Mesothelioma and Asbestos

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

It may take decades for symptoms to show up after exposure to asbestos. Different types of asbestos may cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma, a form of cancer, that develops in the outer lung liner (pleura). It is the most frequent type of mesothelioma, making up between 70 and 79% of all diagnosed cases. Patients with this disease suffer from chest pain and breathlessness and may also feel a sensation of heaviness in the chest.

Exposure to asbestos, a group of minerals made of microscopic fibers, typically causes this type of cancer. Once inhaled, the fibers stick inside the lung and cause irritation which leads to scarring and DNA mutations. Pleura covers both the chest cavity and the lungs, and so irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma typically doesn't manifest until 30 to 50 year after exposure.

The most frequent symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include chest pain and breath shortness. Patients may also experience chest tightness or coughing. They may also experience difficulty breathing. People with this cancer have a history of disease that includes asbestos exposure at work. The most frequent jobs that put people at risk of pleural mesothelioma include construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding. People who have served in the military are at risk due to the widespread asbestos usage in Navy ships and bunkers used by the army.

The TNM (tumors lymph nodes and metastases staging system) is the most commonly used staging system used to treat pleural adenocarcinoma. The stage that the patient is in at the time of diagnosis can help determine what treatment plan they should receive. Patients who have pleural mesothelioma which is in stage three or four will have a worse outlook than those who are in a less advanced stage. Stage four mesothelioma may spread to the heart, liver or diaphragm. This makes the cancer more difficult to treat and increase 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 like the liver and intestines. Like pleural mesothelioma, peritoneal mesothelioma can be caused by asbestos exposure. The disease is less common than pleural mesothelioma. There are around 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.

As with pleural asbestosis symptoms can take several years to show. Patients generally suffer from abdominal pain and may also have a lump in their abdomen. The symptoms of this type of mesothelioma may also include nausea as well as weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms are similar to those of gastrointestinal issues, which can lead to misdiagnosis.

Doctors can detect mesothelioma by looking over the medical history of the patient and conducting a physical exam. Imaging tests like X-rays and CT scans are a way to identify mesothelioma. These tests can detect tumors and other signs of cancer that are not evident on X-rays.

These tests enable doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and determine the stage and suggest treatment options. The stage of the disease is determined based on the cell type and whether or not the cancer has spread to other regions of the body.

asbestos lawsuit exposure is the biggest risk factor. People who have worked in asbestos-containing occupations, like electrical or plumbing work, or in construction and manufacturing, are more likely to develop the disease. Even if they aren't employed in these areas they may be exposed to asbestos through relatives or other sources. Anyone who suspects that they are at risk should talk to an expert. A mesothelioma specialist can assist those with a experience with asbestos case to understand more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos is the most significant risk factor for mesothelioma. It accounts for as much as 80% of all cases. Exposure to asbestos legal can happen through military service, work or living with someone who used to work with asbestos compensation. When exposed to asbestos, small particles can be inhaled into the lungs and abdomen. These irritate the linings and can cause cancerous cells to develop in the mesothelium. Following exposure to asbestos mesothelioma is likely to develop between 15 and 60 years old.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and the advancing age. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely to develop mesothelioma than those who are younger or older. It takes mesothelioma 20-60 years to manifest cancer symptoms after the first exposure. It is also important to note that mesothelioma may develop in people who were exposed to asbestos but didn't work with it directly. This is referred to as secondary or indirect asbestos exposure, and is as hazardous as direct asbestos exposure.

Smoking increases a person's chances of getting mesothelioma because it damages the mesothelium, which makes it more susceptible to asbestos. Mesothelioma can also be aggravated by certain illnesses, including asbestosis and pneumonia. It is also important to remember that mesothelioma is more prevalent for men than women. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for longer periods of time and to have worked with asbestos for longer periods of time. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who has been exposed to asbestos, and to have asbestos fibers on their clothing. Women are less likely to come into exposure to asbestos attorney case (Going at Smlabtech) and don't typically carry asbestos on their clothes.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is a difficult disease to recognize because the symptoms often resemble other conditions. This could lead to patients being wrongly diagnosed.

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 can also order an X-ray of the chest or CT scan to check for lumps or other abnormalities, as well as evidence of asbestos exposure in the past such as plaques on 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 an echocardiogram, which examines the heart and blood vessels as well as a magnetic resonance imaging, also known as MRI, test, which uses magnets and radio waves to create precise images of the inside of the body. Another way for doctors to detect mesothelioma is to perform an operation called a biopsy. During a surgical biopsy, doctors remove a small amount of tissue from the peritoneum or pleura for further testing. A pathologist can then examine the tissue with a magnifying lens to determine if it is a cancerous cell.

Mesothelioma is classified according to the type of mesothelial cell involved, whether those cells are malignant or benign and the location, type, and stage of the tumor. Certain types of mesothelioma may be more likely to grow or spread and spread, therefore it is essential to get a definite diagnosis so doctors can treat the disease before it becomes out of control.

Doctors may also conduct tests in the laboratory on a tumor to find specific proteins, genes or other elements which can help them identify the characteristics of cancer and plan treatment. These results are referred to as staging.

Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnosis is a frightening prospect. It is important to keep in mind, however, that cancer can be treated, particularly in its early stages. Many patients with mesothelioma endure the disease for a long time, without expanding.

Exposure to asbestos can trigger mesothelioma in many ways. Asbestos fibers, too small to see or feel by the naked eye can become airborne and irritate the lining of the lungs (pleura). Over time irritation can lead to formation of scar tissue which leads to changes in the cell structure that eventually develop into tumors.

The pleura is the area that surrounds the lungs and the heart and also the abdomen. Mesothelium is composed of cells that react to asbestos and cause it to enflame and create scar tissue. These changes eventually result in malignant mesothelioma tumors.

The signs of pleural mesothelioma can include breathlessness, chest pain or the accumulation of fluid on the lung (pleural effusion). In rare instances, cancer can spread into the tissues surrounding the reproductive organs and the heart.

If imaging scans show a possible mass in the stomach or lungs, a doctor will order biopsies. During the procedure, doctors will remove a small sample of the fluid or tumor for lab testing. The results will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and help determine the best treatment option.

There are several types of mesothelioma treatment options, including surgery, chemotherapy and immunotherapy. Most doctors rely on the combination of these methods. Enrolling in clinical trials of new mesothelioma treatment may also be beneficial to patients. Patients can find out more by consulting a mesothelioma expert who has treated the condition.