Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that comes in long, thin fibres. People who are exposed to asbestos regularly risk developing mesothelioma and other types of lung diseases.

It may take decades for symptoms to show up after exposure to asbestos lawyer. Different types of asbestos may cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma occurs in the lung's outer lining, also known as pleura. It is the most common type of mesothelioma, making up 70% to 79% of diagnosed cases. The condition can cause chest pain, breath shortness and a feeling of weightiness.

Exposure to asbestos, a class of minerals comprised of microscopic fibers, typically causes this kind of cancer. The fibers, when inhaled can cause irritation and DNA mutations. Pleura surrounds both the chest cavity and the lungs, so irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma symptoms usually don't appear until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

The most commonly reported symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include chest discomfort and shortness of breath. Patients may also feel tightness in their chest or coughing. They may also experience difficulty breathing. Patients with this type of cancer typically have previous exposure to asbestos in the workplace. Construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding are the most prevalent jobs that put people at a high danger of developing pleural melanoma. People who served in the military are at a greater risk due the extensive use asbestos in Navy vessels and Army bunkers.

The TNM (tumors, lymph nodes, and metastases staging system) is the most commonly used staging system used to treat pleural adenocarcinoma. The stage the patient is in at the time of diagnosis will help determine the treatment plan they should follow. Patients who have pleural mesothelioma which is in stage three or stage four will have a less favorable prognosis than those in a less advanced stage. Stage four mesothelioma is often spread to the diaphragm, the liver or even the heart of a patient. This can make it more difficult to treat and raises the risk of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

In contrast to pleural cancer, which is found in the lining of the lung, peritoneal cancer develops in the membrane that covers the abdominal cavity, including organs such as the intestines and liver. Like pleural mesothelioma, peritoneal mesothelioma can be caused by asbestos exposure. The disease is much less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma, with just 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.

As with pleural asbestosis, symptoms can take several years to show. Most patients suffer from abdominal pain and abdominal swelling. The symptoms of this kind of mesothelioma can also include nausea, weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms are similar to those of digestive issues, which could cause confusion in diagnosis.

Generally, doctors can find mesothelioma through an exhaustive medical history and physical exam. Imaging tests like X-rays and CT scans are a way to identify mesothelioma. These tests can detect tumors and other signs of cancer that aren't visible on X-rays.

The results of these tests allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma, determine the stage of the disease and suggest treatment options. The stage is determined by the kind of cell and if the cancer has spread.

Asbestos exposure is the biggest risk factor. People who have been exposed to asbestos in occupations, like electrical or plumbing work, or in construction, manufacturing and manufacturing, are more likely to develop the disease. Even if they do not work in these areas they could be exposed to asbestos lawsuit through family members or other sources. Anyone who believes they are at risk should speak with a doctor. If they have a history of Asbestos legal exposure and mesothelioma is a concern, a specialist will assist them in learning more about the risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos is the primary risk factor in mesothelioma. It accounts for as much as 80% of all cases. Exposure to asbestos can happen due to work, military service, or living with people who have worked with asbestos. Asbestos particles are inhaled by people who are exposed to asbestos. They can cause irritation to the linings of the abdomen and trigger cancerous cells to form in the mesothelium. After asbestos exposure mesothelioma can occur between 15 and 60 year.

Other risk factors include genetics, smoking and age. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely develop mesothelioma than those who are younger or older. It is because mesothelioma generally occurs between 20 and 60 years from the first time of exposure before the first signs of cancer appear. It is important to remember, too, that mesothelioma could develop in people who have been exposed to asbestos legal without having worked with it directly. This is known as indirect or secondary asbestos exposure. It can be as hazardous as direct asbestos compensation exposure.

Smoking increases the risk of developing mesothelioma since it damages the mesothelium and makes it more vulnerable to asbestos. Mesothelioma can also be caused by certain diseases, such as asbestosis and pneumonia. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than women. 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 have lived with someone who worked with asbestos litigation and to carry asbestos fibers on their clothing. Women tend to be less in contact with asbestos, and they don't usually bring asbestos home on their clothes.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is a difficult cancer to recognize because the symptoms are often similar to other conditions. Because of this, victims are often misdiagnosed.

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 detect lumps or other abnormalities, as well as evidence of previous asbestos exposure such as pleural plaques (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the accumulation of fluid between the lung and chest wall (known as pleural effusion).

Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance scan, or MRI test, that uses magnets and radio waves in order to create a series detailed images of the inside of the body. Another method doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma is through an operation called a biopsy. In a surgical biopsy, doctors remove a tiny part of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum, to be tested further. A pathologist then examines the tissue using an magnifying glass to determine if it contains cancerous cells.

The mesothelial type involved, the malignant or benign nature of those cells and the location the cancer, its type and the stage of the tumor, are used to categorize the disease. Some types of mesothelioma have greater risk of metastasizing or spreading therefore it is essential to get a definitive diagnosis so doctors can treat it prior to it becoming out of control.

Doctors can also run tests in the lab on a tumor to find particular proteins, genes and other factors which can help them identify the characteristics of cancer and plan treatment. These results are referred to as staging.

Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnosis can be an incredibly frightening prospect. It is important to remember that cancer can be treated, especially at its early stages. Many people with mesothelioma live for years with the disease, without spreading to other organs of their body.

Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma through a variety of ways. Asbestos particles, which are too small to be able to see or feel with 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 causes changes in the cell structure which eventually lead to tumors.

The Pleura is a protective layer that surrounds the lungs, heart and 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 eventually lead to malignant mesothelioma tumours.

The symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are breathing problems and chest pain as well as a buildup of fluid in the lungs (pleural effusion). In rare instances, cancer can spread into the tissues surrounding the reproductive organs and the heart.

If scans of imaging reveal an underlying mass in the lungs or stomach the doctor will request biopsies. During the procedure, doctors will remove small amounts of the fluid or tumor for laboratory testing. 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 rely on the combination of these methods. Patients could also benefit from taking part in a clinical trial of new mesothelioma therapies. To find out more, patients should consult a mesothelioma specialist who has had experience treating the disease.