Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos is a natural mineral that is found in long, thin fibres. People who are exposed to asbestos may develop lung diseases, such as mesothelioma.

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

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma, a form of cancer, that affects the outer lung lining (pleura). It is the most frequent form of mesothelioma and is responsible for 70 to 79% all diagnosed cases. Patients with this disease experience pain in the chest and shortness of breath and may also feel a sensation of heaviness in the chest.

Exposure to asbestos, a group of minerals comprised of microscopic fibers causes this kind of cancer. When inhaled, these fibers are absorbed into the lungs and cause irritation that causes scarring and DNA mutations. The pleura covers the lungs and chest cavity and therefore, these irritations could affect both the lungs and the heart of a person. Mesothelioma is usually not symptomatic until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

Chest pain and shortness breath are the most frequently reported symptoms. Patients may have coughing problems, trouble breathing, or chest tightness. Patients with this cancer have a history that includes asbestos litigation exposure at work. The most frequent jobs that put people at risk of developing pleural cancer are construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding. People who were in the military are at greater risk due the extensive use 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 for the pleural adenocarcinoma. The stage a patient is in when they are diagnosed will help their doctor determine the most appropriate treatment plan for them. Patients suffering from pleural mesothelioma who is in stage three or stage four will have a worse outlook than those who are in a less advanced stage. Mesothelioma in stage four can be spread to the heart, liver or diaphragm. This makes the cancer more difficult to treat, and increase the chances of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

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

Like pleural mesothelioma, symptoms can take years to show. Typically, patients are afflicted with abdominal pain as well as abdominal swelling. The symptoms of this type of mesothelioma can also include nausea or weight loss, as well as fever. Many of these symptoms can be mistaken for gastrointestinal problems, leading to a false diagnosis.

The doctors can detect mesothelioma through reviewing the medical history of the patient and conducting a physical exam. Imaging tests such as X-rays or CT scans can be used to detect mesothelioma. These tests can reveal tumors and other signs of cancer that are not visible on X-rays.

These test results enable doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and establish the stage. They can also suggest treatments. The stage is determined by the type of cell as well as whether the cancer has spread.

asbestos (click through the up coming page) exposure is the biggest risk factor. People who have been in occupations that involve asbestos, such as plumbing or manufacturing, electrical work, or construction, are at greater risk of developing the disease. Even if a person does not work in one of these areas they could be exposed to asbestos through family members or other sources. Anyone who believes they may be at risk should consult an expert. A mesothelioma specialist can assist those who have had a experience with asbestos to understand more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos is the primary mesothelioma-related risk factor. It accounts for as much as 80percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos can occur due to work, military service or by living with someone who is exposed to asbestos compensation 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 develop in the mesothelium. Following exposure to asbestos mesothelioma can occur 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 be diagnosed with mesothelioma compared to those who are younger or older. Mesothelioma can take between 20 and 60 years to show signs of cancer after the first exposure. It is important to remember, too, that mesothelioma may occur in people who have been exposed to asbestos, but without having worked with it directly. This is referred to as secondary or indirect exposure to asbestos, and it can be just as dangerous as direct exposure.

Smoking increases the chance of mesothelioma because it damages the mesothelium. It also makes it more susceptible. Additionally, mesothelioma can be caused by certain illnesses, such as pneumonia and asbestosis. It is also important to remember that mesothelioma occurs more frequently in males than females. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for longer periods of time and to have worked with it. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who worked with asbestos, and to have asbestos fibers on their clothing. Women are less likely to come in contact with asbestos, and don't typically bring asbestos home on their clothing.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is a difficult cancer to recognize because the symptoms are often similar to other conditions. This can lead to victims being wrongly diagnosed.

The first step in identifying 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 request an X-ray of the chest or CT scan to look for lumps or other abnormalities, and also to look for evidence of past asbestos lawsuit exposure like plaques in the pleura (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the accumulation of fluid between the lung and the chest wall (known as pleural effusion).

Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI test, that uses magnets and radio waves in order to produce a series of precise images of the insides of the body. A surgical biopsy is another way for doctors to diagnose mesothelioma. In a surgical biopsy doctors take a small amount of tissue from the pleura or peritoneum for further analysis. A pathologist can examine the tissue with microscopes to determine whether it contains cancerous cells.

The type of mesothelial cells involved as well as the benign or malignant nature of those cells and the location, type and stage of the tumour, are used to categorize the disease. Certain mesothelioma types have a higher risk of spreading or metastasizing and it's crucial to determine the type of mesothelioma so that doctors can treat it before it gets out-of-control.

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

Treatment

A diagnosis of mesothelioma may be frightening. It is crucial to remember that cancer can be treated especially at its early stages. Many people with mesothelioma can live with the disease for a long time without spreading.

Exposure to asbestos can trigger mesothelioma in many ways. asbestos litigation particles, which are too small to be able to see or feel through the naked eye, can be airborne and cause irritation to the lung's lining (pleura). In time, the irritation causes the formation of scar tissue, which causes changes in the cell structure that can eventually grow into tumors.

The pleura is the area that surrounds the heart and lungs and also the abdomen. Mesothelium is made up of cells that react to exposure to asbestos which causes it to become inflamed and develop scar tissue. In time, these changes can result in the growth of malignant mesothelioma tumors.

The symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are shortness of breath and chest pain as well as an accumulation of fluid in the lungs (pleural effusion). In rare cases cancer may spread to the tissues surrounding the reproductive organs and heart.

A doctor may request biopsy if imaging scans show the possibility of a tumor in the lungs or stomach. During the procedure, doctors remove small amounts of the fluid or tumor for lab tests. The results will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma, and also determine the best treatment plan.

There are many types of treatment for mesothelioma including surgery and chemotherapy. The majority of doctors employ a combination of these treatments. Patients could also benefit from enrolling in a clinical trial of new mesothelioma treatments. To learn more about the trials, patients should consult mesothelioma specialists who have experience treating the condition.