Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos is a mineral that naturally occurs in the form of thin, long fibers. People who are exposed to asbestos are at risk of developing lung diseases like mesothelioma.

It may take decades before symptoms begin to manifest 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 frequent form of mesothelioma and is responsible for 70 to 79% all diagnosed cases. Patients with this disease suffer from chest pain and shortness of breath, and they may feel the sensation of weight in the chest.

Exposure to asbestos, a family of minerals comprised of microscopic fibers causes this kind of cancer. Once inhaled, the fibers cling to the lungs and cause irritation that leads to scarring and DNA mutations. The pleura is the area that surrounds the chest cavity and lungs and therefore, these irritations could affect both the lungs and a person's heart. Mesothelioma is usually not symptomatic until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

Chest pain and shortness breath are the most frequently reported symptoms. Patients may have coughing problems, trouble breathing, or chest tightness. Patients with this cancer have a history that includes asbestos exposure at work. Manufacturing, construction and shipbuilding are among the most common occupations that put people at a high risk of developing pleural mesothelioma. Individuals who have been in the military are at an especially high risk due to the widespread asbestos usage in Navy ships and bunkers for the army.

The most commonly used staging method for pleural mesothelioma is 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 most appropriate treatment plan for them. Patients who have pleural mesothelioma which is in stage three or four will suffer a more negative prognosis compared to those in a lower stage. Mesothelioma in stage four is usually spread to the liver, diaphragm or even the heart of a patient. This can make the cancer more difficult to treat and increase the risk of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Unlike pleural mesothelioma, which is a lung-lining cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma develops in the peritoneum - it is a membrane that lines the abdominal cavity as well as organs like the liver and intestines. Like pleural mesothelioma, asbestos exposure is the primary cause of peritoneal msothelioma. The disease is much less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma. There are around 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.

As with pleural asbestosis symptoms can take years to show. Most patients experience abdominal pain and an abdominal mass. This type of mesothelioma may also cause nausea, weight loss, and fever. Many of these symptoms could be misinterpreted as digestive issues and can lead to a misdiagnosis.

Typically, doctors can identify mesothelioma after a thorough health history and physical exam. Imaging tests like X-rays and CT scans are a way to detect mesothelioma. These tests can identify tumors as well as other signs of cancer that are not evident on X-rays.

The results of these tests allow doctors to diagnose boston mesothelioma attorney and establish the stage. They also offer treatment options. The stage is determined by the type of cell and whether the cancer has spread.

The most significant risk factor for mesothelioma is asbestos exposure. People who have worked in asbestos-related occupations, like plumbing or electrical work, or in manufacturing and construction, are more likely to develop the disease. Even if a person does not work in one of these areas, he or she can still be exposed through family members or other sources. This is why anyone who is concerned that they might be at risk should talk to an expert. If they have any history of exposure to asbestos or mesothelioma, a specialist can help them find out more about the risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos exposure is a major risk factor for mesothelioma accounting for up to 80 percent of all cases. Exposure to asbestos can occur through military service, work or living with those who worked with asbestos. Asbestos particles can be inhaled by people who are exposed to asbestos. These irritate the linings and cause cancerous cells to grow in the mesothelium. After asbestos exposure, mesothelioma may occur between 15 and 60 years old.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics, and age. People in their 40s or 50s are at greater risk of developing avondale mesothelioma lawyer compared to those younger or older. Mesothelioma can take between 20 and 60 years before it manifests cancer symptoms after the first exposure. It is also important to know that mesothelioma may develop in those who were exposed to asbestos lawsuits, but did not engage directly with it. This is called secondary or indirect exposure to asbestos, and it could be as hazardous as direct exposure.

Smoking increases the risk of mesothelioma, because it damages the mesothelium. It also makes it more susceptible. Mesothelioma can also be caused by certain diseases, such as asbestosis and pneumonia. It is also important to note that mesothelioma occurs more frequently in males than females. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for a longer time and work with it. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who been exposed to asbestos, and to carry asbestos fibers on their clothing. Women are less likely to come into exposure to asbestos and rarely carry asbestos home on their clothes.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is a difficult cancer to recognize because the symptoms can be similar to other diseases. This is why patients are sometimes mistakenly diagnosed.

The first step in diagnosing mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform an examination of the body and take notes on the medical history of a patient, including asbestos exposure. Doctors can also order an X-ray of the chest or CT scan to detect lumps and other abnormalities, and also to look for evidence of previous asbestos exposure such as plaques on the pleura (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the buildup of fluid between the lung and the chest wall (known as the pleural effusion).

Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI test, that uses magnets and radio waves to produce a series of precise images of the inside of the body. A surgical biopsy is yet another way for doctors to diagnose mesothelioma. When a biopsy is performed, doctors remove a tiny piece of tissue from pleura or the peritoneum to be tested further. A pathologist can look at the tissue under microscopes to determine whether it is contaminated with cancerous cells.

Mesothelioma is classified according to the type of mesothelial cells involved, whether those cells are malignant or benign, and the location, type, and stage of the tumor. Certain types of mesothelioma may be more likely to develop metastasis or spread, so it is important to get a definite diagnosis so doctors can treat the disease before it becomes out of control.

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

Treatment

A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be frightening. However, it's important to keep in mind that the cancer is treatable, especially in its early stages. Many patients with mesothelioma survive for many years without the disease spreading to other parts of their body.

Exposure to asbestos can trigger mesothelioma via various mechanisms. Asbestos fibres, too small to be felt or seen by naked eyes can be airborne, causing irritation to the lining of the lung (pleura). As time passes, the irritation leads to the formation of scar tissues that eventually result in tumors.

The pleura surrounds the heart and lungs and the abdomen. Mesothelium is made up of cells that react when exposed to asbestos. They cause inflammation to the tissue and cause it to scar. These changes can eventually result in malignant mesothelioma tumors.

Shortness of breath, chest discomfort or fluid buildup on the lungs are all symptoms of the pleural msothelioma. In rare cases, cancer can spread into the tissues around the reproductive organs as well as the heart.

If scans of imaging reveal a possible mass in the stomach or lungs the doctor will request a biopsies. During the procedure, doctors will remove a small sample of the tumor or fluid for lab testing. The results can confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis, and indicate the best treatment plan.

There are many types of mesothelioma treatment, which include chemotherapy, surgery, and immunotherapy. Most doctors rely on a combination of these methods. Participating in clinical trials of new mesothelioma treatment may also be beneficial to patients. To learn more about the trials, patients should speak to mesothelioma specialists who have expertise in treating the condition.