Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that is made up of long, thin fibres. People who are exposed to asbestos regularly are at risk of developing mesothelioma or other types of lung diseases.

Symptoms of these diseases may not show up for decades after exposure to asbestos. Different asbestos attorney types can cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma can be found in the outer lung lining, or pleura. It is the most prevalent mesothelioma that accounts for up between 70 and 79% of all diagnosed cases. This condition causes chest pain, breath shortness, and a feeling of heavyness.

This type of cancer often caused by exposure to asbestos, which is a grouping of minerals that are composed of microscopic fibers. When inhaled, these fibers are absorbed into the lungs and cause irritation that leads to scarring and DNA mutations. The pleura surrounds the chest cavity and lungs, so these irritations can affect both the lungs as well as the heart of a person. Mesothelioma symptoms are usually not apparent until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

Shortness of breath and chest pain are the most frequently reported symptoms. Patients may also experience chest tightness and coughing, or breathing difficulties. People with this cancer often have a history of exposure to asbestos in the workplace. The most prevalent jobs that expose people to the risk of developing pleural mesothelioma are construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding. Individuals who have been in the military could be at risk due to the widespread use of asbestos in Navy ships and bunkers used by the army.

The TNM (tumors lymph nodes, tumors, and metastases staging system) is the most commonly used staging system for the pleural adenocarcinoma. The stage that a patient is in at the time of diagnosis will help determine the treatment plan they should follow. For instance, patients who have a pleural mesothelioma in stage three or four have a worse prognosis than patients with lower stages. Stage four mesothelioma is often spread to the liver, diaphragm and/or a person's heart. This can make 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 develops in the peritoneum, an elongated membrane that covers the abdominal cavity as well as organs such as the intestines and liver. Similar to pleural mesothelioma and peritoneal mesothelioma can be caused by asbestos exposure. It is estimated that only 300-500 cases are diagnosed annually which is lower than pleural asbestosis.

As with pleural mesothelioma symptoms can take a long time to manifest. Patients usually experience abdominal pain, and could also experience a mass in their abdomen. This mesothelioma type can cause nausea, weight loss and fever. A lot of these symptoms are similar to those of digestive problems, which can result in incorrect diagnosis.

Typically, doctors can identify mesothelioma after an extensive health history and physical exam. Imaging tests like X-rays and CT scans can be used to identify mesothelioma. These tests can show tumors, as well as other signs of cancer that aren't apparent on an X-ray.

The results of these tests allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and establish the stage. They also offer treatments. The stage is determined by the kind of cell and if the tumor has spread.

The most important mesothelioma-related risk factor is asbestos attorney exposure. People who have been exposed to asbestos settlement in professions, such as electrical or plumbing work or in manufacturing and construction are more likely to develop the disease. However, even if people do not work in these areas they could be exposed to Asbestos Legal, Ai-Db.Science, through relatives or other sources. Anyone who believes they may be at risk should talk to a doctor. A mesothelioma specialist can help those who have had a history with asbestos to learn more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos exposure is the main risk factor for mesothelioma, making up as much as 80 percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos can happen as a result of work, military service, or through living with a person who is exposed to asbestos or used to do such. Asbestos particles can be inhaled by those who are exposed to it. These particles can cause irritation to the linings, causing cancerous cells to develop in the mesothelium. After exposure to asbestos mesothelioma is likely to develop between 15 and 60 years.

Other risk factors include genetics, smoking and age. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely to be diagnosed with mesothelioma compared to those who are younger or more senior. This is because mesothelioma typically occurs between 20 and 60 years from the first exposure before symptoms of cancer begin to manifest. It is also important to note that mesothelioma is a possibility in people who were exposed to asbestos, but did not engage directly with it. This is called secondary or indirect 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 prone to asbestos. Furthermore, mesothelioma is worsened by certain diseases like pneumonia and asbestosis. It is also important to know that mesothelioma is more common in men than women. This is due to the fact that men are more likely to work with asbestos and have more exposure than women. Additionally, men are more likely to live with someone who was exposed to asbestos and bring asbestos fibers that have escaped home on their clothes. Women are less likely to come into contact with asbestos and rarely carry asbestos home on their clothes.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is a difficult disease to recognize because the symptoms can be similar to other conditions. This could lead to patients being incorrectly diagnosed.

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

Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance scan, or MRI test, which uses radio waves and magnets to create a series detailed images of the inside of the body. A surgical biopsy is a different method for doctors to identify mesothelioma. During a surgery biopsy doctors will remove a small piece of tissue from pleura or the peritoneum to be examined further. A pathologist can examine the tissue with microscopes to determine whether it contains cancerous cells.

Mesothelioma can be classified based on the mesothelial type involved, whether those cells are benign or malignant and also the location, type, and stage of the tumor. Certain types of mesothelioma are more likely to develop metastasis or spread, so it is important to get a definite diagnosis so that doctors can treat the disease before it gets out of control.

Doctors may also conduct tests in the lab on tumors in order to determine specific proteins, genes or other factors that can help them describe the characteristics of cancer and plan treatment. These results are referred to as staging.

Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnosis can be a frightening prospect. But, it is crucial to keep in mind that the cancer is treatable, especially in its initial stages. Many patients with mesothelioma survive for years with the disease without it spreading to other organs of their body.

Exposure to asbestos may cause mesothelioma in a number of ways. asbestos claim particles, which are too small to detect or feel through the naked eye, can be airborne and cause irritation to the lining of the lungs (pleura). Over time irritation can lead to formation of scar tissue which causes changes in the structure of cells that eventually develop into tumors.

The pleura surrounds the lungs and the heart, as well as the abdomen. Mesothelium is composed of cells that respond when exposed to asbestos. They cause inflammation to the tissue and cause it to become scarred. These changes eventually cause mesothelioma cancers.

Breathing problems, chest discomfort or fluid buildup on the lungs are all symptoms of pleural msothelioma. In rare cases, cancer can spread into the tissues around the reproductive organs as well as the heart.

If imaging scans reveal a possible mass in the stomach or lungs the doctor will request a biopsies. During the procedure doctors remove some of the fluid or tumor to allow for laboratory testing. The results can confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis, and determine the best treatment plan.

There are many types of treatment for mesothelioma, such as chemotherapy and surgery. Most doctors utilize an amalgamation of these techniques. Participating in clinical trials of new mesothelioma treatment may also be beneficial to patients. Patients can learn more by consulting a mesothelioma specialist who has treated the condition.