Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos is a natural mineral that is made up of long, thin fibres. Workers who are exposed asbestos regularly risk developing mesothelioma and other types of lung diseases.

It can take years before symptoms begin to manifest after exposure to asbestos. Different asbestos attorney types may cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer of the lung's outer lining, or pleura. It is the most frequent type of mesothelioma, making up 70% to 79% of diagnosed cases. Patients suffering from this condition suffer from chest pain and breathlessness, and they may feel an ache or heaviness in the chest.

This kind of cancer is often caused through exposure to asbestos, which is a grouping of minerals that are made up of microscopic fibres. When inhaled, these fibers stick inside the lung and cause irritation that causes scarring and DNA mutations. The pleura surrounds the chest cavity and lungs This means that these irritations can affect both the lungs as well as the heart of a person. Mesothelioma usually doesn't show symptoms until 30 to 50 year after exposure.

The most commonly reported symptoms of pleural melanoma are chest pain and shortness of breath. Patients may also feel tightness in their chest, coughing or difficulty breathing. Patients with this type of cancer typically have a history of exposure to asbestos in the workplace. Construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding are among the most prevalent occupations that put people at a high risk of developing pleural mesothelioma. Individuals who have served in the military are at greater risk due the widespread use of asbestos in Navy vessels and Army bunkers.

The most commonly used staging system for pleural mesothelioma is the TNM (tumor lymph nodes, lymph nodes and metastases) staging system. The stage that a patient is in at the time of diagnosis can help determine what treatment plan they should follow. Patients suffering from pleural mesothelioma who is in stage three or four will suffer a more negative outlook than those who are in a lower stage. Mesothelioma in stage four is usually spread to the diaphragm, liver or even a person's heart. This could 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 develops in the peritoneum -- 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 exposure. The disease is less common than pleural mesothelioma, and around 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.

As with pleural asbestosis symptoms can take a long time to manifest. Most patients suffer from abdominal pain and an abdominal mass. This kind of mesothelioma can also cause nausea, weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms are similar to those experienced by digestive problems, which can result in incorrect diagnosis.

The doctors can detect mesothelioma through looking over the medical history of the patient and performing a physical exam. Imaging tests like X-rays and CT scans are a way to identify mesothelioma. These tests can detect tumors and other cancer signs that aren't visible on X-rays.

The results of these tests allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma, identify the stage of the disease and suggest treatment options. Staging is determined based on the type of cell and whether or whether the tumor has spread to other areas of the body.

The most important mesothelioma-related risk factor is exposure to asbestos. People who have worked in asbestos-related occupations, like electrical or plumbing work, or in construction and manufacturing are more likely to develop the disease. Even if someone isn't employed in one of these areas however, they may be exposed to asbestos through family members or other sources. Therefore, anyone who suspects they may be at risk should talk to an expert. A mesothelioma specialist can help those with a experience with asbestos to understand more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos exposure is a major risk factor for mesothelioma accounting for up to 80 percent of all cases. Exposure to asbestos may occur through work, military service or by living with someone who works with asbestos or used to do so. Asbestos particles can be breathed in by those who are exposed to asbestos. These particles can cause irritation to the linings, causing cancerous cells to form in the mesothelium. After asbestos exposure mesothelioma is likely to develop between 15 and 60 years old.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and age. People in their 40s and 50s are at greater risk of developing mesothelioma compared to people who are younger or more. It takes mesothelioma 20-60 years to show signs of cancer after the first exposure. It is important to remember, too, that mesothelioma can occur in people who have been exposed to asbestos without having been directly exposed to it. This is known as indirect or secondary asbestos exposure. It can be as dangerous as direct asbestos exposure.

Smoking increases the chance of mesothelioma since it damages mesothelium. It can also make it more vulnerable. Additionally, mesothelioma can be exacerbated by certain illnesses like asbestosis and pneumonia. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than women. 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 had worked with asbestos, and to have asbestos fibers on their clothing. Women tend to have less exposure to asbestos legal and rarely carry asbestos on their clothing.

Diagnosis

It is difficult to recognize mesothelioma due to its symptoms being frequently similar to other illnesses. Due to this, patients are sometimes wrongly diagnosed.

The first step to diagnose mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform an examination of the body and take down a patient's medical history, including asbestos exposure. Doctors may also order a chest X-ray or CT scan to detect lumps or other abnormalities, as well as evidence of asbestos exposure in the past like pleural plaques (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the accumulation of fluid between the lung and chest wall (known as pleural effusion).

Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram which examines the heart and blood vessels and magnetic resonance imaging, also known as MRI test, which uses radio waves and magnets to make a series of precise images of the inside of the body. A surgical biopsy is yet another method doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma. In a surgical biopsy, doctors remove a tiny part of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum to be tested further. A pathologist is then able to examine the tissue with microscopes to determine whether it has cancerous cells.

The type of mesothelial cells involved as well as the benign or malignant nature of these cells as well as the location and stage of the cancer are used to classify the disease. Certain types of mesothelioma are at greater risk of spreading or metastasizing therefore it is essential to establish a clear diagnosis so that doctors can treat it prior to it becoming out-of-control.

Doctors can also perform tests in the lab on tumors in order to determine specific proteins, genes, or other factors which will help them identify cancer characteristics and plan treatment. These results are known as staging.

Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnose can be frightening. However, it is important to remember that the cancer is treatable, especially in its earlier stages. Many patients with mesothelioma survive for many years without the disease spreading to other organs of their body.

Exposure to asbestos can trigger mesothelioma through a variety of ways. Asbestos fibers, which are too small to detect or feel through the naked eye, can be airborne and cause irritation to the lining of the lungs (pleura). Over time the irritation can lead to the formation of scar tissues and eventually tumors.

The pleura surrounds the heart and lungs, as well as the abdomen. Mesothelium consists of cells that react to asbestos case, Read Webpage,, causing it to inflame and form scar tissue. In time, these changes can result in the growth of malignant mesothelioma tumors.

A shortness of breath, chest pain or fluid accumulation on the lungs are all indications of pleural Msothelioma. In rare cases the cancer may grow to the tissues surrounding the heart and reproductive organs.

If scans of imaging reveal a possible mass in the stomach or lungs doctors will recommend a biopsies. In the course of the procedure, doctors remove a small amount of fluid or tumor for tests in the laboratory. The results will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and determine the most effective treatment plan.

There are a variety of treatment for mesothelioma including chemotherapy and surgery. Most doctors utilize a combination of these methods. Enrolling in clinical trials of new mesothelioma treatment may also be beneficial to patients. To find out more, patients should consult mesothelioma experts who have had experience treating the disease.