Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that is made up of thin, long fibres. Workers who are regularly exposed to asbestos lawyer may develop lung diseases such as mesothelioma.

It can take years for symptoms to show up after asbestos exposure. Different types of asbestos may cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

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

Exposure to asbestos, a group of minerals comprised of microscopic fibers, typically causes this kind of cancer. When inhaled, these fibers cause irritation and DNA mutations. Pleura covers both the chest cavity and the lungs, so irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma is usually not symptomatic until 30 to 50 year after exposure.

The most frequent symptoms of pleural melanoma are chest discomfort and shortness of breath. Patients may also suffer from chest tightness or coughing. They may also experience difficulty breathing. Patients with this type of cancer have a history that includes asbestos exposure at work. The most common jobs that expose workers to the risk of developing pleural cancer are manufacturing, construction, and shipbuilding. People who served in the military are at greater risk due to the extensive use asbestos in Navy vessels and bunkers for the Army.

The most common staging method for pleural mesothelioma is the TNM (tumor, lymph nodes and metastases) staging system. 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 four will suffer a more negative prognosis compared to those in a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma may spread to the heart, liver or diaphragm. This makes the cancer more difficult to treat and increase the risk of complications for patients.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Unlike pleural mesothelioma, which is a lung-lining cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma forms in the peritoneum, an elongated membrane that covers the abdominal cavity and organs such as the intestines and the liver. Similar to pleural mesothelioma mesothelioma is triggered by asbestos exposure. It is estimated that only 300-500 cases are diagnosed annually, which is less than pleural asbestosis.

As with pleural asbestosis symptoms can take years to manifest. Patients generally experience abdominal pain, and may have a mass in their abdomen. This kind of mesothelioma can also cause nausea, weight loss, and fever. Many of these symptoms could be misinterpreted as gastrointestinal issues which can lead to a false diagnosis.

Doctors can identify mesothelioma by examining the patient's medical history and conducting a physical exam. They may also employ imaging tests such as X-rays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to identify mesothelioma. These tests can reveal cancerous tumors or other signs of cancer that aren't visible on an X-ray.

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

asbestos lawyer exposure is the biggest risk factor. People who have been exposed to asbestos in occupations, like electrical or plumbing work, or in construction and manufacturing, are more likely to develop the disease. Even if an individual does not work in any of these areas they could be exposed to asbestos through family members or other sources. For this reason, anyone who suspects they may be at risk should talk to an expert. If they have an history of exposure to asbestos and mesothelioma is a concern, a specialist will assist them in finding out more about the risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos exposure is a major risk factor for mesothelioma, accounting for up to 80 percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos may occur due to military service, work or living with those who worked with asbestos (Highly recommended Webpage). Asbestos particles can be inhaled by people who are exposed to asbestos. These irritate the linings and cause cancerous cells to develop in the mesothelium. After exposure to asbestos, mesothelioma may occur between 15 and 60 years old.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics, and the advancing age. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely develop mesothelioma than those who are younger or more senior. It takes mesothelioma between 20 and 60 years before it manifests cancer symptoms after the first exposure. It is important to keep in mind that mesothelioma may be present in people who have been exposed to asbestos without having been directly exposed to it. This is called secondary or indirect exposure to asbestos, and it is just as harmful as direct exposure.

Smoking can increase the likelihood of getting mesothelioma because it causes mesothelium damage and makes it more susceptible to asbestos. Mesothelioma is also aggravated by certain illnesses such as asbestosis and pneumonia. It is also important to remember that mesothelioma is more common in men than women. 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 live with someone who has had asbestos exposure and bring asbestos fibers that have escaped home on their clothing. Women are less likely to be exposed to asbestos, and they don't usually bring asbestos home on their clothes.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is a difficult cancer to recognize because the symptoms can be similar to other diseases. This can result in patients being incorrectly diagnosed.

The first step in diagnosing mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform a physical exam and take down a patient's medical history, including asbestos exposure. Doctors can also request a chest X-ray or CT scan to detect lumps and other abnormalities, and also to look for evidence of past asbestos exposure such as pleural plaques (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the formation of fluid between the lung and the chest wall (known as the pleural effusion).

Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram, which examines the heart and blood vessels, and a magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI test that uses magnets and radio waves to create precise images of the inside of the body. A surgical biopsy is yet another way for doctors to diagnose mesothelioma. In a surgical biopsy doctors take a small amount of tissue from the peritoneum or pleura to conduct further tests. A pathologist then examines the tissue using an magnifying glass to determine whether it contains cancerous cells.

Mesothelioma is classified according to the mesothelial type involved, whether the cells are benign or malignant and the location, type, and stage of the cancer. Certain mesothelioma types have an increased risk of metastasizing or spreading therefore it is essential to get a definitive diagnosis so that doctors can treat it before it gets out of control.

Doctors can also perform tests in the lab on tumors in order to determine specific genes, proteins or other factors that can aid in describing the characteristics of cancer and plan treatment. These results are referred to as staging.

Treatment

A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be terrifying. It is important to keep in mind that cancer can be treated particularly in its early stages. Many mesothelioma patients live for a long time without the disease spreading to other organs of their body.

Exposure to asbestos may cause mesothelioma in many ways. Asbestos fibres, small enough to not be felt or seen through the naked eye are able to become airborne and irritate the lung's lining (pleura). Over time the irritation causes the formation of scar tissues, which eventually lead to tumors.

The pleura is a protective covering that covers the abdomen, heart, and lungs. Mesothelium is made up of cells that react to exposure to asbestos, causing it to inflame and form scar tissue. These changes can result in malignant mesothelioma tumors.

The signs of pleural mesothelioma can include breathlessness and chest pain, or an accumulation of fluid on the lung (pleural effusion). In rare cases cancer may spread to the tissues surrounding the reproductive organs and the heart.

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

There are many types of treatment for mesothelioma, including surgery and chemotherapy. Most doctors use combinations of these treatments. Participating in clinical trials of new mesothelioma treatment may also be beneficial to patients. To find out more, patients should speak to a mesothelioma specialist who has had experience treating the disease.