Mesothelioma and Asbestos

asbestos case [More methods] is a mineral that naturally forms in the form of long, thin fibers. Workers who are exposed asbestos on a regular basis are at risk of developing mesothelioma or other lung diseases.

The symptoms of these diseases may not be evident for a long time after exposure to asbestos. Different asbestos lawyer types can cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer of the lung's outer lining, or the pleura. It is the most prevalent mesothelioma that accounts for up 70% to 79% of all diagnosed cases. The condition can cause chest pain, breath shortness and a feeling weightiness.

Exposure to asbestos, a class of minerals comprised of microscopic fibers causes this type of cancer. These fibers, when inhaled, cause irritation and DNA mutations. The pleura surrounds the chest cavity and lungs and therefore, these irritations could affect both the lungs and a person's heart. Mesothelioma is usually not symptomatic until 30 to 50 year after exposure.

The most frequent symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are chest pain and breath shortness. Patients may also experience difficulty breathing or chest tightness. People with this cancer have a past that includes asbestos exposure at work. Manufacturing, construction and shipbuilding are among the most common jobs that put people at a high risk of developing pleural mesothelioma. People who have worked in the military are at a higher risk because of the extensive use of asbestos in Navy ships and bunkers for the army.

The most common staging method for pleural mesothelioma is the TNM (tumor lymph nodes, lymph nodes, and metastases) staging system. The stage a patient is in at diagnosis will aid their doctor in determining the best treatment plan for them. For instance, patients suffering from a pleural mesothelioma in stage three or four have a poorer prognosis than those with a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma may be spread to the liver, heart, or diaphragm. This can make the cancer more difficult to treat, and increase the chances of complications for patients.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Unlike pleural cancer, that develops in the lung's lining, peritoneal cancer develops in a membrane that surrounds the abdominal cavity, including organs such as the intestines and the liver. Similar to pleural mesothelioma and peritoneal mesothelioma can be caused by asbestos lawsuit exposure. The disease is much less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma, with around 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.

Like pleural mesothelioma, the symptoms may take years to appear. Most patients are afflicted with abdominal pain as well as a mass in the abdomen. The symptoms of this kind of mesothelioma can also include nausea, weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms are similar to those of gastrointestinal issues, which can result in misdiagnosis.

Doctors can identify mesothelioma by examining the patient's medical history and performing a physical examination. Imaging tests such as X-rays or CT scans can be used to identify mesothelioma. These tests can detect tumors as well as other signs of cancer that are not visible on X-rays.

These tests enable doctors to diagnose mesothelioma, identify the stage and suggest treatment options. The staging is determined by the type of cell and whether or the tumor has spread to other areas of the body.

Asbestos exposure is the biggest risk factor. People who have been in occupations that require asbestos, like plumbing electrical work, manufacturing or construction, are at a higher risk of developing the disease. Even if a person is not employed in one of these areas, he or she can still be exposed through family members and other sources. For this reason, anyone who believes they could be at risk should talk to an experienced doctor. If they have a history of asbestos exposure and mesothelioma is a concern, a specialist will assist them in learning more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos exposure is the main risk factor for mesothelioma accounting for up to 80 percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos can occur due to military service, work or living with people who have worked with asbestos. When exposed to asbestos, the particles can be breathed into the abdomen and lungs. The particles cause irritation to the linings, causing cancerous cells to form in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma can take between 15 and 60 years to develop after exposure to asbestos.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and the advancing age. The people in their 40s or 50s are at a higher chance of developing mesothelioma to those younger or older. Mesothelioma can take between 20 and 60 years to manifest cancer symptoms after the first exposure. It is important to remember that mesothelioma can be present in people who have been exposed to asbestos, but without having directly worked with it. This is referred to as indirect or secondary asbestos exposure. It can be as dangerous as direct asbestos exposure.

Smoking increases the chance of mesothelioma developing, because it damages the mesothelium. It can also make it more vulnerable. Mesothelioma can also be aggravated by certain illnesses, including asbestosis and pneumonia. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma compared to women. This is due to the fact that men are more likely to work with asbestos and have an extended period of exposure than women. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who has been exposed to asbestos, and to have asbestos fibers on their clothing. Women are less likely to come exposed to asbestos settlement and they don't usually bring asbestos home on their clothes.

Diagnosis

It is difficult to identify mesothelioma because its symptoms are often similar to other diseases. Due to this, patients are often misdiagnosed.

The first step in identifying mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform an examination and write notes on the medical history of a patient, including asbestos exposure. Doctors can also order a chest X-ray or CT scan to detect lumps and other abnormalities, as well as evidence of asbestos lawsuit exposure in the past such as pleural plaques (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 image or MRI test, which uses radio waves and magnets to produce a series of precise images of the inside of the body. Another method doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma is through an operation called a biopsy. In a surgical biopsy, doctors remove a tiny piece of tissue from pleura or the peritoneum to be further examined. A pathologist can then examine the tissue under a magnifying glass to determine whether it contains cancerous cells.

Mesothelioma is classified based on the mesothelial type involved, whether the cells are benign or malignant and the location of the tumor, its type, and the stage of the tumor. Certain types of mesothelioma are at greater chance of metastasizing or spreading and it's crucial to get a definitive diagnosis to ensure that the doctors can treat it prior to it becoming out of control.

Doctors may also conduct tests in the lab on tumors to determine specific proteins, genes and other factors which can help them identify the characteristics of the cancer and determine a treatment. These results are known as staging.

Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnose can be frightening. It is crucial to remember, however, that cancer can be treated, particularly in its initial stages. Many patients with mesothelioma be afflicted for many years without it spreading.

Exposure to asbestos may cause mesothelioma in many ways. Asbestos fibers that are tiny enough to be felt or seen with the naked eyes are able to become airborne, irritating the lung's lining (pleura). In time the irritation causes the formation of scar tissues, which eventually lead to tumors.

The pleura surrounds the heart and lungs, as well as the abdomen. Mesothelium consists of cells that react to asbestos, causing it to inflame and develop scar tissue. As time passes, these changes lead to the development of malignant mesothelioma tumors.

The symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are breathlessness and chest pain as well as an accumulation of fluid on the lung (pleural effusion). In rare cases, cancer can spread into the tissues surrounding the reproductive organs and the heart.

If imaging scans show a possible mass in the lungs or stomach, a doctor will order biopsies. The procedure involves the removal of small amounts of fluid or tumor to allow for laboratory testing. The results can confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma, and also determine the best treatment plan.

There are a variety of mesothelioma treatment options, which include chemotherapy, surgery, and immunotherapy. The majority of doctors employ a combination of these treatments. Patients could also benefit from enrolling in a clinical trial of new mesothelioma treatment. Patients can learn more by consulting a mesothelioma specialist who has treated the disease.