The Mesothelioma And Asbestos Case Study You ll Never Forget

Mesothelioma and asbestos case (via perfum.kr)

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that is made up of thin, long fibres. Workers who are exposed asbestos on a regular basis risk developing mesothelioma and other types of lung diseases.

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

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma occurs in the lung's outer lining or pleura. It is the most common mesothelioma that accounts for up 70 to 79% of all diagnosed cases. People with this condition suffer from chest pain and shortness of breath and may also feel an ache or heaviness in the chest.

Exposure to asbestos, a family of minerals comprised of microscopic fibers, usually causes this type of cancer. When inhaled, these fibers stick inside the lung and cause irritation that results in scarring and DNA mutations. The pleura surrounds the lungs and chest cavity, so these irritations can affect both the lungs as well as a person's heart. Mesothelioma typically doesn't manifest until 30 to 50 year after exposure.

The most common symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include chest pain and breath shortness. Some patients have coughing problems, trouble breathing, or chest tightness. Patients with this cancer have a history that includes asbestos exposure at work. The most prevalent jobs that expose people to the risk of developing pleural mesothelioma are construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding. People who served in the military are at a greater risk due the frequent use of asbestos in Navy vessels and bunkers for the Army.

The TNM (tumors lymph nodes, tumors, and metastases staging system) is the most popular staging system used for the pleural cancer. The stage that the patient is in at the time of diagnosis can help determine what treatment plan they should follow. Patients who have pleural mesothelioma which is in stage three or stage four will suffer a more negative prognosis compared to those in a lower stage. Mesothelioma in stage four can develop into the heart, liver or diaphragm. This can make the cancer more difficult to treat and increase the chance of complications for patients.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

In contrast to pleural cancer, which is found in the lung's lining the peritoneal cancer is a result of a membrane that covers the abdominal cavity, which includes organs such as the liver and intestines. Similar to pleural mesothelioma mesothelioma can be caused by asbestos exposure. There are only 300-500 cases diagnosed annually which is lower than pleural asbestosis.

As with pleural asbestosis, symptoms can take a long time to show. The majority of patients suffer from abdominal pain and abdominal swelling. This mesothelioma type can cause nausea, weight loss, and fever. A lot of these symptoms are similar to those experienced by digestive problems, which can lead to incorrect diagnosis.

The doctors can detect mesothelioma through examining the patient's medical history and performing a physical examination. They can also use imaging tests like Xrays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to help find mesothelioma. These tests can reveal tumors and other signs of cancer that aren't apparent on an X-ray.

These tests enable doctors to diagnose mesothelioma, identify the stage and suggest treatment options. The staging is determined by the type of cells and whether or whether the cancer has spread to other parts of the body.

The most important mesothelioma risk factor is asbestos exposure. People who have worked in asbestos-containing professions, such as electrical or plumbing work or in manufacturing and construction, are more likely to contract the disease. Even if an individual isn't employed in any of these areas however, they may still be exposed through family members or other sources. This is why anyone who believes they could be at risk should talk to an experienced doctor. If they have an history of exposure to asbestos, a mesothelioma specialist can assist them in learning more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos exposure is the main risk factor for mesothelioma, making up as much as 80 percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos can happen through work, military service or by living with a person who works with asbestos or has previously done the same. Asbestos particles can be inhaled by people who are exposed to it. These particles can cause irritation to the linings and trigger cancerous cells to grow in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma may take between 15 and 60 years to develop following exposure to asbestos.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and the advancing age. People in their 40s or 50s are at a higher risk of developing mesothelioma compared to those younger or older. This is because mesothelioma typically occurs between 20 and 60 years from the first time of exposure before symptoms of cancer begin to manifest. It is important to remember that mesothelioma can be present in those who have been exposed to asbestos without having worked with it directly. This is referred to as secondary or indirect asbestos exposure, and is just as harmful as direct asbestos exposure.

Smoking increases a person's chances of developing mesothelioma due to the fact that it damages the mesothelium and makes it more susceptible to asbestos. Additionally, mesothelioma can be worsened by certain diseases like pneumonia and asbestosis. 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 asbestos for longer durations and to work with it. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who had worked with asbestos and to have asbestos lawsuit-containing fibers on their clothing. Women are less likely to come into contact with asbestos and rarely carry asbestos on their clothes.

Diagnosis

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

The first step to diagnose mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform a physical exam and take down a patient's medical history including asbestos exposure. Doctors will also recommend an CT scan or chest X-ray to check for lumps, abnormalities, and evidence of exposure to asbestos. These include plaques on the pleura, pleura that are thickened and calcium deposits.

Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram, which examines the heart and blood vessels as well as a magnetic resonance imaging, also known as MRI, test, which uses radio waves and magnets to make a series of detailed images of the inside of the body. A surgical biopsy is yet another method for doctors to identify mesothelioma. In a surgical biopsy doctors remove a small amount of tissue from the pleura or peritoneum for further analysis. A pathologist is then able to look at the tissue under microscopes to determine whether it is contaminated with cancerous cells.

Mesothelioma can be classified based on the type of mesothelial cell involved, whether the cells are benign or malignant, and the location of the tumor, the type, and the stage of the cancer. Some types of mesothelioma have a higher risk of metastasizing or spreading therefore it is essential to determine the type of mesothelioma to ensure that the doctors can treat it before it becomes out-of-control.

Doctors may also conduct laboratory tests on tumors to determine specific proteins, genes or other elements that can aid in describing cancer characteristics and plan treatment. These results are known as staging.

Treatment

A diagnosis of mesothelioma may be terrifying. However, it's important to keep in mind that the cancer is treatable, especially in its initial stages. Many people with mesothelioma can endure the disease for many years without it expanding.

Exposure to asbestos may cause mesothelioma through a variety of ways. Asbestos fibers, which are tiny enough to be felt or seen with the naked eyes, can become airborne, causing irritation to the lung's lining (pleura). In time irritation leads to formation of scar tissue which causes changes in the structure of cells that can eventually grow into tumors.

The pleura surrounds the heart and lungs and also the abdomen. Mesothelium consists of cells that react to asbestos which causes it to become inflamed and create scar tissue. As time passes, these changes cause the development of malignant mesothelioma tumors.

The symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are shortness of breath and chest pain as well as an accumulation of fluid on the lungs (pleural effusion). In rare instances, the cancer can spread to the tissues surrounding the heart and reproductive organs.

If scans of imaging reveal an area of concern in the lungs or stomach doctors will recommend biopsies. During the procedure, doctors will remove a small sample of the tumor or fluid for lab analysis. The results will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and determine the best treatment plan.

There are several types of mesothelioma treatment options, which include chemotherapy, surgery, and immunotherapy. The majority of doctors use a combination of these methods. Patients may also benefit from taking part in a clinical trial of new mesothelioma treatment. Patients can learn more about the trials by consulting a mesothelioma expert who has treated mesothelioma.