Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos, a natural mineral, occurs naturally in the form of thin, long fibers. Workers who are exposed asbestos on a regular basis are at risk of developing mesothelioma or other lung diseases.

The symptoms of these diseases might not manifest for years after exposure to asbestos. Different asbestos types may cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma occurs in the lung's outer lining also known as pleura. It is the most common mesothelioma form and is responsible for 70 to 79% of diagnosed cases. Patients suffering from this condition suffer from chest pain and breath shortness, and they may feel a sensation of heaviness in the chest.

This type of cancer is usually caused through exposure to asbestos law, which is a cluster of minerals composed of microscopic fibers. Once inhaled, these fibers stick inside the lungs and cause irritation that causes scarring and DNA mutations. Pleura is the lining of both the chest cavity and the lungs, so irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma symptoms usually don't appear until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

Shortness of breath and chest pain are the most frequently reported symptoms. Some patients may also feel tightness in their chest, coughing or difficulty breathing. People who suffer from this cancer usually have an history of exposure to asbestos in the workplace. The most prevalent jobs that expose people to the risk of developing pleural cancer are construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding. Individuals who have been in the military are at risk because of the extensive use of asbestos in Navy ships 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 cancer. The stage that the patient is in at the moment of diagnosis will determine the treatment plan they should receive. For instance, patients suffering from a pleural mesothelioma in stage three or four have a less favorable prognosis than those with lower stages. Stage four mesothelioma often spreads to the diaphragm, the liver or even the heart of a patient. This makes the cancer more difficult to treat, and increase the chance of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

In contrast to pleural mesothelioma which develops in the lung lining, peritoneal mesothelioma forms in the peritoneum -- an elongated membrane that covers the abdominal cavity and organs like the intestines and liver. Like pleural mesothelioma, peritoneal mesothelioma is caused by asbestos exposure. The disease is much less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma, and around 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.

As with pleural mesothelioma symptoms may take years to appear. Most patients suffer from abdominal pain and abdominal swelling. This type of mesothelioma may also cause nausea, weight loss, and fever. A lot of these symptoms are similar to those of gastrointestinal issues, which can result in incorrect diagnosis.

Generally speaking, doctors can detect mesothelioma by conducting an extensive health history and physical examination. Imaging tests like X-rays or CT scans can be used to detect mesothelioma. These tests can reveal tumors and other cancer signs that are not evident on X-rays.

These test results allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma, identify the stage of the disease and suggest treatment options. The stage of the disease is determined based on the type of cell and whether or whether the cancer has spread to other regions of the body.

The most significant risk factor for mesothelioma is asbestos exposure. People who have been in occupations which require asbestos, such as plumbing electrical work, manufacturing or construction, are at greater risk of developing the disease. Even if they do not work in these areas, they can still be exposed to asbestos through relatives or other sources. Anyone who thinks they may be at risk should speak with an expert. A mesothelioma expert can help those who have had a experience with asbestos claim to understand more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos exposure is a major risk factor for mesothelioma accounting for up to 80 percent of all cases. Exposure to asbestos can happen through work, military service or by living with a person who works with asbestos or used to do such. Asbestos particles can be inhaled by those who are exposed to asbestos. The particles cause irritation to the linings, causing cancerous cells to grow in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma can take between 15 and 60 years to develop after exposure to asbestos law.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and the advancing age. People in their 40s and 50s are at greater risk of developing mesothelioma compared to those younger or older. It takes mesothelioma between 20 and 60 years to show signs of cancer after the first exposure. It is important to keep in mind that mesothelioma could be present in people who have been exposed to asbestos without having worked with it directly. This is referred to as indirect or secondary exposure to asbestos. It could be as hazardous as direct exposure.

Smoking increases the risk of getting mesothelioma because it causes mesothelium damage and makes it more prone to asbestos. Mesothelioma can also be caused by certain illnesses such as asbestosis and pneumonia. It is also important to know that mesothelioma is more common in men than women. This is because men are more likely to work with asbestos lawyer and experience a a longer period of exposure than women. Additionally, men are more likely to live with someone who was exposed to asbestos and bring stray asbestos fibers home on their clothes. Women are less likely to come in contact with asbestos Case, www.koreaw.org,, and they don't usually bring asbestos home on their clothes.

Diagnosis

It is difficult to diagnose mesothelioma due to its symptoms being frequently similar to other illnesses. This could lead to patients being misdiagnosed.

The first step to diagnose mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform an examination of the body and take note of the medical history of the patient including asbestos exposure. Doctors will also order a CT scan or chest X-ray to check for lumps, abnormalities, and evidence of asbestos exposure. These include plaques on the pleura, pleura that are thickened and calcium deposits.

Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance imaging or MRI test, that uses radio waves and magnets in order to produce a series of precise images of the inside of the body. A surgical biopsy is yet another method for doctors to identify mesothelioma. When a biopsy is performed, doctors remove a tiny piece of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum, to be further examined. A pathologist is then able to examine the tissue with a microscope to see if it is contaminated with cancerous cells.

Mesothelioma is classified based on the type of mesothelial cells involved, whether these cells are malignant or benign and the location of the tumor, the type, and the stage of the cancer. Some types of mesothelioma have an increased risk of metastasizing or spreading, so it's important to establish a clear diagnosis to ensure that the doctors can treat it before it gets out-of-control.

Doctors can also run tests in the lab on a tumor to identify specific 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 may be terrifying. But, it is crucial to remember that the cancer is treatable, particularly in its initial stages. Many patients with mesothelioma survive for a long time with the disease without it spreading to other parts of their body.

Exposure to asbestos can trigger mesothelioma via many mechanisms. Asbestos fibers that are small enough to not be felt or observed through the naked eye are able to become airborne, causing irritation to the lining of the lung (pleura). Over time the irritation causes the formation of scar tissue that eventually result in tumors.

The pleura covers the lungs and heart and the abdomen. Mesothelium is composed of cells that react when exposed to asbestos. They cause inflammation of the tissue and cause it to become scarred. These changes eventually lead to malignant mesothelioma tumours.

Breathing problems, chest discomfort, or the accumulation of fluid on the lungs are all symptoms of the pleural msothelioma. In rare cases cancer can spread to the tissues around the reproductive organs as well as the heart.

If scans of imaging reveal a possible mass in the lungs or stomach the doctor will request a biopsies. During the procedure, doctors will remove tiny amounts of fluid or tumor for laboratory testing. The results can confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and help determine the best treatment plan.

There are many types of treatment for mesothelioma, including surgery and chemotherapy. Most doctors utilize a combination of these treatments. Enrolling in clinical trials of new mesothelioma treatment may also be beneficial to patients. To learn more, patients should speak with mesothelioma specialists who have experience treating the condition.