Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos is a mineral that occurs naturally in the form of long, thin fibers. People who are regularly exposed to asbestos are at risk of developing lung diseases like mesothelioma.

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

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer of the lung's outer lining or the pleura. It is the most frequent mesothelioma form and is responsible for 70 to 79% of diagnosed cases. Patients with this disease feel chest pain and shortness of breath and may also feel a sensation of heaviness in the chest.

Exposure to asbestos, a family of minerals made of microscopic fibers, typically causes this kind of cancer. Once inhaled, the fibers cling to the lungs and cause irritation that results in scarring and DNA mutations. Pleura is the lining of both the chest cavity and the lungs, which means that irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma is usually not symptomatic until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

The most frequent symptoms of pleural melanoma are chest pain and breath shortness. Patients may also experience difficulty breathing or chest tightness. People who suffer from this cancer usually have previous exposure to asbestos in the workplace. Manufacturing, construction and shipbuilding are the most common jobs which put people at risk chance of developing pleural mesothelioma. People who served in the military are at greater risk due the widespread use of asbestos in Navy vessels and bunkers in the Army.

The TNM (tumors, lymph nodes, and metastases staging system) is the most common staging system used to treat the pleural adenocarcinoma. The stage a patient has when they are diagnosed will help their doctor determine the most effective treatment plan for them. Patients suffering from pleural mesothelioma who is in stage three or four will have a worse prognosis compared to those in a less advanced stage. Stage four mesothelioma often spreads to the diaphragm, liver or even the heart of a patient. This makes the cancer more difficult to treat, and increase the chance of complications for patients.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Unlike pleural cancer, that develops in the lining of the lung, peritoneal cancer develops in a membrane that surrounds the abdominal cavity, including organs such as the liver and intestines. Like pleural mesothelioma, peritoneal mesothelioma can be caused by asbestos exposure. The disease is much less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma, and only about 300-500 cases diagnosed each year.

As with pleural asbestosis, symptoms can take years to show. The majority of patients suffer from abdominal pain and abdominal swelling. This type of mesothelioma may cause nausea, weight loss, and fever. Many of these symptoms can be misinterpreted as digestive issues which can lead to a misdiagnosis.

Generally speaking, doctors can detect mesothelioma after an extensive health history and physical examination. Imaging tests like X-rays or CT scans are a way to identify mesothelioma. These tests can reveal tumors and other signs of cancer that aren't visible on X-rays.

These tests enable doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and establish the stage. They also offer treatments. The stage is determined by the type of cell as well as whether the tumor has spread.

The most important mesothelioma-related risk factor is exposure to richfield asbestos attorney. People who have worked in professions that involve asbestos, such as plumbing or manufacturing, electrical work or construction, are at increased risk of developing the disease. Even if a person is not employed in one of these areas, he or she can be exposed to asbestos through family members or other sources. This is why anyone who suspects they may be at risk should speak to an experienced doctor. A mesothelioma expert can help those with a previous history of asbestos to find out more about their risk.

Risk Factors

sebring asbestos attorney exposure is the primary mesothelioma risk factor, accounting for up to 80 percent of all cases. Exposure to asbestos can occur as a result of military service, work, or living with people who have worked with asbestos. When exposed to asbestos, particles are able to be inhaled into lungs and abdomen. These irritate the linings and can cause cancerous cells to grow in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma can take between 15 and 60 years to develop after exposure to asbestos.

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

Smoking increases the risk of mesothelioma, because it damages the mesothelium. It also makes it more prone to. Additionally, mesothelioma can be worsened by certain diseases like asbestosis and pneumonia. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than women. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for a longer period of time and to work with asbestos for longer durations and to work with it. Additionally, men are more likely to live with someone who was exposed to asbestos and bring asbestos fibers from their workplace on their clothes. Women are less likely to be exposed to asbestos and they don't usually bring asbestos home on their clothing.

Diagnosis

It is difficult to diagnose mesothelioma since its symptoms are often similar to other conditions. Due to this, patients are often mistakenly diagnosed.

NYU Langone doctors will perform physical examinations and document the patient's medical background, including asbestos exposure. Doctors will also order an CT scan or chest X-ray in order to look 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 an echocardiogram which examines the blood vessels and the heart, and a magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI, test, which makes use of magnets and radio waves to create precise images of the inside of the body. Another way for doctors to detect mesothelioma is by performing the procedure of a surgical biopsy. During a surgical biopsy, doctors take a small amount of tissue from the pleura or peritoneum for further analysis. A pathologist can then look at the tissue under a microscope to see if it has cancerous cells.

The type of mesothelial cell involved and the benign or malignant nature of the cells, as well as the location and stage of the tumor, are used to categorize the disease. Some types of mesothelioma are more likely to develop metastasis or spread and spread, therefore it is essential to have a clear diagnosis so that doctors can treat the disease before it gets out of control.

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

Treatment

A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be a frightening prospect. It is important to keep in mind, however, that cancer can be treated particularly in its initial stages. Many mesothelioma patients live for years without the disease spreading to other parts of their body.

Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma by many mechanisms. Asbestos fibres, small enough to not be felt or seen by naked eyes can be airborne and irritate the lining of the lung (pleura). In time the irritation causes the formation of scar tissue, which eventually lead to tumors.

The pleura covers the lungs and heart, as well as the abdomen. Mesothelium consists of cells that respond when exposed to asbestos. They cause inflammation of the tissue and cause it to scar. In time, these changes can result in the growth of malignant mesothelioma tumors.

The symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are shortness of breath, chest pain or the accumulation of fluid in the lungs (pleural effusion). In rare instances, the cancer can be spread to the tissues around the heart and reproductive organs.

If imaging scans reveal an underlying mass in the stomach or lungs, a doctor will order biopsies. During the procedure, doctors remove tiny amounts of fluid or tumor for lab tests. The results will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and determine the most effective treatment plan.

There are a variety of mesothelioma treatment, including chemotherapy, surgery and immunotherapy. Most doctors rely on a combination of these methods. Patients can also benefit by taking part in a clinical trial of new mesothelioma treatments. Patients can learn more by consulting a mesothelioma specialist who has treated the disease.