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Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos is a mineral that naturally occurs in the form of long, thin fibers. People who are exposed to asbestos are at risk of developing lung diseases such as mesothelioma.

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

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma is a type of cancer that affects the lung's outer the lining (pleura). It is the most common form of mesothelioma and is responsible for 70 to 79% of all diagnosed cases. Patients suffering from this condition experience pain in the chest and breath shortness and may also feel an ache or heaviness in the chest.

This type of cancer is usually caused by exposure to asbestos, which is a collection of minerals composed of microscopic fibers. Once inhaled, these fibers stick inside the lung and cause irritation which leads to scarring 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 typically doesn't manifest until 30 to 50 year after exposure.

Shortness of breath and chest pain are the most frequent symptoms. Some patients may also feel tightness in their chest and coughing, or breathing difficulties. People with this cancer have a history that includes asbestos compensation exposure at work. The most common jobs that expose workers to the risk of pleural mesothelioma include construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding. Individuals who have been in the military could be at an especially high risk due to the frequent asbestos use in Navy ships and bunkers for the army.

The TNM (tumors, lymph nodes, and metastases staging system) is the most common staging system for the pleural cancer. The stage that a patient is at upon diagnosis will help their doctor determine the most effective treatment plan for them. For instance, patients suffering from mesothelioma that is pleural in stage three or four have a less favorable prognosis than those in lower stages. Mesothelioma in stage four is usually spread to the liver, diaphragm and/or a person's heart. This can make the cancer more difficult to treat and increase the chance of complications for patients.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Unlike pleural cancer, which is found in the lining of the lung it develops in a membrane that covers the abdominal cavity, which includes organs like the intestines and the liver. Like pleural mesothelioma, asbestos exposure is the primary cause of peritoneal mesothelioma. Only 300-500 cases are diagnosed each year which is lower than the pleural asbestosis.

Like pleural mesothelioma, the symptoms may take years to appear. Typically, patients suffer from abdominal pain and a mass in the abdomen. This type of mesothelioma may also cause nausea, weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms are similar to symptoms of digestive problems, which can result in confusion in diagnosis.

Generally speaking, doctors can detect mesothelioma by conducting an exhaustive health history and physical exam. Imaging tests such as X-rays or CT scans are a way to detect mesothelioma. These tests can show tumors and other symptoms of cancer that aren't visible on an X-ray.

These tests enable 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.

The most important risk factor for mesothelioma is asbestos exposure. People who have been exposed to asbestos in occupations, like electrical or plumbing work, or in construction, manufacturing and manufacturing, are more likely to contract the disease. Even if someone does not work in any of these areas they could be exposed to asbestos through family members and other sources. Therefore, anyone who suspects they may be at risk should talk to an expert. A mesothelioma expert can help those with a history with asbestos to learn more about their risk.

Risk Factors

asbestos settlement is the most significant risk factor in mesothelioma. It accounts for as much as the 80% of cases. Exposure to asbestos Case may occur through work, military service, or by living with a person who works with asbestos attorney or used to do the same. When exposed to asbestos, particles can be breathed into the lungs and abdomen. They can cause irritation to the linings of the abdomen and cause cancerous cells to form 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 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 people who have been exposed to asbestos, but without having been directly exposed to it. This is referred to as indirect or secondary asbestos exposure. It can be just as harmful as direct asbestos exposure.

Smoking increases the risk of developing mesothelioma since it damages the mesothelium and makes it more susceptible to asbestos. Mesothelioma is also aggravated by certain illnesses, including asbestosis and pneumonia. It is also important to remember that mesothelioma occurs more frequently in men than women. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for a longer time and to have worked with it. Men are also more likely to live with someone who was exposed to asbestos and bring asbestos fibers from their workplace on their clothing. Women are less likely to be exposed to asbestos and they are less likely to bring asbestos attorney home on their clothes.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is a difficult disease to identify because the symptoms are 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, including asbestos exposure. Doctors can also order a chest X-ray or CT scan to look for lumps and other abnormalities, and also to look for evidence of asbestos exposure in the past like plaques in the pleura (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the formation of fluid between the lung and the chest wall (known as the pleural effusion).

Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram, which examines the heart and blood vessels, and a magnetic resonance imaging, also known as MRI, test, which uses magnets and radio waves to create detailed images of the inside of the body. A surgical biopsy is yet another method for doctors to identify mesothelioma. In a surgical biopsy doctors take a small amount of tissue from the peritoneum or pleura for further testing. A pathologist is then able to examine the tissue with microscopes to determine whether it has cancerous cells.

Mesothelioma is classified based on the type of mesothelial cell involved, whether those cells are benign or malignant, and the location, type, and stage of the cancer. 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 can also perform laboratory tests on tumors to determine specific genes, proteins, or other factors which can aid in describing the characteristics of cancer and plan treatment. These results are known as staging.

Treatment

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

Asbestos exposure can cause mesothelioma by various mechanisms. Asbestos fibres, small enough to not be felt or viewed by naked eyes can be airborne, causing irritation to the lining of the lung (pleura). As time passes irritation can lead to formation of scar tissue which leads to changes in the cell structure that can eventually grow into tumors.

The pleura covers the heart and lungs and also the abdomen. Mesothelium consists of cells that react to asbestos, causing it to inflame and create scar tissue. Overtime, these changes result in the growth of malignant mesothelioma cancers.

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

A doctor will order biopsy if imaging scans show a potential mass in the lungs or stomach. In the course of the procedure, doctors remove small amounts of fluid or tumor to allow for laboratory testing. The results will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and determine the most effective treatment plan.

There are many types of mesothelioma treatment options, including surgery, chemotherapy and immunotherapy. Most doctors rely on a combination of these methods. Patients may also benefit from participating in a clinical study of new mesothelioma therapies. Patients can find out more by speaking with a mesothelioma doctor who has treated the disease.