Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos, a natural mineral, occurs naturally in the form of thin, long fibers. Workers who are regularly exposed to asbestos are at risk of developing lung diseases, such as mesothelioma.

It may take decades before symptoms begin to manifest after exposure to asbestos. Different types of asbestos can cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma occurs in the outer lung lining, or pleura. It is the most common mesothelioma type, accounting for up 70 to 79% of all diagnosed cases. Patients suffering from this condition experience pain in the chest and breath shortness, and they may feel an ache or heaviness in the chest.

This type of cancer usually caused by exposure to asbestos case (I Hire wrote in a blog post) which is a collection of minerals that are composed of microscopic fibers. These fibers, when inhaled can 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 and a person's heart. Mesothelioma usually doesn't show symptoms until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

The most commonly reported symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include chest pain and breath shortness. Patients may also feel tightness in their chest, coughing or difficulty breathing. People with this cancer have a history of disease that includes asbestos exposure at work. The most common jobs that expose workers to the risk of developing pleural mesothelioma are manufacturing, construction, and shipbuilding. People who have worked in the military are at a higher risk because of the extensive asbestos use in Navy ships and bunkers used by the army.

The TNM (tumors, lymph nodes, and metastases staging system) is the most commonly used staging system used to treat pleural adenocarcinoma. The stage a patient has when they are diagnosed will help their doctor determine the most appropriate treatment plan for them. For example, patients with mesothelioma pleural stage three or four have a poorer prognosis than patients with a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma often spreads to the diaphragm, liver and/or a person's heart. This makes the cancer more difficult to treat, and increase the chances of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

In contrast to pleural mesothelioma which is a lung-lining cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma is found in the peritoneum - a membrane that lines the abdominal cavity and organs like the liver and intestines. Similar to pleural mesothelioma mesothelioma is caused by asbestos exposure. The disease is less common than pleural mesothelioma, and only about 300-500 cases diagnosed each year.

As with pleural asbestosis symptoms can take several years to show. Patients generally have abdominal pain, and may have a mass in their abdomen. This kind of mesothelioma can also cause nausea, weight loss, and fever. Many of these symptoms can be mistaken for gastrointestinal problems and can lead to a misdiagnosis.

Generally, doctors can find mesothelioma by conducting a thorough medical history and physical exam. They can also utilize imaging tests like Xrays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to help find mesothelioma. These tests can show tumors, as well as other signs 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 staging is determined by the type of cell and whether or not the cancer has spread to other regions of the body.

Asbestos exposure is the most important risk factor. People who have worked in professions that require asbestos, such as plumbing, manufacturing, electrical work, or construction, are at increased risk of developing the disease. However, even if people do not work in these areas, they can still be exposed to asbestos through relatives or other sources. Therefore, anyone who suspects they may be at risk should talk to an experienced doctor. A mesothelioma specialist can help those who have had a experience with asbestos to understand more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos exposure is the primary risk factor for mesothelioma making up as much as 80 percent of all cases. Exposure to asbestos can happen as a result of work, military service, or living with someone who used to work with asbestos. Asbestos particles can be breathed in by those who are exposed to asbestos settlement. The particles cause irritation to the linings of the abdomen, which causes cancerous cells to grow in the mesothelium. After asbestos exposure mesothelioma can be diagnosed between 15 and 60 year.

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 more senior. It takes mesothelioma 20-60 years to manifest cancer symptoms after the first exposure. It is important to remember, too, that mesothelioma could develop in people who have been exposed to asbestos, but without having been directly exposed to it. This is known as secondary or indirect asbestos exposure, and is just as harmful as direct asbestos exposure.

Smoking increases the risk of getting mesothelioma because it damages the mesothelium and makes it more susceptible to asbestos. Mesothelioma is also aggravated by certain diseases, such as asbestosis and pneumonia. It is also important to remember that mesothelioma occurs more frequently for men than women. This is because men are more likely to work with asbestos and have more exposure than women. Men are also more likely to live with someone who worked with asbestos and carry asbestos fibers from their workplace on their clothes. Women tend to have less exposure to asbestos compensation and don't typically carry asbestos on their clothing.

Diagnosis

It is difficult to recognize mesothelioma since its symptoms are often similar to other diseases. Because of this, victims are often mistakenly diagnosed.

The first step in identifying mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform an examination and write notes on the medical history of a patient which includes asbestos exposure. Doctors can also request a chest X-ray or CT scan to look for lumps or other abnormalities, as well as evidence of asbestos exposure in the past such as plaques on the pleura (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the accumulation of fluid between the lung and the chest wall (known as pleural effusion).

Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance image, or MRI test, that uses magnets and radio waves in order to produce a series of precise images of inside the body. A surgical biopsy is another method for doctors to identify mesothelioma. When a biopsy is performed, doctors remove a tiny part of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum to be further examined. A pathologist can examine the tissue with microscopes to determine if it contains cancerous cells.

Mesothelioma is classified according to the mesothelial type involved, whether the cells are benign or malignant, and the location, type, and stage of the tumor. Some types of mesothelioma are more likely to grow or spread which is why it is crucial to get a definite diagnosis to ensure that doctors are able to treat the disease before it goes out of control.

Doctors may also conduct tests in the lab on tumors in order to determine specific proteins, genes, or other factors which can aid in describing cancer characteristics and determine the best treatment. These results are known as staging.

Treatment

A diagnosis of mesothelioma may be frightening. But, it is crucial to remember that the disease is treatable, especially in its initial stages. Many people with mesothelioma live for many years without the disease spreading to other organs of their body.

Exposure to asbestos attorney can cause mesothelioma through various mechanisms. Asbestos fibers, too small to be able to see or feel by the naked eye can become airborne and irritate the lung's lining (pleura). Over time the irritation can lead to the formation of scar tissue that eventually result in tumors.

The Pleura is a covering that covers the lungs, heart and abdomen. Mesothelium is made up of cells that react when exposed to asbestos. They inflame the tissue and cause it to scar. As time passes, these changes cause the development of malignant mesothelioma tumors.

A shortness of breath, chest pain or fluid accumulation on the lungs are all signs of pleural msothelioma. In rare cases cancer can spread to the tissues surrounding the reproductive organs and the heart.

If scans of imaging reveal a possible mass in the lungs or stomach the doctor will request biopsies. In the course of the procedure, doctors remove a small amount of fluid or tumor to allow for lab tests. The results can confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and help determine the best treatment plan.

There are many types of treatment for mesothelioma such as chemotherapy and surgery. Most doctors use the combination of these treatments. Patients may also benefit from participating in a clinical study of new mesothelioma therapies. Patients can find out more by speaking with a mesothelioma doctor who has treated the disease.