Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos is a mineral that naturally forms in the form of thin, long fibers. Workers who are exposed 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 asbestos types can cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer that affects the lung's outer the lining (pleura). It is the most prevalent mesothelioma type, accounting for up between 70 and 79% of all diagnosed cases. This condition causes chest pain, shortness of breathe, and a feeling of weightiness.

This kind of cancer is typically caused by exposure to asbestos, which is a collection of minerals composed of microscopic fibers. Once inhaled, these fibers stick inside the lung and cause irritation which causes scarring and DNA mutations. The pleura covers the chest cavity and lungs, so these irritations can affect both the lungs as well as a person's heart. Mesothelioma usually doesn't show symptoms until 30 to 50 year after exposure.

The most commonly reported symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are chest pain and shortness of breath. Some patients may also feel tightness in their chest or coughing. They may also experience difficulty breathing. People who suffer from this cancer usually have an history of exposure to asbestos in the workplace. Manufacturing, construction and shipbuilding are among the most frequent jobs that put people at a high risk of developing pleural mesothelioma. People who were in the military are at greater risk due the frequent use of asbestos in Navy vessels and bunkers for the Army.

The most common staging system for pleural mysothelioma has been the TNM (tumor lymph nodes, lymph nodes, and metastases) staging system. The stage that the patient is in at the time of diagnosis can help determine the treatment plan they should follow. Patients with pleural mesothelioma that is in stage three or stage four will suffer a more negative prognosis than those in a less advanced stage. Stage four mesothelioma may be spread to the heart, liver or diaphragm. This could make the cancer more difficult to treat and increase the chance of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Unlike pleural cancer, that develops in the lung's lining it develops in a membrane that surrounds the abdominal cavity, which includes organs such as the intestines and the liver. Similar to pleural mesothelioma mesothelioma can be caused by Asbestos Case exposure. It is estimated that only 300-500 cases are diagnosed annually, which is less than pleural asbestosis.

Like pleural mesothelioma, symptoms may take years to appear. The majority of patients suffer from abdominal pain and an abdominal mass. This kind of mesothelioma can cause nausea, weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms are similar to those experienced by digestive problems, which can result in incorrect diagnosis.

The doctors can detect mesothelioma through reviewing the medical history of the patient and performing a physical examination. Imaging tests like X-rays and CT scans are a way to identify mesothelioma. These tests can show tumors, as well as other indications of cancer that aren't visible on an X-ray.

These tests enable doctors to diagnose mesothelioma, identify the stage of the disease and suggest treatment options. The stage is determined by the type of cell as well as whether the cancer has spread.

The most significant mesothelioma-related risk factor is exposure to asbestos. People who have worked in professions that involve asbestos, like plumbing, manufacturing, electrical work, or construction, are at increased risk of developing the disease. However, even if people do not work in these areas they may be exposed to asbestos through family members or other sources. Anyone who thinks they may be at risk should consult an expert. If they have a history of asbestos exposure or mesothelioma, a specialist can assist them in learning more about the risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos exposure is the primary mesothelioma risk factor, which accounts for as much as 80 percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos may occur through work, military service or through living with a person who is exposed to asbestos or used to do such. When exposed to asbestos, particles are able to be inhaled into abdomen and lungs. These particles irritate the linings of the lungs, causing cancerous cells to form in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma can take anywhere between 15 and 60 years to develop after exposure to asbestos.

Other risk factors include genetics, smoking and age. People in their 40s and 50s are more at risk of developing mesothelioma as compared to people who are younger or more. Mesothelioma can take between 20 and 60 years to show signs of cancer after the first exposure. It is important to keep in mind, too, that mesothelioma could be present in people who have been exposed to asbestos without having been directly exposed to it. This is known as indirect or secondary asbestos exposure and can be just as harmful as direct asbestos exposure.

Smoking increases the chance of mesothelioma as it damages the mesothelium. It also makes it more prone to. Mesothelioma can also be caused by certain illnesses such as asbestosis and pneumonia. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than women. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for a longer time and to work with asbestos for longer durations and to work with it. Also, men are more likely to live with someone who had asbestos exposure and bring stray asbestos fibers home on their clothes. Women tend to be less exposed to asbestos compensation and they don't usually carry asbestos on their clothes.

Diagnosis

It is difficult to identify mesothelioma due to its symptoms being frequently similar to other illnesses. This is why patients are sometimes mistakenly diagnosed.

NYU Langone doctors will perform physical examinations and document the patient's medical background, including asbestos lawsuit exposure. Doctors can also order an X-ray of the chest or CT scan to look for lumps or other abnormalities, as well as evidence of asbestos exposure in the past like plaques in the pleura (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 a magnetic resonance imaging or MRI test, that uses magnets and radio waves to produce a series of precise images of the insides of the body. Another way doctors can diagnose mesothelioma is to perform the procedure of a surgical biopsy. During a surgical biopsy, doctors take a small amount of tissue from the pleura or peritoneum for further testing. A pathologist can then examine the tissue using a magnifying lens to determine if it contains cancerous cells.

The type of mesothelial cell involved and the benign or malignant nature of those cells and the location, type and stage of the cancer are used to classify the disease. Certain mesothelioma types have a higher risk of spreading or metastasizing and it's crucial to establish a clear diagnosis so that doctors can treat it before it gets out-of-control.

Doctors can also perform laboratory tests on tumors in order to determine specific genes, proteins or other factors that can help them describe cancer characteristics and plan treatment. These results are called staging.

Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnosis is terrifying. It is crucial to remember, however, that cancer can be treated, particularly in its initial stages. A lot of people suffering from mesothelioma be afflicted for many years without it spreading.

Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma through a variety of mechanisms. Asbestos fibers, which are too small to detect or feel with the naked eye, can become airborne and irritate the lining of the lungs (pleura). In time the irritation can lead to the formation of scar tissues that eventually result in tumors.

The Pleura is a protective layer that protects the abdomen, heart, and lungs. Mesothelium is composed of cells that react to asbestos attorney, causing it to inflame and develop scar tissue. In time, these changes can cause the development of malignant mesothelioma tumors.

Symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include breathlessness and chest pain as well as the accumulation of fluid in the lung (pleural effusion). In rare cases cancer can spread to the tissues around the reproductive organs as well as the heart.

If scans of imaging reveal an area of concern in the lungs or stomach, a doctor will order a biopsies. During the procedure, doctors remove tiny amounts of tumor or fluid for lab analysis. The results can confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and help determine the best treatment option.

There are a variety of mesothelioma treatment options, including chemotherapy, surgery and immunotherapy. Most doctors rely on a combination of these methods. Patients could also benefit from participating in a clinical study of new mesothelioma treatments. To find out more, patients should speak to mesothelioma specialists who have experience treating the condition.