Ten Pinterest Accounts To Follow Mesothelioma And Asbestos

Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos, a mineral that occurs naturally in the form of long, thin fibers. People who are regularly exposed to asbestos may develop lung diseases, such as mesothelioma.

It could take a long time for symptoms to show up after exposure to asbestos. Different types of asbestos may cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma occurs in the outer lung lining, also known as pleura. It is the most frequent form of mesothelioma and accounts for 70% to 79% of diagnosed cases. Patients with this disease suffer from chest pain and shortness of breath, and they may feel the sensation of weight in the chest.

Exposure to asbestos, a family of minerals composed of microscopic fibers, typically causes this kind of cancer. Once inhaled, these fibers stick inside the lungs and cause irritation that results in scarring and DNA mutations. The pleura surrounds the chest cavity and lungs and therefore, these irritations could affect both the lungs and the heart of a person. Mesothelioma symptoms usually don't appear until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

Athens asbestos lawyer  of breath and chest pain are the most frequently reported symptoms. Some patients may also feel tightness in their chest or coughing. They may also experience difficulty breathing. Patients with this type of cancer typically have previous exposure to asbestos in the workplace. Manufacturing, construction and shipbuilding are among the most frequent occupations that put people at high risk of developing pleural mesothelioma. Individuals who have been in the military could be at risk due to the widespread asbestos use in Navy ships and bunkers for the army.

The most common staging method for pleural mesothelioma is the TNM (tumor, lymph nodes and metastases) staging system. The stage that a patient is at upon diagnosis will assist their doctor in determining the most appropriate treatment plan for them. Patients with pleural mesothelioma that is in stage three or stage four will suffer a more negative outlook than those who are in a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma is often spread to the liver, diaphragm or even a person's heart. This could make the cancer more difficult to treat and increase the chance of complications for patients.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

In contrast to pleural mesothelioma which develops in the lung lining, peritoneal mesothelioma forms in the peritoneum -- it is a membrane that lines the abdominal cavity as well as organs like the liver and intestines. Like pleural mesothelioma, peritoneal mesothelioma can be caused by asbestos exposure. The disease is much less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma, with just 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.

As with pleural asbestosis symptoms can take years to show. Patients usually experience abdominal pain, and may have a mass in their abdomen. This type of mesothelioma may cause nausea, weight loss, and fever. A lot of these symptoms can be misinterpreted as gastrointestinal issues which can lead to a misdiagnosis.

Generally, doctors can find mesothelioma after an extensive health history and physical exam. Imaging tests such as X-rays or CT scans are a way to detect mesothelioma. These tests can show tumors and other symptoms of cancer that aren't visible on an X-ray.

These test results enable doctors to identify mesothelioma, and determine the stage. They also offer treatments. Staging is determined based on the cell type and whether or whether the tumor has spread to other regions of the body.

Asbestos exposure is the biggest risk factor. People who have worked in jobs that require asbestos, such as plumbing manufacturing, electrical work or construction, are at a higher risk of developing the disease. However, even if individuals do not work in these fields they may be exposed to asbestos through family members or other sources. Anyone who thinks they are at risk should talk to an expert. A mesothelioma expert can help those with a history with asbestos to learn more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos is the main mesothelioma-related risk factor. It accounts for as much as 80% of all cases. Exposure to asbestos can happen through work, military service or by living with someone who is exposed to asbestos or has previously done such. When exposed to asbestos, the particles can be inhaled into the lungs and abdomen. These particles can cause irritation to the linings of the abdomen, which causes cancerous cells to grow in the mesothelium. After asbestos exposure mesothelioma can occur between 15 and 60 years old.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and age. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely get mesothelioma than people younger or older. It is because mesothelioma generally lasts between 20 and 60 years after the initial exposure to asbestos before cancer symptoms appear. It is important to keep in mind, too, that mesothelioma can develop in people who have been exposed to asbestos without having directly worked with it. This is called indirect or secondary exposure to asbestos and it is just as harmful as direct exposure.

Smoking increases the risk of getting mesothelioma because it damages the mesothelium and makes it more susceptible to asbestos. Mesothelioma can also be aggravated by certain diseases, such as asbestosis and pneumonia. It is also important to know that mesothelioma is more prevalent for men than women. This is because men are more likely to be exposed to asbestos and endure a an extended period of exposure than women. Men are also more likely to live with someone who had asbestos exposure and bring asbestos fibers that have escaped home on their clothing. Women tend to have less exposure to asbestos and don't typically carry asbestos on their clothing.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is difficult to identify because the symptoms can be similar to other conditions. This could lead to patients being incorrectly diagnosed.

NYU Langone doctors will perform an examination of the body and document the patient's medical background, including asbestos exposure. Doctors will also recommend an CT scan or chest X-ray to check for lumps, abnormalities and evidence of exposure to asbestos. These include plaques in the pleura, thickened pleura and calcium deposits.

Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram which examines the heart and blood vessels as well as a magnetic resonance imaging, also known as MRI, test, which uses magnets and radio waves to make a series of detailed images of the interior of the body. A surgical biopsy is yet another way for doctors to diagnose mesothelioma. In a surgical biopsy doctors remove a small piece of tissue from the pleura or peritoneum to conduct further tests. A pathologist then examines the tissue with a magnifying glass to determine if it is a cancerous cell.

The type of mesothelial cells involved as well as the benign or malignant nature of the cells, as well as the location, type and stage of the cancer are used to classify the disease. Some types of mesothelioma have an increased risk of spreading or metastasizing and it's crucial to get a definitive diagnosis so that doctors can treat it prior to it becoming out of control.

Doctors may also conduct tests in the lab on tumors to determine specific genes, proteins and other factors that help them understand the cancer's characteristics and plan treatment. These results are known as staging.

Treatment

A diagnosis of mesothelioma may be frightening. However, it's important to remember that the cancer is treatable, particularly in its early stages. Many mesothelioma patients live for years without the disease spreading to other areas of their body.

Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma through a variety of ways. Asbestos fibers, which are too small to see or feel with the naked eye, can become airborne and cause irritation to the lung's lining (pleura). As time passes, the irritation causes the formation of scar tissue, which can cause changes in the structure of cells that can eventually grow into tumors.

The pleura surrounds the lungs and heart and the abdomen. Mesothelium consists of cells that react when exposed to asbestos. They inflame the tissue and cause it to scar. These changes can eventually result in malignant mesothelioma tumors.

A shortness of breath, chest discomfort or fluid buildup on the lungs are all symptoms of pleural Msothelioma. In rare cases cancer can spread to the tissues that surround the reproductive organs and heart.

A doctor will request biopsy if scans show the possibility of a mass in the lungs or stomach. During the procedure, doctors remove tiny amounts of fluid or tumor for laboratory tests. The results will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and help determine the best treatment option.

There are several types of mesothelioma treatment options, which include chemotherapy, surgery, and immunotherapy. Most doctors utilize combinations of these treatments. Patients may also benefit from participating in a clinical study of new mesothelioma treatments. Patients can learn more about the trials by consulting a mesothelioma expert who has treated the condition.