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What's The Point Of Nobody Caring About Mesothelioma And Asbestos
Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos is a natural mineral that comes in thin, long fibres. People who are regularly exposed to asbestos may develop lung diseases like mesothelioma.

It may take decades for symptoms to show up after asbestos exposure. Different asbestos types may cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma, a form of cancer, that affects the outer lung liner (pleura). It is the most prevalent mesothelioma that accounts for up 70 to 79% of diagnosed cases. Patients suffering from this condition experience pain in the chest and shortness of breath and may also feel an ache or heaviness in the chest.

Exposure to asbestos, a family of minerals made of microscopic fibers, typically causes this kind of cancer. When inhaled, these fibers cause irritation and DNA mutations. The pleura covers the lungs and chest cavity and therefore, these irritations could affect both the lungs as well as the heart of a person. Mesothelioma typically doesn't manifest until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

Shortness of breath and chest pain are the most common symptoms. Patients may also experience difficulty breathing or chest tightness. People with this cancer often have previous exposure to asbestos in the workplace. 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 greater risk due to the extensive use asbestos in Navy vessels and bunkers in the Army.

The TNM (tumors lymph nodes, tumors, and metastases staging system) is the most popular staging system for the pleural adenocarcinoma. The stage that the patient is in at the moment of diagnosis will determine what treatment plan they will receive. Patients suffering from pleural mesothelioma who is in stage three or stage four will suffer a more negative prognosis compared to those who are in a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma often spreads to the liver, diaphragm and/or a person's heart. This makes it more difficult to treat and increase the risk of complications for patients.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

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 like the liver and intestines. Similar to pleural mesothelioma and peritoneal mesothelioma is caused by asbestos exposure. It is estimated that only 300-500 cases are diagnosed each year which is lower than pleural asbestosis.

As with pleural asbestosis, symptoms can take a long time to show. Typically, patients are afflicted with abdominal pain as well as a mass in the abdomen. Symptoms of this type of mesothelioma could also include nausea, weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms are similar to symptoms of digestive issues, which could cause incorrect diagnosis.

Generally speaking, doctors can detect mesothelioma after an extensive health history and physical exam. Imaging tests like X-rays or CT scans can be used to identify mesothelioma. These tests can show tumors and other indications of cancer that aren't visible on an X-ray.

These tests enable doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and determine the stage of the disease and suggest treatment options. Staging is determined based on the type of cells and whether or not the tumor has spread to other parts of the body.

The most significant mesothelioma risk factor is asbestos exposure. People who have been exposed to asbestos in professions, such as electrical or plumbing work, or in construction and manufacturing, are more likely to contract the disease. However, even if individuals do not work in these fields they could be exposed to asbestos through relatives 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 a experience with asbestos to understand more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos is the main risk factor in mesothelioma. It is responsible for as much as 80percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos can happen as a result of work, military service, or living with those who worked with asbestos. When exposed to asbestos, the particles can be inhaled into the abdomen and lungs. The particles cause irritation to the linings of the lungs, causing cancerous cells to form 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 at greater risk of developing mesothelioma as compared to those who are younger or older. It is because mesothelioma generally takes 20 to 60 years from the initial exposure before cancer symptoms appear. It is important to remember that mesothelioma may develop in people who have been exposed to asbestos but did not engage directly with it. This is known as indirect or secondary asbestos exposure and can be as hazardous as direct asbestos exposure.

Smoking increases the chance of mesothelioma developing, as it damages the mesothelium. It also makes it more prone to. Mesothelioma can also be caused by certain diseases, such as asbestosis and pneumonia. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than females. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for a longer period of time and to have worked with asbestos for longer durations and to work with it. Additionally, men are more likely to live with someone who worked with asbestos and carry asbestos fibers that have escaped home on their clothing. Women are less likely to come into exposure to asbestos and rarely carry asbestos around on their clothes.

Diagnosis

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

The first step in identifying mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform an examination and write note of the medical history of the patient including asbestos exposure. Doctors will also recommend an CT scan or chest X-ray to look for lumps, abnormalities, and evidence of exposure to asbestos. These include plaques in the pleura, thickened pleura and calcium deposits.

Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance scan, or MRI test, which uses magnets and radio waves to produce a series of precise images of the inside of the body. A surgical biopsy is yet another method doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma. In a surgical biopsy doctors remove a small amount of tissue from the pleura or peritoneum to conduct further tests. A pathologist then examines the tissue using a magnifying lens to determine whether it contains cancerous cells.

The type of mesothelial cells involved, the malignant or benign nature of these cells, as well as the location, type and stage of the cancer are used to classify the disease. Certain types of mesothelioma may be more likely to spread or metastasize, so it is important to establish a definitive diagnosis so that doctors can treat the disease before it goes out of control.

Doctors may also conduct tests in the lab 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.

Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnosis is a frightening prospect. However, it's important to keep in mind that the cancer can be treated, particularly in its initial stages. Many patients with mesothelioma endure the disease for a long time without expanding.


Asbestos exposure can cause mesothelioma by various mechanisms. Asbestos fibers, which are small enough to not be felt or seen through the naked eye can be airborne and irritate the lung's lining (pleura). In billings asbestos lawsuit leads to formation of scar tissue which causes changes in the structure of cells which eventually lead to tumors.

The pleura is the area that surrounds the lungs and the heart and also the abdomen. Mesothelium is made up of cells that react to asbestos and cause it to enflame and create scar tissue. These changes can cause mesothelioma cancers.

The signs of pleural mesothelioma can include shortness of breath and chest pain as well as the accumulation of fluid on the lung (pleural effusion). In rare cases the cancer may grow to the tissues surrounding the heart and reproductive organs.

A doctor will request biopsy if scans show the possibility of a tumor in the lungs or stomach. During the procedure, doctors remove a small sample of the tumor or fluid for lab analysis. The results will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and determine the most effective treatment plan.

There are a variety of mesothelioma treatment, including surgery, chemotherapy and immunotherapy. The majority of doctors use a combination of these methods. Patients may also benefit from enrolling in a clinical trial of new mesothelioma treatments. Patients can learn more about the trials by consulting a mesothelioma expert who has treated the condition.

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