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10 Meetups About Mesothelioma And Asbestos You Should Attend
Mesothelioma and Asbestos 
 
Asbestos is a mineral that naturally forms in the form of thin, long fibers. Workers who are exposed asbestos on a regular basis are at risk of developing mesothelioma or other lung diseases of different types. 
 
Symptoms of these diseases may not be evident for a long time after exposure to asbestos. Different asbestos types may cause different symptoms. 
 
Pleural Mesothelioma 
 
Pleural mesothelioma, a form of cancer, that affects the lung’s outer the lining (pleura). It is the most common mesothelioma type, accounting for up between 70 and 79% of diagnosed cases. Patients suffering from this condition suffer from chest pain and breathlessness and may experience an ache or heaviness in the chest. 
 
Exposure to asbestos, a group of minerals composed of microscopic fibers, typically causes this type of cancer. These fibers, when inhaled, cause irritation 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 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 suffer from chest tightness or coughing. They may also experience difficulty breathing. People with this cancer often have an history of exposure to asbestos in the workplace. Manufacturing, construction and shipbuilding are the most prevalent jobs which put people at risk chance of developing pleural mesothelioma. People who were in the military are at greater risk due the widespread use of asbestos in Navy vessels and bunkers in the Army. 
 
The TNM (tumors lymph nodes and metastases staging system) is the most common staging system for pleural adenocarcinoma. The stage that a patient is at at diagnosis will aid their doctor in determining the most appropriate treatment plan for them. Patients who have pleural mesothelioma which is in stage three or four will suffer a more negative prognosis compared to those who are in a lower stage. Mesothelioma in stage four can develop into the liver, heart or diaphragm. This can make the cancer more difficult to treat and increase the chance of complications for the patient. 
 
Peritoneal Mesothelioma 
 
Unlike pleural mesothelioma, which develops in the lung lining, peritoneal mesothelioma is found in the peritoneum, it is a membrane that lines the abdominal cavity as well as organs like the intestines and liver. Like pleural mesothelioma, peritoneal mesothelioma can be caused by asbestos exposure. The disease is less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma, with only about 300-500 cases diagnosed each year. 
 
Like pleural mesothelioma, symptoms may take years to appear. The majority of patients experience abdominal pain and an abdominal mass. The symptoms of this kind of mesothelioma may also include nausea as well as weight loss and fever. A lot of these symptoms are similar to symptoms of digestive problems, which can lead to confusion in diagnosis. 
 
Generally, wilmington asbestos law firm can find mesothelioma after a thorough health history and physical examination. They can also utilize imaging tests like X-rays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to identify mesothelioma. These tests can show tumors, as well as other symptoms of cancer that aren’t apparent on an X-ray. 
 
These test results allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and determine the stage and suggest treatment options. The stage is determined by the type of cell as well as whether the cancer has spread. 
 
 
Asbestos exposure is the most important risk factor. People who have been exposed to asbestos in jobs, such as electrical or plumbing work, or in manufacturing and construction are more likely to contract the disease. Even if an individual is not employed in any of these areas, he or she can be exposed to asbestos to asbestos through family members and other sources. Therefore, anyone who suspects they may be at risk should talk to a doctor. A mesothelioma specialist can assist those who have had a experience with asbestos to understand more about their risk. 
 
Risk Factors 
 
Asbestos is the main risk factor in mesothelioma. It is responsible for up to the 80% of cases. Exposure to asbestos may occur due to work, military service, or living with people who have worked with asbestos. When exposed to asbestos, particles are able to be inhaled into abdomen and lungs. These particles can cause irritation to the linings of the lungs, causing cancerous cells to form in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma can take between 15 and 60 years to develop after exposure to asbestos. 
 
Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and age. The people in their 40s or 50s are at greater risk of developing mesothelioma compared to those who are younger or older. This is because mesothelioma usually lasts between 20 and 60 years from the first time of exposure before the first signs of cancer appear. It is important to remember that mesothelioma can develop in people who have been exposed to asbestos but did not deal with it directly. This is referred to as secondary or indirect exposure to asbestos. It is just as harmful as direct exposure. 
 
Smoking increases a person’s chances of developing mesothelioma due to the fact that it causes mesothelium damage and makes it more prone to asbestos. Mesothelioma is also aggravated by certain illnesses such as asbestosis and pneumonia. It is also important to know that mesothelioma occurs more frequently for men than women. This is due to men being more likely to work with asbestos and have more exposure than women. Also, men are more likely to live with someone who had asbestos exposure and bring asbestos fibers from their workplace on their clothing. Women tend to have less contact with asbestos and do not typically carry asbestos around on their clothes. 
 
Diagnosis 
 
It is difficult to recognize mesothelioma since its symptoms are often similar to other diseases. This can lead to victims being wrongly diagnosed. 
 
NYU Langone doctors will perform a physical examination and record the patient’s medical background including asbestos exposure. Doctors will also order a CT scan or chest X-ray in order to look for lumps, abnormalities and evidence of asbestos exposure. These include plaques on the pleura, pleura that are thickened and calcium deposits. 
 
Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance scan, or MRI test, which makes use of magnets and radio waves to produce a series of precise images of the insides of the body. Another way doctors can diagnose mesothelioma is to perform an operation called a biopsy. During a surgical biopsy, doctors take a small amount of tissue from the peritoneum or pleura to conduct further tests. A pathologist can then examine the tissue with a magnifying lens to determine if it contains cancerous cells. 
 
Mesothelioma is classified based on the type of mesothelial cells involved, whether those cells are benign or malignant and the location of the tumor, the type, and the stage of the cancer. Certain types of mesothelioma are at an increased chance of metastasizing or spreading, so it’s important to get a definitive diagnosis to ensure that the doctors can treat it before it gets out of control. 
 
Doctors can also perform tests in the laboratory on tumors to identify specific genes, proteins or other factors that can help them describe cancer characteristics and plan treatment. These results are known as staging. 
 
Treatment 
 
A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be an incredibly frightening prospect. It is important to remember that cancer can be treated especially at its early stages. Many mesothelioma patients live for a long time without the disease spreading to other parts of their body. 
 
Exposure to asbestos can trigger mesothelioma in many 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). As time passes the irritation causes the formation of scar tissue that eventually result in tumors. 
 
The pleura covers the heart and lungs and also the abdomen. Mesothelium is composed of cells that react to exposure to asbestos, causing it to inflame and develop scar tissue. These changes can cause mesothelioma cancers. 
 
The symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are breathing problems, chest pain or a buildup of fluid on the lung (pleural effusion). In rare instances cancer may spread to the tissues surrounding the reproductive organs and heart. 
 
A doctor will order biopsy if imaging scans show the possibility of a mass in the lungs or stomach. In the course of the procedure, doctors remove small amounts of fluid or tumor to allow for tests in the laboratory. The results can confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and help determine the best treatment plan. 
 
There are many types of mesothelioma treatments, including chemotherapy, surgery and immunotherapy. Most doctors use combinations of these treatments. Enrolling in clinical trials of mesothelioma treatments may be beneficial to patients. To find out more, patients should consult a mesothelioma specialist who has expertise in treating the condition.