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Mesothelioma and Asbestos

asbestos lawsuit is a natural mineral that is found in thin, long fibres. Workers who are regularly exposed to asbestos may develop lung diseases, such as mesothelioma.

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

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma is a 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% all diagnosed cases. Patients with this disease experience pain in the chest and breathlessness and may experience an ache or heaviness in the chest.

Exposure to asbestos claim, a family of minerals composed of microscopic fibers, usually causes this type of cancer. Once inhaled, the fibers stick inside the lungs and cause irritation that results in scarring and DNA mutations. The pleura is the area that surrounds the lungs and chest cavity, so these irritations can affect both the lungs and the heart of a person. Mesothelioma typically doesn't manifest until 30 to 50 year after exposure.

Chest pain and shortness breath are the most frequently reported symptoms. Patients may also experience chest tightness, coughing or difficulty breathing. People with this cancer often have an history of exposure to asbestos in the workplace. The most frequent jobs that expose people to the risk of pleural mesothelioma include construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding. Individuals who have been in the military are at an especially high risk due to the widespread use of asbestos case (a fantastic read) in Navy vessels and army bunkers.

The most popular staging system for pleural mysothelioma has been the TNM (tumor, lymph nodes and metastases) staging system. The stage a patient is in upon diagnosis will help their doctor determine the most effective treatment plan for them. Patients suffering from pleural mesothelioma who is in stage three or stage four will have a worse prognosis compared to those in a less advanced stage. Stage four mesothelioma may spread to the liver, heart or diaphragm. This can make the cancer more difficult to treat, and increase the chances of complications for patients.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

As opposed to pleural mesothelioma that is a lung-lining cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma forms in the peritoneum -- a membrane that lines the abdominal cavity and organs like the liver and intestines. Similar to pleural mesothelioma, asbestos exposure is the reason for peritoneal msothelioma. There are only 300-500 cases diagnosed annually, which is less than the pleural asbestosis.

As with pleural asbestosis, symptoms can take several years to manifest. Patients typically experience abdominal pain, and may also have a lump in their abdomen. This kind of mesothelioma can also cause nausea, weight loss, and fever. Many of these symptoms could be mistaken for gastrointestinal problems and can lead to a mistaken diagnosis.

Generally, doctors can find mesothelioma by conducting an extensive health history and physical exam. They can also use imaging tests such as X-rays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to identify mesothelioma. These tests can reveal tumors and other symptoms of cancer that aren't apparent on an X-ray.

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

The most significant mesothelioma risk factor is asbestos exposure. People who have worked in asbestos lawyer-related professions, such as electrical or plumbing work or in construction, manufacturing and manufacturing are more likely to develop the disease. Even if someone isn't employed in one of these fields however, they may be exposed to asbestos through family members or other sources. This is why anyone who is concerned that they might be at risk should speak to a doctor. A mesothelioma specialist can assist those with a history with asbestos to learn more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos is the primary risk factor in mesothelioma. It is responsible for up to 80percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos can happen as a result of work, military service or by living with a person who works with asbestos or was previously exposed to doing so. 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 grow in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma may take between 15 and 60 years to develop after exposure to asbestos.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and age. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely to develop mesothelioma than those who are younger or older. This is because mesothelioma usually lasts between 20 and 60 years after the initial exposure before cancer symptoms appear. It is also important to know that mesothelioma can develop in people who were exposed to asbestos legal, but did not deal with it directly. This is known as secondary or indirect asbestos exposure. It can be just as harmful as direct asbestos exposure.

Smoking increases the chance of mesothelioma developing, because it damages the mesothelium. It can also make it more vulnerable. Mesothelioma is also aggravated by certain illnesses, including asbestosis and pneumonia. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than women. This is due to the fact that men are more likely to work with asbestos and experience a a longer period of exposure than women. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who been exposed to asbestos, and to carry asbestos fibers on their clothing. Women are less likely to be in contact with asbestos, and don't typically bring asbestos home on their clothing.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is a difficult cancer to diagnose because the symptoms often resemble other diseases. This is why patients are sometimes wrongly diagnosed.

The first step to diagnose mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform a physical exam and take note of the medical history of the patient which includes asbestos exposure. Doctors may also request an CT scan or chest X-ray in order to look for abnormalities, lumps and evidence of exposure to asbestos. 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 magnets and radio waves to make a series of detailed images of the inside of the body. A surgical biopsy is a different method doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma. In a surgical biopsy doctors remove a small piece of tissue from the peritoneum or pleura to conduct further tests. A pathologist is then able to look at the tissue under a microscope to see if 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 tumor. Some types of mesothelioma have an increased risk of metastasizing or spreading therefore it is essential to get a definitive diagnosis so that doctors can treat it prior to it becoming out-of-control.

Doctors may also conduct tests in the lab on tumors in order to determine specific genes, proteins, or other factors which can help them describe cancer characteristics and plan treatment. These results are referred to as staging.

Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnose can be frightening. It is important to remember that cancer can be treated particularly in its early stages. A lot of people suffering from mesothelioma be afflicted for many years without it expanding.

Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma through many mechanisms. Asbestos fibers, which are too small to see or feel through the naked eye, can become airborne and cause irritation to the lung's lining (pleura). Over time the irritation can lead to the formation of scar tissue that eventually result in tumors.

The pleura surrounds the heart and lungs and the abdomen. Mesothelium is composed of cells that react to asbestos, causing it to inflame and create scar tissue. In time, these changes can lead to the development of malignant mesothelioma tumors.

A shortness of breath, chest discomfort, or the accumulation of fluid on the lungs are all signs of pleural mesothelioma. In rare cases the cancer may spread to the tissues surrounding the heart and reproductive organs.

A doctor will order a biopsy if imaging scans show a potential mass in the lungs or stomach. During the procedure, doctors take tiny amounts of fluid or tumor for laboratory testing. The results will confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis, and indicate the best treatment option.

There are many types of treatment for mesothelioma including surgery and chemotherapy. Most doctors utilize a combination of these methods. Participating in clinical trials of new mesothelioma treatment may also be beneficial for patients. Patients can find out more by consulting a mesothelioma expert who has treated mesothelioma.