Mesothelioma and Asbestos
Asbestos, a mineral that occurs naturally in the form of thin, long fibers. Workers who are exposed asbestos regularly risk developing mesothelioma and other lung diseases.
It can take years for symptoms to show up after exposure to asbestos. Different
asbestos law types can cause different symptoms.
Pleural Mesothelioma
Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer of the outer lung lining, or the pleura. It is the most frequent mesothelioma type and is responsible for 70 to 79% all diagnosed cases. This condition causes chest discomfort, shortness of breath, and a feeling of heavyness.
This type of cancer usually caused through exposure to asbestos, which is a grouping of minerals composed of microscopic fibers. When inhaled, these fibers cause irritation and DNA mutations. Pleura surrounds both the chest cavity and the lungs, and so irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma symptoms typically don't show until 30 to 50 years after exposure.
Shortness of breath and chest pain are the most common symptoms. Patients may also suffer from chest tightness, coughing or difficulty breathing. Patients with this type of cancer typically have an history of exposure to asbestos in the workplace. The most common jobs that expose workers to the risk of pleural mesothelioma include construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding. Individuals who have been in the military are at a higher risk due to the frequent asbestos use in Navy vessels and bunkers for the army.
The TNM (tumors, lymph nodes, and metastases staging system) is the most popular staging system for the pleural adenocarcinoma. The stage a patient has when they are diagnosed will assist their doctor in determining the most appropriate treatment plan for them. Patients who have pleural mesothelioma which is in stage three or four will suffer a more negative prognosis than those who are in a less advanced stage. Mesothelioma in stage four is usually spread to the liver, diaphragm or even a person's heart. This can make the cancer more difficult to treat and increase the chances of complications for patients.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
Unlike pleural mesothelioma, which is a lung-lining cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma develops in the peritoneum -- an elongated membrane that covers the abdominal cavity as well as organs like the liver and intestines. Similar to pleural mesothelioma mesothelioma is triggered by asbestos exposure. Only 300-500 cases are diagnosed each year, which is less than pleural asbestosis.
As with pleural asbestosis symptoms can take a long time to manifest. Patients generally suffer from abdominal pain and may have a mass in their abdomen. This type of mesothelioma may also cause nausea, weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms are similar to those experienced by digestive problems, which can result in confusion in diagnosis.
Doctors can detect mesothelioma by looking over the medical history of the patient and performing a physical exam. They can also utilize imaging tests such as X-rays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to help find mesothelioma. These tests can reveal tumors and other cancer signs that are not visible on X-rays.
These test results enable doctors to identify mesothelioma, and determine the stage. They also offer treatments. The stage is determined by the kind of cell and if the tumor has spread.
asbestos legal (
our website) exposure is the main risk factor. People who have worked in asbestos-containing occupations, like electrical or plumbing work or in construction and manufacturing are more likely to develop the disease. Even if a person is not employed in one of these fields however, they may be exposed to
asbestos claim through family members and other sources. Anyone who believes they're at risk should speak with an expert. If they have a history of asbestos exposure, a mesothelioma specialist can help them find out more about the risk.
Risk Factors
Asbestos exposure is the main mesothelioma risk factor, accounting for up to 80 percent of all cases. Exposure to asbestos may occur through military service, work, or living with people who have worked with asbestos.
asbestos attorney particles can be inhaled by people who are exposed to it. These irritate the linings and can cause cancerous cells to form in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma can take between 15 and 60 years to develop after exposure to
asbestos settlement.
Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and aging. People in their 40s or 50s are at greater chance of developing mesothelioma to people who are younger or more. It takes mesothelioma between 20 and 60 years to manifest cancer symptoms after the first exposure. It is also important to note that mesothelioma may develop in people who were exposed to asbestos but didn't engage directly with it. This is referred to as indirect or secondary asbestos exposure. It can be as hazardous as direct asbestos exposure.
Smoking increases a person's chances of developing mesothelioma since it damages the mesothelium, which makes it more susceptible to asbestos. Mesothelioma can also be aggravated by certain diseases, such as asbestosis and pneumonia. 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. Additionally, men are more likely to live with someone who had asbestos exposure and bring asbestos fibers from their workplace on their clothing. Women tend to be less exposed to asbestos, and don't typically carry asbestos on their clothing.
Diagnosis
It is difficult to recognize mesothelioma since its symptoms are often similar to other diseases. This could lead to patients being misdiagnosed.
NYU Langone doctors will perform an examination of the body and document the patient's medical background, including asbestos exposure. Doctors can also request an X-ray of the chest or CT scan to check for lumps and other abnormalities and also to look for evidence of asbestos exposure in the past such as plaques in the pleura (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the buildup of fluid between the lung and chest wall (known as the pleural effusion).
Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance scan, or MRI test, which uses magnets and radio waves in order to produce a series of precise images of the inside of the body. A surgical biopsy is yet another way for doctors to diagnose mesothelioma. During a surgery biopsy, doctors remove a tiny piece of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum to be further examined. A pathologist can examine the tissue with microscopes to determine if it is contaminated with cancerous cells.
Mesothelioma is classified based on the type of mesothelial cells involved, whether these cells are malignant or benign and also the location of the tumor, the type, and the stage of the tumor. Certain types of mesothelioma may be more likely to grow or spread, so it is important to establish a definitive diagnosis so doctors can treat the disease before it goes out of control.
Doctors can also run laboratory tests on tumors to determine specific proteins, genes, or other factors that help them understand the characteristics of the cancer and determine a treatment. These results are known as staging.
Treatment
A mesothelioma diagnosis can be a frightening prospect. It is important to keep in mind, however, that cancer can be treated, particularly in its initial stages. Many people with mesothelioma live for a long time with the disease without it spreading to other parts of their body.
Asbestos exposure can cause mesothelioma by a variety of mechanisms. Asbestos fibres, tiny enough to be felt or seen by naked eyes are able to become airborne and irritate the lining of the lung (pleura). In time irritation leads to formation of scar tissue, which can cause changes in the structure of cells that can eventually grow into tumors.
The pleura covers the heart and lungs and also the abdomen. Mesothelium is made up of cells that react to exposure to asbestos, causing it to inflame and develop scar tissue. Overtime, these changes result in the growth of malignant mesothelioma cancers.
The signs of pleural mesothelioma can include breathing problems and chest pain as well as a buildup of fluid in the lungs (pleural effusion). In rare instances, cancer can spread into the tissues surrounding the reproductive organs and the heart.
A doctor will order a biopsy if imaging scans show the possibility of a tumor in the lungs or stomach. The procedure involves the removal of some of the fluid or tumor to allow for laboratory testing. The results will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and determine the best treatment option.
There are a variety of treatment for mesothelioma, including surgery and chemotherapy. The majority of doctors employ the combination of these treatments. Patients may also benefit from enrolling in a clinical trial of new mesothelioma therapies. To learn more about the trials, patients should consult mesothelioma specialists who have expertise in treating the condition.
