Mesothelioma From Asbestos Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that affects the lining of certain organs in the body Exposure to asbestos is the cause Exposure can occur at work or home Mesothelioma is found most often in the lining of lungs pleura It can also affect linings of the stomach or the heart and may also be spread to other parts of the Exposure Exposure to asbestos in the workplace is the most common reason for mesothelioma and the other asbestos-related illnesses The exposure to asbestos can be caused by a variety of factors that include working in asbestos mines or mills producing asbestos-related products, cleaning asbestos after asbestos removal, removing, fixing or replacing asbestos-containing materials, and living in proximity to asbestos-containing facilities Asbestos can be inhaled when not in a work-related setting for example, by taking clothes that are contaminated from asbestos workers, or living near a geological source of asbestos After initial asbestos exposure After exposure to asbestos, it takes between 20 and 50 years for mesothelioma to develop This period of time is referred to as the latency period The most at-risk are those who have been exposed to asbestos over the longest period of time Men are more prone to mesothelioma compared to women due to their higher rates of exposure to asbestos in blue-collar industry and all branches of the military Exposure to asbestos may also cause a condition called mesothelioma of the pleura This type of mesothelioma is caused by the pleura The Pleura is a thin, transparent membrane covering the chest cavity and lungs Asbestos exposure may cause the pleura, a thin membrane that line the lungs and chest cavity to thicken This can make it difficult for patients to breathe The pleura may also develop effusions or fluid pockets that can be seen on x-rays Asbestosis is a different lung disease that can manifest in someone who has been exposed for a long time to asbestos This is a scabbing of the lungs that can cause chest pain and shortness of breathe The condition can make it difficult for patients to breathe fully They might also experience crackling noises in their lung that doctors refer to as rales Asbestosis increases the risk of developing mesothelioma or lung cancer Smoking is one of the many causes that can cause asbestosis Smoking cigarettes doesn't appear to cause or increase the risk of mesothelioma It is crucial for those who have been exposed to asbestos to stop smoking if they want to improve their health Symptoms Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that affects the tissues that surrounds internal organs Exposure to asbestos fibers can increase the risk of developing the disease, which occurs in the lung tissue pleural mesothelioma or in the lining of the abdomen peritoneal mesothelioma It takes between 15 to 50 years for mesothelioma develop following exposure to asbestos Asbestos was a naturally occurring mineral that was used in insulation, brakes and shingles prior to the 1970s Workers who handled or removed these products were exposed to microscopic asbestos fibers The fibers are breathed in or ingested into the body, which can cause irritation and can lead to mesothelioma People who worked in industries such as construction, mining manufacturing, and asbestos removal have the highest chance of developing the disease The most commonly encountered mesothelioma type is pleural mesothelioma It occurs when the asbestos fibers are inhaled and become embedded in the lining of the chest cavity and the lungs pleura Over time, these fibers destroy healthy tissue This could lead to the formation of scar tissue or malignant mesothelioma tumours The mesothelioma form causes coughing, shortness in breath, chest pain and a lump They may also experience fatigue and fever If mesothelioma is diagnosed, the doctor will conduct a medical exam and do a physical exam To confirm the diagnosis the doctor will order blood tests as well as imaging scans and biopsy are required There are many other asbestos-related illnesses that could be mistaken for mesothelioma To increase your chances of receiving the correct diagnosis, it is important to speak with a reputable mesothelioma lawyer This lawyer can review your case and determine if you are eligible for compensation You may be able to start a mesothelioma lawsuit in order to get the financial assistance you're entitled This is why it's essential to contact a reputable mesothelioma law firm as soon as you can Diagnosis Asbestos fibers lodge in the cellular linings that line the membranes of the pleura near the lungs or the peritoneum near the abdominal cavity The majority of the time, the disease affects the pleura Pleural mesothelioma can make breathing difficult because of a buildup of fluid in the lung space and the chest wall It takes several years for the disease to develop This is why many people who are diagnosed with mesothelioma have been retired workers or older adults Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than women since they have traditionally been employed in positions that were more likely to expose asbestos, including construction and shipbuilding Asbestos fibers when inhaled, irritate the pleura, the lining that lines the lungs The irritation can cause the body to develop tumors, which can be spread to other parts of the body The symptoms include chest pain, swelling and persistent coughing Doctors diagnose mesothelioma through a physical examination and by reviewing symptoms They may request imaging scans to detect abnormal tissue, like tumors They will also ask about a person's job history and whether relatives were exposed to asbestos If doctors suspect mesothelioma, they'll perform an examination During the procedure, the doctors take small pieces of the tumor and analyze them under a microscope to search for cancer cells The type of biopsy is based on the size and location of the tumor In the case of pleural mesothelioma, doctors often use a needle biopsy to obtain samples of the tumor This involves putting the needle, which is long and thin, through the chest's skin between the ribs and into the pleura The doctor inserts the needle after numbing the region with a local anesthetic The type of mesothelioma diagnosed will determine what treatment options are available, as well as the prognosis, or expected outcome The two most common mesothelioma types are epithelioid and the sarcomatoid Biphasic mesothelioma is less common and contains a mix of both types of cells Treatment Most people suffering from pleural Sarcoidosis spent years in jobs which exposed asbestos It was most often when they worked in construction or shipbuilding Even though asbestos is no longer employed in construction, older building materials and products may still contain it There is asbestos in cars, sports equipment and other items manufactured prior to the material's use was banned Asbestos is made up of microscopic fibres which are easily breathed in and are airborne These particles are then deposited in the lung, causing irritation If irritation persists, cancer cells can form tumors in the lining of your lungs The disease generally takes a few years to develop, which is why the majority of people suffering from mesothelioma have now retired Mesothelioma, a rare type of cancer that is fatal, is a rare disease The symptoms are usually similar to other conditions but don't show up until the disease has advanced There are no screening tests for the disease, which means it is difficult to identify The treatment options for mesothelioma rely on the type and the location of the cancer Pleural mesothelioma patients undergo surgery to remove cancerous tissue, improve breathing and manage other symptoms Other options include chemotherapy, radiation therapy and the combination of both For people who aren't candidates for surgery, a doctor may recommend draining fluid build-up in the chest, a procedure known as pleurodesis The procedure can be performed by a minimally invasive procedure called video assisted thoracic surgery VATS If a patient isn't eligible for VATS, an indwelling drain for the pleural may be used to reduce pain and shortness of breath Radiation therapy employs high energy beams to reduce lung tumors and kill cancer cells Doctors often combine it with other cancer treatment to achieve best results The symptoms of mesothelioma can be painful and debilitating Patients and their families can work together with a mesothelioma expert to determine the most effective treatment A team of experts creates an individual treatment plan to reduce symptoms and improve the chances of survival Palliative care is another option that patients can discuss with their physicians https//vimeocom/704886087 of care is focused on improving the quality of life for patients by easing symptoms and reducing discomfort