Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos, a mineral that naturally forms in the form of long, thin fibers. People who are exposed to asbestos lawyer regularly are at risk of developing mesothelioma as well as other types of lung diseases.

The symptoms of these diseases might not manifest for years after exposure to asbestos. Different types of asbestos legal can cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma, a form of cancer, that occurs in the outer lung liner (pleura). It is the most common mesothelioma type and accounts for 70% to 79% all diagnosed cases. Patients suffering from this condition feel chest pain and breathlessness and may experience the sensation of weight in the chest.

Exposure to asbestos litigation, a group of minerals composed of microscopic fibers, typically causes this type of cancer. When inhaled, these fibers cling to the lungs and cause irritation that results in scarring and DNA mutations. Pleura surrounds both the chest cavity and the lungs, so irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma symptoms are usually not apparent until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

The most frequent symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include chest pain and shortness of breath. Patients may also experience difficulty breathing or chest tightness. Patients with this type of cancer have a history that includes asbestos exposure at work. The most common jobs that expose workers to the risk of developing pleural mesothelioma are construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding. People who have worked in the military may be at risk due to the widespread use of asbestos in Navy vessels and bunkers used by the army.

The most common staging system for pleural mysothelioma has been the TNM (tumor lymph nodes, lymph nodes, and metastases) staging system. The stage that a patient is in at the time of diagnosis will help determine the treatment plan they should follow. For example, patients with mesothelioma that is pleural in stage three or four have a poorer prognosis than patients with lower stages. Mesothelioma in stage four is usually spread to the diaphragm, liver or even the heart of a patient. This can make it more difficult to treat and raises the chance of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Unlike pleural cancer, that develops in the lining of the lung, peritoneal cancer develops in a membrane that surrounds the abdominal cavity, including organs such as the liver and intestines. Similar to pleural mesothelioma mesothelioma is triggered by asbestos exposure. The disease is less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma. There are only about 300-500 cases diagnosed each year.

As with pleural asbestosis, symptoms can take years to manifest. Patients generally suffer from abdominal pain and may have a mass in their abdomen. The symptoms of this kind of mesothelioma may also include nausea or weight loss, as well as fever. A lot of these symptoms are similar to those experienced by digestive issues, which could lead to confusion in diagnosis.

Generally speaking, doctors can detect mesothelioma after an extensive health history and physical examination. Imaging tests like X-rays or CT scans are a way to detect mesothelioma. These tests can show tumors, as well as other symptoms of cancer that aren't visible on an X-ray.

The results of these tests allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and determine the stage and suggest treatment options. The staging is determined by the type of cell and whether or whether the cancer has spread to other regions of the body.

The most important mesothelioma risk factor is asbestos exposure. People who have been exposed to asbestos in professions, such as plumbing or electrical work, or in manufacturing and construction are more likely to develop the disease. However, even if people do not work in these fields they could be exposed to asbestos through relatives or other sources. Anyone who believes they are at risk should speak with a doctor. If they have a history of asbestos exposure or mesothelioma, a specialist can help them find out more about the risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos is the main risk factor in mesothelioma. It accounts for as much as 80% of all cases. Exposure to asbestos can occur due to work, military service, or by living with someone who works with asbestos or has previously done such. When exposed to asbestos, small particles can be inhaled into the lungs and abdomen. The particles cause irritation to the linings of the lungs, causing cancerous cells to form in the mesothelium. After asbestos exposure mesothelioma can be diagnosed between 15 and 60 years old.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and age. People in their 40s or 50s are at greater risk of developing mesothelioma compared to those who are younger or older. It takes mesothelioma between 20 and 60 years to show signs of cancer after the first exposure. It is important to note that mesothelioma could develop in those who have been exposed to asbestos, but without having been directly exposed to it. This is known as indirect or secondary exposure to asbestos and it can be just as dangerous as direct exposure.

Smoking can increase the likelihood of developing mesothelioma due to the fact that it causes mesothelium damage and makes it more vulnerable to asbestos. Mesothelioma can also be caused by certain illnesses such as asbestosis and pneumonia. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma compared to women. This is due to the fact that men are more likely to be exposed to asbestos litigation and endure a more exposure than women. Men are also more likely to live with someone who was exposed to asbestos and bring asbestos fibers from their workplace on their clothes. Women tend to have less exposure to asbestos and don't typically carry asbestos home on their clothes.

Diagnosis

It is difficult to diagnose mesothelioma due to its symptoms being often similar to other conditions. This is why patients are often mistakenly diagnosed.

NYU Langone doctors will perform an examination of the body and document the patient's medical background, including asbestos legal exposure. Doctors may also order a chest X-ray or CT scan to look for lumps or other abnormalities, and also to look for evidence of asbestos exposure in the past like plaques on the pleura (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the buildup of fluid between the lung and chest wall (known as the pleural effusion).

Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram which examines the blood vessels and the heart and magnetic resonance imaging, also known as MRI, test, which makes use of radio waves and magnets to create detailed images of the interior of the body. A surgical biopsy is another method doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma. In a surgical biopsy doctors will remove a small piece of tissue from pleura or the peritoneum, to be examined further. A pathologist then examines the tissue with an magnifying glass to determine if it is a cancerous cells.

Mesothelioma is classified based on the type of mesothelial cell involved, whether the cells are benign or malignant and the location, type, and stage of the tumor. Some types of mesothelioma have greater chance of metastasizing or spreading and it's crucial to determine the type of mesothelioma so doctors can treat it prior to it becoming out of control.

Doctors may also conduct laboratory tests on tumors to identify specific genes, proteins or other factors that can help them describe cancer characteristics and plan treatment. These results are known as staging.

Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnosis is terrifying. It is important to keep in mind, however, that cancer can be treated especially at its early stages. Many patients with mesothelioma survive for a long time with the disease without it spreading to other organs of their body.

Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma in many ways. Asbestos fibers that are tiny enough to be felt or seen through the naked eye can be airborne, irritating the lung's lining (pleura). As time passes, the irritation leads to the formation of scar tissues that eventually result in tumors.

The Pleura is a covering that covers the abdomen, heart, and lungs. Mesothelium consists of cells that respond when exposed to asbestos lawsuit. They inflame the tissue and cause it to scar. These changes can cause mesothelioma cancers.

Shortness of breath, chest discomfort, or the accumulation of fluid on the lungs are all symptoms of the pleural Msothelioma. In rare instances cancer may spread to the tissues around the reproductive organs as well as the heart.

If imaging scans reveal an area of concern in the lungs or stomach, a doctor will order a biopsies. During the procedure, doctors remove tiny amounts of tumor or fluid for lab tests. The results can confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma, and also determine the most effective treatment plan.

There are many types of mesothelioma treatment, including chemotherapy, surgery and immunotherapy. Most doctors rely on an amalgamation of these techniques. Patients can also benefit by enrolling in a clinical trial of new mesothelioma therapies. Patients can learn more about the trials by speaking with a mesothelioma doctor who has treated mesothelioma.