Mesothelioma and Asbestos

asbestos lawsuit case (Internet Page), a natural mineral, naturally forms in the form of thin, long fibers. People who are exposed to asbestos risk developing lung diseases, such as mesothelioma.

The symptoms of these diseases may not show up for decades after exposure to asbestos. Different asbestos types can cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma is a type of cancer that affects the outer lung liner (pleura). It is the most frequent type of mesothelioma, making up 70% to 79% of all diagnosed cases. People with this condition feel chest pain and shortness of breath and may also feel an ache or heaviness in the chest.

Exposure to asbestos, a family of minerals composed of microscopic fibers, usually causes this kind of cancer. The fibers, when inhaled cause irritation and DNA mutations. Pleura is the lining of both the chest cavity as well as the lungs, so irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma symptoms are usually not apparent until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

Shortness of breath and chest pain are the most frequently reported symptoms. Some patients may also suffer from chest tightness or coughing. They may also experience difficulty breathing. People with this cancer often have an history of exposure to asbestos litigation in the workplace. Manufacturing, construction, and shipbuilding are the most frequent occupations which put people at risk risk of developing pleural mesothelioma. People who have served in the military may be at a higher risk due to the frequent use of asbestos in Navy ships and bunkers used by the army.

The most commonly used staging system for pleural mesothelioma is the TNM (tumor lymph nodes, lymph nodes and metastases) staging system. The stage a patient has upon diagnosis will help their doctor determine the most appropriate treatment plan for them. For instance, patients who have mesothelioma pleural stage three or four have a worse prognosis than those with lower stages. Stage four mesothelioma often spreads to the liver, diaphragm or even the heart of a patient. This makes the cancer more difficult to treat and increase the risk of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

As opposed to pleural mesothelioma that develops in the lung lining, peritoneal mesothelioma is found in the peritoneum, it is a membrane that lines the abdominal cavity and organs like the liver and intestines. Similar to pleural mesothelioma mesothelioma is triggered by asbestos exposure. The disease is much less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma, and around 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.

As with pleural asbestosis, symptoms can take a long time to show. Most patients experience abdominal pain and abdominal swelling. The symptoms of this type of mesothelioma could also include nausea, weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms are similar to those of digestive problems, which can cause misdiagnosis.

Doctors can identify mesothelioma by reviewing the medical history of the patient and performing a physical exam. They can also use imaging tests such as X-rays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to detect mesothelioma. These tests can detect tumors and other signs of cancer which aren't visible on X-rays.

These test results enable doctors to identify mesothelioma, and determine the stage. They can also suggest treatment options. The stage is determined by the kind of cell and if the cancer has spread.

Asbestos exposure is the biggest risk factor. People who have worked in professions that involve asbestos, such as plumbing manufacturing, electrical work, or construction, are at a higher risk of developing the disease. However, even if people do not work in these fields, they can still be exposed to asbestos through family members or other sources. Anyone who believes they may be at risk should consult a doctor. A mesothelioma specialist can assist those who have a previous history of asbestos to find out more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos is the most significant mesothelioma-related risk factor. It is responsible for as much as 80percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos can happen as a result of work, military service or by living with a person who is exposed to asbestos compensation or has previously done so. When exposed to asbestos, particles are able to be inhaled into abdomen and lungs. These particles can cause irritation to the linings and cause cancerous cells to develop in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma can take anywhere between 15 and 60 years to develop after exposure to asbestos.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and the advancing age. People in their 40s or 50s are at greater risk of developing mesothelioma compared to people who are younger or more. It is because mesothelioma generally takes 20 to 60 years after the initial exposure to asbestos before symptoms of cancer begin to manifest. It is also important to know that mesothelioma is a possibility in those who were exposed to asbestos but did not engage directly with it. This is known as indirect or secondary asbestos exposure, and is just as harmful as direct asbestos exposure.

Smoking increases the risk of getting mesothelioma because it damages the mesothelium, which makes it more vulnerable to asbestos. Mesothelioma can also be caused by certain illnesses such as asbestosis and pneumonia. It is also important to remember that mesothelioma is more common in males than females. This is due to the fact that men are more likely to work with asbestos and experience a more exposure than women. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who has worked with asbestos and to have asbestos fibers on their clothing. Women are less likely to be exposed to asbestos, and don't typically carry asbestos on their clothes.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is a difficult disease to recognize because the symptoms can be similar to other conditions. This can result in patients being incorrectly diagnosed.

NYU Langone doctors will perform physical examinations and document the patient's medical background, including asbestos exposure. Doctors can also order a chest X-ray or CT scan to look for lumps or other abnormalities, and also to look for evidence of previous asbestos exposure such as plaques on the pleura (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the formation of fluid between the lung and the chest wall (known as the pleural effusion).

Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance scan, or MRI test, which makes use of magnets and radio waves to create a series of detailed images of the insides of the body. A surgical biopsy is another method doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma. In a surgical biopsy doctors remove a small piece of tissue from the peritoneum or pleura for further analysis. A pathologist then examines the tissue with an magnifying glass to determine whether it contains cancerous cells.

Mesothelioma is classified according to the type of mesothelial cell involved, whether those cells are benign or malignant and also the location of the tumor, its type, and the stage of the cancer. Some types of mesothelioma are more likely to spread or metastasize which is why it is crucial to establish a definitive diagnosis so doctors can treat the disease before it gets out of control.

Doctors may also conduct tests in the lab on tumors to determine specific proteins, genes or other elements that help them understand the characteristics of cancer and plan treatment. These results are known as staging.

Treatment

A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be terrifying. However, it's important to remember that the disease is treatable, especially in its early stages. Many patients with mesothelioma survive for years without the disease spreading to other areas of their body.

Asbestos exposure can cause mesothelioma by a variety of mechanisms. Asbestos fibres, small enough to not be felt or observed by naked eyes, can become airborne and irritate the lung's lining (pleura). As time passes irritation leads to formation of scar tissue, which leads to changes in the structure of cells that can eventually grow into tumors.

The Pleura is a covering that protects the abdomen, heart, and lungs. Mesothelium consists of cells that react when exposed to asbestos. They cause inflammation to the tissue and cause it to become scarred. These changes can cause mesothelioma cancers.

The symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are breathlessness, chest pain or the accumulation of fluid on the lung (pleural effusion). In rare instances the cancer may grow to the tissues surrounding the heart and reproductive organs.

If imaging scans reveal an area of concern in the stomach or lungs the doctor will request biopsies. During the procedure doctors remove a small amount of liquid or tumor for laboratory testing. The results can confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis and provide the best treatment plan.

There are a variety of mesothelioma treatments, including surgery, chemotherapy and immunotherapy. The majority of doctors use a combination of these methods. Patients can also benefit by enrolling in a clinical trial of new mesothelioma therapies. Patients can learn more about the trials by consulting a mesothelioma expert who has treated the condition.