Mesothelioma and Asbestos
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that is found in thin, long fibres. Workers who are exposed asbestos on a regular basis are at risk of developing mesothelioma or other lung diseases of different types.
It may take decades for symptoms to appear after asbestos exposure. Different types of
asbestos case,
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Pleural Mesothelioma
Pleural mesothelioma, a form of cancer, that occurs in the lung's outer liner (pleura). It is the most frequent type of mesothelioma, making up between 70 and 79% of all diagnosed cases. Patients with this disease suffer from chest pain and breathlessness and may also feel a sensation of heaviness in the chest.
This kind of cancer is often caused through exposure to asbestos, which is a cluster of minerals that are comprised of microscopic fibres. When inhaled, these fibers cause irritation and DNA mutations. Pleura is the lining of both the chest cavity as well as the lungs, which means that irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma symptoms typically don't show until 30 to 50 years after exposure.
Chest pain and shortness breath are the most frequently reported symptoms. Some patients may also experience chest tightness or coughing. They may also experience difficulty breathing. Patients with this type of cancer have a history that includes asbestos exposure at work. The most common jobs that expose workers to the risk of pleural mesothelioma include manufacturing, construction and shipbuilding. Individuals who have been in the military may be at an especially high risk because of the extensive use of asbestos in Navy vessels and army bunkers.
The TNM (tumors, lymph nodes, and metastases staging system) is the most common staging system used for the pleural adenocarcinoma. The stage that a patient is at upon diagnosis will help their doctor determine the most effective treatment plan for them. For example, patients with a pleural mesothelioma in stage three or four have a worse prognosis than those with a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma often spreads to the diaphragm, the liver or even the heart of a patient. This can make the cancer more difficult to treat, and increase the chance of complications for the patient.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
Unlike pleural cancer, which forms in the lining of the lung, peritoneal cancer develops in a membrane that surrounds the abdominal cavity, which includes organs such as the intestines and liver. As with pleural mesothelioma asbestos exposure is the cause of peritoneal msothelioma. It is estimated that only 300-500 cases are diagnosed each year this is less than pleural asbestosis.
As with pleural asbestosis symptoms can take several years to show. Patients usually experience abdominal pain, and may also have a lump in their abdomen. This kind of mesothelioma can cause nausea, weight loss, and fever. A lot of these symptoms can be mistaken for gastrointestinal problems, leading to a misdiagnosis.
Generally speaking, doctors can detect mesothelioma after a thorough medical history and physical exam. They can also utilize imaging tests like X-rays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to help find mesothelioma. These tests can identify tumors as well as other signs of cancer that are not evident on X-rays.
These test results enable doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and establish the stage. They can also suggest treatment options. Staging is determined based on the type of cell and whether or the tumor has spread to other regions of the body.
The most important risk factor for mesothelioma is asbestos exposure. People who have worked in asbestos-containing professions, such as electrical or plumbing work or in manufacturing and construction, are more likely to contract the disease. Even if an individual does not work in any of these areas however, they may still be exposed to asbestos through family members and other sources. For this reason, anyone who believes they could be at risk should talk to an expert. A mesothelioma specialist can help those with a experience with
asbestos legal to understand more about their risk.
Risk Factors
Asbestos is the most significant risk factor for mesothelioma. It accounts for as much as the 80% of cases. Exposure to asbestos can occur as a result of work, military service, or living with people who have worked with asbestos. Asbestos particles can be inhaled by people who are exposed to it. The particles cause irritation to the linings of the abdomen, which causes cancerous cells to form in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma may take between 15 and 60 years to develop after exposure to asbestos.
Other risk factors include genetics, smoking and aging. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely to be diagnosed with mesothelioma compared to those who are younger or older. It takes mesothelioma between 20 and 60 years to manifest cancer symptoms after the first exposure. It is important to remember that mesothelioma may be present in those who have been exposed to asbestos without having been directly exposed to it. This is referred to as indirect or secondary exposure to asbestos. It is just as harmful as direct exposure.
Smoking increases the chance of mesothelioma because it damages the mesothelium. It also makes it more susceptible. Additionally, mesothelioma can be exacerbated by certain illnesses like pneumonia and asbestosis. It is also important to remember that mesothelioma is more prevalent in males than females. This is because men are more likely to be exposed to asbestos and endure a more exposure than women. Also, men are more likely to live with someone who had asbestos exposure and bring stray asbestos fibers home on their clothing. Women are less likely to come into contact with asbestos and don't typically carry asbestos home on their clothing.
Diagnosis
It is difficult to identify mesothelioma since its symptoms are often similar to other diseases. 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 a CT scan or chest X-ray in order to look for abnormalities, lumps and evidence of
asbestos lawsuit exposure. These include plaques in the pleura, thickened pleura and calcium deposits.
Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance image, or MRI test, that uses magnets and radio waves to create a series detailed images of inside the body. Another method doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma is through the procedure of a surgical biopsy. In a surgical biopsy doctors remove a small amount of tissue from the peritoneum or pleura for further testing. A pathologist is then able to look at the tissue under a microscope to see if it has cancerous cells.
The mesothelial type involved and the benign or malignant nature of these cells as well as the location the cancer, its type and the stage of the cancer are used to categorize the disease. Certain types of mesothelioma are more likely to spread or metastasize, so it is important to get a definite diagnosis so doctors can treat the disease before it goes out of control.
Doctors may also conduct tests in the laboratory on a tumor to identify specific genes, proteins, or other factors that can help them describe the characteristics of the cancer and determine a treatment. These results are called staging.
Treatment
A diagnosis of mesothelioma may be terrifying. It is crucial to remember that cancer can be treated especially at its early stages. Many mesothelioma patients live for a long time with the disease without it spreading to other areas of their body.
Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma through many mechanisms. Asbestos fibers, too small to be able to see or feel through the naked eye, can become airborne and irritate the lung's lining (pleura). As time passes, the irritation leads to the formation of scar tissue that eventually result in tumors.
The Pleura is a covering that protects the lungs, heart and abdomen. Mesothelium is composed of cells that react to asbestos which causes it to become inflamed and develop scar tissue. These changes eventually cause mesothelioma cancers.
Symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include shortness of breath, chest pain or an accumulation of fluid in the lungs (pleural effusion). In rare cases the cancer may grow to the tissues surrounding the heart and reproductive organs.
If imaging scans reveal an area of concern in the lungs or stomach the doctor will request a 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 help determine the best treatment option.
There are a variety of mesothelioma treatment, including chemotherapy, surgery and immunotherapy. Most doctors rely on an amalgamation of these techniques. Patients may also benefit from participating in a clinical study of new mesothelioma therapies. Patients can learn more by speaking with a mesothelioma doctor who has treated the condition.
