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Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that is made up of long, thin fibres. People who are exposed to asbestos case (Wren-jackson.thoughtlanes.net) may develop lung diseases like mesothelioma.

Symptoms of these diseases may not manifest for years after exposure to asbestos. Different types of asbestos may cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

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

Exposure to asbestos, a class of minerals comprised of microscopic fibers, usually causes this type of cancer. When inhaled, these fibers cause irritation and DNA mutations. Pleura surrounds both the chest cavity and the lungs, which means that irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma usually doesn't show symptoms until 30 to 50 year after exposure.

Chest pain and shortness breath are the most frequently reported symptoms. Patients may also suffer from chest tightness or coughing. They may also experience difficulty breathing. People with this cancer have a history of disease that includes asbestos exposure at work. Construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding are the most prevalent occupations which put people at risk danger of developing pleural melanoma. Individuals who have served in the military are at higher risk due to the frequent use of asbestos in Navy vessels and bunkers in the Army.

The TNM (tumors, lymph nodes, and metastases staging system) is the most commonly used staging system used for the pleural cancer. The stage a patient is in at the time of diagnosis will help determine the treatment plan they will receive. Patients with pleural mesothelioma that is in stage three or four will have a worse prognosis compared to those in a less advanced stage. Stage four mesothelioma can spread to the liver, heart, or diaphragm. This makes 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 the peritoneal cancer is a result of a membrane that covers the abdominal cavity, including organs such as the intestines and the liver. Similar to pleural mesothelioma, asbestos exposure is the primary cause of peritoneal msothelioma. The disease is much less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma, and just 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.

As with pleural asbestosis symptoms can take years to show. Typically, patients suffer from abdominal pain and a mass in the abdomen. Symptoms of this type of mesothelioma may also include nausea as well as weight loss and fever. A lot of these symptoms are similar to symptoms of gastrointestinal issues, which can cause incorrect diagnosis.

Generally speaking, doctors can detect mesothelioma after an extensive health history and physical examination. They can also use imaging tests like Xrays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to help find mesothelioma. These tests can reveal tumors, as well as other indications of cancer that aren't visible on an X-ray.

The results of these tests allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and establish the stage. They can also recommend treatment options. The stage is determined by the kind of cell and if the cancer has spread.

The most important mesothelioma-related risk factor is asbestos attorney exposure. People who have been exposed to asbestos lawyer in occupations, like electrical or plumbing work or in manufacturing and construction, are more likely to contract the disease. Even if they aren't employed in these fields, they can still be exposed to asbestos through relatives or other sources. This is why anyone who believes they could be at risk should talk to an expert. If they have a history of asbestos exposure and mesothelioma is a concern, a specialist will help them find out more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos exposure is the main risk factor for mesothelioma accounting for up to 80 percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos litigation can happen as a result of work, military service, or by living with someone who works with asbestos or has previously done such. Asbestos particles can be inhaled by those who are exposed to it. These particles can cause irritation to the linings and cause cancerous cells to grow in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma can take anywhere between 15 and 60 years to develop after exposure to asbestos.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and age. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely get mesothelioma than people younger or more senior. It takes mesothelioma 20-60 years to manifest cancer symptoms after the first exposure. It is important to remember that mesothelioma can develop in those who were exposed to asbestos but didn't deal with it directly. This is called indirect or secondary exposure to asbestos. It is just as harmful as direct exposure.

Smoking increases a person's chances of developing mesothelioma due to the fact that it damages the mesothelium, which makes it more vulnerable to asbestos. Mesothelioma can also be aggravated by certain illnesses such as asbestosis and pneumonia. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma compared to women. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for a longer time and work with asbestos for longer durations and to work with it. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who has worked with asbestos lawyer and to have asbestos fibers on their clothing. Women tend to be less exposed to asbestos, and they are less likely to bring asbestos home on their clothes.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is difficult to diagnose because the symptoms often resemble other conditions. This is why patients are sometimes wrongly diagnosed.

The first step to diagnose mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform an examination and write down a patient's medical history, including asbestos exposure. Doctors may also order an X-ray of the chest or CT scan to detect lumps or other abnormalities, and also to look for evidence of previous asbestos exposure such as plaques on the pleura (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the accumulation 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 to create a series detailed images of the inside of the body. A surgical biopsy is another method doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma. In a surgical biopsy doctors will remove a small part of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum, to be further examined. A pathologist can then examine the tissue with a magnifying glass to determine if it is a cancerous cells.

The type of mesothelial cell involved, the malignant or benign nature of those cells, as well as the location the cancer, its type and the stage of the tumour, are used to categorize the disease. Certain mesothelioma types have greater chance of metastasizing or spreading, so it's important to get a definitive diagnosis to ensure that the doctors can treat it prior to it becoming out of control.

Doctors can also run tests in the lab on a tumor to find particular proteins, genes, or other factors which can help them identify the characteristics of cancer and plan treatment. These results are referred to as staging.

Treatment

A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be terrifying. But, it is crucial to keep in mind that the cancer is treatable, especially in its early stages. Many patients with mesothelioma survive for many years with the disease without it spreading to other parts of their body.

Asbestos exposure can cause mesothelioma by various mechanisms. Asbestos fibers, which are too small to be felt or viewed with the naked eyes, can become airborne, irritating the lining of the lung (pleura). In time irritation can lead to formation of scar tissue, which can cause changes in the structure of cells which eventually lead to tumors.

The pleura covers the heart and lungs and the abdomen. Mesothelium is made up of cells that react to exposure to asbestos and cause it to enflame and create scar tissue. In time, these changes can cause the development of malignant mesothelioma cancers.

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

A doctor will order biopsy if scans show the possibility of a lung tumor or stomach. During the procedure, doctors take tiny amounts of fluid or tumor for lab tests. The results will confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis and determine the best treatment option.

There are many types of treatment for mesothelioma including surgery and chemotherapy. The majority of doctors use a combination of these methods. Patients could also benefit from enrolling in a clinical trial of new mesothelioma treatment. Patients can learn more by consulting a mesothelioma specialist who has treated the condition.