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Mesothelioma and asbestos Legal (www.sehtec.kr)

Asbestos is a natural mineral that is found in long, thin fibres. Workers who are exposed to asbestos regularly are at risk of developing mesothelioma or other types of lung diseases.

The symptoms of these diseases may not manifest for years after exposure to asbestos. Different asbestos types may cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma occurs in the outer lung lining, or the pleura. It is the most prevalent mesothelioma type and is responsible for 70 to 79% all diagnosed cases. The condition can cause chest pain, breath shortness and a feeling of heaviness.

Exposure to asbestos, a group of minerals composed of microscopic fibers causes this type of cancer. Once inhaled, these fibers stick inside the lung and cause irritation which results in scarring and DNA mutations. Pleura covers both the chest cavity and the lungs, and 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 are chest pain and breath shortness. Some patients have coughing problems, trouble breathing or chest tightness. People with this cancer often have an history of exposure to asbestos in the workplace. The most common jobs that expose people to the risk of pleural mesothelioma include manufacturing, construction and shipbuilding. People who have worked in the military are at an especially high risk because of the extensive asbestos use in Navy vessels and bunkers for the army.

The most common staging system for pleural mysothelioma has been the TNM (tumor lymph nodes, lymph nodes and metastases) staging system. The stage the patient is in at the moment of diagnosis will determine what treatment plan they should follow. For instance, patients suffering from mesothelioma that is pleural in stage three or four have a worse prognosis than those with a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma often spreads to the diaphragm, the liver or even the heart of a patient. This can make the cancer more difficult to treat, and increase the chance of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Unlike pleural cancer, that develops in the lung's lining, peritoneal cancer develops in a membrane that surrounds the abdominal cavity, which includes organs such as the liver and intestines. Like pleural mesothelioma, peritoneal mesothelioma is triggered by asbestos exposure. Only 300-500 cases are diagnosed annually, which is less than pleural asbestosis.

Like pleural mesothelioma, the symptoms can take years to show. Patients generally experience abdominal pain, and may have a mass in their abdomen. This kind of mesothelioma can also cause nausea, weight loss and fever. A lot of these symptoms are similar to symptoms of digestive problems, which can cause misdiagnosis.

Doctors can identify mesothelioma by examining the patient's medical history and conducting a physical exam. Imaging tests like X-rays or CT scans are a way to detect mesothelioma. These tests can detect tumors and other signs of cancer that are not evident on X-rays.

These test results allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma, identify the stage and suggest treatment options. The stage of the disease is determined based on the type of cells and whether or whether the cancer has spread to other parts of the body.

Asbestos exposure is the biggest risk factor. People who have worked in jobs which require asbestos, such as plumbing manufacturing, electrical work, or construction, are at a higher risk of developing the disease. Even if they do not work in these fields they may be exposed to asbestos through family members or other sources. For this reason, anyone who is concerned that they might be at risk should speak to an expert. A mesothelioma specialist can help those who have had a history with asbestos to learn more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos exposure is the main risk factor for mesothelioma making up as much as 80 percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos can happen due to work, military service or by living with a person who works with asbestos compensation or used to do so. When exposed to asbestos, small particles are able to be inhaled into abdomen and lungs. These particles irritate the linings of the abdomen, which causes cancerous cells to form in the mesothelium. After exposure to asbestos mesothelioma is likely to develop between 15 and 60 years.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and aging. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely develop mesothelioma than those who are younger or older. This is because mesothelioma usually occurs between 20 and 60 years after the initial time of exposure before symptoms of cancer begin to manifest. It is important to remember that mesothelioma may develop in those who were exposed to asbestos but didn't work with it directly. This is known as secondary or indirect exposure to asbestos. It is just as harmful as direct exposure.

Smoking increases the risk of mesothelioma, since it damages mesothelium. It can also make it more vulnerable. Mesothelioma is also aggravated by certain illnesses such as asbestosis and pneumonia. It is also important to know that mesothelioma is more common in men than women. This is because men are more likely to be exposed to asbestos and endure a more exposure than women. Also, men are more likely to live with someone who has worked with asbestos and carry asbestos fibers from their workplace on their clothing. Women are less likely to be exposed to asbestos compensation and don't typically carry asbestos on their clothing.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is difficult to recognize because the symptoms can be similar to other diseases. This could lead to patients being misdiagnosed.

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

Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI test, which makes use of magnets and radio waves in order 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 will remove a small part of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum to be examined further. A pathologist can then examine the tissue under microscopes to determine whether it is contaminated with cancerous cells.

Mesothelioma can be classified based on the type of mesothelial cell involved, whether these cells are malignant or benign, and the location of the tumor, the type, and the stage of the tumor. Certain types of mesothelioma are more likely to spread or metastasize and spread, therefore it is essential to establish a definitive diagnosis to ensure that doctors are able to treat the disease before it gets out of control.

Doctors can also run tests in the lab on tumors to determine specific genes, proteins and other factors that can help them describe the characteristics of the cancer and determine a treatment. These results are referred to as staging.

Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnose can be terrifying. However, it's important to remember that the cancer is treatable, particularly in its initial stages. A lot of people suffering from mesothelioma endure the disease for a long time, without spreading.

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

The Pleura is a protective layer that protects the lungs, heart and abdomen. Mesothelium is made up of cells that react when exposed to asbestos. They inflame the tissue and cause it to scar. These changes can eventually lead to malignant mesothelioma tumours.

A shortness of breath, chest discomfort, or the accumulation of fluid on the lungs are all signs of pleural mesothelioma. In rare cases, cancer can spread into the tissues around the reproductive organs and the heart.

A doctor will request a biopsy if imaging scans show the possibility of a lung tumor or stomach. During the procedure doctors remove a small amount of liquid or tumor for laboratory testing. The results will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and determine the best treatment plan.

There are several types of mesothelioma treatment, including surgery, chemotherapy and immunotherapy. The majority of doctors use the combination of these methods. Patients can also benefit by participating in a clinical study of new mesothelioma therapies. Patients can learn more about the trials by consulting a mesothelioma expert who has treated mesothelioma.