Pleural Mesothelioma and Non Asbestos Mesothelioma
Research suggests that the majority of mesothelioma cases involving the pleural result from asbestos exposure. Some patients, however, are not known to have risk factors.
Mesothelioma can affect the lung linings and stomach (peritoneal) and the heart. The symptoms usually manifest as time passes. If a physician suspects mesothelioma has been diagnosed in a patient, they may request a biopsy to confirm the diagnosis.
The History of Exposure
Mesothelioma forms in the thin double layer of tissue that covers certain organs and other body parts. There are four kinds of mesothelioma. Each affects a specific part of the body. Pleural mesothelioma occurs in the tissues that cover the chest cavity and lungs (pleura). This type of mesothelioma is responsible for 80 percent of cases diagnosed each year. Scientists first linked asbestos exposure to mesothelioma in the 1930s.
Workers that worked directly with asbestos are at the highest chance of developing mesothelioma. However, people that had secondhand exposure to asbestos might also be at risk of developing the disease. This includes spouses and children of workers who brought home asbestos fibers on their hair, clothing or skin. Exposure to asbestos can also be found in communities and schools where asbestos has been mined or used for construction purposes.
Asbestos has been utilized in a wide range of industrial applications. Mining, construction, manufacturing and fireproofing are a few examples. Workers who have been exposed to asbestos may develop mesothelioma, as other diseases caused by exposure to asbestos like lung cancer and asbestosis.
Mesothelioma symptoms can include breathlessness, chest pain, abdominal fatigue and pain. Many of these symptoms are similar to other illnesses, so it's important that patients disclose their
asbestos lawsuit history when seeking medical attention. Patients should also be sure to request an appointment with a mesothelioma specialist. Mesothelioma is frequently incorrectly diagnosed by general oncologists. A mesothelioma specialist is needed to ensure a correct diagnosis.
While mesothelioma has been traditionally associated with asbestos, researchers are discovering that the condition can be caused by different minerals like zeolites or even non-asbestos mineral fibers like Erionite. A number of studies have demonstrated that a substantial percentage of mesotheliomas do not have a connection to
asbestos (
new post from Noteswiki). This fraction is higher in the United States than it is in European countries. It is also more often in peritoneal than mesothelioma cases that are pleural.
However, mesothelioma is still a rare cancer. It can take between 20 and 60 years after exposure to asbestos for the first symptoms to appear. The disease is most likely to be seen in those that have been exposed to large amounts of chrysotile and amphibole asbestos.
Signs and symptoms
A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be devastating for the sufferer, especially if they don't know what caused it. A lawyer experienced in asbestos cases might be able to assist the patient in determining possible causes.
Mesothelioma is a rare cancer that develops in the tissues' lining throughout the body. The cells that develop it can be epithelioid or sarcomatoid, or can combine both. It usually affects the lungs, however it can also occur in other areas. It can take a long time for mesothelioma's symptoms to manifest, and symptoms often don't appear until late in life.
Exposure to asbestos is the main reason for mesothelioma. People who worked with asbestos or handled products contaminated by asbestos are at a higher risk of developing the disease. The fibers can be breathed in or consumed and then build up on the linings of certain organs including the lung. Pleural mesothelioma affects the lungs, chest, and is the most frequent mesothelioma type.
asbestos lawyer is a naturally occurring mineral that was once used in countless commercial, industrial and residential construction products. Thousands of types of products contained asbestos, including pipes, insulation, drywall cement, talcum powder and cement. Workers who handled these products, such as blue-collar workers, were most likely to come in contact with asbestos. But, manufacturers were aware of the dangers associated with asbestos and concealed this information to earn more money.
The first step in diagnosing mesothelioma is to visit a doctor and explain your exposure history. The doctor will perform physical examinations and order imaging scans to evaluate the severity of the disease. These may include X-rays, CT scans, MRI scans and PET scans. These tests will determine whether you are suffering from malignant or benign mesothelioma in the pleural cavity, and also what type.
Most mesothelioma cases are related to asbestos exposure, however researchers continue to research other possible causes. Other causes of mesothelioma are exposure to SV40, erionite and radiation therapy. Further research into these issues could provide better treatments and more options for patients of this disease. It is vital to detect the disease early since mesothelioma sufferers diagnosed in the later stages are less likely to live.
Diagnosis
Many patients suffering from mesothelioma suffer symptoms like chest pain or a shortness of breath. These symptoms can be similar to other illnesses like influenza or pneumonia. Mesothelioma can be difficult to detect and may take a long time to identify. Patients who suspect symptoms of mesothelioma should talk with their doctor about their exposure to asbestos and their medical history. The doctor will conduct a physical exam and may also order imaging studies to check for lung cancer and lung disease.
Mesothelioma, which is a rare type of cancer, affects the tissues that surrounds certain organs. Pleural mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that affects the lining in the chest cavity and in the lungs called the pleura. Asbestos exposure can trigger mesothelioma that is peritoneal or pleural however, the majority of cases are pleural mesothelioma.
Doctors can diagnose mesothelioma using various tests, including CT scans, X-rays and blood tests. In most instances, doctors will recommend the procedure of a biopsy to confirm the diagnosis and to determine the extent to which the cancer has spread.
A biopsy is the process of removing cells or tissues to be tested in the lab for mesothelioma-related symptoms and signs. Doctors may opt for a thoracoscopy or open surgery (called an exploratory thoracotomy) to obtain the the mesothelium in the lungs. Different types of biopsies can be used to test for mesothelioma in other places within the body.
Mesothelioma occurs most often in people with a history of long-term exposure to asbestos, a group of minerals that was once widely used in construction materials. These microscopic fibers may be breathed into the lungs and stay in the lungs where they damage healthy tissue for decades. Mesothelioma typically appears 20-30 years after the first exposure.
A person with mesothelioma has an increased risk of developing another asbestos-related illness such as lung cancer or asbestosis. A person also has a higher chance of being diagnosed with mesothelioma if they have a family member who worked with asbestos or was exposed to asbestos through clothing or other products. Doctors aren't able to determine which people are more likely to develop mesothelioma than other however, it is believed to be related to asbestos exposure.
Treatment
When asbestos fibers enter your body, they get stuck within the tissues around them. Over time, these fibers damage healthy cells and may cause scar tissue and tumor growth. The cancer cells multiply and expand into an encapsulated mass or lump.