Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos is a natural mineral that is made up of thin, long fibres. People who are exposed to asbestos on a regular basis are at risk of developing mesothelioma or other lung diseases of different types.

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

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma, a form of cancer, that develops in the outer lung lining (pleura). It is the most common mesothelioma that accounts for up 70 to 79% of all diagnosed cases. People with this condition feel chest pain and breathlessness and may also feel the sensation of weight in the chest.

Exposure to asbestos, a group of minerals comprised of microscopic fibers, usually causes this kind of cancer. These fibers, when inhaled, cause irritation and DNA mutations. The pleura covers the chest cavity and lungs and therefore, these irritations could affect both the lungs and a person's heart. Mesothelioma typically doesn't manifest until 30 to 50 year after exposure.

The most commonly reported symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include chest pain and breath shortness. Some patients also experience difficulty breathing, or chest tightness. People with this cancer have a history of disease that includes asbestos exposure at work. The most prevalent jobs that expose people to the risk of developing pleural mesothelioma are manufacturing, construction and shipbuilding. People who served in the military are at greater risk due to the frequent use of salem asbestos attorney in Navy vessels and Army bunkers.

The most popular staging system for pleural mysothelioma has been the TNM (tumor lymph nodes, lymph nodes, and metastases) staging system. The stage that a patient is at when they are diagnosed will aid their doctor in determining the best treatment plan for them. Patients with pleural mesothelioma that is in stage three or four will have a worse outlook than those in a less advanced stage. Mesothelioma in stage four can be spread to the heart, liver or diaphragm. This can make it more difficult to treat and increases the likelihood of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Unlike pleural mesothelioma, which is a lung-lining cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma develops in the peritoneum, an elongated membrane that covers the abdominal cavity as well as organs like the intestines and liver. Similar to pleural mesothelioma and peritoneal mesothelioma is caused by asbestos exposure. There are only 300-500 cases diagnosed annually which is lower than the pleural asbestosis.

As with pleural asbestosis symptoms can take several years to show. Patients typically suffer from abdominal pain and may also have a lump in their abdomen. This mesothelioma type can also cause nausea, weight loss and fever. A lot of these symptoms are similar to those of gastrointestinal issues, which can cause incorrect diagnosis.

Generally, doctors can find mesothelioma by conducting a thorough health history and physical examination. Imaging tests like X-rays or CT scans are a way to detect mesothelioma. These tests can reveal tumors and other signs of cancer that are not visible on X-rays.

These test results enable doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and establish the stage. They also offer treatments. The stage is determined by the type of cell as well as whether the cancer has spread.

The most important risk factor for mesothelioma is asbestos exposure. People who have worked in jobs that require asbestos, like plumbing, manufacturing, electrical work, or construction, are at greater risk of developing the disease. However, even if individuals do not work in these fields they could be exposed to asbestos through family members or through other sources. Anyone who believes they're at risk should speak with an expert. If they have any history of exposure to asbestos, a mesothelioma specialist can assist them in finding out more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos is the main risk factor for mesothelioma. It accounts for up to the 80% of cases. Exposure to asbestos may occur through work, military service, or by living with a person who works with asbestos or has previously done so. Asbestos particles can be inhaled by those who are exposed to asbestos. These particles can cause irritation to the linings and cause cancerous cells to grow in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma can take anywhere between 15 and 60 years to develop after exposure to asbestos.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics, and age. People in their 40s or 50s are at greater chance of developing mesothelioma to those younger or older. It takes mesothelioma between 20 and 60 years to manifest cancer symptoms after the first exposure. It is important to keep in mind, too, that mesothelioma could be present in those who have been exposed to asbestos, but without having directly worked with it. This is known as indirect or secondary asbestos exposure, and is just as harmful as direct asbestos exposure.

Smoking increases the chance of mesothelioma developing, since it damages mesothelium. It also makes it more susceptible. Additionally, mesothelioma can be worsened by certain diseases like pneumonia and asbestosis. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma compared to women. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to Berryville Asbestos Attorney for a longer time and work with it. Additionally, men are more likely to live with someone who was exposed to asbestos and bring cartersville asbestos fibers that have escaped home on their clothing. Women are less likely to come into contact with asbestos and don't typically carry asbestos home on their clothes.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is difficult to diagnose because the symptoms can be similar to other conditions. This could lead to patients being misdiagnosed.

NYU Langone doctors will perform a physical examination and record the patient's medical history, including asbestos exposure. Doctors can also order an X-ray of the chest or CT scan to check for lumps and other abnormalities as well as evidence of previous asbestos exposure like plaques on the pleura (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 as well as a magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI test, which makes use of magnets and radio waves to create detailed images of the inside of the body. A surgical biopsy is another method for doctors to identify mesothelioma. When a biopsy is performed, doctors remove a tiny part of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum to be further examined. A pathologist will then look at the tissue under a magnifying lens to determine whether it contains cancerous cell.

The type of mesothelial cells involved and the benign or malignant nature of these cells as well as the location, type and stage of the cancer are used to classify the disease. Certain mesothelioma types have an increased risk of metastasizing or spreading therefore it is essential 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 can aid in describing cancer characteristics and determine the best treatment. These results are known as staging.

Treatment

A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be terrifying. It is important to keep in mind that cancer can be treated, particularly in its early stages. Many mesothelioma patients live for a long time with the disease without it spreading to other organs of their body.

Exposure to asbestos can trigger mesothelioma through a variety of ways. Asbestos fibers, too small to be able to see or feel through the naked eye, can be airborne and cause irritation to the lung's lining (pleura). As time passes the irritation causes the formation of scar tissue, which eventually lead to tumors.

The pleura is the area that surrounds the lungs and the heart and the abdomen. Mesothelium is composed of cells that react to exposure to asbestos and cause it to enflame and form scar tissue. In time, these changes can lead to the development of malignant mesothelioma tumors.

Symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include breathing problems and chest pain, or an accumulation of fluid in the lung (pleural effusion). In rare instances the cancer may grow to the tissues surrounding the heart and reproductive organs.

A doctor will request biopsy if scans show a potential lung tumor or stomach. The procedure involves the removal of a small amount of fluid or tumor to allow for lab tests. The results will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma, and also determine the most effective treatment plan.

There are many types of treatment for mesothelioma, including surgery and chemotherapy. Most doctors use the combination of these treatments. Patients could also benefit from enrolling in a clinical trial of new mesothelioma treatments. To learn more about the trials, patients should speak to mesothelioma experts who have had experience treating the disease.