Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos is a mineral that naturally forms in the form of long, thin fibers. Workers who are regularly exposed to san fernando asbestos law firm risk developing lung diseases, such as mesothelioma.

The symptoms of these diseases might not show up for decades after exposure to asbestos. Different types of asbestos can cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma can be found in the lung's outer lining or pleura. It is the most common mesothelioma type and is responsible for 70 to 79% of diagnosed cases. This condition causes chest pain, shortness of breathe, and a feeling of heavyness.

Exposure to asbestos, a class of minerals made of microscopic fibers, usually causes this type of cancer. These fibers, when inhaled cause irritation and DNA mutations. The pleura is the area that surrounds the chest cavity and lungs, so these irritations can affect both the lungs and the heart of a person. Mesothelioma symptoms typically don't show until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

Chest pain and shortness breath are the most common symptoms. Patients may also suffer from chest tightness and coughing, or breathing difficulties. People who suffer from this cancer usually have an history of exposure to asbestos in the workplace. Manufacturing, construction and shipbuilding are among the most prevalent jobs which put people at risk danger of developing pleural melanoma. People who served in the military are at higher risk due to the extensive use asbestos in Navy vessels and Army bunkers.

The TNM (tumors lymph nodes and metastases staging system) is the most commonly used staging system used to treat the pleural cancer. The stage a patient is in at the time of diagnosis will help determine what treatment plan they should receive. For instance, patients who have a pleural mesothelioma in stage three or four have a poorer prognosis than patients with a lower stage. Mesothelioma in stage four can develop into the liver, heart or diaphragm. This makes it more difficult to treat and increase the likelihood of complications for the patient.

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 liver and intestines. Like pleural mesothelioma, peritoneal mesothelioma is caused by asbestos exposure. The disease is less common than pleural mesothelioma. There are only about 300-500 cases diagnosed each year.

Like pleural mesothelioma, symptoms may take years to appear. Patients generally have abdominal pain, and may also have a lump in their abdomen. The symptoms of this type of mesothelioma could also include nausea, weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms can be misinterpreted as gastrointestinal issues, leading to a misdiagnosis.

Doctors can detect mesothelioma by looking over the medical history of the patient and performing a physical examination. Imaging tests such as X-rays or CT scans are a way to detect mesothelioma. These tests can show tumors and other signs of cancer that aren't visible on an X-ray.

The results of these tests allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and determine the stage. They also offer treatment options. The stage of the disease is determined based on the cell type and whether or not the tumor has spread to other parts of the body.

The most important mesothelioma-related risk factor is exposure to asbestos. People who have been in occupations which require asbestos, such as plumbing, manufacturing, electrical work or construction, are at greater risk of developing the disease. Even if a person does not work in any of these areas however, they may be exposed to asbestos to asbestos through family members and other sources. This is why anyone who believes they could be at risk should talk to a doctor. If they have an history of exposure to asbestos or mesothelioma, a specialist can assist them in finding out more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos is the main risk factor in mesothelioma. It accounts for as much as the 80% of cases. Exposure to asbestos can happen through work, military service, or living with someone who used to work with asbestos. When exposed to asbestos, small particles are able to be inhaled into lungs and abdomen. These irritate the linings and can cause cancerous cells to develop in the mesothelium. Following exposure to asbestos, mesothelioma may develop between 15 and 60 year.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and age. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely 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 to asbestos before symptoms of cancer begin to manifest. It is important to remember that mesothelioma can develop in those who were exposed to asbestos but didn't engage directly with it. This is called secondary or indirect exposure to asbestos and it can be just as dangerous as direct exposure.

Smoking increases a person's chances of developing mesothelioma since it causes mesothelium damage and makes it more susceptible to asbestos. In addition, mesothelioma may be worsened by certain diseases like asbestosis and pneumonia. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than women. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for longer periods of time and work with asbestos for longer durations and to work with it. Men are also more likely to live with someone who has worked with asbestos and carry asbestos fibers that have escaped home on their clothes. Women tend to have less contact with erwin asbestos lawyer and do not typically carry asbestos home on their clothing.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is a difficult disease to identify because the symptoms are often similar to other conditions. This could lead to patients being wrongly diagnosed.

The first step in identifying mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform a physical exam and take note of the medical history of the patient including asbestos exposure. Doctors may also order a chest X-ray or CT scan to check for lumps and other abnormalities, and also to look for evidence of asbestos exposure in the past such as pleural plaques (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the buildup of fluid between the lung and chest wall (known as pleural effusion).

Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance imaging or MRI test, that uses radio waves and magnets in order to produce a series of precise images of the inside of the body. Another way doctors can diagnose mesothelioma is through a surgical biopsy. A surgical biopsy is when doctors remove a small piece of tissue from the peritoneum or pleura for further analysis. A pathologist is then able to look at the tissue under microscopes to determine whether it contains cancerous cells.

The mesothelial type involved and the benign or malignant nature of those cells and the location and stage of the tumour, are used to classify the disease. Some types of mesothelioma have greater chance of metastasizing or spreading and it's crucial to establish a clear diagnosis so doctors can treat it before it becomes out of control.

Doctors can also run tests in the lab on a tumor to identify specific genes, proteins and other factors that can help them describe the characteristics of cancer and plan treatment. These results are called staging.

Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnose can be frightening. It is important to keep in mind, however, that cancer can be treated, particularly in its initial stages. Many mesothelioma patients live for years without the disease spreading to other parts of their body.

Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma in a number 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). As time passes irritation leads to formation of scar tissue which leads to changes in the structure of cells that can eventually grow into tumors.

The Pleura is a covering that surrounds the abdomen, heart, and lungs. Mesothelium is composed of cells that react when exposed to asbestos. They cause inflammation to the tissue and cause it to become scarred. In time, these changes can result in the growth of malignant mesothelioma tumors.

Breathing problems, chest pain or fluid accumulation on the lungs are all signs of pleural Msothelioma. In rare instances, the cancer can be spread to the tissues around the heart and reproductive organs.

If imaging scans reveal an underlying mass in the stomach or lungs the doctor will request a biopsies. During the procedure doctors remove small amounts of fluid or tumor for lab tests. The results can confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis and indicate the most effective treatment plan.

There are many types of treatment for mesothelioma, including chemotherapy and surgery. The majority of doctors use an amalgamation of these techniques. Patients can also benefit by enrolling in a clinical trial of new mesothelioma treatments. Patients can find out more by consulting a mesothelioma expert who has treated the disease.