Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos is a mineral that naturally forms in the form of long, thin fibers. Workers who are regularly exposed to asbestos may develop lung diseases, such as mesothelioma.

It can take years for symptoms to show up after asbestos exposure. Different asbestos types may cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma can be found in the lung's outer lining, or the pleura. It is the most common mesothelioma type and accounts for 70% to 79% all diagnosed cases. People with this condition experience pain in the chest and breath shortness, and they may feel an ache or heaviness in the chest.

Exposure to asbestos, a class of minerals made of microscopic fibers causes this kind of cancer. The fibers, when inhaled, cause irritation and DNA mutations. The pleura surrounds the lungs and chest cavity This means that these irritations can affect both the lungs as well as the heart of a person. Mesothelioma typically doesn't manifest until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

Shortness of breath and chest pain are the most frequently reported symptoms. Some patients also experience coughing, difficulty breathing, or chest tightness. Patients with this cancer have a history that includes asbestos exposure at work. Construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding are the most frequent jobs that put people at high chance of developing pleural mesothelioma. People who have worked in the military are at an especially high risk due to the widespread use of asbestos in Navy vessels and bunkers for the army.

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 at at diagnosis will help their doctor determine the most effective treatment plan for them. Patients who have pleural mesothelioma which is in stage three or stage four will have a less favorable outlook than those who are in a less advanced stage. Mesothelioma in stage four is usually spread to the diaphragm, the liver or even the heart of a patient. This can make it more difficult to treat and increase the chance of complications for patients.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

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

Like pleural mesothelioma, symptoms may take years to appear. Patients usually have abdominal pain, and may also have a lump in their abdomen. This type of mesothelioma may cause nausea, weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms can be misinterpreted as digestive issues, leading to a false diagnosis.

Doctors can identify mesothelioma by reviewing the medical history of the patient and conducting a physical exam. They can also use imaging tests such as X-rays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to detect mesothelioma. These tests can show cancerous tumors or 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. Staging is determined based on the type of cells and whether or not the cancer has spread to other parts of the body.

Asbestos exposure is the biggest risk factor. People who have been in occupations which require asbestos, like plumbing or manufacturing, electrical work, or construction, are at a higher risk of developing the disease. However, even if individuals aren't employed in these fields they may be exposed to asbestos through relatives or other sources. Anyone who thinks 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 the main mesothelioma risk factor, which accounts for as much as 80 percent of all cases. Exposure to asbestos can occur through work, military service or by living with a person who works with asbestos or has previously done the same. Asbestos particles can be breathed in by those who are exposed to asbestos. The particles cause irritation to the linings, causing cancerous cells to grow in the mesothelium. After asbestos exposure mesothelioma is likely to be diagnosed between 15 and 60 years.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and Broken Arrow aging. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely be diagnosed with mesothelioma compared to those who are younger or older. This is because mesothelioma typically occurs between 20 and 60 years after the initial time of exposure before cancer symptoms appear. It is important to note that mesothelioma can be present in people who have been exposed to asbestos, but without having been directly exposed to it. This is called indirect or secondary exposure to asbestos, and it is just as harmful as direct exposure.

Smoking can increase the likelihood of getting mesothelioma because it damages the mesothelium, which makes it more prone to asbestos. Furthermore, mesothelioma is worsened by certain diseases like pneumonia and asbestosis. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma compared to 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 periods of time. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who had worked with asbestos and to have asbestos-containing fibers on their clothing. Women tend to have less contact with asbestos and rarely carry asbestos around on their clothing.

Diagnosis

It is difficult to recognize henderson mesothelioma attorney because its symptoms are often similar to other diseases. Because of this, victims are sometimes mistakenly diagnosed.

The first step in identifying mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform a physical exam and take notes on the medical history of a patient, including asbestos exposure. Doctors can also request a chest X-ray or CT scan to check for lumps and other abnormalities and also to look for evidence of asbestos exposure in the past such as pleural plaques (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the buildup of fluid between the lung and the chest wall (known as the pleural effusion).

Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram, which examines the blood vessels and the heart and magnetic resonance imaging, also known as MRI test that uses magnets and radio waves to create detailed images of the interior of the body. Another way doctors can diagnose mesothelioma is by performing an operation called a biopsy. A surgical biopsy is when doctors remove a small amount of tissue from the pleura or peritoneum for further analysis. A pathologist is then able to examine the tissue with a microscope to see if it is contaminated with cancerous cells.

Mesothelioma is classified according to the type of mesothelial cell involved, whether those cells are malignant or benign, and the location, type, and stage of the tumor. Certain mesothelioma types have a higher chance of metastasizing or spreading therefore it is essential to determine the type of mesothelioma so doctors can treat it before it gets out of control.

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

Treatment

A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be a frightening prospect. However, it is important to remember that the disease is treatable, particularly in its initial stages. Many mesothelioma patients live for a long time with the disease, without spreading to other areas of their body.

Asbestos exposure can cause mesothelioma by various mechanisms. Asbestos fibers, which are too small to be felt or seen by naked eyes, can become airborne and irritate the lung's lining (pleura). As time passes irritation can lead to formation of scar tissue which causes changes in the cell structure which eventually lead to tumors.

The Pleura is a covering that covers the lungs, heart and abdomen. Mesothelium consists of cells that react when exposed to asbestos. They cause inflammation to the tissue and cause it to scar. These changes can eventually cause mesothelioma cancers.

The symptoms of pleural mesothelioma attorneys are breathlessness and chest pain, or the accumulation of fluid on the lung (pleural effusion). In rare instances, the cancer can grow to the tissues surrounding the heart and reproductive organs.

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

There are many types of mesothelioma treatments, including surgery, chemotherapy and immunotherapy. The majority of doctors use 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 speak to a mesothelioma specialist who has had experience treating the disease.