Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos, a natural mineral, naturally forms in the form of long, thin fibers. Workers who are exposed asbestos regularly are at risk of developing mesothelioma as well as other lung diseases.

It can take years before symptoms begin to manifest after asbestos exposure. Different asbestos compensation types may cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma occurs in the outer lung lining, or the pleura. It is the most common mesothelioma that accounts for up between 70 and 79% of all diagnosed cases. The condition can cause chest discomfort, shortness of breath and a feeling of heavyness.

This type of cancer often caused by exposure to asbestos, which is a grouping of minerals made up of microscopic fibres. Once inhaled, these fibers cling to the lung and cause irritation which causes scarring and DNA mutations. The pleura covers the chest cavity and lungs, so these irritations can affect both the lungs and a person's heart. Mesothelioma symptoms typically don't show until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

The most frequent symptoms of pleural melanoma are chest discomfort and shortness of breath. Patients may also experience difficulty breathing, or chest tightness. People who suffer from this cancer usually have an history of exposure to asbestos in the workplace. Construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding are the most common jobs that put people at high risk of developing pleural mesothelioma. Individuals who have been in the military could be at an especially high risk because of the extensive asbestos use in Navy ships and bunkers for the army.

The TNM (tumors lymph nodes, tumors, and metastases staging system) is the most common staging system used for pleural adenocarcinoma. The stage that a patient is in at the moment of diagnosis will determine what treatment plan they should follow. Patients who have pleural mesothelioma which is in stage three or stage four will have a worse prognosis than those in a less advanced stage. Stage four mesothelioma often spreads to the liver, diaphragm and/or a person's heart. This makes the cancer more difficult to treat, and increase the chances of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Contrary to pleural cancer that develops in the lung's lining the peritoneal cancer is a result of a membrane that surrounds the abdominal cavity, including organs such as the intestines and liver. As with pleural mesothelioma asbestos exposure is the cause of peritoneal mesothelioma. The disease is less common than pleural mesothelioma, and only about 300-500 cases diagnosed each year.

As with pleural asbestosis symptoms can take years to show. Patients generally experience abdominal pain, and may also have a lump in their abdomen. Symptoms of this type of mesothelioma could also include nausea as well as weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms can be misinterpreted as gastrointestinal issues, leading to a misdiagnosis.

Generally speaking, doctors can detect mesothelioma by conducting an extensive health history and physical exam. They can also use imaging tests such as X-rays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to detect mesothelioma. These tests can identify tumors as well as other signs of cancer that aren't visible on X-rays.

These test results allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and determine the stage and recommend treatment options. The stage is determined by the kind of cell and if the cancer has spread.

The most important mesothelioma risk factor is asbestos exposure. People who have been exposed to asbestos in professions, such as electrical or plumbing work, or in construction, manufacturing and manufacturing, are more likely to develop the disease. However, even if people aren't employed in these areas they may be exposed to asbestos through family members or other sources. Anyone who suspects that they are at risk should talk to a doctor. If they have any history of exposure to asbestos Legal or mesothelioma, a specialist can assist them in learning more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos exposure is the primary mesothelioma risk factor, which accounts for as much as 80 percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos may occur through military service, work, or living with someone who used to work with asbestos. Asbestos particles are inhaled by people who are exposed to asbestos settlement. These irritate the linings and cause cancerous cells to grow in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma can take anywhere between 15 and 60 years to develop after exposure to asbestos case.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics, and age. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely get mesothelioma than people younger or older. This is because mesothelioma usually takes 20 to 60 years from the first time of exposure before symptoms of cancer begin to manifest. It is important to remember, too, that mesothelioma may be present in those who have been exposed to asbestos without having directly worked with it. This is referred to as secondary or indirect asbestos exposure. It can be just as harmful as direct asbestos attorney exposure.

Smoking increases the risk of mesothelioma, as it damages the mesothelium. It also makes it more susceptible. Mesothelioma can also be aggravated by certain diseases, such as asbestosis and pneumonia. It is also important to remember that mesothelioma is more common in males than females. This is due to men being more likely to be exposed to asbestos and endure a more exposure than women. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who had worked with asbestos, and to carry asbestos fibers on their clothing. Women tend to be less exposed to asbestos and they are less likely to bring asbestos home on their clothes.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is a difficult disease to recognize because the symptoms are often similar to other diseases. Because of this, victims are sometimes misdiagnosed.

The first step in identifying mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform an examination and write note of the medical history of the patient including asbestos exposure. Doctors can also order a chest X-ray or CT scan to check for lumps or other abnormalities, as well as evidence of past asbestos exposure like pleural plaques (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the buildup of fluid between the lung and chest wall (known as the pleural effusion).

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 doctors can diagnose mesothelioma is through the procedure of a surgical biopsy. In a surgical biopsy doctors take a small amount of tissue from the peritoneum or pleura for further analysis. A pathologist can then examine the tissue with microscopes to determine if it contains cancerous cells.

Mesothelioma can be classified based on the type of mesothelial cell involved, whether those cells are benign or malignant and also the location of the tumor, the type, and the stage of the cancer. Some types of mesothelioma are more likely to spread or metastasize, so it is important to have a clear diagnosis so doctors can treat the disease before it gets out of control.

Doctors may also conduct laboratory tests on tumors to identify specific proteins, genes, or other factors which will help them identify cancer characteristics and determine the best treatment. These results are referred to as staging.

Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnose can be terrifying. But, it is crucial to keep in mind that the cancer can be treated, particularly in its earlier stages. Many patients with mesothelioma live with the disease for a long time without spreading.

Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma in a number of ways. Asbestos fibers, too small to detect or feel by 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 which causes changes in the cell structure which eventually lead to tumors.

The Pleura is a protective layer that protects the lungs, heart and abdomen. Mesothelium is composed of cells that react when exposed to asbestos. They inflame the tissue and cause it to scar. In time, these changes can lead to the development of malignant mesothelioma cancers.

Breathing problems, chest discomfort, or the accumulation of fluid on the lungs are all signs of pleural mesothelioma. In rare instances cancer may spread to the tissues that surround the reproductive organs and the heart.

A doctor will request biopsy if imaging scans show a potential tumor in the lungs or stomach. During the procedure, doctors take small amounts of the fluid or tumor for laboratory analysis. The results will confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis and provide the best treatment plan.

There are many types of mesothelioma treatment, which include chemotherapy, surgery, and immunotherapy. Most doctors use a combination of these treatments. Patients may also benefit from participating in a clinical study of new mesothelioma treatment. Patients can find out more by speaking with a mesothelioma doctor who has treated mesothelioma.