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Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos, a mineral that naturally occurs in the form of thin, long fibers. People who are exposed to asbestos litigation regularly risk developing mesothelioma and other lung diseases of different types.

The symptoms of these diseases might not show up for decades after exposure to asbestos. Different asbestos claim types can cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma occurs in the outer lung lining, also known as the pleura. It is the most common mesothelioma type, accounting for up 70% to 79% of all diagnosed cases. Patients with this disease experience pain in the chest and breath shortness and may also feel an ache or heaviness in the chest.

This kind of cancer is typically caused by exposure to asbestos, which is a cluster of minerals composed of microscopic fibers. Once inhaled, these fibers stick inside the lung and cause irritation that leads to scarring and DNA mutations. The pleura is the area that surrounds the lungs and chest cavity and therefore, these irritations could affect both the lungs and a person's heart. Mesothelioma symptoms typically don't show until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

Shortness of breath and chest pain are the most frequently reported symptoms. Some patients may also feel tightness in their chest and coughing, or breathing difficulties. Patients with this type of cancer typically have previous exposure to asbestos in the workplace. Construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding are among the most common jobs that put people at a high risk of developing pleural mesothelioma. Individuals who have been in the military are at a higher risk because of the extensive use of asbestos in Navy ships and bunkers for the army.

The most commonly used staging method for pleural mesothelioma is the TNM (tumor, lymph nodes and metastases) staging system. The stage a patient is in when they are diagnosed will aid their doctor in determining the most effective treatment plan for them. For instance, patients who have mesothelioma that is pleural in stage three or four have a worse prognosis than those with lower stages. Stage four mesothelioma is often spread to the liver, diaphragm 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

In contrast to pleural mesothelioma which is a lung-lining cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma forms in the peritoneum -- an elongated membrane that covers the abdominal cavity and organs like the liver and intestines. As with pleural mesothelioma asbestos exposure is the reason for peritoneal msothelioma. The disease is less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma, with only about 300-500 cases diagnosed each year.

As with pleural asbestosis symptoms can take several years to show. Typically, patients are afflicted with abdominal pain as well as abdominal swelling. This type of mesothelioma may cause nausea, weight loss, and fever. A lot of these symptoms can be misinterpreted as gastrointestinal issues, leading to a misdiagnosis.

Generally speaking, doctors can detect mesothelioma by conducting an extensive health history and physical exam. They can also use imaging tests like X-rays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to help find mesothelioma. These tests can identify tumors as well as other signs of cancer which aren't evident on X-rays.

The results of these tests allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma, identify the stage of the disease and suggest treatment options. The stage is determined by the kind of cell and if the cancer has spread.

The most important risk factor for mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos. People who have worked in asbestos-containing jobs, such as plumbing or electrical work, or in manufacturing and construction, are more likely to contract the disease. However, even if individuals aren't employed in these areas, they can still be exposed to asbestos through family members or other sources. For this reason, anyone who suspects they may be at risk should speak to an expert. If they have an history of exposure to asbestos or mesothelioma, a specialist can assist them in finding out more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos is the primary risk factor for mesothelioma. It is responsible for as much as 80% of all cases. Exposure to asbestos can occur through work, military service, or through living with a person who works with asbestos or used to do the same. When exposed to asbestos, small particles can be inhaled into the abdomen and lungs. The particles cause irritation to the linings of the abdomen, which causes cancerous cells to develop in the mesothelium. After exposure to asbestos mesothelioma can occur between 15 and 60 years.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and aging. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely to be diagnosed with mesothelioma compared to those who are younger or more senior. It takes mesothelioma 20-60 years to manifest cancer symptoms after the first exposure. It is also important to note that mesothelioma is a possibility in those who were exposed to asbestos but did not engage directly with it. This is referred to as secondary or indirect asbestos exposure and can be as hazardous as direct asbestos exposure.

Smoking increases a person's chances of developing mesothelioma due to the fact that it damages the mesothelium, which makes it more susceptible to asbestos. Furthermore, mesothelioma is exacerbated by certain illnesses like pneumonia and asbestosis. It is also important to remember that mesothelioma is more common in men than women. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for a longer time and work with asbestos for longer periods of time. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who worked with asbestos, and to have asbestos Legal-containing fibers on their clothing. Women are less likely to be exposed to asbestos, and they don't usually carry asbestos on their clothing.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is a difficult disease to diagnose because the symptoms can be similar to other diseases. This can lead to victims being wrongly diagnosed.

NYU Langone doctors will perform a physical examination and record the patient's medical history, including asbestos exposure. Doctors will also recommend an CT scan or chest X-ray to look for lumps, abnormalities, and evidence of asbestos exposure. These include plaques on the pleura, pleura that are thickened and calcium deposits.

Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram which examines the heart and blood vessels and magnetic resonance imaging, also known as MRI test, which uses magnets and radio waves to make a series of precise images of the inside of the body. A surgical biopsy is a different way for doctors to diagnose mesothelioma. A surgical biopsy is when doctors take a small amount of tissue from the pleura or peritoneum for further analysis. A pathologist can then examine the tissue with a magnifying lens to determine if it contains cancerous cells.

The type of mesothelial cell involved, the malignant or benign nature of those cells as well as the location and stage of the tumor, are used to categorize the disease. Certain types of mesothelioma may be more likely to develop metastasis or spread and spread, therefore it is essential to have a clear diagnosis to ensure that doctors are able to treat the disease before it gets out of control.

Doctors may also conduct tests in the laboratory on tumors to determine specific genes, proteins or other factors that will help them identify cancer characteristics and determine the best treatment. These results are referred to as staging.

Treatment

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

asbestos settlement exposure can cause mesothelioma by various mechanisms. Asbestos fibers, which are too small to detect or feel by the naked eye can become airborne and cause irritation to the lung's lining (pleura). In time irritation leads to formation of scar tissue which causes changes in the structure of cells that can eventually grow into tumors.

The Pleura is a protective layer that covers the lungs, heart and abdomen. Mesothelium is made up of cells that react to asbestos which causes it to become inflamed and develop scar tissue. These changes can cause mesothelioma cancers.

A shortness of breath, chest discomfort, or the accumulation of fluid on the lungs are all signs of the pleural msothelioma. In rare cases cancer may spread to the tissues around the reproductive organs as well as the heart.

A doctor may 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 laboratory testing. The results can confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis, and indicate the most effective treatment plan.

There are many types of treatment for mesothelioma including surgery and chemotherapy. Most doctors utilize the combination of these treatments. Patients may also benefit from enrolling in a clinical trial of new mesothelioma treatments. Patients can learn more about the trials by consulting a mesothelioma specialist who has treated the disease.