Mesothelioma and Asbestos

asbestos case (Going At this website) is a mineral that occurs naturally in the form of thin, long fibers. Workers who are exposed to asbestos regularly are at risk of developing mesothelioma or other lung diseases of different types.

It can take years before symptoms begin to manifest after asbestos exposure. Different asbestos types may cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer of the lung's outer lining, also known as pleura. It is the most prevalent mesothelioma type and is responsible for 70 to 79% of diagnosed cases. People with this condition suffer from chest pain and breath shortness and may also feel a sensation of heaviness in the chest.

This type of cancer often caused through exposure to asbestos, which is a grouping of minerals that are comprised of microscopic fibres. These fibers, when inhaled cause irritation and DNA mutations. Pleura surrounds 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 year after exposure.

Chest pain and shortness breath are the most common symptoms. Some patients also experience coughing, difficulty breathing or chest tightness. People with this cancer have a past that includes asbestos exposure at work. The most prevalent jobs that put people at risk of developing pleural mesothelioma are manufacturing, construction, and shipbuilding. Individuals who have served in the military are at a greater risk due to the extensive use asbestos claim in Navy vessels and bunkers in the Army.

The TNM (tumors lymph nodes and metastases staging system) is the most common staging system used for the pleural adenocarcinoma. The stage that a patient is at when they are diagnosed 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 suffer a more negative outlook than those who are in a less advanced stage. Mesothelioma in stage four can be spread to the liver, heart, or diaphragm. This can make it more difficult to treat and increases the risk of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Unlike pleural mesothelioma, which is a lung-lining cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma forms in the peritoneum - it is a membrane that lines the abdominal cavity and organs such as the intestines and liver. As with pleural mesothelioma asbestos exposure is the primary cause of peritoneal mesothelioma. The disease is less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma, and just 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.

Like pleural mesothelioma, the symptoms can take a long time to manifest. Typically, patients suffer from abdominal pain and abdominal swelling. Symptoms of this type of mesothelioma can also include nausea, weight loss and fever. A lot of these symptoms are similar to those experienced by digestive issues, which could lead to confusion in diagnosis.

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

These test results allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma, identify the stage and suggest treatment options. The staging is determined by the type of cell and whether or not the cancer has spread to other areas of the body.

Asbestos exposure is the most important risk factor. People who have worked in asbestos-containing professions, such as electrical or plumbing work, or in construction and manufacturing are more likely to contract the disease. Even if an individual does not work in one of these areas, he or she can still be exposed through family members or other sources. For this reason, anyone who is concerned that they might be at risk should talk to an expert. If they have any history of exposure to asbestos, a mesothelioma specialist can assist them in learning more about the risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos exposure is the main mesothelioma risk factor, making up as much as 80 percent of all cases. Exposure to asbestos may occur through work, military service or by living with a person who is exposed to asbestos or has previously done so. Asbestos particles can be breathed in by those who are exposed to asbestos. These irritate the linings and trigger cancerous cells to form in the mesothelium. After exposure to asbestos, mesothelioma may be diagnosed between 15 and 60 years old.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and aging. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely to get mesothelioma than people younger or more senior. It is because mesothelioma generally occurs between 20 and 60 years from the first exposure to asbestos before the first signs of cancer appear. It is important to keep in mind that mesothelioma can occur in people who have been exposed to asbestos, but without having worked with it directly. This is referred to as secondary or indirect asbestos exposure and can be just as harmful as direct asbestos exposure.

Smoking increases the risk of getting mesothelioma because it causes mesothelium damage and makes it more susceptible to asbestos. Mesothelioma can also be caused by certain illnesses such as asbestosis and pneumonia. It is also important to remember that mesothelioma occurs more frequently in men than women. This is due to men being more likely to be exposed to asbestos and endure a an extended period of exposure than women. Also, men are more likely to live with someone who was exposed to asbestos and bring asbestos fibers that have escaped home on their clothes. Women are less likely to come into contact with asbestos and don't typically carry asbestos on their clothes.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is a difficult disease to identify because the symptoms often resemble other conditions. Due to this, patients are sometimes misdiagnosed.

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

Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram which examines the blood vessels and the heart, and a magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI, test, which uses magnets and radio waves to create detailed images of the inside of the body. Another method doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma is to perform the procedure of a surgical biopsy. During a surgical biopsy, doctors take a small amount of tissue from the peritoneum or pleura for further testing. A pathologist will then look at the tissue using an magnifying glass to determine if it is a cancerous cells.

The type of mesothelial cell involved and the benign or malignant nature of these cells as well as the location, type and stage of the cancer are used to categorize the disease. Certain mesothelioma types have greater risk of metastasizing or spreading and it's crucial to establish a clear diagnosis so that doctors can treat it prior to it becoming out of control.

Doctors may also conduct tests in the lab on tumors in order to determine specific proteins, genes or other factors that will help them identify the characteristics of cancer and plan treatment. These results are known 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 initial stages. Many people with mesothelioma can live with the disease for a long time without expanding.

Asbestos exposure can cause mesothelioma by a variety of mechanisms. Asbestos particles, which are too small to detect or feel with the naked eye, can be airborne and cause irritation to the lining of the lungs (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 is a protective covering that surrounds the lungs, heart and abdomen. Mesothelium is made up of cells that react to exposure to asbestos, causing it to inflame and form scar tissue. These changes can cause mesothelioma cancers.

Breathing problems, chest discomfort or fluid buildup on the lungs are all symptoms of the pleural msothelioma. In rare instances the cancer may be spread to the tissues around the heart and reproductive organs.

If imaging scans show an area of concern in the stomach or lungs doctors will recommend a biopsies. During the procedure, doctors will remove a small sample of the fluid or tumor for lab tests. The results will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and determine the best treatment option.

There are a variety of mesothelioma treatment, including surgery, chemotherapy and immunotherapy. The majority of doctors use the combination of these methods. Enrolling in clinical trials of 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.