Mesothelioma and Asbestos
asbestos legal is a naturally occurring mineral that is found in thin, long fibres. People who are exposed to asbestos regularly are at risk of developing mesothelioma or other types of lung diseases.
It could take a long time for symptoms to appear after
asbestos settlement exposure. Different types of asbestos may cause different symptoms.
Pleural Mesothelioma
Pleural mesothelioma is a type of cancer that develops in the outer lung liner (pleura). It is the most prevalent form of mesothelioma and is responsible for 70 to 79% all diagnosed cases. The condition can cause chest pain, breath shortness, and a feeling of heavyness.
This type of cancer is usually caused through exposure to asbestos, which is a collection of minerals made up of microscopic fibres. These fibers, when inhaled can cause irritation and DNA mutations. Pleura surrounds both the chest cavity as well as the lungs, which means that irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma symptoms are usually not apparent until 30 to 50 years after exposure.
The most common symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include chest pain and shortness of breath. Some patients also experience difficulty breathing, or chest tightness. People with this cancer often have an history of exposure to asbestos in the workplace. The most common jobs that expose people to the risk of pleural mesothelioma include construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding. People who have served in the military may be at risk due to the frequent use of asbestos in Navy ships and army bunkers.
The most common staging system for pleural mesothelioma is the TNM (tumor, lymph nodes and metastases) staging system. The stage the patient is in at the moment of diagnosis will determine the treatment plan they should follow. For example, patients with mesothelioma pleural stage three or four have a worse prognosis than patients with lower stages. Stage four mesothelioma may be spread to the heart, liver or diaphragm. This makes the cancer more difficult to treat, and increase the chance of complications for the patient.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
Contrary to pleural cancer that develops in the lining of the lung the peritoneal cancer is a result of the membrane that covers the abdominal cavity, which includes organs like the liver and intestines. Like pleural mesothelioma, peritoneal mesothelioma is caused by asbestos exposure. Only 300-500 cases are diagnosed annually this is less than the pleural asbestosis.
As with pleural asbestosis, symptoms can take a long time to manifest. The majority of patients are afflicted with abdominal pain as well as 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 can be mistaken for gastrointestinal problems which can lead to a false diagnosis.
Doctors can detect mesothelioma by examining the patient's medical history and conducting a physical exam. They can also use imaging tests like Xrays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to identify mesothelioma. These tests can reveal cancerous tumors or other signs of cancer that aren't apparent on an X-ray.
These test results allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma, determine the stage of the disease and suggest treatment options. The stage is determined by the kind of cell and if the tumor has spread.
The most important risk factor for mesothelioma is
asbestos settlement exposure. People who have been in occupations which require asbestos, such as plumbing or manufacturing, electrical work or construction, are at a higher risk of developing the disease. Even if they aren't employed in these fields, they can still be exposed to asbestos through family members or other sources. Anyone who believes they may be at risk should talk to an expert. A mesothelioma specialist can help those who have a experience with asbestos to understand more about their risk.
Risk Factors
Asbestos is the main mesothelioma-related risk factor. It is responsible for up to the 80% of cases. Exposure to asbestos can occur as a result of military service, work, or living with someone who used to work with asbestos. When exposed to asbestos, the particles can be inhaled into the abdomen and lungs. These particles irritate the linings, causing cancerous cells to grow in the mesothelium. Following exposure to
asbestos claim mesothelioma is likely to be diagnosed between 15 and 60 year.
Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and age. The people in their 40s or 50s are at greater risk of developing mesothelioma compared 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 note that mesothelioma could 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. 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. In addition, mesothelioma may be caused by certain illnesses, such as asbestosis and pneumonia. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than females. This is because men are more likely to work with
asbestos Legal and experience a more exposure than women. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who worked with asbestos and to carry asbestos fibers on their clothing. Women tend to have less contact with asbestos and rarely carry
asbestos claim home on their clothing.
Diagnosis
It is difficult to recognize mesothelioma since its symptoms are often similar to other conditions. This can result in patients being incorrectly diagnosed.
NYU Langone doctors will perform physical examinations and document the patient's medical history including asbestos exposure. Doctors will also recommend an CT scan or chest X-ray in order to look for lumps, abnormalities, and evidence of asbestos exposure. These include plaques in the pleura, thickened pleura and calcium deposits.
Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance imaging or MRI test, that uses magnets and radio waves in order to create a series detailed images of the inside of the body. Another way for doctors to detect mesothelioma is through the procedure of a surgical biopsy. When a biopsy is performed, doctors remove a tiny part of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum, to be further examined. A pathologist can then examine the tissue under a microscope to see if it has cancerous cells.
The mesothelial type involved as well as the benign or malignant nature of those cells, as well as the location and stage of the tumor, are used to classify the disease. Certain types of mesothelioma are more likely to spread or metastasize and spread, therefore it is essential to have a clear diagnosis so doctors can treat the disease before it becomes out of control.
Doctors may also conduct tests in the laboratory on a tumor to identify specific proteins, genes and other factors which can help them identify the cancer's characteristics and plan treatment. These results are referred to as staging.
Treatment
A mesothelioma diagnose can be terrifying. It is important to remember that cancer can be treated particularly in its early stages. Many people with mesothelioma can endure the disease for a long time without spreading.
Asbestos exposure can trigger mesothelioma via various mechanisms. Asbestos fibers, which are too small to be able to see or feel through the naked eye, can be airborne and cause irritation to the lining of the lungs (pleura). Over time irritation can lead to formation of scar tissue, which causes changes in the structure of cells that can eventually grow into tumors.
The Pleura is a covering that covers the lungs, heart and abdomen. Mesothelium consists of cells that respond when exposed to asbestos. They cause inflammation to the tissue and cause it to scar. Overtime, these changes lead to the development of malignant mesothelioma cancers.
The symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are breathlessness and chest pain, or a buildup of fluid on the lungs (pleural effusion). In rare cases, cancer can spread into the tissues surrounding the reproductive organs and the heart.
A doctor will request biopsy if imaging scans show the possibility of a tumor in the lungs or stomach. During the procedure, doctors take a small sample of the tumor or fluid for lab testing. The results will confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis and determine the best treatment option.
There are many types of treatment for mesothelioma such as chemotherapy and surgery. The majority of doctors use an amalgamation of these techniques. Patients could also benefit from enrolling in a clinical trial of new mesothelioma treatments. Patients can learn more by consulting a mesothelioma expert who has treated mesothelioma.
