The Mesothelioma And Asbestos Case Study You ll Never Forget

Mesothelioma and Asbestos

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

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

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma is a type of cancer that develops in the lung's outer the lining (pleura). It is the most common form of mesothelioma and accounts for 70% to 79% all diagnosed cases. People with this condition feel chest pain and breathlessness and may also feel a sensation of heaviness in the chest.

Exposure to asbestos, a class of minerals made of microscopic fibers, typically causes this type of cancer. Once inhaled, the fibers stick inside the lung and cause irritation which results in scarring and DNA mutations. The pleura is the area that surrounds the chest cavity and lungs, so these irritations can affect both the lungs as well as a person's heart. Mesothelioma symptoms are usually not apparent until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

The most frequent symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are chest pain and shortness of breath. Some patients also experience difficulty breathing, or chest tightness. Patients with this type of cancer have a history of disease that includes asbestos exposure at work. Construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding are the most prevalent occupations which put people at risk chance of developing pleural mesothelioma. People who have served in the military could be at a higher risk due to the widespread asbestos use in Navy vessels and bunkers used by the army.

The most commonly used staging system for pleural mesothelioma is the TNM (tumor lymph nodes, lymph nodes and metastases) staging system. The stage a patient is in at the moment of diagnosis will determine what treatment plan they should receive. Patients suffering from pleural mesothelioma who is in stage three or stage four will have a worse prognosis than those in a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma can develop into the liver, heart or diaphragm. This can make it more difficult to treat and increase the risk of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

In contrast to pleural mesothelioma which develops in the lung lining, peritoneal mesothelioma develops in the peritoneum -- a membrane that lines the abdominal cavity as well as organs such as the intestines and liver. Similar to pleural mesothelioma and peritoneal mesothelioma is triggered by asbestos Case exposure. There are only 300-500 cases diagnosed each year, which is less than pleural asbestosis.

As with pleural asbestosis symptoms can take several years to show. Patients typically have abdominal pain, and could also experience a mass in their abdomen. This kind of mesothelioma can also cause nausea, weight loss, and fever. Many of these symptoms could be misinterpreted as gastrointestinal issues, leading to a misdiagnosis.

Typically, doctors can identify mesothelioma after an extensive health history and physical exam. They can also use imaging tests such as X-rays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to identify mesothelioma. These tests can identify tumors and other cancer signs which aren't evident on X-rays.

These test results enable doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and determine the stage. They also offer treatments. The staging is determined by the cell type and whether or not the tumor has spread to other areas of the body.

The most important risk factor for mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos. People who have worked in asbestos-containing jobs, such as electrical or plumbing work, or in construction and manufacturing, are more likely to develop the disease. However, even if individuals aren't employed in these areas they may be exposed to asbestos through relatives or other sources. Therefore, anyone who suspects they may be at risk should speak to an experienced doctor. A mesothelioma specialist can help those with 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 all cases. Exposure to asbestos can happen through military service, work or living with those who worked with asbestos. When exposed to asbestos, the particles are able to be inhaled into abdomen and lungs. These irritate the linings and cause cancerous cells to grow in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma can take between 15 and 60 years to develop after exposure to asbestos.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and aging. People in their 40s or 50s are more at chance of developing mesothelioma to those who are younger or older. It takes mesothelioma 20-60 years to show signs of cancer after the first exposure. It is important to keep in mind that mesothelioma can develop in those who have been exposed to asbestos without having directly worked with it. This is referred to as indirect or secondary asbestos exposure and can be as dangerous as direct asbestos exposure.

Smoking increases a person's chances of developing mesothelioma since it damages the mesothelium, which makes it more prone to asbestos. In addition, mesothelioma may be exacerbated by certain illnesses like pneumonia and asbestosis. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than females. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for a longer time and work with it. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who been exposed to asbestos law, and to have asbestos-containing fibers on their clothing. Women tend to have less exposure to asbestos and do not typically carry asbestos home on their clothing.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is a difficult disease to diagnose because the symptoms can be similar to other conditions. This can result in patients being misdiagnosed.

NYU Langone doctors will perform physical examinations and document the patient's medical history including asbestos exposure. Doctors can also request a chest X-ray or CT scan to detect lumps or other abnormalities, as well as evidence of previous asbestos exposure like plaques in the pleura (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the accumulation of fluid between the lung and chest wall (known as pleural effusion).

Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram which examines the heart and blood vessels as well as a magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI, test that uses radio waves and magnets to make a series of precise images of the inside of the body. A surgical biopsy is a different way for doctors to diagnose mesothelioma. A surgical biopsy is when doctors take a small amount of tissue from the peritoneum or pleura to conduct further tests. A pathologist is then able to look at the tissue under microscopes to determine if it has cancerous cells.

Mesothelioma is classified according to the mesothelial type involved, whether these cells are benign or malignant, and the location, type, and stage of the tumor. Some types of mesothelioma are more likely to spread or metastasize, so it is important to establish a definitive diagnosis so that doctors can treat the disease before it becomes out of control.

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

Treatment

A diagnosis of mesothelioma may be terrifying. However, it's important to remember that the disease can be treated, particularly in its earlier stages. A lot of people suffering from mesothelioma be afflicted for a long time without spreading.

Asbestos exposure can cause mesothelioma by a variety of mechanisms. Asbestos fibers, which are too small to be felt or viewed with the naked eyes, can become airborne, causing irritation to the lining of the lung (pleura). In time, the irritation leads to the formation of scar tissues and eventually tumors.

The pleura is the area that surrounds the heart and lungs and also the abdomen. Mesothelium consists of cells that react to asbestos and cause it to enflame and develop scar tissue. As time passes, these changes cause the development of malignant mesothelioma tumors.

Symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include breathlessness and chest pain as well as an accumulation of fluid in the lung (pleural effusion). In rare instances the cancer may grow to the tissues surrounding the heart and reproductive organs.

If scans of imaging reveal an underlying mass in the stomach or lungs, a doctor will order biopsies. In the course of the procedure, doctors remove some of the fluid or tumor to allow for laboratory testing. The results will confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis, and provide the best treatment plan.

There are many types of treatment for mesothelioma, including chemotherapy and surgery. Most doctors use the combination of these treatments. Participating in clinical trials for new mesothelioma treatment may also be beneficial to patients. Patients can learn more by consulting a mesothelioma expert who has treated the condition.