Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos, a mineral that naturally occurs in the form of long, thin fibers. Workers who are exposed to asbestos case regularly risk developing mesothelioma and other lung diseases of different types.

It may take decades before symptoms begin to manifest after asbestos compensation exposure. Different asbestos types may cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma can be found in the lung's outer lining or the pleura. It is the most common mesothelioma type and accounts for 70% to 79% of diagnosed cases. People with this condition experience pain in the chest and breath shortness, and they may feel a sensation of heaviness in the chest.

This kind of cancer is usually caused through exposure to asbestos, which is a cluster of minerals that are composed of microscopic fibers. The fibers, when inhaled can cause irritation and DNA mutations. Pleura covers both the chest cavity as well as the lungs, which means that irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma is usually not symptomatic until 30 to 50 year after exposure.

Shortness of breath and chest pain are the most frequent symptoms. Patients may also feel tightness in their chest or coughing. They may also experience difficulty breathing. Patients with this type of cancer typically have a history of exposure to asbestos settlement in the workplace. The most prevalent jobs that expose people to the risk of developing pleural mesothelioma are construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding. People who have served in the military may be at a higher risk because of the extensive use of asbestos in Navy ships and bunkers used by the army.

The TNM (tumors, lymph nodes, and metastases staging system) is the most common staging system used to treat the pleural cancer. The stage a patient is in when they are diagnosed will aid their doctor in determining the best treatment plan for them. Patients who have pleural mesothelioma which is in stage three or stage four will suffer a more negative prognosis than those in a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma is often spread to the diaphragm, the liver and/or a person's heart. This makes the cancer more difficult to treat, and increase 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 as well as organs such as the intestines and the liver. Like pleural mesothelioma, exposure to asbestos is the reason for peritoneal msothelioma. The disease is less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma. There are around 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.

Like pleural mesothelioma, the symptoms may take years to appear. Typically, patients are afflicted with abdominal pain as well as a mass in the abdomen. Symptoms of this type of mesothelioma may also include nausea as well as weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms can be misinterpreted as gastrointestinal issues and can lead to a misdiagnosis.

Generally speaking, doctors can detect mesothelioma by conducting an extensive health history and physical examination. Imaging tests such as X-rays or CT scans can be used to detect mesothelioma. These tests can identify tumors and other cancer signs which aren't visible on X-rays.

These tests enable doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and establish the stage. They also offer treatment options. The stage is determined by the type of cell and whether the tumor has spread.

The most important mesothelioma risk factor is asbestos exposure. People who have worked in asbestos-containing jobs, such as electrical or plumbing work or in construction, manufacturing and manufacturing, are more likely to develop the disease. However, even if people do not work in these areas, they can still be exposed to asbestos through family members or through other sources. Anyone who believes they may be at risk should consult an expert. A mesothelioma specialist can help those who have a previous history of asbestos to find out more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos is the most significant mesothelioma-related risk factor. It accounts for up to 80% of all cases. Exposure to asbestos can happen due to work, military service or through living with a person who is exposed to asbestos or used to do such. Asbestos particles are inhaled by those who are exposed to it. These particles can cause irritation to the linings and trigger cancerous cells to develop in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma may take between 15 and 60 years to develop after exposure to asbestos.

Other risk factors include genetics, smoking and aging. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely to develop mesothelioma than those who are younger or more senior. It takes mesothelioma between 20 and 60 years before it manifests cancer symptoms after the first exposure. It is important to remember, too, that mesothelioma may occur in those who have been exposed to asbestos, but without having worked with it directly. This is referred to as indirect or secondary asbestos attorney exposure. It can be as dangerous as direct asbestos exposure.

Smoking increases the chance of mesothelioma developing, since it damages mesothelium. It also makes it more susceptible. In addition, mesothelioma may be exacerbated by certain illnesses like asbestosis and pneumonia. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma compared to women. This is due to men being more likely to work with asbestos and experience a a longer period of exposure than women. Men are also more likely to live with someone who has had asbestos lawyer exposure and bring asbestos fibers from their workplace on their clothing. Women tend to have less contact with asbestos and rarely carry asbestos claim home on their clothing.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is a difficult cancer to identify because the symptoms are often similar to other diseases. Due to this, patients are often wrongly diagnosed.

NYU Langone doctors will perform a physical examination and record the patient's medical background, including asbestos exposure. Doctors will also order an CT scan or chest X-ray to look for abnormalities, lumps 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, and a magnetic resonance imaging, also known as MRI test that uses radio waves and magnets to create detailed images of the inside of the body. A surgical biopsy is another way for doctors to diagnose mesothelioma. During a surgical biopsy, doctors take a small amount of tissue from the pleura or peritoneum to conduct further tests. A pathologist can look at the tissue under a microscope to see if it contains cancerous cells.

Mesothelioma is classified according to the mesothelial type involved, whether these cells are benign or malignant and also the location of the tumor, the type, and the stage of the tumor. Certain mesothelioma types have greater chance of metastasizing or spreading, so it's important to determine the type of mesothelioma so that doctors can treat it before it becomes out-of-control.

Doctors can also perform tests in the laboratory on tumors to determine specific proteins, genes or other factors that can aid in describing cancer characteristics and plan treatment. These results are called staging.

Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnosis is an incredibly frightening prospect. It is crucial to remember, however, that cancer can be treated, particularly in its early stages. A lot of people suffering from mesothelioma live with the disease for many years without it spreading.

Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma through a variety of ways. Asbestos 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, the irritation causes the formation of scar tissue which causes changes in the structure of cells that eventually develop into tumors.

The pleura is a protective covering that covers the abdomen, heart, and lungs. Mesothelium consists of cells that respond when exposed to asbestos. They cause inflammation to the tissue and cause it to scar. In time, these changes can lead to the development of malignant mesothelioma tumors.

Breathing problems, chest discomfort or fluid buildup on the lungs are all indications of pleural msothelioma. In rare instances the cancer may grow to the tissues surrounding the heart and reproductive organs.

A doctor will order biopsy if scans show the possibility of a mass in the lungs or stomach. During the procedure, doctors take tiny amounts of tumor or fluid for lab tests. The results will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and help determine the best treatment plan.

There are a variety of mesothelioma treatments, including chemotherapy, surgery and immunotherapy. Most doctors use the combination of these treatments. Enrolling in clinical trials of mesothelioma treatments that are new could be beneficial for patients. Patients can learn more about the trials by speaking with a mesothelioma doctor who has treated the disease.