Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that is made up of long, thin fibres. Workers who are exposed to asbestos on a regular basis risk developing mesothelioma and other lung diseases.

The symptoms of these diseases may not manifest for years after exposure to asbestos attorney. Different types of asbestos compensation can cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma is a type of cancer that affects the outer lung lining (pleura). It is the most prevalent mesothelioma form and accounts for 70% to 79% all diagnosed cases. Patients suffering from this condition suffer from chest pain and shortness of breath, and they may feel a sensation of heaviness in the chest.

This type of cancer is usually caused by exposure to asbestos, which is a grouping of minerals made up of microscopic fibres. Once inhaled, the fibers cling to the lungs and cause irritation that leads to scarring and DNA mutations. Pleura surrounds both the chest cavity and the lungs, so irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma symptoms usually don't appear until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

Chest pain and shortness breath are the most common symptoms. Patients may also experience chest tightness and coughing, or breathing difficulties. Patients with this type of cancer typically have a history of exposure to asbestos in the workplace. Manufacturing, construction, and shipbuilding are the most common occupations that put people at high risk of developing pleural mesothelioma. People who were in the military are at higher risk due to the widespread use of asbestos in Navy vessels and bunkers for the Army.

The TNM (tumors lymph nodes and metastases staging system) is the most common staging system used for the pleural adenocarcinoma. The stage a patient has when they are diagnosed will aid their doctor in determining 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 in lower stages. Stage four mesothelioma often spreads to the diaphragm, liver and/or a person's heart. This can make it more difficult to treat and increases the likelihood of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Unlike pleural mesothelioma, which is a lung-lining cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma is found in the peritoneum -- a membrane that lines the abdominal cavity and organs such as the intestines and liver. Like pleural mesothelioma, asbestos exposure is the cause of peritoneal mesothelioma. The disease is less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma, and only about 300-500 cases diagnosed each year.

Like pleural mesothelioma, symptoms may take years to appear. Patients typically suffer from abdominal pain and may also have a lump in their abdomen. Symptoms of this type 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 incorrect diagnosis.

Generally, doctors can find mesothelioma through an extensive health history and physical examination. Imaging tests like X-rays and CT scans are a way to identify mesothelioma. These tests can reveal tumors, as well as 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. The stage of the disease is determined based on the cell type and whether or not the cancer has spread to other areas of the body.

The most significant mesothelioma-related risk factor is exposure to asbestos. People who have been exposed to asbestos in jobs, such as electrical or plumbing work, or in construction, manufacturing and manufacturing, are more likely to contract the disease. Even if they do not work in these areas they could be exposed to asbestos through family members or other sources. This is why anyone who is concerned that they might be at risk should speak to 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 a major mesothelioma risk factor, accounting for up to 80 percent of all cases. Exposure to asbestos may occur due to military service, work, or living with those who worked with asbestos. When exposed to asbestos, particles can be breathed into the abdomen and lungs. These particles can cause irritation to the linings and trigger cancerous cells to develop in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma can take between 15 and 60 years to develop following exposure to asbestos.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics, and age. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely to get mesothelioma than people younger or more senior. Mesothelioma can take between 20 and 60 years before it manifests cancer symptoms after the first exposure. It is important to remember that mesothelioma is a possibility in people who have been exposed to asbestos but did not engage directly with it. This is known as indirect or secondary asbestos exposure. It can be just as harmful as direct asbestos legal exposure.

Smoking increases the risk of mesothelioma, because it damages the mesothelium. It also makes it more susceptible. In addition, mesothelioma may be exacerbated by certain illnesses like pneumonia and asbestosis. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than women. This is because men are more likely to work with asbestos and have an extended period of exposure than women. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who has been exposed to asbestos, and to have asbestos compensation-containing fibers on their clothing. Women are less likely to be exposed to asbestos, and they are less likely to bring asbestos home on their clothes.

Diagnosis

It is difficult to identify mesothelioma because its symptoms are often similar to other diseases. Because of this, victims are sometimes wrongly diagnosed.

NYU Langone doctors will perform an examination of the body and document the patient's medical history including Asbestos Case exposure. Doctors can also request a chest X-ray or CT scan to check for lumps and other abnormalities, as well as evidence of previous asbestos attorney exposure such as pleural plaques (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, which makes use of radio waves and magnets in order to produce a series of precise images of inside the body. Another method doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma is through a surgical biopsy. A surgical biopsy is when doctors take a small amount of tissue from the pleura or peritoneum for further analysis. A pathologist then examines the tissue with a magnifying glass to determine if it is a cancerous cell.

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 tumor. Some types of mesothelioma have greater risk of spreading or metastasizing, so it's important to establish a clear diagnosis so doctors can treat it prior to it becoming out of control.

Doctors may also conduct laboratory tests on tumors in order to determine specific proteins, genes or other elements that can aid in describing the characteristics of cancer and plan treatment. These results are known as staging.

Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnosis can be terrifying. However, it's important to remember that the cancer is treatable, particularly in its initial stages. Many people with mesothelioma can endure the disease for many years without it spreading.

Exposure to asbestos may cause mesothelioma in a number of ways. Asbestos fibers that are tiny enough to be felt or viewed by naked eyes can be airborne, irritating the lining of the lung (pleura). Over time irritation can lead to formation of scar tissue which can cause changes in the cell structure that can eventually grow into tumors.

The pleura covers the lungs and heart, as well as the abdomen. Mesothelium consists of cells that react to asbestos and cause it to enflame and develop scar tissue. These changes eventually cause mesothelioma cancers.

Symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include breathlessness and chest pain as well as a buildup of fluid in the lung (pleural effusion). In rare instances, cancer can spread into the tissues surrounding the reproductive organs and the heart.

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 some of the fluid or tumor to allow for lab tests. The results can confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and determine the best treatment option.

There are a variety of treatment for mesothelioma, such as chemotherapy and surgery. The majority of doctors employ combinations of these treatments. Enrolling in clinical trials of new mesothelioma treatment may also be beneficial to patients. Patients can find out more by consulting a mesothelioma specialist who has treated the condition.