Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos is a mineral that naturally forms in the form of long, thin fibers. People who are exposed to asbestos may develop lung diseases such as mesothelioma.

The symptoms of these diseases might not be evident for a long time after exposure to asbestos. Different asbestos types may cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma can be found in the lung's outer lining, or pleura. It is the most frequent form of mesothelioma and accounts for 70% to 79% of diagnosed cases. Patients suffering from this condition experience pain in the chest and breath shortness and may experience a sensation of heaviness in the chest.

Exposure to asbestos, a family of minerals made of microscopic fibers causes this kind of cancer. When inhaled, these fibers are absorbed into the lungs and cause irritation that causes scarring and DNA mutations. The pleura surrounds the chest cavity and lungs This means that these irritations can affect both the lungs and a person's heart. Mesothelioma usually doesn't show symptoms until 30 to 50 year after exposure.

Chest pain and shortness breath are the most common symptoms. Some patients also experience difficulty breathing, or chest tightness. Patients with this type of cancer have a past that includes asbestos exposure at work. Manufacturing, construction and shipbuilding are among the most frequent occupations that put people at a high risk of developing pleural mesothelioma. People who have served in the military could be at risk because of the extensive asbestos usage in Navy ships and bunkers for the army.

The most popular staging method for pleural mesothelioma is the TNM (tumor lymph nodes, lymph nodes, and metastases) staging system. The stage a patient is in upon diagnosis will aid their doctor in determining the most appropriate treatment plan for them. Patients suffering from pleural mesothelioma who is in stage three or stage four will have a worse outlook than those in a less advanced stage. Stage four edmond mesothelioma lawsuit is often spread to the diaphragm, liver or even the heart of a patient. 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 lining of the lung it develops in a membrane that covers the abdominal cavity, which includes organs like the liver and intestines. Similar to pleural mesothelioma mesothelioma can be caused by asbestos exposure. The disease is less common than pleural mesothelioma. There are only about 300-500 cases diagnosed each year.

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

Doctors can identify 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 detect tumors as well as other signs of cancer that are not visible on X-rays.

The results of these tests allow doctors to identify mesothelioma, and determine the stage. They can also suggest treatment options. The stage is determined by the type of cell as well as whether the tumor has spread.

The most important mesothelioma-related risk factor is exposure to asbestos. People who have worked in professions that require asbestos, like plumbing or manufacturing, electrical work or construction, are at greater risk of developing the disease. Even if someone is not employed in any of these areas, he or she can still be exposed through family members and You Tube other sources. Anyone who suspects that they may be at risk should talk to a doctor. A mesothelioma expert can help those with a experience with asbestos to understand more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos exposure is a major risk factor for mesothelioma making up as much as 80 percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos may occur due to work, military service, or by living with a person who is exposed to asbestos or used to do the same. Asbestos particles can be inhaled by those who are exposed to asbestos. These particles irritate the linings of the lungs, causing cancerous cells to form in the mesothelium. After asbestos exposure, mesothelioma may occur between 15 and 60 years old.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics, and age. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely to get mesothelioma than people younger or more senior. This is because mesothelioma typically lasts between 20 and 60 years from the initial time of exposure before the first signs of cancer appear. It is important to remember, too, that mesothelioma may develop in people who have been exposed to asbestos, but without having been directly exposed to it. This is called indirect or secondary exposure to asbestos and it could be as hazardous as direct exposure.

Smoking increases the risk of developing mesothelioma due to the fact that it damages the mesothelium, which makes it more susceptible to asbestos. Furthermore, mesothelioma is worsened by certain diseases like asbestosis and pneumonia. It is also important to remember that mesothelioma occurs more frequently in males than females. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for a longer period of time and to work with it. Also, men are more likely to live with someone who has had asbestos exposure and bring stray asbestos fibers home on their clothing. Women are less likely to come exposed to asbestos, and don't typically bring asbestos home on their clothes.

Diagnosis

It is difficult to identify mesothelioma because its symptoms are often similar to other diseases. This can result in patients being misdiagnosed.

NYU Langone doctors will perform an examination of the body and document the patient's medical history including asbestos exposure. Doctors may also request an CT scan or chest X-ray to look for abnormalities, lumps and evidence of exposure to asbestos. These include pleural plaques, thickened pleura and calcium deposits.

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. A surgical biopsy is a different way for doctors to diagnose mesothelioma. In a surgical biopsy, doctors remove a tiny piece of tissue from pleura or the peritoneum to be further examined. A pathologist is then able to look at the tissue under microscopes to determine if it is contaminated with cancerous cells.

Mesothelioma is classified according to the type of mesothelial cell involved, whether the cells are malignant or benign, and the location, type, and stage of the tumor. Certain mesothelioma types have greater risk of spreading or metastasizing therefore it is essential to determine the type of mesothelioma so doctors can treat it before it gets out-of-control.

Doctors may also conduct laboratory tests on tumors to determine particular proteins, genes or other elements which can help them identify the cancer's characteristics and plan treatment. These results are referred to as staging.

Treatment

A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be frightening. But, it is crucial to keep in mind that the cancer is treatable, especially in its initial stages. Many people with mesothelioma live for many years without the disease spreading to other areas of their body.

Exposure to asbestos can trigger mesothelioma via various mechanisms. Asbestos fibers that are tiny enough to be felt or viewed by naked eyes, can become airborne and irritate the lining of the lung (pleura). Over time irritation leads to formation of scar tissue which leads to changes in the cell structure that can eventually grow into tumors.

The pleura surrounds the lungs and heart and the abdomen. Mesothelium is made up of cells that respond when exposed to asbestos. They cause inflammation of the tissue and cause it to become scarred. These changes can eventually cause mesothelioma cancers.

The signs of pleural mesothelioma can include breathlessness and chest pain as well as a buildup of fluid in the lung (pleural effusion). In rare instances, cancer can spread into the tissues that surround the reproductive organs and the heart.

If scans of imaging reveal an area of concern in the stomach or lungs, a doctor will order biopsies. In the course of the procedure, doctors remove small amounts of liquid or tumor for tests in the laboratory. The results will confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis, and provide the most effective treatment plan.

There are a variety of treatment for mesothelioma such as chemotherapy and surgery. Most doctors utilize combinations of these treatments. Enrolling in clinical trials of mesothelioma treatments may be beneficial for patients. Patients can learn more about the trials by consulting a mesothelioma specialist who has treated the condition.