Mesothelioma and Asbestos
Asbestos, a mineral that naturally forms in the form of long, thin fibers. Workers who are exposed asbestos regularly risk developing mesothelioma and other types of lung diseases.
It can take years for symptoms to show up after asbestos exposure. Different asbestos types can cause different symptoms.
Pleural Mesothelioma
Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer that occurs in the lung's outer liner (pleura). It is the most frequent mesothelioma that accounts for up between 70 and 79% of all diagnosed cases. The condition can cause chest pain, breath shortness and a feeling heaviness.
Exposure to asbestos, a class of minerals composed of microscopic fibers, typically causes this type of cancer. When inhaled, these fibers, cause irritation and DNA mutations. The pleura covers the lungs and chest cavity This means that these irritations can affect both the lungs as well as a person's heart. Mesothelioma usually doesn't show symptoms until 30 to 50 year after exposure.
The most common symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are chest pain and shortness of breath. Some patients may also feel tightness in their chest and coughing, or breathing difficulties. People with this cancer often have an history of exposure to asbestos in the workplace. The most prevalent jobs that expose people to the risk of developing pleural mesothelioma are manufacturing, construction, and shipbuilding. Individuals who have served in the military are at greater risk due the frequent use of asbestos in Navy vessels and bunkers in the Army.
The most popular staging system 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 will receive. For example, patients with mesothelioma that is pleural in stage three or four have a less favorable prognosis than those in a lower stage. Mesothelioma in stage four can develop into the liver, heart, or diaphragm. This could make the cancer more difficult to treat, and increase the chances of complications for patients.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
Unlike pleural mesothelioma, which develops in the lung lining, peritoneal mesothelioma forms 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 triggered by
asbestos law exposure. There are only 300-500 cases diagnosed annually, which is less than the pleural asbestosis.
As with pleural asbestosis, symptoms can take a long time to manifest. Typically, patients suffer from abdominal pain and abdominal swelling. This mesothelioma type can cause nausea, weight loss, and fever. A lot of these symptoms are similar to those experienced by digestive problems, which can lead to confusion in diagnosis.
Generally speaking, doctors can detect mesothelioma through an exhaustive health history and physical examination. They may also employ imaging tests such as X-rays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to detect mesothelioma. These tests can detect tumors as well as other signs of cancer which aren't visible on X-rays.
These tests enable doctors to identify mesothelioma, and determine the stage. They also offer treatments. The stage is determined by the kind of cell and if the cancer has spread.
Asbestos exposure is the main risk factor. People who have worked in asbestos-containing professions, such as plumbing or electrical work, or in construction and manufacturing are more likely to develop the disease. However, even if people aren't employed in these fields, they can still be exposed to asbestos through family members or through other sources. Therefore, anyone who is concerned that they might be at risk should talk to an experienced doctor. A mesothelioma specialist can assist those with a history with asbestos to learn more about their risk.
Risk Factors
Asbestos is the primary risk factor in mesothelioma. It accounts for as much as the 80% of cases. Exposure to asbestos can occur through work, military service, or through living with a person who is exposed to asbestos case (
1.234.44.55 website) or was previously exposed to doing such. When exposed to asbestos, the particles are able to be inhaled into abdomen and lungs. These particles irritate the linings, causing cancerous cells to grow in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma may take between 15 and 60 years to develop following exposure to asbestos.
Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and age. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely to be diagnosed with mesothelioma compared to those who are younger or older. This is because mesothelioma usually takes 20 to 60 years after the initial exposure before symptoms of cancer begin to manifest. It is important to keep in mind that mesothelioma can develop in those who have been exposed to
asbestos settlement without having been directly exposed to it. This is known as secondary or indirect exposure to asbestos and it could be as hazardous as direct exposure.
Smoking increases the chance of mesothelioma since it damages mesothelium. It can also make it more vulnerable. In addition, mesothelioma may be worsened by certain diseases like pneumonia and asbestosis. It is also important to remember that mesothelioma occurs more frequently for men than women. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for a longer time and to have worked with asbestos for longer periods of time. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who had worked with asbestos, and to have asbestos fibers on their clothing. Women are less likely to be in contact with asbestos, and they don't usually bring asbestos home on their clothing.
Diagnosis
It is difficult to recognize mesothelioma because its symptoms are frequently similar to other illnesses. This is why patients are sometimes mistakenly diagnosed.
NYU Langone doctors will perform physical examinations and document the patient's medical history including asbestos exposure. Doctors can also request an X-ray of the chest or CT scan to look for lumps or other abnormalities, as well as evidence of past asbestos exposure like plaques on the pleura (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the formation of fluid between the lung and the chest wall (known as the pleural effusion).
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. Another method doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma is by performing a surgical biopsy. In a surgical biopsy doctors remove a small piece of tissue from the pleura or peritoneum for further testing. A pathologist is then able to look at the tissue under microscopes to determine whether it is contaminated with cancerous cells.
Mesothelioma is classified based on the mesothelial type involved, whether these cells are malignant or benign, and the location of the tumor, the type, and the stage of the cancer. Some types of mesothelioma are more likely to spread or metastasize which is why it is crucial to get a definite diagnosis so that doctors can treat the disease before it becomes out of control.
Doctors can also perform tests in the laboratory on tumors to identify specific proteins, genes or other elements that can aid in describing the characteristics of cancer and plan treatment. These results are known as staging.
Treatment
A mesothelioma diagnose can be frightening. However, it is important to remember that the cancer can be treated, particularly in its initial stages. A lot of people suffering from mesothelioma be afflicted for a long time, without spreading.
Exposure to
asbestos compensation can cause mesothelioma through a variety of ways. Asbestos particles, which are too small to see or feel by the naked eye can be airborne and cause irritation to the lining of the lungs (pleura). Over time, the irritation leads to the formation of scar tissue and eventually tumors.
The pleura surrounds the lungs and heart, as well as the abdomen. Mesothelium is composed of cells that react to
asbestos attorney which causes it to become inflamed and create scar tissue. As time passes, these changes result in the growth of malignant mesothelioma tumors.
Shortness of breath, chest pain or fluid accumulation on the lungs are all indications of the pleural Msothelioma. In rare instances, the cancer can grow to the tissues surrounding the heart and reproductive organs.
If scans of imaging reveal a possible mass in the stomach or lungs, a doctor will order a biopsies. In the course of the procedure, doctors remove some of the liquid or tumor for laboratory testing. The results will confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis and indicate the most effective treatment plan.
There are a variety of treatment for mesothelioma including surgery and chemotherapy. The majority of doctors use an amalgamation of these techniques. Patients can also benefit by enrolling in a clinical trial of new mesothelioma treatment. To find out more, patients should speak to mesothelioma specialists who have expertise in treating the condition.
