Mesothelioma and Asbestos
Asbestos is a mineral that naturally forms in the form of long, thin fibers. Workers who are exposed asbestos regularly are at risk of developing mesothelioma or other lung diseases.
The symptoms of these diseases might not be evident for a long time after exposure to
asbestos law. Different types of asbestos may cause different symptoms.
Pleural Mesothelioma
Pleural mesothelioma, a form of cancer, that affects the lung's outer lining (pleura). It is the most frequent type of mesothelioma, making up between 70 and 79% of all diagnosed cases. The condition can cause chest discomfort, shortness of breath, and a feeling of weightiness.
This type of cancer is usually caused by exposure to Asbestos Case (
Autosign.Kr), which is a cluster of minerals that are made up of microscopic fibres. When inhaled, these fibers are absorbed into the lung and cause irritation that causes scarring and DNA mutations. Pleura surrounds both the chest cavity as well as the lungs, so irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma is usually not symptomatic until 30 to 50 year after exposure.
Shortness of breath and chest pain are the most frequent symptoms. Patients may also experience difficulty breathing or chest tightness. Patients with this type of cancer typically have previous exposure to asbestos in the workplace. Manufacturing, construction and shipbuilding are the most prevalent jobs that put people at high chance of developing pleural mesothelioma. People who served in the military are at a higher risk due to the frequent 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 to treat the pleural adenocarcinoma. The stage a patient is in when they are diagnosed will assist their doctor in determining the best treatment plan for them. Patients suffering from pleural mesothelioma who is in stage three or stage four will have a less favorable outlook than those who are in a less advanced stage. Stage four mesothelioma may develop into the liver, heart, or diaphragm. This can make the cancer more difficult to treat, and increase the chance of complications for the patient.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
In contrast to pleural cancer, which is found in the lung's lining the peritoneal cancer is a result of the membrane that covers the abdominal cavity, including organs such as the liver and intestines. Similar to pleural mesothelioma, asbestos exposure is the cause of peritoneal mesothelioma. The disease is less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma, and just 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.
Like pleural mesothelioma, symptoms can take years to show. Patients typically have abdominal pain, and may have a mass in their abdomen. The symptoms of this kind of mesothelioma may also include nausea as well as weight loss and fever. A lot of these symptoms are similar to those of gastrointestinal issues, which can cause confusion in diagnosis.
Doctors can detect mesothelioma by reviewing the medical history of the patient and conducting a physical exam. Imaging tests such as X-rays or CT scans can be used to detect mesothelioma. These tests can reveal tumors, as well as other symptoms of cancer that aren't apparent on an X-ray.
These test results enable doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and determine the stage. They also offer treatment options. The staging is determined by the type of cell and whether or whether the tumor has spread to other areas of the body.
asbestos litigation exposure is the biggest risk factor. People who have been in occupations that involve asbestos, like plumbing, manufacturing, electrical work or construction, are at a higher risk of developing the disease. Even if someone does not work in any of these areas, he or she can still be exposed to asbestos through family members and other sources. Anyone who thinks they are at risk should talk to an expert. If they have any history of exposure to
asbestos lawsuit and mesothelioma is a concern, a specialist will help them find out more about their risk.
Risk Factors
Asbestos is the primary mesothelioma-related risk factor. It accounts for up to the 80% of cases. Exposure to asbestos can occur due to military service, work, or living with people who have worked with asbestos. When exposed to asbestos, particles can be inhaled into the lungs and abdomen. These particles irritate the linings of the abdomen, which causes cancerous cells to develop in the mesothelium. After asbestos exposure, mesothelioma may develop between 15 and 60 years old.
Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and the advancing age. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely develop mesothelioma than those who are younger or older. This is because mesothelioma typically occurs between 20 and 60 years from the first 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 claim but did not deal with it directly. This is known as indirect or secondary exposure to asbestos, and it can be just as dangerous as direct exposure.
Smoking increases the chance of mesothelioma since it damages mesothelium. It also makes it more prone to. Mesothelioma can also be caused by certain diseases, such as asbestosis and pneumonia. It is also important to note that mesothelioma is more common in males than females. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for a longer period of time and to work with it. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who been exposed to asbestos, and to have asbestos-containing fibers on their clothing. Women tend to have less exposure to asbestos and rarely carry asbestos around on their clothes.
Diagnosis
It is difficult to identify mesothelioma because its symptoms are frequently similar to other illnesses. Because of this, victims are sometimes mistakenly 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 to check for lumps, abnormalities and evidence of exposure to asbestos. These include plaques on the pleura, pleura that are thickened and calcium deposits.
Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram, which examines the blood vessels and the heart as well as a magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI test, which uses magnets and radio waves to make a series of detailed images of the inside of the body. Another way doctors can diagnose mesothelioma is to perform the procedure of a surgical biopsy. During a surgical biopsy, doctors remove a small amount of tissue from the peritoneum or pleura for further analysis. A pathologist will then look at the tissue using a magnifying glass to determine whether it contains cancerous cells.
The type of mesothelial cells involved, the malignant or benign nature of those cells as well as the location, type and stage of the tumour, are used to classify the disease. 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 gets out of control.
Doctors can also perform tests in the laboratory on tumors to identify specific proteins, genes or other factors that will help them identify cancer characteristics and plan treatment. These results are called staging.
Treatment
A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be frightening. However, it is important to remember that the disease is treatable, especially in its early stages. Many people with mesothelioma can live with the disease for many years without it spreading.
Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma by various mechanisms. Asbestos particles, which are too small to detect or feel with the naked eye, can be airborne and cause irritation to the lining of the lungs (pleura). As time passes, the irritation leads to the formation of scar tissue that eventually result in tumors.
The pleura is a protective covering that covers the abdomen, heart, and lungs. Mesothelium is composed of cells that react to asbestos, causing it to inflame and develop scar tissue. Overtime, these changes cause the development of malignant mesothelioma tumors.
Shortness of breath, chest pain or fluid accumulation on the lungs are all indications of the pleural msothelioma. In rare instances cancer may spread to the tissues surrounding the reproductive organs as well as the heart.
A doctor may request biopsy if scans show a potential mass in the lungs or stomach. In the course of the procedure, doctors remove small amounts of fluid or tumor for lab tests. The results will confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis, and determine the best treatment plan.
There are many types of treatment for mesothelioma, including surgery and chemotherapy. Most doctors use the combination of these treatments. Patients can also benefit by taking part in a clinical trial of new mesothelioma therapies. To find out more, patients should speak with mesothelioma specialists who have experience treating the condition.
