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Mesothelioma and asbestos (knowing it)

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that comes in long, thin fibres. People who are exposed to asbestos regularly are at risk of developing mesothelioma as well as other lung diseases of different types.

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

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer of the lung's outer lining, also known as the pleura. It is the most common mesothelioma type and accounts for 70% to 79% of diagnosed cases. People with this condition feel chest pain and shortness of breath and may experience an ache or heaviness in the chest.

Exposure to asbestos, a family of minerals made of microscopic fibers, usually causes this type of cancer. When inhaled, these fibers cling to the lung and cause irritation that causes scarring and DNA mutations. Pleura is the lining of both the chest cavity as well as the lungs, which means that irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma symptoms are usually not apparent until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

Shortness of breath and chest pain are the most frequently reported symptoms. Some patients have coughing problems, trouble breathing, or chest tightness. People with this cancer have a history of disease that includes asbestos exposure at work. Construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding are the most frequent occupations which put people at risk chance of developing pleural mesothelioma. Individuals who have served in the military are at a greater risk due the widespread use of asbestos legal in Navy vessels and Army bunkers.

The most common staging system for pleural mysothelioma has been the TNM (tumor lymph nodes, lymph nodes and metastases) staging system. The stage a patient is in when they are diagnosed will aid their doctor in determining the most effective treatment plan for them. For example, patients with mesothelioma that is pleural in stage three or four have a less favorable prognosis than those with lower stages. Stage four mesothelioma is often spread to the diaphragm, liver or even a person's heart. This can make the cancer more difficult to treat and increase the chance of complications for patients.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Contrary to pleural cancer that develops in the lung's lining it develops in a membrane that surrounds the abdominal cavity, including organs such as the intestines and liver. Similar to pleural mesothelioma, asbestos exposure is the cause of peritoneal mesothelioma. Only 300-500 cases are diagnosed annually, which is less than pleural asbestosis.

As with pleural asbestosis, symptoms can take years to manifest. Most patients suffer from abdominal pain and an abdominal mass. Symptoms of this type of mesothelioma may also include nausea or weight loss, as well as fever. A lot of these symptoms are similar to symptoms of digestive issues, which could result in confusion in diagnosis.

Typically, doctors can identify mesothelioma through a thorough medical history and physical exam. Imaging tests such as X-rays or CT scans are a way to identify mesothelioma. These tests can detect tumors and other signs of cancer which aren't evident on X-rays.

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

The most important mesothelioma risk factor is exposure to asbestos claim. People who have worked in professions which require asbestos claim, such as plumbing manufacturing, electrical work or construction, are at greater risk of developing the disease. However, even if people aren't employed in these fields they could be exposed to asbestos through family members or through other sources. Anyone who suspects that they are at risk should speak with a doctor. If they have an history of exposure to asbestos, a mesothelioma specialist can assist them in finding out more about the risk.

Risk Factors

asbestos settlement is the main mesothelioma-related risk factor. It is responsible for as much as 80% of all cases. Exposure to asbestos can happen through work, military service or through living with a person who works with asbestos or has previously done such. When exposed to asbestos, particles can be breathed into the lungs and abdomen. These particles irritate the linings of the lungs, causing cancerous cells to form in the mesothelium. After asbestos exposure mesothelioma is likely to occur between 15 and 60 year.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and aging. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely get mesothelioma than people younger or older. It takes mesothelioma between 20 and 60 years before it manifests cancer symptoms after the first exposure. It is also important to know that mesothelioma may develop in people who have been exposed to asbestos, but did not engage directly with it. This is referred to as indirect or secondary asbestos exposure, and is just as harmful as direct asbestos exposure.

Smoking increases the chance of mesothelioma since it damages mesothelium. It also makes it more prone to. Furthermore, mesothelioma is caused by certain illnesses, such as asbestosis and pneumonia. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma 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 worked with asbestos and carry asbestos fibers that have escaped home on their clothes. Women are less likely to come exposed to asbestos and they are less likely to bring asbestos home on their clothing.

Diagnosis

It is difficult to recognize mesothelioma due to its symptoms being often similar to other diseases. This could lead to patients being incorrectly diagnosed.

The first step in identifying mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform an examination of the body and take note of the medical history of the patient including asbestos exposure. Doctors will also recommend an CT scan or chest X-ray to look for lumps, abnormalities, and evidence of exposure to asbestos attorney. These include plaques in the pleura, thickened pleura and calcium deposits.

Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram, which examines the blood vessels and the heart as well as a magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI test, which makes use of magnets and radio waves to make a series of precise images of the inside of the body. Another way for doctors to detect mesothelioma is by performing an operation called a biopsy. When a biopsy is performed doctors will remove a small piece of tissue from pleura or the peritoneum to be tested further. A pathologist then examines the tissue using an magnifying glass to determine if it contains cancerous cell.

The type of mesothelial cells involved as well as the benign or malignant nature of those cells as well as the location and stage of the cancer are used to categorize the disease. Certain types of mesothelioma may be more likely to develop metastasis or spread which is why it is crucial to get a definite diagnosis to ensure that doctors are able to treat the disease before it goes out of control.

Doctors can also perform tests in the lab on tumors to identify specific genes, proteins or other factors that will help them identify cancer characteristics and determine the best treatment. These results are known as staging.

Treatment

A diagnosis of mesothelioma may be frightening. It is important to keep in mind that cancer can be treated, particularly in its early stages. Many patients with mesothelioma survive for a long time with the disease without it spreading to other areas of their body.

Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma in a number of ways. Asbestos particles, which are too small to detect or feel by the naked eye can be airborne and cause irritation to the lung's lining (pleura). As time passes the irritation can lead to the formation of scar tissue that eventually result in tumors.

The Pleura is a covering that covers the lungs, heart and abdomen. Mesothelium is made up of cells that react to asbestos which causes it to become inflamed and form scar tissue. In time, these changes can cause the development of malignant mesothelioma tumors.

The symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are shortness of breath and chest pain as well as the accumulation of fluid on the lung (pleural effusion). In rare cases, cancer can spread into the tissues that surround the reproductive organs as well as the heart.

A doctor will request biopsy if scans reveal a possible tumor in the lungs or stomach. During the procedure doctors remove small amounts of liquid or tumor for lab tests. The results can confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and indicate the best treatment plan.

There are a variety of treatment for mesothelioma including surgery and chemotherapy. Most doctors rely on an amalgamation of these techniques. Patients could also benefit from taking part in a clinical trial of new mesothelioma treatments. To find out more, patients should speak with a mesothelioma specialist who has had experience treating the disease.