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Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that is made up of thin, long fibres. Workers who are regularly exposed to asbestos are at risk of developing lung diseases, such as mesothelioma.

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

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma, a form of cancer, that occurs in the outer lung lining (pleura). It is the most prevalent mesothelioma form and is responsible for 70 to 79% of all diagnosed cases. People with this condition suffer from chest pain and shortness of breath and may also feel an ache or heaviness in the chest.

This kind of cancer is often caused through exposure to asbestos, which is a grouping of minerals that are made up of microscopic fibres. Once inhaled, the fibers stick inside the lungs and cause irritation that leads to scarring and DNA mutations. The pleura surrounds the chest cavity and lungs, so these irritations can affect both the lungs as well as a person's heart. Mesothelioma is usually not symptomatic until 30 to 50 year after exposure.

Chest pain and shortness breath are the most frequent symptoms. Some patients may also feel tightness in their chest and coughing, or breathing difficulties. Patients with this type of cancer typically have an history of exposure to asbestos in the workplace. Construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding are the most common occupations that put people at high danger of developing pleural melanoma. People who have worked in the military may be at risk due to the frequent asbestos usage in Navy ships and bunkers for the army.

The most common staging system for pleural mesothelioma is the TNM (tumor lymph nodes, lymph nodes, and metastases) staging system. The stage that the patient is in at the time of diagnosis can help determine the treatment plan they will receive. For example, patients with mesothelioma that is pleural in stage three or four have a worse prognosis than those with lower stages. Stage four mesothelioma may develop into the liver, heart, or diaphragm. This makes the cancer more difficult to treat, and increase the chances of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Unlike pleural mesothelioma, which is a lung-lining cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma forms in the peritoneum -- a membrane that lines the abdominal cavity as well as organs like the liver and intestines. Similar to pleural mesothelioma mesothelioma can be caused by asbestos exposure. The disease is less common than pleural mesothelioma, with only about 300-500 cases diagnosed each year.

Like pleural mesothelioma, symptoms can take years to show. Patients generally suffer from abdominal pain and could also experience a mass in their abdomen. This type of mesothelioma may cause nausea, weight loss, and fever. A lot of these symptoms can be mistaken for gastrointestinal problems, leading to a false diagnosis.

Doctors can detect mesothelioma by reviewing the medical history of the patient and performing a physical exam. They may also employ imaging tests like X-rays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to identify mesothelioma. These tests can show tumors, as well as other indications of cancer that aren't visible on an X-ray.

These test results allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma, determine the stage 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 professions, such as electrical or plumbing work, or in manufacturing and construction are more likely to contract the disease. However, even if individuals do not work in these fields, they can still be exposed to asbestos through family members or through other sources. Anyone who suspects that they're at risk should talk to an expert. If they have any history of exposure to asbestos and mesothelioma is a concern, a specialist will help them find 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 attorney may occur due to work, military service, or by living with a person who is exposed to asbestos or was previously exposed to doing the same. When exposed to asbestos, the particles are able to be inhaled into lungs and abdomen. They can cause irritation to the linings of the abdomen and can cause cancerous cells to form in the mesothelium. After asbestos exposure mesothelioma is likely to occur between 15 and 60 years old.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and age. People in their 40s or 50s are at a higher chance of developing mesothelioma to those younger or older. It takes mesothelioma between 20 and 60 years to show signs of cancer after the first exposure. It is also important to note that mesothelioma can develop in people who were exposed to asbestos but did not engage directly with it. This is known as indirect or secondary exposure to asbestos, and it can be just as dangerous as direct exposure.

Smoking increases the chance of mesothelioma as it damages the mesothelium. It also makes it more susceptible. Mesothelioma can also be aggravated by certain diseases, such as 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 time and to work with asbestos for longer durations and to work with it. Additionally, men are more likely to live with someone who has worked with asbestos and carry stray asbestos fibers home on their clothes. Women tend to have less exposure to asbestos settlement and rarely carry asbestos on their clothing.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is a difficult cancer to identify because the symptoms often resemble other conditions. This could lead to patients being wrongly diagnosed.

The first step in identifying mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform an examination of the body and take notes on the medical history of a patient, including Asbestos (Http://Ensemble-Life.Com/Bbs/Board.Php?Bo_Table=Free&Wr_Id=373565) exposure. Doctors will also recommend an CT scan or chest X-ray to check 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 as well as a magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI test that uses radio waves and magnets to make a series of detailed images of the interior of the body. Another way for doctors to detect mesothelioma is through an operation called a biopsy. In a surgical biopsy, doctors remove a tiny piece of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum to be examined further. A pathologist then examines the tissue using an magnifying glass to determine if it contains cancerous cells.

Mesothelioma is classified based on the type of mesothelial cell involved, whether these cells are malignant or benign and the location, type, and stage of the cancer. Certain mesothelioma types have a higher risk of spreading or metastasizing, so it's important to get a definitive diagnosis so doctors can treat it prior to it becoming out-of-control.

Doctors can also run tests in the lab on tumors to determine particular proteins, genes and other factors which can help them identify the characteristics of the cancer and determine a treatment. These results are called staging.

Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnosis can be terrifying. It is important to keep in mind that cancer can be treated, particularly in its early stages. A lot of people suffering from mesothelioma live with the disease for many years without it expanding.

Asbestos exposure can cause mesothelioma by a variety of mechanisms. Asbestos particles, which are too small to see or feel through the naked eye, can be airborne and cause irritation to the lung's lining (pleura). Over time, the irritation causes the formation of scar tissue, which causes changes in the cell structure which eventually lead to tumors.

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

The signs of pleural mesothelioma can include breathlessness and chest pain, or the accumulation of fluid in the lungs (pleural effusion). In rare instances, cancer can spread into the tissues surrounding the reproductive organs as well as the heart.

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

There are many types of mesothelioma treatment options, including surgery, chemotherapy and immunotherapy. Most doctors rely on an amalgamation of these techniques. Patients can also benefit by enrolling in a clinical trial of new mesothelioma treatment. To find out more, patients should speak with mesothelioma experts who have expertise in treating the condition.