Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos, a mineral that naturally occurs in the form of long, thin fibers. People who are regularly exposed to asbestos are at risk of developing lung diseases like mesothelioma.

It can take years for symptoms to appear after exposure to asbestos. Different asbestos types can cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma occurs in the lung's outer lining, or pleura. It is the most frequent mesothelioma type and is responsible for 70 to 79% all diagnosed cases. Patients suffering from this condition suffer from chest pain and breathlessness, and they may feel a sensation of heaviness in the chest.

Exposure to asbestos, a family of minerals comprised of microscopic fibers, typically causes this type of cancer. When inhaled, these fibers cling to the lung and cause irritation that leads to scarring and DNA mutations. The pleura is the area that surrounds the chest cavity and lungs and therefore, these irritations could affect both the lungs as well as a person's 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 coughing, difficulty breathing or chest tightness. People with this cancer have a past that includes asbestos case (Click Home) exposure at work. Construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding are among the most prevalent jobs that put people at a high danger of developing pleural melanoma. People who served in the military are at greater risk due the widespread use of asbestos in Navy vessels and bunkers in the Army.

The TNM (tumors, lymph nodes, and metastases staging system) is the most common staging system used for the pleural cancer. The stage that a patient is in at the time of diagnosis can help determine what treatment plan they should follow. For instance, patients who have a pleural mesothelioma in stage three or four have a poorer prognosis than those with a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma may spread to the heart, liver or diaphragm. This can make the cancer more difficult to treat, and increase the risk of complications for patients.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

In contrast to pleural mesothelioma which is a lung-lining cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma develops in the peritoneum, a membrane that lines the abdominal cavity as well as organs such as the liver and intestines. Similar to pleural mesothelioma and peritoneal mesothelioma can be caused by asbestos exposure. The disease is less common than pleural mesothelioma, with only about 300-500 cases diagnosed each year.

As with pleural asbestosis symptoms can take a long time to manifest. Most patients suffer from abdominal pain and abdominal swelling. This mesothelioma type can also cause nausea, weight loss, and fever. Many of these symptoms are similar to those of gastrointestinal issues, which can lead to incorrect diagnosis.

Typically, doctors can identify mesothelioma after an exhaustive medical history and physical exam. Imaging tests such as X-rays or CT scans can be used to detect mesothelioma. These tests can reveal tumors as well as other signs of cancer that are not visible on X-rays.

These tests enable doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and determine the stage of the disease and suggest treatment options. The stage is determined by the kind of cell and if the cancer has spread.

The most significant risk factor for mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos. People who have worked in asbestos-containing jobs, such as plumbing or electrical work, or in manufacturing and construction, are more likely to contract the disease. However, even if people aren't employed in these fields they could be exposed to asbestos through family members or through other sources. Anyone who believes they are at risk should speak with an expert. A mesothelioma specialist can help those with a experience with asbestos to understand more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos is the primary risk factor for mesothelioma. It accounts for up to 80percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos can occur as a result of work, military service, or by living with someone who works with asbestos or has previously done such. When exposed to asbestos, small particles can be breathed into the abdomen and lungs. The particles cause irritation to the linings of the lungs, causing cancerous cells to grow in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma can take anywhere between 15 and 60 years to develop after exposure to asbestos.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics, and the advancing age. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely get mesothelioma than people younger or more senior. It takes mesothelioma 20-60 years to manifest cancer symptoms after the first exposure. It is important to note, too, that mesothelioma can occur in people who have been exposed to asbestos without having directly worked with it. This is known as indirect or secondary exposure to asbestos attorney. It can be just as dangerous as direct exposure.

Smoking increases the risk of getting mesothelioma because it damages the mesothelium and makes it more vulnerable to asbestos. Mesothelioma is also aggravated by certain illnesses, including asbestosis and pneumonia. It is also important to note that mesothelioma is more common in males than females. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for a longer period of time and work with asbestos for longer periods of time. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who had worked with asbestos and to have asbestos fibers on their clothing. Women tend to have less exposure to asbestos and rarely carry asbestos around on their clothes.

Diagnosis

It is difficult to identify mesothelioma due to its symptoms being often similar to other diseases. Due to this, patients are sometimes misdiagnosed.

NYU Langone doctors will perform physical examinations and document the patient's medical background including asbestos attorney exposure. Doctors will also recommend an CT scan or chest X-ray to check for lumps, abnormalities and evidence of exposure to asbestos. These include pleural plaques, thickened pleura and calcium deposits.

Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram, which examines the heart and blood vessels, and a magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI test, which uses magnets and radio waves to create precise images of the inside of the body. A surgical biopsy is another method doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma. A surgical biopsy is when doctors take a small amount of tissue from the peritoneum or pleura to conduct further tests. A pathologist can then examine the tissue with a magnifying glass to determine if it is a cancerous cells.

The mesothelial type involved, the malignant or benign nature of those cells, as well as the location the cancer, its type and the stage of the tumour, are used to categorize the disease. Certain types of mesothelioma are more likely to grow or spread and spread, therefore it is essential 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 identify specific genes, proteins or other factors that will help them identify the characteristics of cancer and plan treatment. These results are referred to as staging.

Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnosis can be an incredibly frightening prospect. It is important to remember that cancer can be treated particularly in its early stages. Many people with mesothelioma live for a long time with the disease without it spreading to other parts of their body.

Exposure to asbestos compensation may cause mesothelioma in many ways. Asbestos particles, which are too small to detect or feel by the naked eye can become airborne and irritate the lung's lining (pleura). Over time irritation can lead to formation of scar tissue, which can cause changes in the structure of cells which eventually lead to tumors.

The pleura surrounds the lungs and the heart and the abdomen. Mesothelium consists of cells that respond when exposed to asbestos. They cause inflammation to the tissue and cause it to scar. Overtime, these changes lead to the development of malignant mesothelioma cancers.

Symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include breathlessness and chest pain as well as an accumulation of fluid in the lung (pleural effusion). In rare instances cancer may spread to the tissues that surround the reproductive organs as well as the heart.

A doctor may request biopsy if scans show a potential tumor in the lungs or stomach. During the procedure doctors remove a small amount of fluid or tumor for lab tests. The results will confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis and provide the best treatment option.

There are many types of treatment for mesothelioma including chemotherapy and surgery. The majority of doctors employ the combination of these treatments. Participating in clinical trials of mesothelioma treatments that are new could be beneficial for patients. Patients can find out more by speaking with a mesothelioma doctor who has treated mesothelioma.