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Mesothelioma and Asbestos

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

pharr asbestos attorney can take years for symptoms to appear after exposure to asbestos. Different types of asbestos may cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma can be found in the lung's outer lining, or pleura. It is the most common type of mesothelioma, making up between 70 and 79% of diagnosed cases. This condition causes chest pain, breath shortness and a feeling weightiness.

This kind of cancer is typically caused by exposure to asbestos, which is a cluster of minerals comprised of microscopic fibres. When inhaled, these fibers cause irritation and DNA mutations. Pleura covers both the chest cavity and the lungs, and so irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma is usually not symptomatic 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. Patients with this cancer have a history that includes asbestos exposure at work. The most prevalent jobs that expose workers to the risk of developing pleural mesothelioma are manufacturing, construction and shipbuilding. Individuals who have served in the military are at higher risk due to the frequent use of asbestos in Navy vessels and bunkers for the Army.

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

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Unlike pleural cancer, which forms in the lining of the lung the peritoneal cancer is a result of the membrane that covers the abdominal cavity, including organs like the liver and intestines. Like pleural mesothelioma, peritoneal mesothelioma is caused by asbestos exposure. The disease is less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma, with only about 300-500 cases diagnosed each year.

As with pleural asbestosis, symptoms can take several years to show. Patients typically have abdominal pain, and may also have a lump in their abdomen. The symptoms of this type of mesothelioma may also include nausea as well as weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms can be mistaken for gastrointestinal problems and can lead to a mistaken diagnosis.

Doctors can detect mesothelioma by examining the patient's medical history and conducting a physical exam. Imaging tests like X-rays or CT scans are a way to detect mesothelioma. These tests can detect tumors as well as other signs of cancer that are not evident on X-rays.

These tests enable doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and establish the stage. They can also suggest treatment options. The staging is determined by the type of cell and whether or not the tumor has spread to other parts of the body.

The most important mesothelioma-related risk factor is asbestos exposure. People who have worked in professions that involve asbestos, such as plumbing or manufacturing, electrical work, or construction, are at a higher risk of developing the disease. Even if a person isn't employed in one of these areas they could still be exposed to asbestos through family members and other sources. Anyone who thinks they may be at risk should speak with a doctor. A mesothelioma expert can help those who have had a previous history of asbestos to find out more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos exposure is a major risk factor for mesothelioma making up as much as 80 percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos can occur due to military service, work, or living with someone who used to work with asbestos. When exposed to asbestos, small particles can be inhaled into the lungs and abdomen. The particles cause irritation to the linings, causing cancerous cells to develop in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma can take anywhere between 15 and 60 years to develop after exposure to asbestos.

Other risk factors include genetics, smoking and aging. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely to develop mesothelioma than those who are younger or more senior. Mesothelioma can take between 20 and 60 years before it manifests cancer symptoms after the first exposure. It is important to note, too, that mesothelioma can occur in people who have been exposed to asbestos without having worked with it directly. This is called indirect or secondary exposure to asbestos, and it is just as harmful as direct exposure.

Smoking increases the risk of developing mesothelioma since it damages the mesothelium, which makes it more vulnerable to asbestos. Mesothelioma can also be caused by certain diseases, such as asbestosis and pneumonia. It is also important to remember that mesothelioma is more prevalent in men than women. This is due to the fact that men are more likely to work with asbestos and have more exposure than women. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who had worked with asbestos, and to carry asbestos fibers on their clothing. Women tend to be less exposed to asbestos, and they don't usually carry asbestos on their clothing.

Diagnosis





It is difficult to recognize mesothelioma due to its symptoms being frequently similar to other illnesses. This could lead to patients being wrongly diagnosed.

The first step in diagnosing mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform an examination and write notes on the medical history of a patient which includes asbestos exposure. Doctors may also request a CT scan or chest X-ray in order to look for lumps, abnormalities and evidence of asbestos exposure. These include pleural plaques, thickened pleura and calcium deposits.

Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance imaging or MRI test, which uses magnets and radio waves to create a series of detailed images of inside the body. Another method doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma is to perform an operation called a biopsy. When a biopsy is performed doctors take a tiny part of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum to be tested further. A pathologist can then examine the tissue under a magnifying glass to determine if it contains cancerous cell.

Mesothelioma is classified according to the type of mesothelial cell involved, whether the cells are malignant or benign and the location of the tumor, its type, and the stage of the tumor. Certain types of mesothelioma are at a higher risk of metastasizing or spreading, so it's important to get a definitive diagnosis so that doctors can treat it before it becomes out-of-control.

Doctors may also conduct tests in the laboratory on tumors to determine specific proteins, genes or other elements that can help them describe the characteristics of the cancer and determine a treatment. These results are referred to as staging.

Treatment

A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be a frightening prospect. It is important to keep in mind, however, that cancer can be treated, especially at its early stages. Many mesothelioma patients live for many years with the disease, without spreading to other parts of their body.

Asbestos exposure can cause mesothelioma through various mechanisms. Asbestos fibres, small enough to not be felt or observed through the naked eye are able to become airborne, causing irritation to the lung's lining (pleura). As time passes, the irritation causes the formation of scar tissue which causes changes in the cell structure that can eventually grow into tumors.

The Pleura is a covering that surrounds the lungs, heart and abdomen. Mesothelium consists of cells that respond when exposed to asbestos. They inflame the tissue and cause it to scar. These changes eventually lead to malignant mesothelioma tumours.

Symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include breathlessness and chest pain as well as the accumulation of fluid in the lung (pleural effusion). In rare instances the cancer may be spread to the tissues around the heart and reproductive organs.

If scans of imaging reveal a possible mass in the stomach or lungs the doctor will request biopsies. In the course of the procedure, doctors remove a small amount of liquid or tumor for tests in the laboratory. The results can confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis, and determine the most effective treatment plan.

There are many types of mesothelioma treatments, which include chemotherapy, surgery, and immunotherapy. The majority of doctors use the combination of these methods. Patients may also benefit from taking part in a clinical trial of new mesothelioma therapies. To find out more, patients should speak with mesothelioma specialists who have expertise in treating the condition.