Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos is a natural mineral that is found in long, thin fibres. People who are exposed to asbestos regularly risk developing mesothelioma and other types of lung diseases.

The symptoms of these diseases might not show up for decades after exposure to asbestos. Different asbestos types can cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma occurs in the lung's outer lining, or pleura. It is the most frequent form of mesothelioma and is responsible for 70 to 79% all diagnosed cases. This condition causes chest discomfort, shortness of breath and a feeling of heaviness.

Exposure to asbestos, a family of minerals made of microscopic fibers, usually causes this kind of cancer. When inhaled, these fibers, cause irritation and DNA mutations. The pleura covers the lungs and chest cavity and therefore, these irritations could affect both the lungs as well as the heart of a person. Mesothelioma symptoms usually don't appear until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

Shortness of breath and chest pain are the most frequent symptoms. Some patients have coughing problems, trouble breathing or chest tightness. People who suffer from this cancer usually have a history of exposure to asbestos in the workplace. The most common jobs that put people at risk of developing pleural cancer are manufacturing, construction, and shipbuilding. People who have served in the military may be at risk due to the frequent use of asbestos in Navy vessels and bunkers used by the army.

The most commonly used staging method for pleural mesothelioma is the TNM (tumor lymph nodes, lymph nodes, and metastases) staging system. The stage a patient is in upon diagnosis will help their doctor determine the most appropriate treatment plan for them. For example, patients with mesothelioma pleural stage three or four have a less favorable prognosis than patients with a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma is often spread to the diaphragm, liver or even a person's heart. This could make the cancer more difficult to treat and increase the chances of complications for patients.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

In contrast to pleural cancer, which is found in the lung's lining, peritoneal cancer develops in a membrane that covers the abdominal cavity, including organs like the intestines and the liver. Like pleural mesothelioma, asbestos exposure is the cause of peritoneal msothelioma. It is estimated that only 300-500 cases are diagnosed annually which is lower than pleural asbestosis.

As with pleural asbestosis symptoms can take years to show. Patients usually suffer from abdominal pain and may have a mass in their abdomen. The symptoms of this kind of mesothelioma may also include nausea, weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms can be misinterpreted as gastrointestinal issues, leading to a misdiagnosis.

Doctors can identify mesothelioma by examining the patient's medical history and performing a physical exam. Imaging tests such as X-rays or CT scans are a way to identify mesothelioma. These tests can reveal tumors and other indications of cancer that aren't visible on X-rays.

These tests enable doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and determine the stage. They also offer treatment options. Staging is determined based on the type of cells and whether or the tumor has spread to other regions of the body.

The most important risk factor for mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos. People who have worked in union city asbestos attorney city asbestos Lawsuit (vimeo.com)-related occupations, like electrical or plumbing work or in construction, manufacturing and manufacturing are more likely to develop the disease. However, even if people aren't employed in these fields they could be exposed to asbestos through family members or other sources. Anyone who suspects that they are at risk should speak with an expert. A mesothelioma expert can help those with a experience with asbestos to understand more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos exposure is a major risk factor for mesothelioma, accounting for up to 80 percent of all cases. Exposure to asbestos can happen due to work, military service, or through living with a person who works with asbestos or used to do so. When exposed to asbestos, particles can be breathed into the lungs and abdomen. They can cause irritation to the linings of the abdomen and trigger cancerous cells to grow in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma can take anywhere between 15 and 60 years to develop following exposure to asbestos.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and aging. People in their 40s or 50s are at a higher chance of developing mesothelioma to those who are younger or older. Mesothelioma can take between 20 and 60 years before it manifests cancer symptoms after the first exposure. It is important to keep in mind, too, that mesothelioma can be present in those who have been exposed to asbestos, but without having directly worked with it. This is known as indirect or secondary asbestos exposure. It can be as dangerous as direct asbestos exposure.

Smoking increases the risk of mesothelioma, as it damages the mesothelium. It can also make it more vulnerable. Mesothelioma is also aggravated by certain diseases, such as asbestosis and pneumonia. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma 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 durations and to work with it. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who has been exposed to asbestos, and to have asbestos-containing fibers on their clothing. Women are less likely to come into exposure to asbestos and rarely carry asbestos on their clothing.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is a difficult disease to diagnose because the symptoms often resemble other conditions. This is why patients are often misdiagnosed.

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

Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance image or MRI test, which makes use of magnets and radio waves in order to create a series of detailed images of the insides of the body. A surgical biopsy is yet another method for doctors to identify mesothelioma. In a surgical biopsy, doctors remove a tiny piece of tissue from pleura or the peritoneum, to be tested further. A pathologist can then look at the tissue under microscopes to determine if it contains cancerous cells.

The type of mesothelial cells involved and the benign or malignant nature of the cells as well as the location and stage of the cancer are used to classify the disease. Certain types of mesothelioma are more likely to develop metastasis or spread, so it is important to establish a definitive diagnosis so doctors can treat the disease before it gets 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 determine the best treatment. These results are known as staging.

Treatment

A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be terrifying. However, it is important to remember that the disease is treatable, especially in its early stages. Many people with mesothelioma can be afflicted for a long time, without spreading.

Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma in a number of ways. Asbestos fibers, which are tiny enough to be felt or seen with the naked eyes can be airborne, causing irritation to the lining of the lung (pleura). Over time, the irritation causes the formation of scar tissue, which causes changes in the cell structure that eventually develop into tumors.

The Pleura is a protective layer that surrounds the lungs, heart and abdomen. Mesothelium is made up of cells that react to exposure to asbestos and cause it to enflame and form scar tissue. Overtime, these changes lead to the development of malignant mesothelioma tumors.

Symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include breathlessness and chest pain as well as the accumulation of fluid in the lungs (pleural effusion). In rare instances, cancer can spread into the tissues that surround the reproductive organs as well as the heart.

If imaging scans show an area of concern in the lungs or stomach doctors will recommend biopsies. In the course of the procedure, doctors remove a small amount of fluid or tumor to allow for laboratory testing. The results can confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and determine the best treatment option.

There are many types of mesothelioma treatment, which include chemotherapy, surgery, and immunotherapy. The majority of doctors employ a combination of these treatments. Enrolling in clinical trials of mesothelioma treatments that are new could be beneficial for patients. Patients can find out more by consulting a mesothelioma specialist who has treated the disease.