Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos is a natural mineral that is made up of thin, long fibres. People who are exposed to asbestos may develop lung diseases such as mesothelioma.

The 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 type of cancer that affects the outer lung the lining (pleura). It is the most common mesothelioma type and is responsible for 70 to 79% of diagnosed cases. This condition causes chest discomfort, shortness of breath and a feeling weightiness.

Exposure to asbestos, a group of minerals made of microscopic fibers, usually causes this type of cancer. The fibers, when inhaled, cause irritation and DNA mutations. The pleura covers the chest cavity and lungs, so these irritations can affect both the lungs and the heart of a person. Mesothelioma symptoms typically don't show until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

The most frequent symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are chest discomfort and shortness of breath. Patients may also experience coughing, difficulty breathing, or chest tightness. Patients with this type of cancer have a history of disease that includes asbestos case (pop over to this site) exposure at work. Manufacturing, construction, and shipbuilding are the most prevalent occupations that put people at a high risk of developing pleural mesothelioma. People who have served in the military may be at an especially high risk because of the extensive asbestos use in Navy ships and bunkers for the army.

The most popular staging system for pleural mesothelioma is the TNM (tumor lymph nodes, lymph nodes and metastases) staging system. The stage a patient is in at the time of diagnosis can help determine the 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 lower stages. Mesothelioma in stage four is usually spread to the diaphragm, liver or even a person's heart. This makes 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 the peritoneal cancer is a result of a membrane that surrounds the abdominal cavity, which includes organs such as the intestines and the liver. Like pleural mesothelioma, exposure to asbestos is the reason for peritoneal msothelioma. It is estimated that only 300-500 cases are diagnosed each year, which is less than pleural asbestosis.

As with pleural asbestosis, symptoms can take several years to manifest. Patients generally experience abdominal pain, and could also experience a mass in their abdomen. This type of mesothelioma may cause nausea, weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms are similar to symptoms of digestive issues, which could lead to confusion in diagnosis.

Doctors can detect mesothelioma by looking over the medical history of the patient and performing a physical examination. Imaging tests such as X-rays or CT scans are a way to identify mesothelioma. These tests can show tumors, as well as other symptoms of cancer that aren't apparent on an X-ray.

These test results allow 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 tumor has spread.

The most important mesothelioma risk factor is asbestos exposure. People who have worked in professions that involve asbestos, such as plumbing, manufacturing, electrical work or construction, are at greater risk of developing the disease. However, even if people aren't employed in these areas, they can still be exposed to asbestos through relatives or other sources. Anyone who suspects that they're at risk should consult a doctor. If they have any history of exposure to asbestos, a mesothelioma specialist can assist them in finding out more about the risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos exposure is the main mesothelioma risk factor, making up as much as 80 percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos may occur due to military service, work, or living with those who worked with asbestos. When exposed to asbestos, small particles can be breathed into the lungs and abdomen. These particles can cause irritation to the linings and cause cancerous cells to form in the mesothelium. After asbestos exposure, mesothelioma may be diagnosed between 15 and 60 years.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics, and the advancing age. People in their 40s and 50s are at a higher risk of developing mesothelioma compared to people who are younger or more. This is because mesothelioma usually occurs between 20 and 60 years from the initial exposure to asbestos before cancer symptoms appear. It is also important to know that mesothelioma can develop in people who have been exposed to asbestos, but did not engage directly with it. This is referred to as indirect or secondary asbestos exposure, and is as dangerous as direct asbestos exposure.

Smoking increases the risk of mesothelioma, as it damages the mesothelium. It also makes it more susceptible. Additionally, mesothelioma can be exacerbated by certain illnesses like asbestosis and pneumonia. It is also important to remember that mesothelioma is more prevalent in men than women. This is because men are more likely to work with asbestos and have an extended period of exposure than women. Men are also more likely to live with someone who worked with asbestos and carry asbestos fibers from their workplace on their clothing. Women are less likely to be exposed to asbestos and they don't usually bring asbestos home on their clothing.

Diagnosis

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

The first step in identifying mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform an examination and write notes on the medical history of a patient which includes asbestos lawsuit exposure. Doctors may also request an CT scan or chest X-ray to check for abnormalities, lumps and evidence of asbestos litigation exposure. These include plaques on the pleura, pleura that are thickened and calcium deposits.

Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram, which examines the heart and blood vessels, and a magnetic resonance imaging, also known as MRI, test, which makes use of magnets and radio waves to make a series of precise images of the inside of the body. Another way for doctors to detect mesothelioma is through the procedure of a surgical biopsy. In a surgical biopsy doctors remove a small amount of tissue from the pleura or peritoneum for further testing. A pathologist can examine the tissue under a microscope to see if it has cancerous cells.

Mesothelioma is classified according to the mesothelial type involved, whether those cells are malignant or benign, and the location of the tumor, the type, and the stage of the cancer. Certain types of mesothelioma may be more likely to grow 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 can also run tests in the laboratory on a tumor to identify particular proteins, genes and other factors which can help them identify the cancer's characteristics and plan treatment. These results are known as staging.

Treatment

A diagnosis of mesothelioma may be frightening. It is important to keep in mind, however, that cancer can be treated, particularly in its initial stages. Many patients with mesothelioma survive for many years without the disease spreading to other areas of their body.

asbestos compensation exposure can cause mesothelioma through a variety of mechanisms. Asbestos fibers, which are too small to be felt or viewed by naked eyes, can become airborne and irritate the lining of the lung (pleura). Over time irritation can lead to formation of scar tissue, which causes changes in the cell structure which eventually lead to tumors.

The pleura is the area that surrounds the lungs and the heart, as well as the abdomen. Mesothelium is made up of cells that react to asbestos, causing it to inflame and form scar tissue. Overtime, these changes result in the growth of malignant mesothelioma tumors.

A shortness of breath, chest pain or fluid accumulation on the lungs are all indications of pleural msothelioma. In rare instances, the cancer can grow to the tissues surrounding the heart and reproductive organs.

A doctor will request biopsy if imaging scans reveal a possible tumor in the lungs or stomach. During the procedure doctors remove small amounts of fluid or tumor for tests in the laboratory. The results will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and provide the best treatment plan.

There are several types of mesothelioma treatment options, including surgery, chemotherapy and immunotherapy. Most doctors rely on a combination of these methods. Participating in clinical trials for new mesothelioma treatment may also be beneficial for patients. Patients can learn more about the trials by consulting a mesothelioma specialist who has treated the disease.