Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that is made up of thin, long fibres. People who are exposed to asbestos are at risk of developing lung diseases like mesothelioma.

The symptoms of these diseases may not show up for decades after exposure to asbestos. Different asbestos types can cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer of the lung's outer lining, also known as the pleura. It is the most frequent mesothelioma form and is responsible for 70 to 79% all diagnosed cases. This condition causes chest pain, breath shortness and a feeling of heavyness.

This type of cancer is often caused by exposure to asbestos, which is a cluster of minerals made up of microscopic fibres. These fibers, when inhaled, cause irritation and DNA mutations. Pleura covers both the chest cavity as well as the lungs, so irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma usually doesn't show symptoms until 30 to 50 year after exposure.

Shortness of breath and chest pain are the most frequently reported symptoms. Some patients may also feel tightness in their chest, coughing or difficulty breathing. Patients with this cancer have a history of disease that includes asbestos exposure at work. The most common jobs that expose people to the risk of pleural mesothelioma include construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding. People who have worked in the military may be at an especially high risk due to the frequent asbestos usage in Navy ships and bunkers for the army.

The most popular 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 receive. Patients with pleural mesothelioma that is in stage three or four will have a worse outlook than those who are in a lower stage. Mesothelioma in stage four is usually spread to the diaphragm, liver and/or a person's heart. This could make the cancer more difficult to treat, and increase the chances of complications for patients.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Contrary to pleural cancer which is found in the lining of the lung, peritoneal cancer develops in a membrane that covers the abdominal cavity, including organs such as the liver and intestines. Like pleural mesothelioma, asbestos exposure is the reason for peritoneal msothelioma. Only 300-500 cases are diagnosed each year which is lower than pleural asbestosis.

As with pleural asbestosis, symptoms can take years to manifest. Most patients are afflicted with abdominal pain as well as an abdominal mass. Symptoms of this type of mesothelioma could also include nausea, weight loss and fever. A lot of these symptoms are similar to symptoms of gastrointestinal issues, which can result in misdiagnosis.

Doctors can identify mesothelioma by looking over the medical history of the patient and performing a physical examination. They may also employ imaging tests like X-rays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to identify mesothelioma. These tests can identify tumors and other signs of cancer which aren't visible on X-rays.

These test results enable doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and establish the stage. They can also suggest treatments. The stage of the disease is determined based on the type of cell and whether or the cancer has spread to other areas of the body.

Asbestos exposure is the biggest risk factor. People who have worked in jobs that involve asbestos, such as plumbing manufacturing, electrical work, or construction, are at a higher risk of developing the disease. Even if someone isn't employed in any of these areas however, they may still be exposed through family members and other sources. Anyone who believes they are at risk should consult a doctor. A mesothelioma expert can help those who have had a history with asbestos to learn more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos exposure is a major risk factor for mesothelioma, which accounts for as much as 80 percent of all cases. Exposure to asbestos can happen due to work, military service or through living with a person who is exposed to asbestos or used to do the same. When exposed to asbestos, small particles are able to be inhaled into lungs and abdomen. These particles irritate the linings of the lungs, causing cancerous cells to form in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma can take anywhere between 15 and 60 years to develop following exposure to asbestos.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and age. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely to develop mesothelioma than those who are younger or more senior. This is because mesothelioma usually lasts between 20 and 60 years from the first time of exposure before symptoms of cancer begin to manifest. It is also important to know that mesothelioma can develop in those who were exposed to asbestos but didn't deal with it directly. This is referred to as indirect or secondary asbestos exposure, and is as dangerous as direct asbestos legal (haagensen-balling-3.blogbright.net published a blog post) exposure.

Smoking can increase the likelihood of getting mesothelioma because it causes mesothelium damage and makes it more prone to asbestos. Additionally, mesothelioma can be exacerbated by certain illnesses like asbestosis and pneumonia. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than women. This is due to men being more likely to work with asbestos and experience a an extended period of exposure than women. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who been exposed to asbestos, and to have asbestos fibers on their clothing. Women are less likely to come into exposure to asbestos and do not typically carry asbestos on their clothing.

Diagnosis

It is difficult to recognize mesothelioma since its symptoms are often similar to other conditions. Because of this, victims are sometimes misdiagnosed.

The first step in identifying mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform an examination of the body and take note of the medical history of the patient which includes asbestos attorney exposure. Doctors will also recommend a CT scan or chest X-ray to look for lumps, abnormalities, and evidence of exposure to asbestos. 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 uses radio waves and magnets in order to produce a series of precise images of the inside of the body. Another way for doctors to detect mesothelioma is to perform an operation called a biopsy. During a surgery biopsy doctors will remove a small part of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum to be tested further. A pathologist can then examine the tissue using an magnifying glass to determine whether it contains cancerous cell.

Mesothelioma is classified according to the type of mesothelial cells involved, whether these cells are benign or malignant and the location of the tumor, the type, and the stage of the cancer. Some types of mesothelioma are more likely to develop metastasis or spread, so it is important to get a definite diagnosis so doctors can treat the disease before it becomes out of control.

Doctors can also run tests in the laboratory on tumors to determine particular proteins, genes or other elements 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 frightening. It is important to keep in mind that cancer can be treated, particularly in its initial stages. Many patients with mesothelioma survive for a long time with the disease, without spreading to other parts of their body.

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

The pleura is a protective covering that protects the lungs, heart and abdomen. Mesothelium is made up of cells that react to asbestos, causing it to inflame and create scar tissue. In time, these changes can result in the growth of malignant mesothelioma tumors.

Symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include shortness of breath and chest pain, or the accumulation of fluid on the lung (pleural effusion). In rare instances, the cancer can spread to the tissues surrounding the heart and reproductive organs.

A doctor will order biopsy if imaging scans show the possibility of a mass in the lungs or stomach. During the procedure, doctors remove small amounts of the fluid or tumor for laboratory testing. The results can confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis and provide the best treatment option.

There are many types of mesothelioma treatment options, including surgery, chemotherapy and immunotherapy. The majority of doctors use an amalgamation of these techniques. Patients could also benefit from enrolling in a clinical trial of new mesothelioma treatment. To learn more, patients should speak to mesothelioma experts who have expertise in treating the condition.