Guide To Mesothelioma And Asbestos: The Intermediate Guide For Mesothelioma And Asbestos

Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that is made up of long, thin fibres. Workers who are regularly exposed to asbestos litigation are at risk of developing lung diseases like mesothelioma.

The symptoms of these diseases may not show up for decades after exposure to asbestos. Different asbestos types may cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma, a form of cancer, that affects the lung's outer liner (pleura). It is the most common mesothelioma that accounts for up between 70 and 79% of all diagnosed cases. The condition can cause chest discomfort, shortness of breath and a feeling weightiness.

Exposure to asbestos, a class of minerals composed of microscopic fibers, typically causes this type of cancer. Once inhaled, the fibers stick inside the lung and cause irritation that causes scarring and DNA mutations. Pleura is the lining of both the chest cavity and the lungs, and so irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma usually doesn't show symptoms until 30 to 50 year after exposure.

Chest pain and shortness breath are the most frequent symptoms. Patients may have coughing problems, trouble breathing or chest tightness. Patients with this type of 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 have served in the military are at a higher risk because of the extensive asbestos usage in Navy ships and bunkers used by the army.

The most commonly used staging system for pleural mysothelioma has been the TNM (tumor lymph nodes, lymph nodes and metastases) staging system. The stage that a patient is at when they are diagnosed will aid their doctor in determining the most effective treatment plan for them. For instance, patients who have mesothelioma that is pleural in stage three or four have a poorer prognosis than those in a lower stage. Mesothelioma in stage four can develop into the liver, heart, or diaphragm. This can make the cancer more difficult to treat and increase the risk of complications for patients.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Unlike pleural mesothelioma, which develops in the lung lining, peritoneal mesothelioma develops in the peritoneum, it is a membrane that lines the abdominal cavity and organs such as the liver and intestines. Like pleural mesothelioma, peritoneal mesothelioma can be caused by asbestos exposure. The disease is less common than pleural mesothelioma. There are only about 300-500 cases diagnosed each year.

As with pleural mesothelioma symptoms can take a long time to manifest. Typically, patients are afflicted with abdominal pain as well as an abdominal mass. This kind of mesothelioma can cause nausea, weight loss, and fever. Many of these symptoms are similar to those experienced by digestive issues, which could lead to confusion in diagnosis.

Doctors can identify mesothelioma by looking over the medical history of the patient and conducting a physical exam. Imaging tests like X-rays and CT scans can be used to detect mesothelioma. These tests can show tumors, as well as other signs of cancer that aren't visible on X-rays.

These tests enable 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 risk factor for mesothelioma is asbestos case exposure. People who have worked in jobs that require asbestos (just click Fic), such as plumbing, manufacturing, electrical work or construction, are at greater risk of developing the disease. Even if someone isn't employed in one of these areas however, they may be exposed to asbestos to asbestos through family members and other sources. Therefore, anyone who believes they could be at risk should talk to an experienced doctor. A mesothelioma specialist can assist those who have a previous history of asbestos to find out more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos exposure is a major risk factor for mesothelioma, which accounts for as much as 80 percent of all cases. Exposure to asbestos can happen as a result of work, military service, or living with someone who used to work with asbestos lawsuit. When exposed to asbestos claim, the particles can be inhaled into the abdomen and lungs. The particles cause irritation to the linings of the lungs, causing cancerous cells to grow in the mesothelium. After exposure to asbestos mesothelioma is likely to occur between 15 and 60 years old.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and aging. People in their 40s and 50s are more at risk of developing mesothelioma as compared to those younger or older. Mesothelioma can take between 20 and 60 years to show signs of cancer after the first exposure. It is also important to know that mesothelioma may develop in people who have been exposed to asbestos but did not deal with it directly. This is called secondary or indirect exposure to asbestos, and it is just as harmful as direct exposure.

Smoking increases a person's chances of getting mesothelioma because it causes mesothelium damage and makes it more vulnerable to asbestos. Additionally, mesothelioma can be exacerbated by certain illnesses like pneumonia and asbestosis. It is also important to know that mesothelioma is more prevalent for men than women. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for a longer period of time and work with asbestos for longer periods of time. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who been exposed to asbestos, and to have asbestos-containing fibers on their clothing. Women are less likely to come into exposure to asbestos and don't typically carry asbestos around on their clothing.

Diagnosis

It is difficult to recognize mesothelioma because its symptoms are often similar to other diseases. Because of this, victims are often wrongly diagnosed.

NYU Langone doctors will perform an examination of the body and document the patient's medical background including asbestos exposure. Doctors may also request an CT scan or chest X-ray to check for abnormalities, lumps and evidence of exposure to asbestos. These include plaques in the pleura, thickened pleura and calcium deposits.

Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance image or MRI test, that uses magnets and radio waves to produce a series of precise images of the insides of the body. A surgical biopsy is a different way for doctors to diagnose mesothelioma. In a surgical biopsy doctors will remove a small piece of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum to be further examined. A pathologist then examines the tissue with a magnifying lens to determine whether it contains cancerous cell.

The mesothelial type involved, the malignant or benign nature of these cells, as well as the location the cancer, its type and the stage of the cancer are used to classify the disease. Certain mesothelioma types have a higher risk of metastasizing or spreading therefore it is essential to get a definitive diagnosis so that doctors can treat it before it gets out-of-control.

Doctors may also conduct laboratory tests on a tumor to find specific genes, proteins and other factors which can help them identify the cancer's characteristics and plan treatment. These results are called staging.

Treatment

A diagnosis of mesothelioma may be frightening. However, it's important to remember that the disease is treatable, especially in its earlier stages. Many patients with mesothelioma survive for many years with the disease without it spreading to other parts of their body.

Exposure to asbestos may cause mesothelioma through a variety of ways. Asbestos fibres, tiny enough to be felt or seen through the naked eye are able to become airborne, irritating the lining of the lung (pleura). Over time irritation leads to formation of scar tissue, which causes changes in the cell structure which eventually lead to tumors.

The pleura surrounds the heart and lungs, as well as the abdomen. Mesothelium is composed of cells that react when exposed to asbestos. They cause inflammation to the tissue and cause it to become scarred. Overtime, these changes result in the growth of malignant mesothelioma tumors.

Shortness of breath, chest discomfort or fluid buildup on the lungs are all signs of the pleural mesothelioma. In rare cases cancer can spread to the tissues surrounding the reproductive organs and the heart.

If scans of imaging reveal a possible mass in the stomach or lungs, a doctor will order biopsies. During the procedure, doctors remove small amounts of the fluid or tumor for lab testing. The results can confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis and indicate the best treatment plan.

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