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Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos, a natural mineral, naturally occurs in the form of long, thin fibers. People who are regularly exposed to asbestos may develop lung diseases such as mesothelioma.

It can take years for symptoms to show up after exposure to asbestos. Different types of asbestos may cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma is a type of cancer that develops in the lung's outer liner (pleura). It is the most prevalent mesothelioma type, accounting for up 70% to 79% of diagnosed cases. The condition can cause chest pain, shortness of breathe, and a feeling of heaviness.

This type of cancer usually caused by exposure to asbestos, which is a grouping of minerals comprised of microscopic fibres. These fibers, when inhaled, cause irritation and DNA mutations. The pleura surrounds the chest cavity and lungs This means that these irritations can affect both the lungs as well as a person's heart. Mesothelioma symptoms are usually not apparent until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

Shortness of breath and chest pain are the most common symptoms. Patients may also experience chest tightness and coughing, or breathing difficulties. Patients with this type of cancer have a history of disease that includes asbestos attorney exposure at work. Manufacturing, construction and shipbuilding are the most frequent jobs that put people at a high danger of developing pleural melanoma. People who were in the military are at a greater risk due the frequent use of asbestos settlement in Navy vessels and bunkers for the Army.

The TNM (tumors, lymph nodes, and metastases staging system) is the most popular staging system for the pleural cancer. The stage a patient has upon diagnosis will aid their doctor in determining the most appropriate treatment plan for them. For example, patients with a pleural mesothelioma in stage three or four have a less favorable prognosis than those with a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma may spread to the liver, heart or diaphragm. This makes it more difficult to treat and increases the chance of complications for patients.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Contrary to pleural cancer which forms in the lung's lining the peritoneal cancer is a result of a membrane that surrounds the abdominal cavity, which includes organs like the liver and intestines. Similar to pleural mesothelioma, asbestos exposure is the primary cause of peritoneal msothelioma. It is estimated that only 300-500 cases are diagnosed annually, which is less than the pleural asbestosis.

Like pleural mesothelioma, symptoms may take years to appear. Typically, patients experience abdominal pain and an abdominal mass. The symptoms of this kind of mesothelioma could also include nausea as well as weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms are similar to symptoms of digestive problems, which can result in misdiagnosis.

Doctors can detect mesothelioma by examining the patient's medical history and performing a physical exam. Imaging tests like X-rays and CT scans can be used to detect mesothelioma. These tests can detect tumors and other cancer signs that are not visible on X-rays.

The results of these tests allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma, determine the stage of the disease and suggest treatment options. The stage is determined by the type of cell and whether the tumor has spread.

Asbestos Case; Www.Kim-Speech.Com, exposure is the most important risk factor. People who have been exposed to asbestos in occupations, like plumbing or electrical work, or in construction and manufacturing are more likely to contract the disease. However, even if individuals do not work in these areas they could be exposed to asbestos through relatives or other sources. Therefore, anyone who suspects they may be at risk should talk to an expert. If they have an history of exposure to asbestos or mesothelioma, a specialist can assist them in learning more about the risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos exposure is a major risk factor for mesothelioma making up as much as 80 percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos can occur through work, military service, or by living with someone who works with asbestos or used to do so. Asbestos particles can be breathed in by people who are exposed to it. They can cause irritation to the linings of the abdomen and trigger cancerous cells to develop in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma may take between 15 and 60 years to develop following exposure to asbestos.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and aging. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely to develop mesothelioma than those who are younger or more senior. It takes mesothelioma 20-60 years to show signs of cancer after the first exposure. It is important to keep in mind that mesothelioma may occur in those who have been exposed to asbestos without having directly worked with it. This is referred to as secondary or indirect asbestos exposure. It can be just as harmful as direct asbestos exposure.

Smoking can increase the likelihood of getting mesothelioma because it damages the mesothelium and makes it more vulnerable to asbestos. Mesothelioma can also be aggravated by certain illnesses such as asbestosis and pneumonia. It is also important to remember that mesothelioma is more prevalent in males than females. 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-containing fibers on their clothing. Women are less likely to come into exposure to asbestos and don't typically carry asbestos around on their clothing.

Diagnosis

It is difficult to diagnose mesothelioma due to its symptoms being often similar to other diseases. This can lead to victims being misdiagnosed.

The first step to diagnose mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform a physical exam and take notes on the medical history of a patient which includes asbestos exposure. Doctors can also order an X-ray of the chest or CT scan to detect lumps and other abnormalities as well as evidence of previous asbestos exposure like pleural plaques (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the accumulation of fluid between the lung and chest wall (known as the pleural effusion).

Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram which examines the blood vessels and the heart, and a magnetic resonance imaging, also known as MRI test that uses radio waves and magnets to create detailed images of the interior of the body. Another way doctors can diagnose mesothelioma is by performing an operation called a biopsy. In a surgical biopsy doctors will remove a small piece of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum, to be further examined. A pathologist is then able to examine the tissue under microscopes to determine whether it has cancerous cells.

The type of mesothelial cells involved as well as the benign or malignant nature of these cells and the location the cancer, its type and the stage of the tumor, are used to categorize the disease. Certain types of mesothelioma are more likely to grow or spread, so it is important to establish a definitive diagnosis so that doctors can treat the disease before it gets out of control.

Doctors may also conduct laboratory tests on tumors to determine specific proteins, genes or other factors that can aid in describing cancer characteristics and determine the best treatment. These results are called staging.

Treatment

A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be a frightening prospect. However, it is important to remember that the cancer can be treated, particularly in its initial stages. Many people with mesothelioma live for a long time without the disease spreading to other parts of their body.

Asbestos exposure can cause mesothelioma through many mechanisms. Asbestos fibers, too small to see or feel by the naked eye can become airborne and irritate the lining of the lungs (pleura). In time the irritation causes the formation of scar tissue that eventually result in tumors.

The pleura is the area that surrounds the heart and lungs and also the abdomen. Mesothelium is made up of cells that react to asbestos and cause it to enflame and create scar tissue. As time passes, these changes cause the development of malignant mesothelioma cancers.

The signs of pleural mesothelioma can include breathing problems and chest pain as well as the accumulation of fluid on the lungs (pleural effusion). In rare cases, the cancer can be spread to the tissues around the heart and reproductive organs.

If imaging scans reveal a possible mass in the stomach or lungs, a doctor will order biopsies. During the procedure, doctors will remove a small sample of the tumor or fluid for lab analysis. The results will confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis, and determine the most effective treatment plan.

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