Mesothelioma and Asbestos
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that is made up of long, thin fibres. People who are exposed to asbestos regularly are at risk of developing mesothelioma or other types of lung diseases.
The symptoms of these diseases might not manifest for years after exposure to
asbestos settlement. Different types of asbestos may cause different symptoms.
Pleural Mesothelioma
Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer of the lung's outer lining also known as the pleura. It is the most frequent form of mesothelioma and is responsible for 70 to 79% of all diagnosed cases. Patients with this disease feel chest pain and shortness of breath and may also feel the sensation of weight in the chest.
Exposure to asbestos, a group of minerals composed of microscopic fibers causes this type of cancer. The fibers, when inhaled cause irritation and DNA mutations. The pleura is the area that surrounds the chest cavity and lungs, so these irritations can affect both the lungs as well as a person's heart. Mesothelioma symptoms are usually not apparent until 30 to 50 years after exposure.
Chest pain and shortness breath are the most common symptoms. Some patients also experience difficulty breathing, or chest tightness. Patients with this type of cancer typically have an history of exposure to asbestos in the workplace. The most common jobs that put people at 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 most commonly used staging system for pleural mysothelioma has been the TNM (tumor lymph nodes, lymph nodes, and metastases) staging system. The stage a patient has at diagnosis will assist their doctor in determining the most effective treatment plan for them. For instance, patients suffering from a pleural mesothelioma in stage three or four have a less favorable prognosis than those in lower stages. Stage four mesothelioma can be spread to the liver, heart, or diaphragm. This can make it more difficult to treat and increase the likelihood of complications for patients.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
Unlike pleural cancer, which is found in the lung's lining it develops in a membrane that surrounds the abdominal cavity, which includes organs such as the intestines and liver. Similar to pleural mesothelioma and peritoneal mesothelioma can be caused by asbestos exposure. 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 show. Patients usually suffer from abdominal pain and may have a mass in their abdomen. This mesothelioma type can also cause nausea, weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms are similar to those experienced by digestive problems, which can result in misdiagnosis.
Generally, doctors can find mesothelioma after an extensive medical history and physical exam. Imaging tests like X-rays or CT scans can be used to identify mesothelioma. These tests can show tumors and other indications of cancer that aren't visible on an X-ray.
These test results allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma, determine the stage of the disease and suggest treatment options. Staging is determined based on the type of cell and whether or the cancer has spread to other parts of the body.
Asbestos exposure is the biggest risk factor. People who have worked in
asbestos law-related jobs, such as plumbing or electrical work, or in manufacturing and construction are more likely to contract the disease. However, even if people aren't employed in these fields they could be exposed to asbestos through family members or through other sources. This is why anyone who suspects they may be at risk should speak to an expert. A mesothelioma specialist can assist those who have a previous history of asbestos to find out more about their risk.
Risk Factors
Asbestos exposure is the main risk factor for mesothelioma, accounting for up to 80 percent of all cases. Exposure to asbestos can happen through military service, work or living with those who worked with asbestos. When exposed to
asbestos lawyer, particles can be inhaled into the lungs and abdomen. These irritate the linings and can cause cancerous cells to develop in the mesothelium. After exposure to asbestos, mesothelioma may be diagnosed between 15 and 60 years old.
Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and aging. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely to get mesothelioma than people younger or more senior. It is because mesothelioma generally lasts between 20 and 60 years after the initial time of exposure before symptoms of cancer begin to manifest. It is also important to know that mesothelioma is a possibility in those who were exposed to asbestos, but did not engage directly with it. This is called secondary or indirect exposure to asbestos. It is just as harmful as direct exposure.
Smoking increases the risk of mesothelioma, as it damages the mesothelium. It also makes it more susceptible. In addition, mesothelioma may be exacerbated by certain illnesses like asbestosis and pneumonia. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma compared to women. This is due to men being more likely to be exposed to asbestos and endure a more exposure than women. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who been exposed to asbestos -
great post to read,, and to carry asbestos fibers on their clothing. Women are less likely to come into contact with asbestos and don't typically carry asbestos home on their clothes.
Diagnosis
Mesothelioma is a difficult cancer to diagnose because the symptoms often resemble other diseases. This is why patients are sometimes wrongly diagnosed.
NYU Langone doctors will perform physical examinations and document the patient's medical background, including asbestos exposure. Doctors can also order an X-ray chest or CT scan to check for lumps and other abnormalities as well as evidence of asbestos exposure in the past like plaques on the pleura (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the buildup of fluid between the lung and the chest wall (known as pleural effusion).
Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance scan or MRI test, that uses radio waves and magnets to produce a series of precise images of the insides of the body. Another way doctors can diagnose mesothelioma is through the procedure of a surgical biopsy. In a surgical biopsy doctors will remove a small part of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum, to be further examined. A pathologist is then able to examine the tissue with microscopes to determine whether it has cancerous cells.
Mesothelioma can be classified based on the type of mesothelial cells involved, whether the cells are malignant or benign and the location, type, and stage of the cancer. Certain mesothelioma types have greater risk of spreading or metastasizing therefore it is essential to establish a clear diagnosis so that doctors can treat it before it becomes out of control.
Doctors can also run tests in the lab on tumors to determine specific genes, proteins or other elements that can help them describe the cancer's characteristics and plan treatment. These results are known as staging.
Treatment
A mesothelioma diagnosis is a frightening prospect. However, it's important to keep in mind that the cancer is treatable, especially in its earlier stages. Many patients with mesothelioma survive for many years with the disease without it spreading to other areas of their body.
Exposure to
asbestos lawsuit can cause mesothelioma in many ways. Asbestos fibers, too small to detect or feel through the naked eye, can become airborne and irritate the lining of the lungs (pleura). As time passes the irritation causes the formation of scar tissue that eventually result in tumors.
The pleura is a protective covering that covers the abdomen, heart, and lungs. Mesothelium consists of cells that react when exposed to asbestos. They inflame the tissue and cause it to scar. These changes eventually cause mesothelioma cancers.
The signs of pleural mesothelioma can include breathlessness and chest pain, or the accumulation of fluid in the lungs (pleural effusion). In rare instances, the cancer can spread to the tissues surrounding the heart and reproductive organs.
If scans of imaging reveal an area of concern in the lungs or stomach, a doctor will order a biopsies. During the procedure doctors remove some of the liquid or tumor for laboratory testing. The results will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and indicate the best treatment plan.
There are a variety of mesothelioma treatment, which include chemotherapy, surgery, and immunotherapy. The majority of doctors use a combination of these methods. Participating in clinical trials for mesothelioma treatments that are new could be beneficial to patients. To learn more about the trials, patients should speak with a mesothelioma specialist who has experience treating the condition.
