Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that comes in thin, long fibres. People who are exposed to asbestos regularly risk developing mesothelioma and other lung diseases of different types.

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

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer that occurs in the outer lung the lining (pleura). It is the most common mesothelioma that accounts for up 70% to 79% of diagnosed cases. This condition causes chest pain, breath shortness and a feeling heavyness.

Exposure to asbestos, a family of minerals composed of microscopic fibers causes this kind of cancer. The fibers, when inhaled cause irritation and DNA mutations. The pleura surrounds the lungs and chest cavity, so these irritations can affect both the lungs and a person's heart. Mesothelioma is usually not symptomatic until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

Shortness of breath and chest pain are the most common symptoms. Some patients have coughing problems, trouble breathing, or chest tightness. People with this cancer often have a history of exposure to asbestos in the workplace. The most prevalent jobs that expose people to the risk of pleural mesothelioma include construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding. Individuals who have served in the military are at a greater risk due to the widespread use of asbestos law in Navy vessels 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 the patient is in at the time of diagnosis can help determine the treatment plan they should follow. Patients who have pleural mesothelioma which is in stage three or four will have a worse outlook than those who are in a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma may develop into the liver, heart or diaphragm. This can make the cancer more difficult to treat, and increase the chance of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Unlike pleural mesothelioma, which develops in the lung lining, peritoneal mesothelioma is found in the peritoneum -- a membrane that lines the abdominal cavity as well as organs such as the intestines and the liver. Similar to pleural mesothelioma mesothelioma is caused by asbestos exposure. The disease is much less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma, and around 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.

Like pleural mesothelioma, symptoms can take years to show. Patients typically experience abdominal pain, and may have a mass in their abdomen. This kind of mesothelioma can also cause nausea, weight loss and fever. A lot of these symptoms are similar to symptoms of gastrointestinal issues, which can lead to misdiagnosis.

Generally, doctors can find mesothelioma by conducting an exhaustive health history and physical examination. They may also employ imaging tests such as X-rays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to help find mesothelioma. These tests can show tumors, as well as other indications of cancer that aren't apparent on an X-ray.

These test results allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and determine the stage and suggest treatment options. The stage is determined by the type of cell as well as whether the tumor has spread.

The most significant mesothelioma-related risk factor is exposure to asbestos. People who have worked in professions that involve asbestos, such as plumbing, manufacturing, electrical work, or construction, are at increased risk of developing the disease. Even if someone is not employed in one of these fields however, they may be exposed to asbestos through family members or other sources. This is why anyone who believes they could be at risk should speak to a doctor. A mesothelioma specialist can assist those with a previous history of asbestos to find out more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos exposure is the primary mesothelioma risk factor, making up as much as 80 percent of all cases. Exposure to asbestos can happen through work, military service or through living with a person who is exposed to asbestos or has previously done such. Asbestos particles can be breathed in by people who are exposed to asbestos. These particles irritate the linings of the lungs, causing cancerous cells to form in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma can take anywhere between 15 and 60 years to develop following exposure to asbestos.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and age. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely develop mesothelioma than those who are younger or more senior. It takes mesothelioma between 20 and 60 years to manifest cancer symptoms after the first exposure. It is also important to know that mesothelioma may develop in those who were exposed to asbestos case (Highly recommended Site) but didn't work with it directly. This is known as indirect or secondary asbestos exposure. It can be just as harmful as direct asbestos exposure.

Smoking increases a person's chances of developing mesothelioma due to the fact that it damages the mesothelium and makes it more susceptible to asbestos. Mesothelioma can also be caused by certain diseases, such as asbestosis and pneumonia. It is also important to note that mesothelioma is more prevalent in men than women. This is due to men being more likely to be exposed to asbestos and endure a a longer period of exposure than women. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who had been exposed to asbestos, and to carry asbestos fibers on their clothing. Women tend to have less contact with asbestos and don't typically carry asbestos lawsuit around on their clothes.

Diagnosis

It is difficult to recognize mesothelioma because its symptoms are frequently similar to other illnesses. Because of this, victims are sometimes mistakenly diagnosed.

The first step in diagnosing mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform an examination of the body and take down a patient's medical history which includes asbestos exposure. Doctors will also order a CT scan or chest X-ray to check for abnormalities, lumps and evidence of asbestos exposure. 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 as well as a magnetic resonance imaging, also known as MRI, test, which makes use of magnets and radio waves to make a series of precise images of the inside of the body. Another way for doctors to detect mesothelioma is through the procedure of a surgical biopsy. When a biopsy is performed, doctors remove a tiny piece of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum, to be tested further. A pathologist will then look at the tissue under a magnifying glass to determine if it contains cancerous cell.

Mesothelioma can be classified based on the mesothelial type involved, whether those cells are benign or malignant and also the location of the tumor, the type, and the stage of the cancer. Certain types of mesothelioma are more likely to spread or metastasize, so it is important to establish a definitive diagnosis to ensure that doctors are able to treat the disease before it goes out of control.

Doctors may also conduct laboratory tests on tumors in order to determine specific proteins, genes or other factors that can help them describe the characteristics of cancer and plan treatment. These results are referred to as staging.

Treatment

A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be terrifying. But, it is crucial to remember that the disease can be treated, particularly in its initial stages. Many people with mesothelioma live for years with the disease, without spreading to other organs of their body.

asbestos claim exposure can cause mesothelioma by many mechanisms. Asbestos fibers, which are too small to be able to see or feel with the naked eye, can become airborne and cause irritation to the lining of the lungs (pleura). Over time the irritation can lead to the formation of scar tissue that eventually result in tumors.

The Pleura is a covering that covers the abdomen, heart, and lungs. Mesothelium consists of cells that respond when exposed to asbestos. They cause inflammation of the tissue and cause it to scar. As time passes, these changes result in the growth of malignant mesothelioma cancers.

Shortness of breath, chest discomfort or fluid buildup on the lungs are all indications of the pleural Msothelioma. In rare cases, the cancer can grow to the tissues surrounding the heart and reproductive organs.

A doctor may request a biopsy if imaging scans show a potential tumor in the lungs or stomach. During the procedure, doctors will remove tiny amounts of fluid or tumor for laboratory analysis. The results can confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis and determine the most effective treatment plan.

There are many types of treatment for mesothelioma, including chemotherapy and surgery. Most doctors utilize the combination of these treatments. Participating in clinical trials for new mesothelioma treatment may also be beneficial to patients. Patients can learn more by consulting a mesothelioma specialist who has treated the condition.