chimemass5

Mesothelioma and Asbestos Asbestos is a mineral that occurs naturally in the form of long, thin fibers. People who are exposed to asbestos risk developing lung diseases, such as mesothelioma. The symptoms of these diseases might not show up for decades after exposure to asbestos. Different asbestos types can cause different symptoms. Pleural Mesothelioma Pleural mesothelioma occurs in the lung's outer lining, also known as the pleura. It is the most prevalent mesothelioma that accounts for up 70 to 79% of all diagnosed cases. The condition can cause chest discomfort, shortness of breath, and a feeling of weightiness. Exposure to asbestos, a family of minerals comprised of microscopic fibers, usually causes this type of cancer. When inhaled, these fibers cause irritation and DNA mutations. Pleura surrounds both the chest cavity as well as the lungs, and so 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. Patients may also feel tightness in their chest or coughing. They may also experience difficulty breathing. People with this cancer have a history of disease that includes asbestos exposure at work. Construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding are among the most common jobs that put people at a high danger of developing pleural melanoma. Individuals who have served in the military are at greater risk due the extensive use asbestos in Navy vessels and Army bunkers. The most common staging system for pleural mesothelioma is the TNM (tumor, lymph nodes and metastases) staging system. The stage that a patient is at at diagnosis will help their doctor determine the best treatment plan for them. For instance, patients who have mesothelioma pleural stage three or four have a less favorable prognosis than those in a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma can be spread to the liver, heart or diaphragm. This can make it more difficult to treat and increases the likelihood of complications for the patient. Peritoneal Mesothelioma As opposed to pleural mesothelioma that develops in the lung lining, peritoneal mesothelioma is found in the peritoneum, a membrane that lines the abdominal cavity as well as organs like the intestines and liver. As with pleural mesothelioma asbestos exposure is the cause of peritoneal mesothelioma. The disease is less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma, and just 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year. As with pleural mesothelioma symptoms may take years to appear. Patients usually suffer from abdominal pain and could also experience a mass in their abdomen. This type of mesothelioma may also cause nausea, weight loss, and fever. Many of these symptoms could be misinterpreted as digestive issues which can lead to a false diagnosis. Doctors can detect mesothelioma by looking over the medical history of the patient and performing a physical exam. They can also use imaging tests like Xrays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to detect mesothelioma. These tests can reveal cancerous tumors or other symptoms of cancer that aren't visible on X-rays. The results of these tests allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma, determine the stage of the disease and suggest treatment options. The staging is determined by the type of cells and whether or not the tumor has spread to other regions of the body. The most significant risk factor for mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos. People who have worked in professions that require asbestos, such as plumbing, electrical work, manufacturing or construction, are at a higher risk of developing the disease. Even if an individual isn't employed in one of these fields, he or she can be exposed to asbestos through family members or other sources. For this reason, anyone who suspects they may be at risk should speak to a doctor. A mesothelioma specialist can help those who have had a previous history of asbestos to find out more about their risk. Risk Factors Asbestos exposure is the primary risk factor for mesothelioma, making up as much as 80 percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos may occur through military service, work or living with someone who used to work with asbestos. When exposed to asbestos, small particles can be breathed into the lungs and abdomen. The particles cause irritation to the linings, causing cancerous cells to develop in the mesothelium. After exposure to asbestos, mesothelioma may occur between 15 and 60 years. Other risk factors include genetics, smoking and aging. The people in their 40s or 50s are at a higher risk of developing mesothelioma compared to people who are younger or more. 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 also important to note that mesothelioma can develop in people who were exposed to asbestos but didn't work with it directly. This is referred to as secondary or indirect asbestos exposure and can be just as harmful as direct asbestos exposure. Smoking increases the chance of mesothelioma since it damages mesothelium. It also makes it more prone to. Mesothelioma is also aggravated by certain illnesses, including asbestosis and pneumonia. It is also important to know that mesothelioma occurs more frequently in men than women. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for longer periods of time and to work with asbestos for longer periods of time. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who worked with asbestos, and to have asbestos fibers on their clothing. Women are less likely to come into contact with asbestos and don't typically carry asbestos home on their clothing. Diagnosis It is difficult to diagnose mesothelioma since its symptoms are often similar to other conditions. Due to this, patients are often wrongly diagnosed. The first step to diagnose mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform an examination of the body and take down a patient's medical history which includes asbestos exposure. Doctors may also order an X-ray of the chest or CT scan to look for lumps and other abnormalities, and also to look for evidence of previous asbestos exposure such as pleural plaques (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the accumulation of fluid between the lung and chest wall (known as the pleural effusion). Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram, which examines the blood vessels and the heart and magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI, test that uses radio waves and magnets to create detailed images of the inside of the body. A surgical biopsy is yet another method doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma. A surgical biopsy is when doctors take a small amount of tissue from the peritoneum or pleura for further analysis. A pathologist is then able to examine the tissue under microscopes to determine whether it contains cancerous cells. The type of mesothelial cell involved, the malignant or benign nature of the cells as well as the location the cancer, its type and the stage of the tumour, are used to categorize the disease. Certain mesothelioma types 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 can also perform tests in the laboratory on tumors in order to determine specific proteins, genes or other factors that can aid in describing cancer characteristics and determine the best treatment. These results are referred to as staging. Treatment A mesothelioma diagnosis can be a frightening prospect. lees summit asbestos law firm is important to remember that cancer can be treated, particularly in its initial stages. Many patients with mesothelioma survive for years with the disease without it spreading to other parts of their body. Exposure to asbestos may cause mesothelioma through a variety of ways. Asbestos fibers that are small enough to not be felt or seen with the naked eyes, can become airborne, irritating the lung's lining (pleura). As time passes the irritation can lead to the formation of scar tissues and eventually tumors. The pleura is the area that surrounds the heart and lungs, as well as the abdomen. Mesothelium is composed of cells that react to exposure to asbestos and cause it to enflame and form scar tissue. These changes can eventually lead to malignant mesothelioma tumours. The signs of pleural mesothelioma can include shortness of breath and chest pain as well as a buildup of fluid in the lung (pleural effusion). In rare instances, the cancer can spread to the tissues surrounding the heart and reproductive organs. A doctor may request biopsy if imaging scans show a potential tumor in the lungs or stomach. During the procedure, doctors will remove small amounts of the fluid or tumor for lab analysis. The results will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma, and also determine the best treatment option. There are several types of mesothelioma treatments, including surgery, chemotherapy and immunotherapy. Most doctors utilize combinations of these treatments. Patients could also benefit from participating in a clinical study of new mesothelioma treatments. Patients can learn more by consulting a mesothelioma specialist who has treated the disease.