Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos is a natural mineral that is made up of thin, long fibres. People who are exposed to asbestos risk developing lung diseases, such as mesothelioma.

It can take years for symptoms to appear after exposure to asbestos. Different asbestos types can cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma occurs in the outer lung lining, also known as the pleura. It is the most common type of mesothelioma, making up 70% to 79% of diagnosed cases. People with this condition feel chest pain and breathlessness and may experience an ache or heaviness in the chest.

Exposure to asbestos, a class of minerals composed of microscopic fibers, usually causes this kind of cancer. The fibers, when inhaled, cause irritation and DNA mutations. The pleura covers the lungs and chest cavity This means that these irritations can affect both the lungs as well as a person’s heart. Mesothelioma symptoms typically don’t show until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

The most common symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include chest pain and breath shortness. Some patients may also feel tightness in their chest or coughing. They may also experience difficulty breathing. People with this cancer often have previous exposure to asbestos compensation in the workplace. The most common jobs that expose people to the risk of pleural mesothelioma include construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding. Individuals who have served in the military are at a greater risk due the extensive use asbestos in Navy vessels and bunkers in the Army.

The TNM (tumors lymph nodes and metastases staging system) is the most common staging system used to treat the pleural adenocarcinoma. The stage a patient is in at the time of diagnosis can help determine the treatment plan they should receive. Patients suffering from pleural mesothelioma who is in stage three or four will have a worse outlook than those who are in a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma often spreads to the liver, diaphragm and/or a person’s heart. This can make it more difficult to treat and increase the chance of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

In contrast to pleural cancer, that develops in the lung’s lining, peritoneal cancer develops in the membrane that covers the abdominal cavity, including organs such as the intestines and the liver. Similar to pleural mesothelioma, asbestos exposure is the cause of peritoneal mesothelioma. There are only 300-500 cases diagnosed each year, which is less than pleural asbestosis.

As with pleural asbestosis symptoms can take years to manifest. Most patients suffer from abdominal pain and a mass in the abdomen. This type of mesothelioma may cause nausea, weight loss, and fever. Many of these symptoms can be misinterpreted as digestive issues, leading to a false diagnosis.

The doctors can detect mesothelioma through looking over the medical history of the patient and performing a physical exam. They can also use imaging tests like X-rays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to help find mesothelioma. These tests can reveal tumors and other signs of cancer that aren’t visible on an X-ray.

The results of these tests allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma, determine the stage of the disease and suggest treatment options. The staging is determined by the type of cells and whether or whether the cancer has spread to other areas of the body.

The most significant risk factor for mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos. People who have been exposed to asbestos in professions, such as electrical or plumbing work or in manufacturing and construction, are more likely to contract the disease. Even if someone isn’t employed in one of these fields, he or she can be exposed to asbestos lawsuit to Asbestos Case through family members and other sources. Anyone who thinks they’re at risk should talk to an expert. A mesothelioma expert can help those who have had a experience with asbestos to understand more about their risk.

Risk Factors

asbestos case exposure is the primary risk factor for mesothelioma, making up as much as 80 percent of all cases. Exposure to asbestos can occur through military service, work, or living with someone who used to work with asbestos. Asbestos particles can be inhaled by people who are exposed to asbestos litigation. They can cause irritation to the linings of the abdomen and can cause 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 smoking, genetics and age. People in their 40s and 50s are at a higher risk of developing mesothelioma compared to those younger or older. It is because mesothelioma generally takes 20 to 60 years from the first exposure before cancer symptoms appear. It is important to remember that mesothelioma may develop in those who were exposed to asbestos lawsuit but did not deal with it directly. This is called secondary or indirect exposure to asbestos. It can be just as dangerous as direct exposure.

Smoking increases the chance of mesothelioma developing, because it damages the 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 than women. This is because men are more likely to work with asbestos and experience a an extended period of exposure than women. Additionally, men are more likely to live with someone who has was exposed to asbestos and bring asbestos fibers that have escaped home on their clothing. Women tend to be less in contact with asbestos, and they don’t usually carry asbestos on their clothing.

Diagnosis

It is difficult to diagnose mesothelioma because its symptoms are often similar to other diseases. This can result in patients being incorrectly 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 which includes asbestos exposure. Doctors may also request an CT scan or chest X-ray to look for lumps, abnormalities and evidence of exposure to asbestos. These include pleural plaques, thickened pleura and calcium deposits.

Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance imaging or MRI test, that uses magnets and radio waves in order to produce a series of precise images of the insides of the body. A surgical biopsy is another way for doctors to diagnose mesothelioma. In a surgical biopsy doctors take a small amount of tissue from the peritoneum or pleura to conduct further tests. A pathologist can then examine the tissue under a microscope to see if it has cancerous cells.

Mesothelioma can be classified based on the mesothelial type involved, whether the cells are malignant or benign and the location of the tumor, its type, and the stage of the tumor. Certain mesothelioma types have a higher risk of metastasizing or spreading therefore it is essential to determine the type of mesothelioma so doctors can treat it before it becomes out-of-control.

Doctors may also conduct tests in the lab on tumors to determine specific proteins, genes or other elements that can aid in describing cancer characteristics and plan treatment. These results are referred to as staging.

Treatment

A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be terrifying. It is important to keep in mind, however, that cancer can be treated especially at its early stages. Many mesothelioma patients live for many years with the disease, without spreading to other areas of their body.

Exposure to asbestos can trigger mesothelioma via a variety of mechanisms. Asbestos fibers, which are small enough to not be felt or observed by naked eyes are able to become airborne, causing irritation to the lung’s lining (pleura). Over time, the irritation causes the formation of scar tissue which can cause changes in the cell structure which eventually lead to tumors.

The pleura covers the lungs and heart and the abdomen. Mesothelium consists of cells that react when exposed to asbestos. They cause inflammation to the tissue and cause it to scar. Overtime, these changes cause the development of malignant mesothelioma tumors.

The symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are shortness of breath and chest pain, or a buildup of fluid on the lungs (pleural effusion). In rare cases the cancer may be spread to the tissues around the heart and reproductive organs.

A doctor will order biopsy if imaging scans reveal a possible tumor in the lungs or stomach. The procedure involves the removal of some of the liquid or tumor for lab tests. The results will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and help determine the best treatment option.

There are several types of mesothelioma treatment, including surgery, chemotherapy and immunotherapy. Most doctors rely on a combination of these methods. Participating in clinical trials of mesothelioma treatments may be beneficial for patients. To find out more, patients should speak with a mesothelioma specialist who has expertise in treating the condition.