Mesothelioma and Asbestos

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

The symptoms of these diseases might not be evident for a long time after exposure to asbestos. Different types of asbestos settlement can cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma occurs in the lung's outer lining, also known as the pleura. It is the most prevalent mesothelioma form and is responsible for 70 to 79% of all diagnosed cases. The condition can cause chest pain, breath shortness, and a feeling of heavyness.

This kind of cancer is usually caused by exposure to asbestos which is a grouping of minerals that are comprised of microscopic fibres. The fibers, when inhaled cause irritation and DNA mutations. Pleura surrounds both the chest cavity and the lungs, which means that irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma usually doesn't show symptoms until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

Shortness of breath and chest pain are the most common symptoms. Patients may also feel tightness in their chest, coughing or difficulty breathing. Patients with this cancer have a history that includes asbestos exposure at work. The most frequent jobs that put people at risk of developing pleural mesothelioma are construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding. People who served in the military are at a higher risk due to the extensive use asbestos in Navy vessels and bunkers for the Army.

The TNM (tumors lymph nodes and metastases staging system) is the most common staging system used to treat the pleural cancer. The stage that the patient is in at the time of diagnosis can help determine what treatment plan they should follow. For instance, patients suffering from a pleural mesothelioma in stage three or four have a less favorable prognosis than those in lower stages. Stage four mesothelioma may be spread to the heart, liver or diaphragm. This can make it more difficult to treat and raises the risk of complications for patients.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Unlike pleural mesothelioma, which develops in the lung lining, peritoneal mesothelioma is found in the peritoneum -- an elongated membrane that covers the abdominal cavity and organs such as the liver and intestines. Similar to pleural mesothelioma mesothelioma is caused by asbestos exposure. Only 300-500 cases are diagnosed each year this is less than pleural asbestosis.

Like pleural mesothelioma, the symptoms can take years to show. Patients generally experience 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 are similar to those experienced by gastrointestinal issues, which can cause confusion in diagnosis.

The doctors can detect mesothelioma through reviewing the medical history of the patient and conducting a physical exam. Imaging tests like X-rays and CT scans can be used to identify mesothelioma. These tests can reveal cancerous tumors or other indications of cancer that aren't apparent on an X-ray.

These tests enable doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and establish the stage. They can also suggest treatment options. The stage is determined by the type of cell and whether the tumor has spread.

Asbestos exposure is the biggest risk factor. People who have been in occupations that involve asbestos, like plumbing or manufacturing, electrical work, or construction, are at greater risk of developing the disease. However, even if people aren't employed in these fields they may be exposed to asbestos through relatives or other sources. Anyone who thinks they're at risk should speak with an expert. A mesothelioma specialist can help those who have a history with asbestos to learn more about their risk.

Risk Factors

asbestos compensation is the primary risk factor in mesothelioma. It accounts for as much as 80percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos can occur as a result of military service, work or living with those who worked with asbestos. Asbestos particles are inhaled by those who are exposed to it. The particles cause irritation to the linings, causing cancerous cells to develop in the mesothelium. Following exposure to asbestos mesothelioma can develop between 15 and 60 year.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and age. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely develop mesothelioma than those who are younger or older. It takes mesothelioma 20-60 years to manifest cancer symptoms after the first exposure. It is also important to note that mesothelioma is a possibility in people who have been exposed to asbestos, but did not engage directly with it. This is called indirect or secondary exposure to asbestos legal (view website). It could be as hazardous as direct exposure.

Smoking increases the risk of developing mesothelioma due to the fact that it damages the mesothelium and makes it more prone to asbestos. Mesothelioma is also aggravated by certain illnesses such as asbestosis and pneumonia. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than women. This is due to the fact that men are more likely to work with asbestos and experience a more exposure than women. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who worked with asbestos, and to have asbestos-containing fibers on their clothing. Women tend to have less contact with asbestos and rarely carry asbestos on their clothing.

Diagnosis

It is difficult to diagnose mesothelioma due to its symptoms being often similar to other diseases. This could lead to patients being wrongly diagnosed.

NYU Langone doctors will perform an examination of the body and document the patient's medical history, including asbestos exposure. Doctors may also order an X-ray chest or CT scan to check for lumps or 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 chest wall (known as the pleural effusion).

Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance image or MRI test, that uses radio waves and magnets to produce a series of precise images of the inside of the body. Another way for doctors to detect mesothelioma is by performing an operation called a biopsy. In a surgical biopsy doctors take a tiny piece of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum to be tested further. A pathologist will then look at the tissue with a magnifying lens to determine whether it contains cancerous cell.

Mesothelioma is classified based on the mesothelial type involved, whether these cells are malignant or benign and also the location of the tumor, the type, and the stage of the cancer. Some types of mesothelioma are more likely to grow or spread and spread, therefore it is essential to have a clear diagnosis so doctors can treat the disease before it goes out of control.

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

Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnosis is terrifying. It is important to keep in mind that cancer can be treated, especially at its early stages. Many patients with mesothelioma be afflicted for a long time without expanding.

Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma in a number of ways. Asbestos particles, which are too small to see or feel through the naked eye, can become airborne and irritate the lining of the lungs (pleura). As time passes the irritation causes the formation of scar tissues and eventually tumors.

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

Shortness of breath, chest pain or fluid accumulation on the lungs are all signs of pleural msothelioma. In rare cases, cancer can spread into the tissues around the reproductive organs and heart.

If imaging scans show an area of concern in the lungs or stomach the doctor will request biopsies. During the procedure, doctors remove tiny amounts of fluid or tumor for laboratory analysis. The results can confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and help determine the most effective treatment plan.

There are several types of mesothelioma treatment, which include chemotherapy, surgery, and immunotherapy. Most doctors use the combination of these treatments. Patients could also benefit from enrolling in a clinical trial of new mesothelioma treatment. Patients can learn more by speaking with a mesothelioma doctor who has treated the disease.