The Leading Reasons Why People Are Successful At The Mesothelioma And Asbestos Industry
Mesothelioma and Asbestos
Asbestos is a natural mineral that is made up of long, thin fibres. People who are exposed to asbestos risk developing lung diseases such as mesothelioma.
It may take decades for symptoms to appear after asbestos exposure. Different asbestos types can cause different symptoms.
Pleural Mesothelioma
Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer of the outer lung lining, also known as pleura. It is the most common mesothelioma that accounts for up 70 to 79% of all diagnosed cases. Patients suffering from this condition experience pain in the chest and breath shortness and may also feel an ache or heaviness in the chest.
This kind of cancer is often caused by exposure to asbestos which is a collection of minerals composed of microscopic fibers. When inhaled, these fibers can cause irritation and DNA mutations. Pleura covers both the chest cavity as well as the lungs, which means that irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma typically doesn't manifest until 30 to 50 year after exposure.
The most common symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are chest pain and breath shortness. Some patients may also experience chest tightness or coughing. They may also experience difficulty breathing. Patients with this type of 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. Individuals who have served in the military are at a greater risk due to the extensive use asbestos in Navy vessels and bunkers in the Army.
The most common staging system for pleural mysothelioma has been the TNM (tumor, lymph nodes and metastases) staging system. The stage that a patient is in at the moment of diagnosis will determine what treatment plan they should follow. For instance, patients who have mesothelioma that is pleural in stage three or four have a poorer prognosis than those in lower stages. Mesothelioma in stage four can spread to the liver, heart, or diaphragm. This can make it more difficult to treat and increase the chance of complications for the patient.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
Unlike pleural cancer, which is found in the lining of the lung the peritoneal cancer is a result of a membrane that covers the abdominal cavity, which includes organs like the liver and intestines. Similar to pleural mesothelioma mesothelioma is caused by asbestos exposure. The disease is much less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma, and only about 300-500 cases diagnosed each year.
Like pleural mesothelioma, the symptoms can take a long time to manifest. Patients generally have abdominal pain, and may also have a lump in their abdomen. The symptoms of this kind of mesothelioma could also include nausea, weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms are similar to those experienced by digestive problems, which can lead to incorrect diagnosis.
The doctors can detect mesothelioma through looking over the medical history of the patient and performing a physical examination. They may also employ imaging tests like Xrays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to detect mesothelioma. These tests can identify tumors and other cancer signs that are not evident on X-rays.
These test results allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma, determine the stage and suggest treatment options. The stage is determined by the kind of cell and if the tumor has spread.
The most significant mesothelioma-related risk factor is asbestos exposure. People who have been exposed to asbestos in professions, such as electrical or plumbing work, or in manufacturing and construction are more likely to develop the disease. However, even if people aren't employed in these areas they may be exposed to asbestos through relatives or other sources. For this reason, anyone who is concerned that they might be at risk should speak to a doctor. A mesothelioma specialist can help those who have had a experience with asbestos to understand more about their risk.
Risk Factors
Asbestos exposure is the main risk factor for mesothelioma which accounts for as much as 80 percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos can happen as a result of work, military service, or living with someone who used to work with asbestos. Asbestos particles can be inhaled by people who are exposed to asbestos. These particles can cause irritation to the linings of the abdomen, which causes cancerous cells to form in the mesothelium. After exposure to asbestos, mesothelioma may be diagnosed between 15 and 60 years old.
Other risk factors include genetics, smoking and age. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely be diagnosed with mesothelioma compared to those who are younger or older. Mesothelioma can take between 20 and 60 years before it manifests cancer symptoms after the first exposure. It is important to remember that mesothelioma may develop in people who have been exposed to asbestos without having directly worked with it. This is referred to as secondary or indirect asbestos exposure. It can be 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 illnesses such as asbestosis and pneumonia. It is also important to know that mesothelioma is more common in males than females. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for a longer time and to work with it. Men are also more likely to live with someone who worked with asbestos and carry stray asbestos fibers home on their clothes. Women tend to have less exposure to asbestos and don't typically carry asbestos around on their clothing.
Diagnosis
Mesothelioma is difficult to identify because the symptoms are often similar to other diseases. Because of this, victims are sometimes mistakenly diagnosed.
NYU Langone doctors will perform a physical examination and record the patient's medical history, including asbestos exposure. Doctors can also request an X-ray of the chest or CT scan to detect lumps and other abnormalities as well as evidence of past 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 the pleural effusion).
Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance image, or MRI test, that uses magnets and radio waves to create a series of detailed images of the inside of the body. Another way for doctors to detect mesothelioma is through the procedure of a surgical biopsy. In a surgical biopsy doctors will remove a small part of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum to be further examined. A pathologist will then look at the tissue under a magnifying glass to determine if it contains cancerous cell.
Mesothelioma can be classified based on the type of mesothelial cells involved, whether those cells are benign or malignant and also the location, type, and stage of the tumor. Some types of mesothelioma are more likely to develop metastasis or spread which is why it is crucial to have a clear diagnosis so that doctors can treat the disease before it gets out of control.
livonia asbestos law firm may also conduct tests in the lab on tumors to determine specific genes, proteins or other elements that can help them describe the characteristics of cancer and plan treatment. These results are referred to as staging.
Treatment
A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be frightening. But, it is crucial to remember that the cancer can be treated, particularly in its earlier stages. Many patients with mesothelioma be afflicted for a long time without spreading.
Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma through various mechanisms. Asbestos fibres, too small to be felt or observed by naked eyes can be airborne and irritate the lining of the lung (pleura). As time passes irritation leads to formation of scar tissue which leads to changes in the cell structure which eventually lead to tumors.
The pleura is the area that surrounds the heart and lungs and also the abdomen. Mesothelium is made up of cells that react to asbestos and cause it to enflame and form scar tissue. Overtime, these changes lead to the development of malignant mesothelioma cancers.
A shortness of breath, chest pain or fluid accumulation on the lungs are all signs of the pleural Msothelioma. In rare cases cancer can spread to the tissues that surround the reproductive organs and heart.
If imaging scans show an area of concern in the lungs or stomach, a doctor will order a biopsies. In the course of the procedure, doctors remove some of the fluid or tumor to allow for laboratory testing. The results will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and determine the best treatment plan.
There are many types of treatment for mesothelioma including chemotherapy and surgery. Most doctors use the combination of these treatments. Participating in clinical trials for new mesothelioma treatment may also be beneficial to patients. To learn more about the trials, patients should speak to mesothelioma specialists who have had experience treating the disease.