Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that is made up of thin, long fibres. Workers who are regularly exposed to asbestos compensation are at risk of developing lung diseases like mesothelioma.

It may take decades before symptoms begin to manifest after exposure to asbestos. Different types of asbestos may cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma occurs in the lung's outer lining also known as pleura. It is the most prevalent form of mesothelioma and is responsible for 70 to 79% of diagnosed cases. This condition causes chest pain, shortness of breathe, and a feeling of heaviness.

This kind of cancer is typically caused through exposure to asbestos, which is a collection of minerals that are composed of microscopic fibers. These fibers, when inhaled can cause irritation and DNA mutations. The pleura is the area that surrounds the chest cavity and lungs This means that these irritations can affect both the lungs and the heart of a person. Mesothelioma symptoms typically don't show until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

Shortness of breath and chest pain are the most frequent symptoms. Some patients have coughing problems, trouble breathing or chest tightness. Patients with this type of cancer have a history of disease that includes asbestos exposure at work. The most common jobs that expose people to the risk of pleural mesothelioma include construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding. People who were in the military are at a greater risk due to 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 for the pleural adenocarcinoma. The stage that a patient is in at the time of diagnosis will help determine the treatment plan they should receive. For example, patients with mesothelioma pleural stage three or four have a poorer prognosis than those with a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma can develop into the heart, liver or diaphragm. This can make it more difficult to treat and raises the chance 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 as well as organs like the intestines and the liver. Similar to pleural mesothelioma, asbestos exposure is the cause of peritoneal mesothelioma. The disease is less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma, with around 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.

As with pleural asbestosis symptoms can take a long time to manifest. Typically, patients suffer from abdominal pain and an abdominal mass. The symptoms of this kind of mesothelioma may also include nausea as well as weight loss and fever. A lot of these symptoms are similar to those experienced by digestive problems, which can cause confusion in diagnosis.

Doctors can identify mesothelioma by reviewing the medical history of the patient and conducting a physical exam. Imaging tests like X-rays and CT scans are a way to detect mesothelioma. These tests can reveal tumors as well as other signs of cancer that aren't visible on X-rays.

The results of these tests allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma, determine the stage of the disease and suggest treatment options. The stage is determined by the type of cell and whether the cancer has spread.

The most significant mesothelioma-related risk factor is asbestos exposure. People who have been exposed to asbestos in jobs, such as plumbing or electrical work, or in manufacturing and construction are more likely to contract the disease. However, even if individuals aren't employed in these areas they could be exposed to asbestos through family members or through other sources. Anyone who thinks they are at risk should talk to an expert. A mesothelioma expert can help those with a experience with asbestos (Full Content) to understand more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos exposure is the primary risk factor for mesothelioma, which accounts for as much as 80 percent of all cases. Exposure to asbestos may occur as a result of work, military service or by living with someone who is exposed to asbestos or was previously exposed to doing so. When exposed to asbestos law, particles are able to be inhaled into lungs and abdomen. These particles can cause irritation to the linings and cause cancerous cells to develop in the mesothelium. After asbestos exposure mesothelioma is likely to occur between 15 and 60 years old.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and the advancing age. People in their 40s and 50s are at greater risk of developing mesothelioma compared to those younger or older. This is because mesothelioma typically occurs between 20 and 60 years after the initial time of exposure before the first signs of cancer appear. It is important to keep in mind, too, that mesothelioma can be present in people who have been exposed to asbestos without having worked with it directly. This is known as indirect or secondary asbestos exposure and can be just as harmful as direct asbestos exposure.

Smoking increases the risk of mesothelioma, because it damages the mesothelium. It can also make it more vulnerable. Furthermore, mesothelioma is worsened by certain diseases like pneumonia and asbestosis. It is also important to note that mesothelioma is more prevalent in men than women. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for a longer period of time and to have worked with asbestos for longer durations and to work with it. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who had been exposed to asbestos, and to have asbestos-containing fibers on their clothing. Women tend to be less exposed to asbestos, and they don't usually carry asbestos on their clothing.

Diagnosis

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

The first step in diagnosing mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform an examination and write notes on the medical history of a patient which includes asbestos lawyer exposure. Doctors can also request a chest X-ray or CT scan to check for lumps and other abnormalities, as well as evidence of previous asbestos exposure like plaques in the pleura (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the formation of fluid between the lung and chest wall (known as pleural effusion).

Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram, which examines the blood vessels and the heart as well as a magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI, test, which uses radio waves and magnets to create detailed images of the inside of the body. A surgical biopsy is another method doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma. In a surgical biopsy doctors remove a small amount of tissue from the pleura or peritoneum to conduct further tests. A pathologist is then able to examine the tissue with microscopes to determine if it is contaminated with cancerous cells.

The type of mesothelial cell involved and the benign or malignant nature of these cells, as well as the location, type and stage of the cancer are used to classify the disease. Certain types of mesothelioma are more likely to grow or spread, so it is important to have a clear diagnosis so doctors can treat the disease before it goes out of control.

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

Treatment

A diagnosis of mesothelioma may be frightening. It is important to keep in mind that cancer can be treated, especially at its early stages. Many patients with mesothelioma survive for years without the disease spreading to other parts of their body.

Exposure to asbestos claim can cause mesothelioma through a variety of mechanisms. Asbestos fibers, which are too small to be able to see or feel with the naked eye, can become airborne and irritate the lung's lining (pleura). In time the irritation causes the formation of scar tissues that eventually result in tumors.

The pleura is the area that surrounds the heart and lungs and also the abdomen. Mesothelium consists of cells that react to exposure to asbestos claim and cause it to enflame and develop scar tissue. In time, these changes can cause the development of malignant mesothelioma tumors.

The symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are shortness of breath and chest pain, or an accumulation of fluid on the lung (pleural effusion). In rare instances cancer may spread to the tissues around the reproductive organs as well as the heart.

If imaging scans reveal a possible mass in the lungs or stomach doctors will recommend a biopsies. In the course of the procedure, doctors remove some of the liquid or tumor for tests in the laboratory. The results can confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and help determine the best treatment plan.

There are several types of mesothelioma treatment options, including chemotherapy, surgery and immunotherapy. The majority of doctors use a combination of these methods. Patients could also benefit from taking part in a clinical trial of new mesothelioma treatment. Patients can learn more about the trials by consulting a mesothelioma specialist who has treated the condition.