Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos is a mineral that occurs naturally in the form of long, thin fibers. People who are exposed to asbestos may develop lung diseases such as mesothelioma.

The symptoms of these diseases may not be evident for a long time after exposure to asbestos. Different asbestos types may cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma is a type of cancer that develops in the outer lung lining (pleura). It is the most frequent form of mesothelioma and is responsible for 70 to 79% of all diagnosed cases. Patients with this disease feel chest pain and breathlessness and may experience the sensation of weight in the chest.

Exposure to asbestos, a group of minerals comprised of microscopic fibers, typically causes this type of cancer. These fibers, when inhaled, cause irritation and DNA mutations. The pleura surrounds the chest cavity and lungs, so these irritations can affect both the lungs and the heart of a person. Mesothelioma is usually not symptomatic until 30 to 50 year after exposure.

The most commonly reported symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include chest pain and breath shortness. Patients may also experience coughing, difficulty breathing, or chest tightness. People with this cancer have a history of disease that includes asbestos exposure at work. Manufacturing, construction and shipbuilding are the most common jobs which put people at risk risk of developing pleural mesothelioma. Individuals who have served in the military are at greater risk due to the extensive use asbestos in Navy vessels and bunkers in the Army.

The TNM (tumors lymph nodes, tumors, and metastases staging system) is the most common staging system for pleural adenocarcinoma. The stage that a patient is at upon diagnosis will aid their doctor in determining the most effective treatment plan for them. For example, patients with mesothelioma that is pleural in stage three or four have a poorer prognosis than those in lower stages. Stage four mesothelioma often spreads to the liver, diaphragm or even a person's heart. This makes it more difficult to treat and raises the likelihood of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Contrary to pleural cancer which is found in the lung's lining the peritoneal cancer is a result of the membrane that covers the abdominal cavity, which includes organs such as the liver and intestines. Similar to pleural mesothelioma mesothelioma can be caused by asbestos exposure. There are only 300-500 cases diagnosed each year which is lower than pleural asbestosis.

Like pleural mesothelioma, the symptoms can take years to show. Patients generally suffer from abdominal pain and may also have a lump in their abdomen. Symptoms of this type of mesothelioma could also include nausea, weight loss and fever. A lot of these symptoms are similar to symptoms of digestive problems, which can cause confusion in diagnosis.

Doctors can identify mesothelioma by examining the patient's medical history and performing a physical examination. Imaging tests like X-rays or CT scans can be used to detect mesothelioma. These tests can reveal tumors and other cancer signs that aren't evident on X-rays.

These test results allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma, identify the stage and 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.

asbestos compensation exposure is the biggest risk factor. People who have been exposed to asbestos in professions, such as plumbing or electrical work, or in construction and manufacturing are more likely to develop the disease. Even if a person is not employed in one of these fields, he or she can be exposed to asbestos through family members and other sources. For this reason, anyone who suspects they may be at risk should speak to an expert. A mesothelioma specialist can assist those who have a history with asbestos to learn more about their risk.

Risk Factors

asbestos law exposure is a major risk factor for mesothelioma, accounting for up to 80 percent of all cases. Exposure to asbestos can occur due to work, military service or through living with a person who works with asbestos case (learn more about www.sluck.kr) or has previously done such. Asbestos particles are inhaled by those who are exposed to it. They can cause irritation to the linings of the abdomen and trigger cancerous cells to form in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma may take between 15 and 60 years to develop following exposure to asbestos legal.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and the advancing age. The people in their 40s or 50s are at a higher risk of developing mesothelioma compared to those who are younger or older. This is because mesothelioma typically occurs between 20 and 60 years from the first exposure before the first signs of cancer appear. It is important to remember that mesothelioma may develop in people who were exposed to asbestos, but did not engage directly with it. This is known as secondary or indirect asbestos exposure, and is as hazardous as direct asbestos legal 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 illnesses such as asbestosis and pneumonia. It is also important to know that mesothelioma is more common in men than women. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for longer periods of time and to work with asbestos for longer periods of time. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who has been exposed to asbestos, and to have asbestos fibers on their clothing. Women are less likely to come exposed to asbestos and they don't usually carry asbestos on their clothes.

Diagnosis

It is difficult to diagnose mesothelioma due to its symptoms being often similar to other conditions. This can lead to victims being incorrectly diagnosed.

The first step to diagnose mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform a physical exam and take notes on the medical history of a patient which includes asbestos exposure. Doctors will also order an CT scan or chest X-ray to check for lumps, abnormalities and evidence of exposure to asbestos. These include plaques in the pleura, thickened pleura and calcium deposits.

Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance image or MRI test, that uses magnets and radio waves in order to create a series of detailed images of inside the body. Another way for doctors to detect mesothelioma is through a surgical biopsy. A surgical biopsy is when doctors take a small amount of tissue from the peritoneum or pleura for further analysis. A pathologist is then able to look at the tissue under a microscope to see if it contains cancerous cells.

Mesothelioma is classified based on the mesothelial type involved, whether the cells are benign or malignant and the location of the tumor, its type, and the stage of the tumor. Certain mesothelioma types have greater risk of spreading or metastasizing, so it's important to determine the type of mesothelioma so doctors can treat it before it becomes out of control.

Doctors may also conduct tests in the lab on a tumor to find specific proteins, genes or other elements which can help them identify the characteristics of cancer and plan treatment. These results are called staging.

Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnosis can be a frightening prospect. It is crucial to remember, however, that cancer can be treated, particularly in its initial stages. Many patients with mesothelioma live with the disease for a long time, without spreading.

Asbestos exposure can trigger mesothelioma via many mechanisms. Asbestos fibers that are small enough to not be felt or viewed with the naked eyes are able to become airborne, irritating the lining of the lung (pleura). In time the irritation can lead to the formation of scar tissue, which eventually lead to tumors.

The pleura surrounds the heart and lungs, as well as the abdomen. Mesothelium is made up of cells that react when exposed to asbestos. They cause inflammation of the tissue and cause it to become scarred. As time passes, these changes cause the development of malignant mesothelioma tumors.

The signs of pleural mesothelioma can include breathing problems and chest pain as well as the accumulation of fluid in the lungs (pleural effusion). In rare instances, the cancer can grow to the tissues surrounding the heart and reproductive organs.

A doctor may request biopsy if imaging scans show the possibility of a lung tumor or stomach. The procedure involves the removal of some of the fluid or tumor for laboratory testing. The results will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and determine the best treatment option.

There are a variety of treatment for mesothelioma including surgery and chemotherapy. Most doctors use a combination of these treatments. Participating in clinical trials of mesothelioma treatments that are new could be beneficial to patients. Patients can learn more by consulting a mesothelioma specialist who has treated the disease.