Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that is found in thin, long fibres. People who are regularly exposed to asbestos compensation may develop lung diseases, such as mesothelioma.

The symptoms of these diseases may not manifest for years after exposure to asbestos. Different types of asbestos can cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer that affects the outer lung lining (pleura). It is the most frequent mesothelioma form and accounts for 70% to 79% all diagnosed cases. This condition causes chest pain, shortness of breathe and a feeling of heaviness.

Exposure to asbestos, a class of minerals comprised of microscopic fibers, typically causes this type of cancer. When inhaled, these fibers can cause irritation and DNA mutations. Pleura is the lining of both the chest cavity as well as the lungs, which means that 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 mesothelioma are chest discomfort and shortness of breath. Some patients may also suffer from chest tightness and coughing, or breathing difficulties. People who suffer from this cancer usually have previous exposure to asbestos in the workplace. The most frequent jobs that expose workers to the risk of pleural mesothelioma include construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding. People who served in the military are at higher risk due to the widespread use of asbestos in Navy vessels and bunkers in the Army.

The TNM (tumors, lymph nodes, and metastases staging system) is the most popular staging system used to treat pleural adenocarcinoma. The stage a patient is in at diagnosis will assist their doctor in determining the most appropriate treatment plan for them. For example, patients with a pleural mesothelioma in stage three or four have a less favorable prognosis than those in a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma may develop into the heart, liver or diaphragm. This can make it more difficult to treat and raises the risk of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Unlike pleural cancer, which forms in the lining of the lung it develops in a membrane that covers the abdominal cavity, which includes organs like the intestines and the liver. As with pleural mesothelioma exposure to asbestos is the cause of peritoneal mesothelioma. The disease is much less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma, and just 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.

As with pleural mesothelioma symptoms can take years to show. Patients usually suffer from abdominal pain and could also experience a mass in their abdomen. The symptoms of this type of mesothelioma may also include nausea, weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms are similar to those experienced by digestive problems, which can cause misdiagnosis.

The doctors can detect mesothelioma through reviewing the medical history of the patient and performing a physical examination. Imaging tests like X-rays or CT scans are a way to identify mesothelioma. These tests can show tumors, as well as other symptoms of cancer that aren't visible on X-rays.

The results of these tests allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and establish the stage. They also offer treatment options. Staging is determined based on the type of cell and whether or whether the tumor has spread to other areas of the body.

Asbestos exposure is the most important risk factor. People who have worked in asbestos-related professions, such as electrical or plumbing work, or in construction and manufacturing are more likely to contract the disease. However, even if individuals do not work in these areas they could be exposed to asbestos through relatives or other sources. Anyone who suspects that they may be at risk should speak with a doctor. If they have any history of exposure to asbestos, a mesothelioma specialist can assist them in learning more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos exposure is a major risk factor for mesothelioma, accounting for up to 80 percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos can occur through work, military service or through living with a person who works with asbestos or used to do the same. Asbestos particles are inhaled by those who are exposed to asbestos. These irritate the linings and can cause cancerous cells to form in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma can take anywhere between 15 and 60 years to develop after exposure to asbestos.

Other risk factors include genetics, smoking and age. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely to be diagnosed with mesothelioma compared to those who are younger or older. It takes mesothelioma between 20 and 60 years to manifest cancer symptoms after the first exposure. It is important to note, too, that mesothelioma can occur in people who have been exposed to asbestos without having worked with it directly. This is referred to as secondary or indirect asbestos exposure, and is just as harmful as direct asbestos exposure.

Smoking increases the chance of mesothelioma as it damages the mesothelium. It also makes it more prone to. Mesothelioma can also be caused by certain diseases, such as asbestosis and pneumonia. It is also important to remember that mesothelioma occurs more frequently in males than females. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for a longer period of time and work with it. Men are also more likely to live with someone who was exposed to asbestos and bring asbestos fibers that have escaped home on their clothing. Women tend to be less exposed to asbestos, and don't typically bring asbestos litigation home on their clothes.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is difficult to recognize because the symptoms often resemble other diseases. Because of this, victims are sometimes misdiagnosed.

The first step to diagnose mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform a physical exam and take down a 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 previous asbestos exposure such as pleural plaques (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the accumulation of fluid between the lung and the chest wall (known as pleural effusion).

Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram, which examines the heart and blood vessels and magnetic resonance imaging, also known as 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 way for doctors to diagnose mesothelioma. A surgical biopsy is when doctors remove a small amount of tissue from the peritoneum or pleura for further analysis. A pathologist will then look at the tissue with a magnifying glass to determine whether it contains cancerous cell.

The mesothelial type involved and the benign or malignant nature of these cells, as well as the location, type and stage of the cancer are used to categorize the disease. Certain types of mesothelioma are more likely to spread or metastasize which is why it is crucial to establish a definitive diagnosis so that doctors can treat the disease before it gets out of control.

Doctors may also conduct laboratory tests on tumors in order to determine specific proteins, genes, or other factors which will help them identify the characteristics of cancer and plan treatment. These results are known as staging.

Treatment

A diagnosis of mesothelioma may be frightening. It is important to remember, however, that cancer can be treated especially at its early stages. Many people with mesothelioma can be afflicted for a long time without spreading.

asbestos lawyer case (click this site) exposure can trigger mesothelioma via various mechanisms. Asbestos fibers, which are too small to detect or feel with the naked eye, can become airborne and cause irritation to the lining of the lungs (pleura). Over time, the irritation leads to the formation of scar tissues, which eventually lead to tumors.

The pleura surrounds the lungs and heart and also the abdomen. Mesothelium consists of cells that react to exposure to asbestos claim which causes it to become inflamed and form scar tissue. These changes eventually result in malignant mesothelioma tumors.

A shortness of breath, chest discomfort, or the accumulation of fluid on the lungs are all symptoms of pleural Msothelioma. In rare instances, the cancer can be spread to the tissues around the heart and reproductive organs.

A doctor will order biopsy if scans reveal a possible lung tumor or stomach. In the course of the procedure, doctors remove some of the liquid or tumor for tests in the laboratory. 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 utilize combinations of these treatments. Patients may also benefit from enrolling in a clinical trial of new mesothelioma therapies. Patients can learn more about the trials by consulting a mesothelioma specialist who has treated the condition.