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Mesothelioma and Asbestos

asbestos compensation is a naturally occurring mineral that is found in long, thin fibres. People who are regularly exposed to asbestos may develop lung diseases like mesothelioma.

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

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma can be found in the lung's outer lining, also known as the pleura. It is the most common mesothelioma type, accounting for up 70% to 79% of diagnosed cases. Patients suffering from this condition suffer from chest pain and breathlessness, and they may feel the sensation of weight in the chest.

This kind of cancer is typically caused by exposure to asbestos, which is a cluster of minerals that are made up of microscopic fibres. When inhaled, these fibers cause irritation and DNA mutations. Pleura covers both the chest cavity and the lungs, so irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma symptoms are usually not apparent until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

The most frequent symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include chest discomfort and shortness of breath. Some patients may also suffer from chest tightness, coughing or difficulty breathing. Patients with this type of cancer typically have a history of exposure to asbestos in the workplace. The most frequent 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 greater risk due the widespread use of asbestos case (Full Survey) in Navy vessels and bunkers for the Army.

The TNM (tumors, lymph nodes, and metastases staging system) is the most common staging system used for the pleural adenocarcinoma. The stage a patient is in when they are diagnosed will assist their doctor in determining the best treatment plan for them. For instance, patients suffering from a pleural mesothelioma in stage three or four have a poorer prognosis than those in a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma can be spread to the liver, heart or diaphragm. This can make the cancer more difficult to treat and increase the risk of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

As opposed to pleural mesothelioma that is a lung-lining cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma develops in the peritoneum -- it is a membrane that lines the abdominal cavity as well as organs such as the intestines and liver. Similar to pleural mesothelioma and peritoneal mesothelioma can be caused by asbestos exposure. There are only 300-500 cases diagnosed each year which is lower than pleural asbestosis.

As with pleural asbestosis, symptoms can take years to manifest. Patients generally suffer from abdominal pain and may have a mass in their abdomen. This type of mesothelioma may also cause nausea, weight loss, and fever. A lot of these symptoms are similar to those experienced by digestive problems, which can cause misdiagnosis.

The doctors can detect mesothelioma through looking over the medical history of the patient and conducting a physical exam. Imaging tests like X-rays and CT scans can be used to identify mesothelioma. These tests can show tumors, as well as other symptoms of cancer that aren't visible on an X-ray.

These tests enable doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and determine the stage and recommend treatment options. The stage is determined by the type of cell as well as whether the tumor has spread.

The most important mesothelioma-related risk factor is asbestos exposure. People who have worked in asbestos-containing occupations, like plumbing or electrical work, or in manufacturing and construction, are more likely to develop the disease. Even if someone is not employed in one of these fields they could be exposed to asbestos to asbestos through family members and other sources. Anyone who suspects that they may be at risk should talk to an expert. A mesothelioma expert can help those with a previous history of asbestos to find out more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos exposure is the main risk factor for mesothelioma which accounts for as much as 80 percent of all cases. Exposure to asbestos can occur due to work, military service or through living with a person who is exposed to asbestos or has previously done so. asbestos lawyer particles can be breathed in by people who are exposed to asbestos. These particles irritate the linings, causing cancerous cells to form in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma can take between 15 and 60 years to develop following exposure to asbestos.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and age. People in their 40s or 50s are at greater chance of developing mesothelioma to those younger or older. This is because mesothelioma usually takes 20 to 60 years from the initial exposure before symptoms of cancer begin to manifest. It is important to remember, too, that mesothelioma could occur in those who have been exposed to asbestos without having directly worked with it. This is referred to as secondary or indirect asbestos exposure. It can be as dangerous as direct asbestos exposure.

Smoking increases a person's chances of developing mesothelioma due to the fact that it causes mesothelium damage and makes it more prone to asbestos. Mesothelioma can also be aggravated by certain illnesses such as asbestosis and pneumonia. It is also important to know that mesothelioma is more common in males than females. This is due to the fact that men are more likely to work with asbestos and have an extended period of exposure than women. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who has worked with asbestos and to carry asbestos fibers on their clothing. Women tend to be less in contact with asbestos claim, and don't typically bring asbestos home on their clothes.

Diagnosis

It is difficult to diagnose mesothelioma because its symptoms are often similar to other diseases. This can lead to victims being wrongly diagnosed.

NYU Langone doctors will perform a physical examination and record the patient's medical history, including asbestos exposure. Doctors can also order an X-ray chest or CT scan to detect lumps and other abnormalities as well as evidence of previous asbestos exposure like pleural plaques (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the buildup of fluid between the lung and chest wall (known as pleural effusion).

Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram which examines the heart and blood vessels, and a magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI test, which uses magnets and radio waves to create detailed images of the inside of the body. Another way doctors can diagnose mesothelioma is to perform an operation called a biopsy. During a surgery biopsy doctors will remove a small part of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum to be examined further. A pathologist is then able to look at the tissue under microscopes to determine whether it contains cancerous cells.

Mesothelioma is classified according to the type of mesothelial cell involved, whether these cells are malignant or benign and also the location, type, and stage of the cancer. Certain mesothelioma types have an increased risk of spreading or metastasizing and it's crucial to determine the type of mesothelioma so doctors can treat it prior to it becoming out-of-control.

Doctors may also conduct laboratory tests on tumors to determine specific proteins, genes, or other factors which will help them identify the characteristics of cancer and plan treatment. These results are called staging.

Treatment

A diagnosis of mesothelioma may be frightening. It is important to remember, however, that cancer can be treated, particularly in its initial stages. A lot of people suffering from mesothelioma be afflicted for a long time, without spreading.

Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma in a number of ways. Asbestos fibers, which are tiny enough to be felt or seen with the naked eyes, can become airborne and irritate the lining of the lung (pleura). In time the irritation can lead to the formation of scar tissues, which eventually lead to tumors.

The pleura surrounds the lungs and heart and the abdomen. Mesothelium is composed of cells that respond when exposed to asbestos. They cause inflammation to the tissue and cause it to scar. As time passes, these changes cause the development of malignant mesothelioma tumors.

Breathing problems, chest pain or fluid accumulation on the lungs are all symptoms of pleural msothelioma. In rare instances, the cancer can spread to the tissues surrounding the heart and reproductive organs.

If imaging scans show an area of concern in the stomach or lungs doctors will recommend a biopsies. During the procedure, doctors remove tiny amounts of fluid or tumor for lab testing. The results will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and help determine the best treatment plan.

There are several types of mesothelioma treatment, including surgery, chemotherapy and immunotherapy. Most doctors utilize combinations of these treatments. Patients may also benefit from taking part in a clinical trial of new mesothelioma treatment. To learn more, patients should speak with mesothelioma experts who have had experience treating the disease.