From All Over The Web 20 Amazing Infographics About Mesothelioma And Asbestos

Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that is found in long, thin fibres. People who are regularly exposed to asbestos may develop lung diseases such as mesothelioma.

Symptoms of these diseases may not be evident for a long time after exposure to asbestos Legal. Different types of asbestos can cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma is a type of cancer that develops in the outer lung lining (pleura). It is the most frequent mesothelioma form and accounts for 70% to 79% all diagnosed cases. The condition can cause chest discomfort, shortness of breath and a feeling of heaviness.

Exposure to asbestos attorney, a class of minerals made of microscopic fibers causes this kind of cancer. Once inhaled, these fibers cling to the lung and cause irritation that results in scarring and DNA mutations. Pleura is the lining of both the chest cavity as well as the lungs, and so irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma symptoms usually don't appear until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

The most frequent symptoms of pleural melanoma are chest pain and shortness of breath. Patients may also experience chest tightness and coughing, or breathing difficulties. People with this cancer often have previous exposure to asbestos in the workplace. Construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding are the most frequent occupations that put people at a high danger of developing pleural melanoma. Individuals who have been in the military are at a higher risk because of the extensive asbestos use in Navy vessels and bunkers for the army.

The TNM (tumors lymph nodes, tumors, and metastases staging system) is the most common staging system used to treat the pleural cancer. The stage a patient is in at diagnosis will aid their doctor in determining the most effective treatment plan for them. Patients suffering from pleural mesothelioma who is in stage three or stage four will suffer a more negative prognosis than those in a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma often spreads to the diaphragm, the liver or even the heart of a patient. This could make the cancer more difficult to treat, and increase the chance 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 -- an elongated membrane that covers the abdominal cavity and organs like the liver and intestines. Like pleural mesothelioma, asbestos exposure is the cause of peritoneal msothelioma. There are only 300-500 cases diagnosed annually this is less than the pleural asbestosis.

As with pleural asbestosis, symptoms can take several years to manifest. The majority of patients suffer from abdominal pain and abdominal swelling. This mesothelioma type can also cause nausea, weight loss, and fever. A lot of these symptoms are similar to those of digestive problems, which can lead to misdiagnosis.

The doctors can detect mesothelioma through looking over the medical history of the patient and performing a physical exam. Imaging tests like X-rays or CT scans can be used to identify mesothelioma. These tests can show tumors, as well as other indications of cancer that aren't visible on X-rays.

The results of these tests allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and determine the stage and recommend treatment options. The stage of the disease is determined based on the type of cells and whether or the cancer has spread to other parts of the body.

Asbestos exposure is the biggest risk factor. People who have worked in asbestos-containing jobs, such as electrical or plumbing work, or in construction and manufacturing are more likely to develop the disease. Even if they do not work in these fields they could be exposed to asbestos through family members or through other sources. Anyone who thinks they're at risk should consult a doctor. If they have an history of exposure to asbestos or mesothelioma, a specialist can help them find out more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos is the primary risk factor in mesothelioma. It is responsible for up to the 80% of cases. Exposure to asbestos may occur due to military service, work, or living with those who worked with asbestos. When exposed to asbestos, particles can be inhaled into the abdomen and lungs. These irritate the linings and trigger cancerous cells to develop in the mesothelium. Following exposure to asbestos, mesothelioma may develop between 15 and 60 years.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and age. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely to get mesothelioma than people younger or older. It takes mesothelioma 20-60 years before it manifests cancer symptoms after the first exposure. It is important to keep in mind, too, that mesothelioma may develop in people 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 can be just as harmful as direct asbestos exposure.

Smoking increases the chance of mesothelioma developing, because it damages the mesothelium. It also makes it more susceptible. Mesothelioma can also be aggravated by certain illnesses such as asbestosis and pneumonia. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than women. This is because men are more likely to work with asbestos and have more exposure than women. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who had worked with asbestos attorney, and to carry asbestos fibers on their clothing. Women are less likely to be exposed to asbestos, and don't typically carry asbestos on their clothes.

Diagnosis

It is difficult to identify mesothelioma since its symptoms are frequently similar to other illnesses. Due to this, patients are sometimes mistakenly diagnosed.

The first step to diagnose mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform a physical exam and take notes on the medical history of a patient, including asbestos exposure. Doctors can also request a chest X-ray or CT scan to look for lumps or other abnormalities, as well as evidence of past asbestos exposure such as plaques in the pleura (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the accumulation of fluid between the lung and chest wall (known as pleural effusion).

Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram which examines the blood vessels and the heart, and a magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI test, which uses radio waves and magnets to make a series of detailed images of the interior of the body. Another way doctors can diagnose mesothelioma is through the procedure of a surgical biopsy. A surgical biopsy is when doctors remove a small amount of tissue from the pleura or peritoneum for further analysis. A pathologist will then look at the tissue with a magnifying glass to determine if it contains cancerous cell.

Mesothelioma can be classified based on the type of mesothelial cell involved, whether these cells are benign or malignant and also the location of the tumor, its type, and the stage of the tumor. Some types of mesothelioma have an increased risk of spreading or metastasizing and it's crucial to determine the type of mesothelioma to ensure that the doctors can treat it prior to it becoming out of control.

Doctors can also run tests in the lab on a tumor to identify particular proteins, genes or other elements which can help them identify the characteristics of cancer and plan treatment. These results are referred to as staging.

Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnose can be frightening. It is important to keep in mind, however, that cancer can be treated, particularly in its initial stages. Many people with mesothelioma live for a long time with the disease without it spreading to other areas of their body.

Asbestos exposure can cause mesothelioma by various mechanisms. asbestos lawsuit fibres, small enough to not be felt or seen with the naked eyes can be airborne, causing irritation to the lung's lining (pleura). As time passes the irritation causes the formation of scar tissues, which eventually lead to tumors.

The pleura is the area that surrounds the heart and lungs and also the abdomen. Mesothelium consists of cells that respond when exposed to asbestos. They cause inflammation to the tissue and cause it to scar. These changes can cause mesothelioma cancers.

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

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

There are many types of treatment for mesothelioma, including surgery and chemotherapy. Most doctors utilize combinations of these treatments. Patients could also benefit from taking part in a clinical trial of new mesothelioma treatment. To learn more, patients should speak to a mesothelioma specialist who has expertise in treating the condition.