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Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos, a mineral that naturally occurs in the form of long, thin fibers. Workers who are regularly exposed to asbestos risk developing lung diseases like mesothelioma.

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

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma, a form of cancer, that occurs in the lung's outer the lining (pleura). It is the most frequent mesothelioma type, accounting for up 70% to 79% of all diagnosed cases. The condition can cause chest pain, breath shortness and a feeling weightiness.

This type of cancer typically caused by exposure to asbestos, which is a collection of minerals comprised of microscopic fibres. When inhaled, these fibers, cause irritation and DNA mutations. Pleura covers both the chest cavity and the lungs, which means that 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 frequent symptoms. Some patients may also feel tightness in their chest, coughing or difficulty breathing. Patients with this type of cancer typically have a history of exposure to asbestos in the workplace. The most prevalent jobs that expose people to the risk of developing pleural mesothelioma are manufacturing, construction and shipbuilding. People who were in the military are at a greater risk due the frequent use of asbestos in Navy vessels and Army bunkers.

The most commonly used staging method for pleural mesothelioma is the TNM (tumor, lymph nodes and metastases) staging system. The stage that the patient is in at the time of diagnosis will help determine the treatment plan they should follow. Patients with pleural mesothelioma that is in stage three or four will have a worse outlook than those in a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma is often spread to the liver, diaphragm or even a person's heart. This could make the cancer more difficult to treat and increase the chances of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

As opposed to pleural mesothelioma that is a lung-lining cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma develops in the peritoneum -- it is a membrane that lines the abdominal cavity as well as organs like the intestines and liver. As with pleural mesothelioma exposure to asbestos is the cause of peritoneal mesothelioma. There are only 300-500 cases diagnosed each year this is less than pleural asbestosis.

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

Doctors can identify mesothelioma by looking over the medical history of the patient and performing a physical exam. They can also utilize imaging tests like Xrays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to help find mesothelioma. These tests can show cancerous tumors or other signs of cancer that aren't 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 staging is determined by the type of cells and whether or not the cancer has spread to other areas of the body.

The most important mesothelioma-related risk factor is exposure to asbestos. People who have been in occupations that require asbestos, such as plumbing manufacturing, electrical work, or construction, are at a higher risk of developing the disease. Even if an individual is not employed in one of these fields they could be exposed to asbestos through family members or other sources. Anyone who thinks they may be at risk should speak with a doctor. If they have a history of asbestos exposure, a mesothelioma specialist can assist them in finding out more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos is the main risk factor for mesothelioma. It accounts for as much as 80% of all cases. Exposure to asbestos can happen due to work, military service or by living with someone who works with asbestos or was previously exposed to doing the same. When exposed to asbestos, particles can be breathed into the lungs and abdomen. These particles can cause irritation to the linings and cause cancerous cells to grow in the mesothelium. Following exposure to asbestos mesothelioma is likely to occur between 15 and 60 years old.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics, and age. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely to get mesothelioma than people younger or more senior. This is because mesothelioma usually occurs between 20 and 60 years from the initial exposure before cancer symptoms appear. It is also important to know that mesothelioma is a possibility in those who were exposed to asbestos but didn't deal with it directly. This is called indirect or secondary exposure to asbestos, and it is just as harmful as direct exposure.

Smoking can increase the likelihood of getting mesothelioma because it damages the mesothelium and makes it more vulnerable to asbestos. Mesothelioma is also aggravated by certain diseases, such as asbestosis and pneumonia. It is also important to know that mesothelioma is more prevalent in males than females. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for longer periods of time and to have worked with it. Additionally, men are more likely to live with someone who has worked with asbestos and carry asbestos fibers that have escaped home on their clothes. Women are less likely to come into exposure to asbestos and do not typically carry asbestos home on their clothes.

Diagnosis

It is difficult to diagnose mesothelioma because its symptoms are often similar to other diseases. This can lead to victims being wrongly diagnosed.

The first step to diagnose mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform an examination of the body and take down a patient's medical history, including asbestos exposure. Doctors can also request an X-ray chest or CT scan to check for lumps and other abnormalities, as well as evidence of past asbestos exposure like plaques in the pleura (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the accumulation of fluid between the lung and the chest wall (known as the pleural effusion).

Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram which examines the blood vessels and the heart and magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI test, which makes use of magnets and radio waves to create precise images of the inside of the body. Another method doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma is by performing a surgical biopsy. In a surgical biopsy, doctors remove a tiny part of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum to be examined further. A pathologist can examine the tissue with microscopes to determine if it is contaminated with cancerous cells.

The mesothelial type involved as well as the benign or malignant nature of the cells, as well as the location and stage of the tumour, are used to categorize the disease. Some types of mesothelioma are more likely to spread or metastasize and spread, therefore it is essential to establish a definitive diagnosis to ensure that doctors are able to treat the disease before it goes out of control.

Doctors may also conduct tests in the lab on tumors to identify specific proteins, genes, or other factors which can aid in describing cancer characteristics and plan treatment. These results are known as staging.

Treatment

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

Asbestos exposure can cause mesothelioma by a variety of mechanisms. Asbestos fibers, which are too small to detect or feel by the naked eye can become airborne and irritate the lining of the lungs (pleura). As time passes, the irritation causes the formation of scar tissue, which leads to changes in the structure of cells that eventually develop into tumors.

The pleura is a protective covering that surrounds the abdomen, heart, and lungs. Mesothelium is made up of cells that react when exposed to asbestos. They cause inflammation of the tissue and cause it to become scarred. In time, these changes can cause the development of malignant mesothelioma tumors.

Escondido asbestos lawsuits of pleural mesothelioma include shortness of breath and chest pain as well as a buildup of fluid in the lung (pleural effusion). In rare cases, cancer can spread into the tissues that surround the reproductive organs and heart.

A doctor will order a biopsy if imaging scans reveal a possible lung tumor or stomach. In the course of the procedure, doctors remove some of the fluid or tumor for laboratory testing. The results will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and help determine the most effective treatment plan.

There are a variety of treatment for mesothelioma including surgery and chemotherapy. The majority of doctors use the combination of these methods. Enrolling in clinical trials of mesothelioma treatments may be beneficial for patients. To learn more, patients should speak with mesothelioma specialists who have had experience treating the disease.