Mesothelioma and Asbestos

asbestos settlement is a naturally occurring mineral that is found in long, thin fibres. Workers who are regularly exposed to asbestos are at risk of developing lung diseases like mesothelioma.

The symptoms of these diseases might not show up for decades after exposure to asbestos. Different asbestos lawyer types may cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

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

Exposure to asbestos, a family of minerals made of microscopic fibers, usually causes this type of cancer. The fibers, when inhaled cause irritation and DNA mutations. Pleura covers both the chest cavity as well as the lungs, so irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma usually doesn't show symptoms until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

Chest pain and shortness breath are the most common symptoms. Some patients may also suffer from chest tightness or coughing. They may also experience difficulty breathing. People with this cancer have a history that includes asbestos exposure at work. The most common jobs that put people at risk of developing pleural cancer are construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding. Individuals who have been in the military may be at a higher risk because of the extensive asbestos lawsuit use in Navy vessels and bunkers used by the army.

The TNM (tumors lymph nodes, tumors, and metastases staging system) is the most commonly used staging system for the pleural adenocarcinoma. The stage the patient is in at the moment of diagnosis will determine what treatment plan they should follow. For instance, patients suffering from mesothelioma that is pleural in stage three or four have a poorer prognosis than those with lower stages. Stage four mesothelioma is often spread to the diaphragm, liver or even the heart of a patient. This makes it more difficult to treat and increase the chance of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

As opposed to pleural mesothelioma that develops in the lung lining, peritoneal mesothelioma is found in the peritoneum -- a membrane that lines the abdominal cavity as well as organs such as the intestines and the liver. As with pleural mesothelioma asbestos settlement exposure is the primary cause of peritoneal mesothelioma. It is estimated that only 300-500 cases are diagnosed annually this is less than pleural asbestosis.

As with pleural asbestosis symptoms can take years to show. Typically, patients suffer from abdominal pain and a mass in the abdomen. Symptoms of this type of mesothelioma could also include nausea or weight loss, as well as fever. Many of these symptoms could be misinterpreted as gastrointestinal issues and can lead to a false diagnosis.

The doctors can detect mesothelioma through examining the patient's medical history and performing a physical examination. They can also use imaging tests such as X-rays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to help find mesothelioma. These tests can identify tumors as well as other signs of cancer which aren't evident on X-rays.

The results of these tests allow doctors to identify mesothelioma, and determine the stage. They can also suggest treatments. The staging is determined by the type of cell and whether or the cancer has spread to other parts of the body.

Asbestos exposure is the most important risk factor. People who have worked in asbestos-related professions, such as plumbing or electrical work, or in construction and manufacturing, are more likely to contract the disease. Even if someone isn't employed in any of these areas they could still be exposed to asbestos through family members and other sources. Anyone who believes they're at risk should consult a doctor. If they have an history of exposure to asbestos and mesothelioma is a concern, a specialist will help them find out more about the risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos exposure is a major risk factor for mesothelioma, making up as much as 80 percent of all cases. Exposure to asbestos can happen through work, military service, or by living with someone who works with asbestos or used to do such. When exposed to asbestos, particles can be inhaled into the abdomen and lungs. They can cause irritation to the linings of the abdomen and can cause cancerous cells to develop in the mesothelium. After asbestos exposure mesothelioma is likely to be diagnosed between 15 and 60 years old.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and age. The people in their 40s or 50s are at a higher risk of developing mesothelioma as compared to those who are younger or older. This is because mesothelioma typically occurs between 20 and 60 years from the first time of exposure before symptoms of cancer begin to manifest. It is important to note that mesothelioma can occur in those who have been exposed to asbestos, but without having worked with it directly. This is known as secondary or indirect asbestos exposure. It can be as hazardous as direct asbestos exposure.

Smoking can increase the likelihood of developing mesothelioma due to the fact that it damages the mesothelium, which makes it more susceptible to asbestos. Mesothelioma can also be caused by certain illnesses such as asbestosis and pneumonia. It is also important to know that mesothelioma occurs more frequently in males than females. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for longer periods of time and to work with asbestos case for longer periods of time. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who worked with asbestos, and to carry asbestos fibers on their clothing. Women are less likely to come into exposure to asbestos and rarely carry asbestos home on their clothing.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is difficult to diagnose because the symptoms are often similar to other conditions. This is why patients are sometimes mistakenly 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 detect lumps and other abnormalities as well as evidence of past asbestos exposure such as pleural plaques (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the accumulation of fluid between the lung and 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 that uses magnets and radio waves to make a series of precise images of the inside of the body. Another way doctors can diagnose mesothelioma is by performing the procedure of a surgical biopsy. When a biopsy is performed doctors take a tiny piece of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum to be further examined. A pathologist can examine the tissue with a microscope to see if it contains cancerous cells.

The mesothelial type involved and the benign or malignant nature of the cells, as well as the location the cancer, its type and the stage of the tumour, are used to categorize the disease. Certain mesothelioma types have a higher risk of spreading or metastasizing and it's crucial to establish a clear diagnosis to ensure that the doctors can treat it before it becomes out-of-control.

Doctors can also run tests in the laboratory on tumors to determine specific proteins, genes or other elements that can help them describe the characteristics of the cancer and determine a treatment. These results are known as staging.

Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnosis is terrifying. However, it is important to remember that the cancer is treatable, particularly in its early stages. Many patients with mesothelioma survive for many years with the disease without it spreading to other organs of their body.

Exposure to Asbestos Case can cause mesothelioma in many ways. Asbestos fibres, small enough to not be felt or seen through the naked eye can be airborne, causing irritation to the lining of the lung (pleura). Over time irritation leads to formation of scar tissue, which can cause changes in the cell structure which eventually lead to tumors.

The pleura surrounds the heart and lungs, as well as the abdomen. Mesothelium is made up of cells that react when exposed to asbestos. They cause inflammation to the tissue and cause it to become scarred. In time, these changes can result in the growth of malignant mesothelioma tumors.

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

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

There are many types of treatment for mesothelioma, such as chemotherapy and surgery. The majority of doctors use an amalgamation of these techniques. Patients could also benefit from participating in a clinical study of new mesothelioma treatment. Patients can find out more by consulting a mesothelioma expert who has treated the condition.