Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that comes in long, thin fibres. People who are exposed to asbestos may develop lung diseases like mesothelioma.

It can take years for symptoms to show up after exposure to asbestos. Different asbestos litigation types may cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

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

This type of cancer typically caused by exposure to asbestos, which is a grouping of minerals that are composed of microscopic fibers. Once inhaled, these fibers cling to the lung and cause irritation that leads to scarring and DNA mutations. The pleura surrounds the lungs and chest cavity This means that these irritations can affect both the lungs as well as a person's heart. Mesothelioma symptoms usually don't appear until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

The most common symptoms of pleural melanoma are chest pain and shortness of breath. Some patients may also experience chest tightness, coughing or difficulty breathing. People who suffer from this cancer usually have an history of exposure to asbestos in the workplace. Construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding are the most prevalent occupations which put people at risk chance of developing pleural mesothelioma. People who have served in the military could be at risk because of the extensive use of asbestos in Navy ships and bunkers for the army.

The most common staging system for pleural mesothelioma is the TNM (tumor lymph nodes, lymph nodes, and metastases) staging system. The stage that a patient is at when they are diagnosed will aid their doctor in determining the best treatment plan for them. For instance, patients suffering from mesothelioma pleural stage three or four have a poorer prognosis than those with lower stages. Stage four mesothelioma may develop into the liver, heart, or diaphragm. This can make it more difficult to treat and increase the chance of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Contrary to pleural cancer that develops in the lung's lining it develops in a membrane that covers the abdominal cavity, which includes organs like the intestines and liver. Like pleural mesothelioma, peritoneal mesothelioma can be caused by asbestos exposure. The disease is less common than pleural mesothelioma. There are only about 300-500 cases diagnosed each year.

Like pleural mesothelioma, the symptoms can take a long time to manifest. Most patients experience abdominal pain and abdominal swelling. This mesothelioma type can also cause nausea, weight loss and fever. A lot of these symptoms can be misinterpreted as digestive issues and can lead to a false diagnosis.

Generally, doctors can find mesothelioma through an exhaustive health history and physical exam. Imaging tests like X-rays and CT scans are a way to detect mesothelioma. These tests can show cancerous tumors or other symptoms of cancer that aren't visible on X-rays.

These test results enable doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and determine the stage. They can also recommend treatment options. The stage of the disease is determined based on the type of cells and whether or the tumor has spread to other parts of the body.

The most significant mesothelioma-related risk factor is exposure to asbestos lawyer. People who have worked in asbestos-containing professions, such as electrical or plumbing work, or in construction and manufacturing are more likely to contract the disease. Even if a person is not employed in any of these areas they could be exposed to asbestos through family members or other sources. Anyone who suspects that they may be at risk should talk to a doctor. A mesothelioma specialist can help those who have a history with asbestos to learn more about their risk.

Risk Factors

asbestos claim is the main mesothelioma-related risk factor. It is responsible for up to 80percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos may occur through work, military service, or through living with a person who is exposed to asbestos or has previously done such. asbestos lawyer particles can be breathed in by people who are exposed to it. The particles cause irritation to the linings, causing cancerous cells to form in the mesothelium. After exposure to asbestos mesothelioma can develop between 15 and 60 years old.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and age. People in their 40s or 50s are at a higher chance of developing mesothelioma to those younger or older. It takes mesothelioma between 20 and 60 years to show signs of cancer after the first exposure. It is important to keep in mind that mesothelioma can occur in people who have been exposed to asbestos without having worked with it directly. This is referred to as secondary or indirect exposure to asbestos. It could be as hazardous as direct exposure.

Smoking increases the chance of mesothelioma developing, since it damages mesothelium. It also makes it more susceptible. Furthermore, mesothelioma is worsened by certain diseases like pneumonia and asbestosis. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than females. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for a longer period of time and to have worked with asbestos for longer durations and to work with it. Men are also more likely to live with someone who has had asbestos exposure and bring asbestos fibers that have escaped home on their clothing. Women tend to have less exposure to asbestos and rarely carry asbestos lawyer on their clothing.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is difficult to recognize because the symptoms often resemble other diseases. 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 can also order a chest X-ray or CT scan to detect lumps and other abnormalities, and also to look for evidence of past asbestos exposure like pleural plaques (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the accumulation of fluid between the lung and chest wall (known as pleural effusion).

Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram which examines the heart and blood vessels and magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI, test, which uses magnets and radio waves to make a series of precise images of the inside of the body. A surgical biopsy is yet another way for doctors to diagnose mesothelioma. When a biopsy is performed doctors will remove a small part of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum to be examined further. A pathologist is then able to examine the tissue under microscopes to determine whether it is contaminated with cancerous cells.

The mesothelial type involved and the benign or malignant nature of these cells and the location the cancer, its type and the stage of the tumour, are used to classify the disease. Certain types of mesothelioma are at greater risk of spreading or metastasizing, so it's important to determine the type of mesothelioma to ensure that the doctors can treat it prior to it becoming out-of-control.

Doctors can also perform laboratory tests on tumors in order to determine specific genes, proteins, or other factors which will help them identify cancer characteristics and plan treatment. These results are referred to as staging.

Treatment

A diagnosis of mesothelioma may be terrifying. It is important to keep in mind that cancer can be treated particularly in its early stages. Many people with mesothelioma can endure the disease for many years without it spreading.

Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma through various mechanisms. Asbestos fibers, which are too small to be able to see or feel with the naked eye, can become airborne and irritate the lung's lining (pleura). As time passes the irritation can lead to the formation of scar tissues, which eventually lead to tumors.

The pleura is the area that surrounds the lungs and heart and also the abdomen. Mesothelium consists of cells that react to asbestos and cause it to enflame and form scar tissue. In time, these changes can result in the growth of malignant mesothelioma tumors.

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

If imaging scans reveal an area of concern in the lungs or stomach the doctor will request biopsies. The procedure involves the removal of a small amount of liquid or tumor for tests in the laboratory. The results can confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis and determine the best treatment plan.

There are several types of mesothelioma treatments, including chemotherapy, surgery and immunotherapy. Most doctors use combinations of these treatments. Participating in clinical trials for mesothelioma treatments may be beneficial to patients. Patients can learn more about the trials by consulting a mesothelioma specialist who has treated the condition.