Mesothelioma and Asbestos
asbestos attorney, a natural mineral, naturally forms in the form of thin, long fibers. People who are exposed to asbestos may develop lung diseases such as mesothelioma.
Symptoms of these diseases may not manifest for years after exposure to asbestos. Different
asbestos attorney types can cause different symptoms.
Pleural Mesothelioma
Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer of the lung's outer lining or the pleura. It is the most common mesothelioma type and is responsible for 70 to 79% all diagnosed cases. The condition can cause chest discomfort, shortness of breath and a feeling of heavyness.
This kind of cancer is typically caused by exposure to asbestos which is a collection of minerals composed of microscopic fibers. Once inhaled, the fibers cling to the lung and cause irritation that leads to scarring and DNA mutations. Pleura surrounds both the chest cavity as well as the lungs, so irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma usually doesn't show symptoms until 30 to 50 year after exposure.
Chest pain and shortness breath are the most common symptoms. Some patients may also experience chest tightness, coughing or difficulty breathing. Patients with this type of cancer have a past that includes asbestos exposure at work. The most common jobs that put people at risk of developing pleural cancer are manufacturing, construction and shipbuilding. Individuals who have served in the military are at a greater risk due the widespread use of asbestos in Navy vessels and Army bunkers.
The most commonly used staging method for pleural mesothelioma is the TNM (tumor lymph nodes, lymph nodes, and metastases) staging system. The stage that a patient is in at the moment of diagnosis will determine the treatment plan they should follow. For instance, patients who have a pleural mesothelioma in stage three or four have a poorer prognosis than patients with a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma may spread to the liver, heart or diaphragm. This can make the cancer more difficult to treat, and increase the chances of complications for the patient.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
Unlike pleural mesothelioma, which develops in the lung lining, peritoneal mesothelioma is found in the peritoneum - it is a membrane that lines the abdominal cavity and organs like the intestines and the liver. Like pleural mesothelioma, peritoneal mesothelioma is caused by asbestos exposure. It is estimated that only 300-500 cases are diagnosed annually, which is less than pleural asbestosis.
As with pleural asbestosis, symptoms can take years to show. Patients typically have abdominal pain, and may have a mass in their abdomen. The symptoms of this type of mesothelioma may also include nausea as well as weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms can be mistaken for gastrointestinal problems and can lead to a false diagnosis.
The doctors can detect mesothelioma through reviewing the medical history of the patient and performing a physical exam. They can also utilize imaging tests like X-rays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to identify mesothelioma. These tests can show tumors and other indications of cancer that aren't apparent on an X-ray.
These test results allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma, identify the stage and suggest treatment options. The staging is determined by the type of cells and whether or not the cancer has spread to other areas of the body.
The most important risk factor for mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos. People who have been exposed to
asbestos case in professions, such as plumbing or electrical work, or in manufacturing and construction are more likely to contract the disease. However, even if people do not work in these fields they could be exposed to asbestos through family members or through other sources. Anyone who thinks they are at risk should consult an expert. A mesothelioma specialist can help those who have had a history with
Asbestos case to learn more about their risk.
Risk Factors
Asbestos exposure is a major mesothelioma risk factor, accounting for up to 80 percent of all cases. Exposure to asbestos can occur as a result of military service, work, or living with people who have worked with asbestos. When exposed to asbestos, small particles can be breathed into the abdomen and lungs. These particles can cause irritation to the linings and can cause cancerous cells to grow in the mesothelium. After asbestos exposure mesothelioma can be diagnosed between 15 and 60 year.
Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and age. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely be diagnosed with mesothelioma compared to those who are younger or older. It takes mesothelioma 20-60 years to show signs of cancer after the first exposure. It is also important to note that mesothelioma can develop in people who were exposed to asbestos, but did not work with it directly. This is referred to as indirect or secondary asbestos exposure, and is as hazardous as direct asbestos exposure.
Smoking increases the chance of mesothelioma since it damages mesothelium. It also makes it more susceptible. Mesothelioma is also aggravated by certain diseases, such as asbestosis and pneumonia. It is also important to know that mesothelioma is more prevalent for men than women. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for a longer period of time and to work with asbestos for longer durations and to work with it. Men are also more likely to live with someone who was exposed to asbestos and bring
asbestos compensation fibers that have escaped home on their clothing. Women are less likely to come in contact with asbestos, and they are less likely to bring asbestos home on their clothes.
Diagnosis
Mesothelioma is a difficult disease to identify because the symptoms often resemble other conditions. Because of this, victims are sometimes mistakenly diagnosed.
The first step in identifying mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform a physical exam and take note of the medical history of the patient which includes asbestos exposure. Doctors will also order a CT scan or chest X-ray to look for lumps, abnormalities and evidence of asbestos exposure. 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, and a magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI test, which uses magnets and radio waves to create detailed images of the interior of the body. A surgical biopsy is yet another way for doctors to diagnose mesothelioma. In a surgical biopsy doctors remove a small amount of tissue from the pleura or peritoneum for further testing. A pathologist can examine the tissue with microscopes to determine if it has cancerous cells.
Mesothelioma can be classified based on the mesothelial type involved, whether these cells are benign or malignant and the location of the tumor, its type, and the stage of the cancer. Some types of mesothelioma have greater risk of metastasizing or spreading therefore it is essential to get a definitive diagnosis to ensure that the doctors can treat it before it becomes out-of-control.
Doctors can also run laboratory tests on tumors to determine particular proteins, genes and other factors that can help them describe the characteristics of cancer 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 initial stages. Many people with mesothelioma can be afflicted for many years without it spreading.
Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma in many ways. Asbestos fibers that are too small to be felt or observed with the naked eyes, can become airborne, causing irritation to the lung's lining (pleura). Over time irritation leads to formation of scar tissue which leads to changes in the cell structure that can eventually grow into tumors.
The pleura is a protective covering that protects the abdomen, heart, and lungs. Mesothelium consists of cells that react to asbestos, causing it to inflame and create scar tissue. In time, these changes can lead to the development of malignant mesothelioma tumors.
The symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are breathing problems and chest pain, or a buildup of fluid on the lungs (pleural effusion). In rare instances, the cancer can grow to the tissues surrounding the heart and reproductive organs.
If scans of imaging reveal a possible mass in the stomach or lungs doctors will recommend biopsies. The procedure involves the removal of small amounts of fluid or tumor to allow for tests in the laboratory. The results will confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis and provide the best treatment option.
There are several types of mesothelioma treatment, including surgery, chemotherapy and immunotherapy. Most doctors use the combination of these treatments. Participating in clinical trials for new mesothelioma treatment may also be beneficial for patients. Patients can learn more about the trials by consulting a mesothelioma specialist who has treated the condition.
