. Participating in clinical trials for mesothelioma treatments may be beneficial to patients. To learn more about the trials, patients should speak with a mesothelioma specialist who has had experience treating the disease.