Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that is made up of long, thin fibres. Workers who are regularly exposed to asbestos risk developing lung diseases like mesothelioma.

It can take years for symptoms to appear after asbestos exposure. Different asbestos types can cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma occurs in the lung's outer lining, also known as the pleura. It is the most prevalent mesothelioma that accounts for up 70 to 79% of diagnosed cases. People with this condition feel chest pain and shortness of breath, and they may feel a sensation of heaviness in the chest.

This type of cancer is often caused through exposure to asbestos, which is a cluster of minerals that are made up of microscopic fibres. The fibers, when inhaled, cause irritation and DNA mutations. The pleura surrounds the chest cavity and lungs and therefore, these irritations could affect both the lungs as well as a person's heart. Mesothelioma symptoms typically don't show until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

Chest pain and shortness breath are the most common symptoms. Patients may also experience coughing, difficulty breathing or chest tightness. Patients with this type of cancer typically have an history of exposure to asbestos in the workplace. Manufacturing, construction and shipbuilding are among the most common occupations that put people at a high chance of developing pleural mesothelioma. People who have served in the military could be at an especially high risk due to the widespread use of asbestos in Navy vessels and bunkers used by the army.

The most popular staging method for pleural mesothelioma is the TNM (tumor lymph nodes, lymph nodes and metastases) staging system. The stage the patient is in at the time of diagnosis will help determine the treatment plan they should receive. For instance, patients suffering from a pleural mesothelioma in stage three or four have a worse prognosis than those 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 the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

As opposed to pleural mesothelioma that develops in the lung lining, peritoneal mesothelioma is found in the peritoneum -- a membrane that lines the abdominal cavity as well as organs like the intestines and liver. As with pleural mesothelioma asbestos exposure is the cause of peritoneal mesothelioma. The disease is less common than pleural mesothelioma, and just 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.

As with pleural asbestosis, symptoms can take years to manifest. The majority of patients are afflicted with abdominal pain as well as a mass in the abdomen. The symptoms of this type of mesothelioma can also include nausea as well as weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms are similar to symptoms of digestive problems, which can result in confusion in diagnosis.

Generally speaking, doctors can detect mesothelioma through an exhaustive health history and physical examination. They can also utilize imaging tests such as X-rays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to identify mesothelioma. These tests can reveal tumors and other symptoms of cancer that aren't apparent on an X-ray.

These test results enable doctors to identify mesothelioma, and determine the stage. They can also recommend treatment options. The stage is determined by the type of cell as well as whether the tumor has spread.

The most important risk factor for mesothelioma is asbestos exposure. People who have worked in professions that require asbestos, such as plumbing, electrical work, manufacturing or construction, are at a higher risk of developing the disease. Even if an individual isn't employed in one of these fields however, they may be exposed to asbestos to asbestos through family members and other sources. For this reason, anyone who is concerned that they might be at risk should speak to an experienced doctor. A mesothelioma specialist can help those who have had a experience with asbestos litigation to understand more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos exposure is the primary risk factor for mesothelioma accounting for up to 80 percent of all cases. Exposure to asbestos may occur as a result of work, military service or by living with someone who works with asbestos or was previously exposed to doing such. asbestos claim particles can be breathed in by those who are exposed to it. The particles cause irritation to the linings, causing cancerous cells to grow in the mesothelium. After asbestos exposure mesothelioma can be diagnosed between 15 and 60 years.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and aging. People in their 40s or 50s are at a higher risk of developing mesothelioma compared to people who are younger or more. It is because mesothelioma generally occurs between 20 and 60 years after the initial time of exposure before the first signs of cancer appear. It is important to note, too, that mesothelioma may develop in those who have been exposed to asbestos, but without having worked with it directly. This is known as secondary or indirect asbestos exposure, and is as hazardous as direct asbestos exposure.

Smoking increases the chance of mesothelioma developing, because it damages the mesothelium. It also makes it more susceptible. Mesothelioma is also aggravated by certain illnesses such as asbestosis and pneumonia. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than females. This is because men are more likely to work with asbestos and experience a an extended period of exposure than women. Additionally, men are more likely to live with someone who had asbestos exposure and bring asbestos fibers that have escaped home on their clothes. Women are less likely to come in contact with asbestos, and they don't usually carry asbestos on their clothes.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is a difficult disease to diagnose because the symptoms often resemble other diseases. This can result in patients being wrongly diagnosed.

The first step in identifying mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform a physical exam and take down a patient's medical history including asbestos settlement case (frozenllama.io) 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 pleural plaques, thickened pleura and calcium deposits.

Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram, which examines the blood vessels and the heart as well as a 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 method doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma. In a surgical biopsy doctors will remove a small piece of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum, to be further examined. A pathologist can then examine the tissue using a magnifying lens to determine whether it contains cancerous cell.

The mesothelial type involved as well as the benign or malignant nature of the cells and the location and stage of the tumour, are used to categorize the disease. Some types of mesothelioma are more likely to grow or spread which is why it is crucial to get a definite diagnosis to ensure that doctors are able to treat the disease before it becomes out of control.

Doctors can also run tests in the laboratory on tumors to determine particular proteins, genes and other factors that can help them describe the cancer's characteristics and plan treatment. These results are referred to as staging.

Treatment

A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be frightening. However, it is important to keep in mind that the cancer is treatable, particularly in its early stages. Many people with mesothelioma can be afflicted for a long time without spreading.

Exposure to asbestos can trigger mesothelioma via various mechanisms. Asbestos fibres, too small to be felt or observed by naked eyes can be airborne and irritate the lung's lining (pleura). As time passes, the irritation leads to the formation of scar tissues, which eventually lead to tumors.

The Pleura is a covering that surrounds the abdomen, heart, and lungs. Mesothelium consists of cells that react to exposure to asbestos which causes it to become inflamed and create scar tissue. These changes can result in malignant mesothelioma tumors.

Symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include breathlessness and chest pain, or an accumulation of fluid in the lung (pleural effusion). In rare instances cancer can spread to the tissues surrounding the reproductive organs as well as the heart.

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

There are many types of mesothelioma treatment, including surgery, chemotherapy and immunotherapy. Most doctors utilize a combination of these methods. Participating in clinical trials of mesothelioma treatments may be beneficial to patients. To find out more, patients should consult a mesothelioma specialist who has expertise in treating the condition.