Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos is a mineral that naturally forms in the form of long, thin fibers. People who are exposed to asbestos on a regular basis risk developing mesothelioma and other types of lung diseases.

Symptoms of these diseases may not be evident for a long time after exposure to asbestos. Different types of asbestos can cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer that develops in the lung's outer the lining (pleura). It is the most frequent mesothelioma form and is responsible for 70 to 79% of diagnosed cases. The condition can cause chest pain, breath shortness, and a feeling of heavyness.

This type of cancer typically caused by exposure to asbestos which is a cluster of minerals that are composed of microscopic fibers. When inhaled, these fibers, cause irritation and DNA mutations. Pleura is the lining of both the chest cavity and the lungs, and so irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma symptoms typically don't show until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

Chest pain and shortness breath are the most frequent symptoms. Some patients also experience difficulty breathing, or chest tightness. Patients with this type of cancer typically have an history of exposure to asbestos in the workplace. The most frequent jobs that expose people to the risk of developing pleural cancer are construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding. People who were in the military are at greater risk due to the widespread use of asbestos case (Highly recommended Website) in Navy vessels and Army bunkers.

The most popular staging method for pleural mesothelioma is the TNM (tumor lymph nodes, lymph nodes and metastases) staging system. The stage a patient has when they are diagnosed will assist their doctor in determining the most appropriate treatment plan for them. Patients who have pleural mesothelioma which is in stage three or four will have a less favorable prognosis compared to those in a less advanced stage. Stage four mesothelioma is often spread to the liver, diaphragm or even a person's heart. This can make the cancer more difficult to treat, and increase the chance of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

In contrast to pleural cancer, which forms in the lining of the lung it develops in the membrane that covers the abdominal cavity, including organs such as the intestines and liver. Like pleural mesothelioma, asbestos exposure is the primary cause of peritoneal msothelioma. It is estimated that only 300-500 cases are diagnosed annually this is less than pleural asbestosis.

As with pleural asbestosis, symptoms can take several years to manifest. Patients generally experience abdominal pain, and may also have a lump in their abdomen. The symptoms of this kind of mesothelioma may also include nausea or weight loss, as well as fever. Many of these symptoms could be mistaken for gastrointestinal problems, leading to a mistaken diagnosis.

Generally, doctors can find mesothelioma by conducting an extensive medical history and physical exam. They can also utilize imaging tests like X-rays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to help find mesothelioma. These tests can detect tumors and other signs of cancer that are not evident on X-rays.

The results of these tests allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and determine the stage. They can also suggest treatments. The stage of the disease is determined based on the type of cells and whether or the cancer has spread to other regions of the body.

Asbestos exposure is the main risk factor. People who have worked in professions that require asbestos, such as plumbing manufacturing, electrical work, or construction, are at increased risk of developing the disease. Even if someone isn't employed in one of these areas, he or she can still be exposed to asbestos through family members and other sources. Therefore, anyone who is concerned that they might be at risk should speak to an expert. If they have any history of exposure to asbestos and mesothelioma is a concern, a specialist will assist them in finding out more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos exposure is a major mesothelioma risk factor, making up as much as 80 percent of all cases. Exposure to asbestos can happen as a result of military service, work or living with someone who used to work with asbestos. asbestos legal particles can be inhaled by those who are exposed to it. These particles can cause irritation to the linings and cause cancerous cells to grow in the mesothelium. Following exposure to asbestos mesothelioma can develop between 15 and 60 year.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and age. People in their 40s or 50s are at greater risk of developing mesothelioma as compared to those who are younger or older. This is because mesothelioma typically takes 20 to 60 years from the first exposure to asbestos before cancer symptoms appear. It is also important to know that mesothelioma may develop in people who were exposed to asbestos, but did not deal with it directly. This is known as secondary or indirect asbestos litigation exposure and can be as hazardous as direct asbestos exposure.

Smoking increases a person's chances of developing mesothelioma due to the fact that it damages the mesothelium and makes it more susceptible to asbestos. Additionally, mesothelioma can be worsened by certain diseases like asbestosis and pneumonia. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than females. This is because men are more likely to work with asbestos and experience a a longer period of exposure than women. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who been exposed to asbestos, and to have asbestos-containing fibers on their clothing. Women are less likely to come into contact with asbestos and rarely carry asbestos around on their clothes.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is a difficult disease to recognize because the symptoms often resemble other conditions. Due to this, patients are sometimes wrongly diagnosed.

NYU Langone doctors will perform an examination of the body and document the patient's medical background, including asbestos exposure. Doctors may also order an X-ray of the chest or CT scan to check for lumps or other abnormalities, and also to look for evidence of past asbestos exposure such as plaques in the pleura (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the accumulation of fluid between the lung and the chest wall (known as the pleural effusion).

Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram, which examines the blood vessels and the heart and magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI test, which uses radio waves and magnets to create detailed images of the interior of the body. A surgical biopsy is yet another method for doctors to identify mesothelioma. In a surgical biopsy doctors take a small amount of tissue from the pleura or peritoneum to conduct further tests. A pathologist will then look at the tissue under an magnifying glass to determine if it is a cancerous cells.

Mesothelioma is classified based on the type of mesothelial cell involved, whether these cells are benign or malignant and the location of the tumor, its type, and the stage of the cancer. Some types of mesothelioma are more likely to develop metastasis or spread which is why it is crucial to establish a definitive diagnosis so that doctors can treat the disease before it becomes out of control.

Doctors may also conduct laboratory tests on tumors to determine specific genes, proteins, 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 diagnosis can be terrifying. It is crucial to remember, however, that cancer can be treated especially at its early stages. Many mesothelioma patients live for years with the disease, without spreading to other parts of their body.

Asbestos exposure can cause mesothelioma through many mechanisms. Asbestos fibers, which are tiny enough to be felt or viewed through the naked eye are able to become airborne, causing irritation to the lung's lining (pleura). As time passes irritation leads to formation of scar tissue, which can cause changes in the structure of cells that eventually develop into tumors.

The pleura is a protective covering that covers the lungs, heart and abdomen. Mesothelium is made up of cells that respond when exposed to asbestos. They cause inflammation to the tissue and cause it to scar. As time passes, these changes result in the growth of malignant mesothelioma tumors.

The signs of pleural mesothelioma can include shortness of breath and chest pain as well as an accumulation of fluid on the lungs (pleural effusion). In rare cases the cancer may spread to the tissues surrounding the heart and reproductive organs.

A doctor may request biopsy if scans show a potential tumor in the lungs or stomach. During the procedure, doctors remove tiny amounts of fluid or tumor for laboratory testing. The results can confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma, and also determine the best treatment plan.

There are many types of treatment for mesothelioma including surgery and chemotherapy. Most doctors utilize a combination of these methods. Participating in clinical trials of mesothelioma treatments may be beneficial to patients. Patients can learn more by consulting a mesothelioma specialist who has treated the disease.