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Mesothelioma and Asbestos<br><br>Asbestos is a natural mineral that is made up of long, thin fibres. Workers who are regularly exposed to asbestos risk developing lung diseases, such as mesothelioma.<br><br>Symptoms of these diseases may not manifest for years after exposure to asbestos. Different asbestos types may cause different symptoms.<br><br>Pleural Mesothelioma<br><br>Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer that occurs in the outer lung the lining (pleura). It is the most common type of mesothelioma, making up 70% to 79% of diagnosed cases. Patients suffering from this condition feel chest pain and breathlessness, and they may feel the sensation of weight in the chest.<br><br>This type of cancer is usually caused by exposure to asbestos which is a grouping of minerals made up of microscopic fibres. Once inhaled, the fibers cling to the lung and cause irritation which leads to scarring and DNA mutations. The pleura is the area that surrounds the chest cavity and lungs, so these irritations can affect both the lungs as well as the heart of a person. Mesothelioma is usually not symptomatic until 30 to 50 years after exposure.<br><br>The most frequent symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are chest pain and breath shortness. Patients may also experience coughing, difficulty breathing or chest tightness. People with this cancer have a past that includes asbestos exposure at work. Construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding are the most frequent jobs that put people at a high danger of developing pleural melanoma. People who were in the military are at greater risk due the widespread use of asbestos in Navy vessels and bunkers in the Army.<br><br>The most popular staging method for pleural mesothelioma is the TNM (tumor lymph nodes, lymph nodes and metastases) staging system. The stage that the patient is in at the time of diagnosis will help determine what treatment plan they should follow. Patients suffering from pleural mesothelioma who is in stage three or stage four will suffer a more negative outlook than those in a lower stage. Mesothelioma in stage four is usually spread to the liver, diaphragm or even a person's heart. This makes it more difficult to treat and increase the risk of complications for the patient.<br><br>Peritoneal Mesothelioma<br><br>Unlike pleural mesothelioma, which is a lung-lining cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma develops in the peritoneum, a membrane that lines the abdominal cavity as well as organs such as the intestines and liver. Similar to pleural mesothelioma, asbestos exposure is the primary cause of peritoneal msothelioma. There are only 300-500 cases diagnosed annually this is less than pleural asbestosis.<br><br>As with pleural asbestosis, symptoms can take several years to manifest. Typically, patients suffer from abdominal pain and an abdominal mass. This mesothelioma type can also cause nausea, weight loss, and fever. Many of these symptoms can be misinterpreted as gastrointestinal issues which can lead to a false diagnosis.<br><br>Doctors can detect mesothelioma by reviewing the medical history of the patient and performing a physical exam. They may also employ imaging tests like Xrays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to identify mesothelioma. These tests can detect tumors as well as other signs of cancer that aren't visible on X-rays.<br><br>These test results enable doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and establish the stage. They also offer treatment options. The stage is determined by the kind of cell and if the tumor has spread.<br><br>Asbestos exposure is the biggest risk factor. People who have worked in asbestos-containing professions, such as electrical or plumbing work, or in construction and manufacturing are more likely to develop the disease. However, even if individuals do not work in these fields, they can still be exposed to asbestos through family members or other sources. Anyone who believes they are at risk should consult an expert. A mesothelioma specialist can help those who have a previous history of asbestos to find out more about their risk.<br><br>Risk Factors<br><br>Asbestos exposure is the primary risk factor for mesothelioma, which accounts for as much as 80 percent of all cases. Exposure to asbestos can happen as a result of work, military service, or through living with a person who works with asbestos or used to do so. When exposed to asbestos, the particles are able to be inhaled into abdomen and lungs. These particles can cause irritation to the linings and cause cancerous cells to grow in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma can take anywhere between 15 and 60 years to develop after exposure to asbestos.<br><br>Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and the advancing age. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely get mesothelioma than people younger or older. It is because mesothelioma generally takes 20 to 60 years from the first exposure to asbestos before symptoms of cancer begin to manifest. It is important to keep in mind, too, that mesothelioma may be present in those who have been exposed to asbestos, but without having been directly exposed to it. This is referred to as indirect or secondary asbestos exposure, and is just as harmful as direct asbestos exposure.<br><br>Smoking increases the risk of developing [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=68q_XBwAB00 mesothelioma lawyer] due to the fact that it damages the mesothelium and makes it more vulnerable to asbestos. Mesothelioma is also aggravated by certain illnesses such as asbestosis and pneumonia. It is also important to note that mesothelioma occurs more frequently in men than women. This is due to men being more likely to be exposed to asbestos and endure 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 have [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ezixbGPdThM mckinney asbestos lawsuit] fibers on their clothing. Women are less likely to come into exposure to asbestos and rarely carry asbestos on their clothing.<br><br>Diagnosis<br><br>Mesothelioma is a difficult cancer to diagnose because the symptoms are often similar to other conditions. Due to this, patients are often wrongly diagnosed.<br><br>NYU Langone doctors will perform physical examinations and document the patient's medical background, including asbestos exposure. Doctors may also order a chest X-ray or CT scan to check for lumps and other abnormalities as well as evidence of asbestos exposure in the past like plaques on the pleura (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the accumulation of fluid between the lung and the chest wall (known as the pleural effusion).<br><br>Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance image, or  [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pErOMzO53fg Youtube.com] MRI test, that uses radio waves and magnets to create a series of detailed images of inside the body. Another way doctors can diagnose mesothelioma is by performing an operation called a biopsy. In a surgical biopsy doctors remove a small amount of tissue from the peritoneum or pleura for further testing. A pathologist can look at the tissue under microscopes to determine if it contains cancerous cells.<br><br>Mesothelioma is classified according to the type of mesothelial cells involved, whether those cells are malignant or benign and the location of the tumor, the type, and the stage of the tumor. Certain types of mesothelioma are at greater risk of spreading or metastasizing and it's crucial to establish a clear diagnosis so that doctors can treat it before it becomes out-of-control.<br><br>Doctors may also conduct tests in the laboratory on tumors to identify specific genes, proteins or other elements that will help them identify the characteristics of cancer and plan treatment. These results are known as staging.<br><br>Treatment<br><br>A mesothelioma diagnose can be frightening. It is important to keep in mind that cancer can be treated particularly in its early stages. Many patients with mesothelioma be afflicted for a long time without spreading.<br><br>Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma by a variety of mechanisms. Asbestos fibers, too small to detect or feel through the naked eye, can become airborne and irritate the lining of the lungs (pleura). Over time the irritation causes the formation of scar tissues and eventually tumors.<br><br>The pleura is the area that surrounds the lungs and heart and the abdomen. Mesothelium is composed of cells that react when exposed to asbestos. They cause inflammation to the tissue and cause it to become scarred. These changes can result in malignant mesothelioma tumors.<br><br>Breathing problems, chest discomfort, or the accumulation of fluid on the lungs are all signs of the pleural msothelioma. In rare cases, cancer can spread into the tissues surrounding the reproductive organs and the heart.<br><br>If scans of imaging reveal a possible mass in the lungs or stomach the doctor will request biopsies. During the procedure, doctors remove small amounts of the tumor or fluid for lab testing. The results will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and indicate the most effective treatment plan.<br><br>There are several types of mesothelioma treatments, including surgery, chemotherapy and immunotherapy. Most doctors utilize an amalgamation of these techniques. Participating in clinical trials of new mesothelioma treatment may also be beneficial to patients. To find out more, patients should speak with a mesothelioma specialist who has experience treating the condition.