Mesothelioma and Asbestos
asbestos settlement is a natural mineral that is found in thin, long fibres. Workers who are exposed asbestos regularly are at risk of developing mesothelioma or other lung diseases.
The symptoms of these diseases may not be evident for a long time after exposure to asbestos. Different asbestos types can cause different symptoms.
Pleural Mesothelioma
Pleural mesothelioma occurs in the lung's outer lining, or the pleura. It is the most prevalent mesothelioma form and accounts for 70% to 79% all diagnosed cases. Patients with this disease feel chest pain and breathlessness and may also feel an ache or heaviness in the chest.
Exposure to asbestos, a class of minerals comprised of microscopic fibers causes this kind of cancer. When inhaled, these fibers, cause irritation and DNA mutations. Pleura is the lining of both the chest cavity as well as the lungs, so irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma usually doesn't show symptoms until 30 to 50 year after exposure.
The most common symptoms of pleural melanoma are chest pain and breath shortness. 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. The most frequent jobs that put people at risk of developing pleural cancer are construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding. Individuals who have served in the military are at greater risk due the widespread use of asbestos in Navy vessels and Army bunkers.
The TNM (tumors lymph nodes and metastases staging system) is the most popular staging system for pleural adenocarcinoma. The stage that the patient is in at the time of diagnosis will help determine what treatment plan they will receive. Patients who have pleural mesothelioma which is in stage three or stage four will suffer a more negative outlook than those in a less advanced stage. Mesothelioma in stage four can develop into the liver, heart, or diaphragm. This makes it more difficult to treat and raises the chance of complications for the patient.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
As opposed to pleural mesothelioma that develops in the lung lining, peritoneal mesothelioma develops in the peritoneum, it is a membrane that lines the abdominal cavity and organs such as the intestines and the liver. Similar to pleural mesothelioma mesothelioma is caused by asbestos exposure. The disease is much less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma. There are around 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.
Like pleural mesothelioma, symptoms may take years to appear. Patients generally have abdominal pain, and may have a mass in their abdomen. This kind of mesothelioma can cause nausea, weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms are similar to symptoms of digestive issues, which could lead to confusion in diagnosis.
Doctors can detect mesothelioma by reviewing the medical history of the patient and performing a physical exam. Imaging tests like X-rays or CT scans are a way to detect mesothelioma. These tests can show tumors and other indications of cancer that aren't apparent on an X-ray.
These test results allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma, identify the stage and suggest treatment options. The stage is determined by the kind of cell and if the tumor has spread.
The most significant mesothelioma risk factor is exposure to asbestos. People who have worked in asbestos-related jobs, such as electrical or plumbing work or in construction, manufacturing and manufacturing, are more likely to contract the disease. However, even if people do not work in these fields, they can still be exposed to asbestos through family members or through other sources. Anyone who suspects that they may be at risk should speak with a doctor. A mesothelioma specialist can assist those who have a history with asbestos (
new post from Casinoasia) to learn more about their risk.
Risk Factors
Asbestos is the primary risk factor for mesothelioma. It is responsible for as much as the 80% of cases. Exposure to asbestos may occur through work, military service or by living with someone who works with asbestos or has previously done such. Asbestos particles are inhaled by those who are exposed to asbestos. These particles can cause irritation to the linings and cause cancerous cells to form in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma may take between 15 and 60 years to develop after exposure to asbestos.
Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and age. People in their 40s and 50s are at greater risk of developing mesothelioma as compared to those who are younger or older. It is because mesothelioma generally lasts between 20 and 60 years from the initial exposure to asbestos before cancer symptoms appear. It is important to note, too, that mesothelioma can occur in people who have been exposed to
asbestos claim, but without having been directly exposed to it. This is referred to as secondary or indirect exposure to asbestos. It could be as hazardous as direct exposure.
Smoking increases the risk of mesothelioma, because it damages the mesothelium. It also makes it more susceptible. In addition, mesothelioma may be worsened by certain diseases like asbestosis and pneumonia. It is also important to note that mesothelioma is more common in males than females. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for a longer period of time and to have worked with it. Additionally, men are more likely to live with someone who has was exposed to
asbestos compensation and bring asbestos fibers from their workplace on their clothing. Women are less likely to come exposed to asbestos, and they don't usually carry asbestos on their clothes.
Diagnosis
Mesothelioma is a difficult cancer to diagnose because the symptoms are often similar to other conditions. This is why patients are sometimes misdiagnosed.
NYU Langone doctors will perform an examination of the body and document the patient's medical history, including asbestos exposure. Doctors will also order an CT scan or chest X-ray to look 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 heart and blood vessels, and a magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI, test that uses radio waves and magnets to create detailed images of the inside of the body. A surgical biopsy is yet another method doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma. In a surgical biopsy, doctors remove a tiny part of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum, to be examined further. A pathologist can examine the tissue under a microscope to see if it has cancerous cells.
The type of mesothelial cell involved as well as the benign or malignant nature of these cells and the location the cancer, its type and the stage of the tumor, are used to categorize the disease. Certain mesothelioma types have a higher risk of metastasizing or spreading and it's crucial to establish a clear diagnosis so that doctors can treat it prior to it becoming out-of-control.
Doctors can also perform laboratory tests on tumors to identify specific genes, proteins or other factors that will help them identify cancer characteristics and plan treatment. These results are known as staging.
Treatment
A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be terrifying. But, it is crucial 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 expanding.
Exposure to asbestos may cause mesothelioma in many ways.
asbestos case particles, which are too small to be able to see or feel by the naked eye can become airborne and irritate the lining of the lungs (pleura). In time, the irritation leads to the formation of scar tissue that eventually result in tumors.
The pleura covers the lungs and heart and the abdomen. Mesothelium is made up of cells that react to exposure to asbestos and cause it to enflame and create scar tissue. These changes can eventually cause mesothelioma cancers.
Symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include breathing problems and chest pain as well as a buildup of fluid in the lungs (pleural effusion). In rare cases, cancer can spread into the tissues surrounding the reproductive organs as well as the heart.
If imaging scans reveal a possible mass in the stomach or lungs doctors will recommend biopsies. During the procedure doctors remove some of the fluid or tumor for laboratory testing. The results will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and determine the best treatment plan.
There are many types of treatment for mesothelioma, including chemotherapy and surgery. Most doctors use the combination of these treatments. Patients can also benefit by participating in a clinical study of new mesothelioma treatment. Patients can learn more about the trials by speaking with a mesothelioma doctor who has treated the condition.
