Why We Why We Mesothelioma And Asbestos (And You Should Also!)

Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos, a natural mineral, naturally occurs in the form of long, thin fibers. People who are exposed to asbestos regularly are at risk of developing mesothelioma or other lung diseases.

The symptoms of these diseases may not show up for decades after exposure to asbestos. Different types of asbestos may 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 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 group of minerals comprised of microscopic fibers causes this type of cancer. These fibers, when inhaled cause irritation and DNA mutations. Pleura covers both the chest cavity as well as the lungs, so irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma is usually not symptomatic until 30 to 50 year after exposure.

The most frequent symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are chest pain and breath shortness. Patients may also experience coughing, difficulty breathing, or chest tightness. Patients with this type of cancer have a history that includes asbestos exposure at work. The most common jobs that put people at risk of pleural mesothelioma include manufacturing, construction and shipbuilding. People who have worked in the military may be at risk due to the widespread use of asbestos in Navy ships and bunkers used by the army.

The TNM (tumors, lymph nodes, and metastases staging system) is the most commonly used staging system for the pleural cancer. The stage that the patient is in at the time of diagnosis will help determine what treatment plan they will receive. Patients who have pleural mesothelioma which is in stage three or stage four will have a worse outlook than those in a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma may spread to the liver, heart or diaphragm. This can make it more difficult to treat and increase the chance of complications for patients.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

In contrast to pleural mesothelioma which is a lung-lining cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma develops in the peritoneum - an elongated membrane that covers the abdominal cavity and organs such as the liver and intestines. Similar to pleural mesothelioma and peritoneal mesothelioma is caused by asbestos exposure. The disease is less common than pleural mesothelioma, and only about 300-500 cases diagnosed each year.

As with pleural asbestosis, symptoms can take a long time to show. Patients usually suffer from abdominal pain and may have a mass in their abdomen. This kind of mesothelioma can also cause nausea, weight loss, and fever. Many of these symptoms are similar to those of gastrointestinal issues, which can result in misdiagnosis.

The doctors can detect mesothelioma through reviewing the medical history of the patient and conducting a physical exam. They may also employ imaging tests such as X-rays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to detect mesothelioma. These tests can show cancerous tumors or other indications of cancer that aren't visible on X-rays.

racine asbestos lawsuit enable doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and determine the stage and suggest treatment options. Staging is determined based on the type of cells and whether or whether the tumor has spread to other areas of the body.

Asbestos exposure is the most important risk factor. People who have worked in jobs which require asbestos, such as plumbing, manufacturing, electrical work or construction, are at a higher risk of developing the disease. Even if an individual isn't employed in one of these areas, he or she can still be exposed to asbestos through family members and other sources. For this reason, anyone who believes they could be at risk should speak to an experienced 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 primary risk factor for mesothelioma making up as much as 80 percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos may occur as a result of work, military service or through living with a person who is exposed to asbestos or used to do such. When exposed to asbestos, particles can be breathed into the lungs and abdomen. The particles cause irritation to the linings of the abdomen, which causes cancerous cells to form in the mesothelium. Following exposure to asbestos mesothelioma is likely to occur between 15 and 60 year.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and aging. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely to get mesothelioma than people younger or older. This is because mesothelioma typically takes 20 to 60 years after the initial time of exposure before the first signs of cancer appear. It is important to keep in mind, too, that mesothelioma could occur in people who have been exposed to asbestos, but without having worked with it directly. This is called secondary or indirect exposure to asbestos, and it can be just as dangerous as direct exposure.

Smoking increases the chance of mesothelioma because it damages the mesothelium. It also makes it more prone to. Furthermore, mesothelioma is exacerbated by certain illnesses like asbestosis and pneumonia. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than females. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for a longer period of time and work with asbestos for longer durations and to work with it. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who has worked with asbestos, and to have asbestos fibers on their clothing. Women are less likely to come into exposure to asbestos and rarely carry asbestos home on their clothes.

Diagnosis

It is difficult to diagnose mesothelioma due to its symptoms being frequently similar to other illnesses. This is why patients are sometimes misdiagnosed.

NYU Langone doctors will perform a physical examination and record the patient's medical background, including asbestos exposure. Doctors can also request an X-ray chest or CT scan to check for lumps or other abnormalities, and also to look for evidence of past asbestos exposure such as pleural plaques (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the formation of fluid between the lung and chest wall (known as pleural effusion).

Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance image, or MRI test, which makes use of magnets and radio waves to create a series detailed images of inside the body. Another way doctors can diagnose mesothelioma is through the procedure of a surgical biopsy. During a surgery biopsy doctors take a tiny part of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum to be examined further. A pathologist can then examine the tissue with an magnifying glass to determine if it is a cancerous cells.

Mesothelioma is classified according to the mesothelial type involved, whether those cells are malignant or benign and the location of the tumor, the type, and the stage of the tumor. Certain mesothelioma types have greater risk of spreading or metastasizing and it's crucial to get a definitive diagnosis so that doctors can treat it prior to it becoming out-of-control.

Doctors may also conduct laboratory tests on a tumor to find specific proteins, genes and other factors that can help them describe the characteristics of the cancer and determine a treatment. These results are known as staging.

Treatment

A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be a frightening prospect. It is important to keep in mind that cancer can be treated particularly in its early stages. Many patients with mesothelioma endure the disease for a long time, without spreading.

Exposure to asbestos can trigger mesothelioma via many mechanisms. Asbestos particles, which are too small to detect or feel by the naked eye can be airborne and cause irritation to the lung's lining (pleura). Over time irritation can lead to formation of scar tissue, which can cause changes in the structure of cells that eventually develop into 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 exposure to asbestos and cause it to enflame and form scar tissue. These changes can result in malignant mesothelioma tumors.

The symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are breathing problems, chest pain or the accumulation of fluid on the lung (pleural effusion). In rare cases cancer may spread to the tissues surrounding the reproductive organs and the heart.

A doctor will order biopsy if imaging scans show a potential lung tumor or stomach. During the procedure, doctors remove a small sample of the tumor or fluid for lab testing. The results can confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis and determine the most effective treatment plan.

There are many types of mesothelioma treatment options, including chemotherapy, surgery and immunotherapy. Most doctors use a combination of these treatments. Patients may also benefit from enrolling in a clinical trial of new mesothelioma treatments. Patients can find out more by consulting a mesothelioma specialist who has treated the disease.