Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos, a natural mineral, occurs naturally in the form of long, thin fibers. Workers who are exposed asbestos regularly are at risk of developing mesothelioma or other lung diseases.

The symptoms of these diseases might 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 affects the outer lung liner (pleura). It is the most common mesothelioma form and is responsible for 70 to 79% all diagnosed cases. Patients with this disease feel chest pain and shortness of breath, and they may feel an ache or heaviness in the chest.

This kind of cancer is often caused by exposure to asbestos, which is a grouping of minerals made up of microscopic fibres. Once inhaled, these fibers cling to the lung and cause irritation that causes scarring and DNA mutations. The pleura is the area that surrounds the lungs and chest cavity This means that these irritations can affect both the lungs as well as a person's heart. Mesothelioma is usually not symptomatic until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

Shortness of breath and chest pain are the most common symptoms. Some patients also experience difficulty breathing, or chest tightness. Patients with this cancer have a history of disease that includes asbestos exposure at work. Construction, manufacturing, and shipbuilding are the most common occupations which put people at risk risk of developing pleural mesothelioma. People who were 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 popular staging system used for pleural adenocarcinoma. The stage a patient is in when they are diagnosed will assist their doctor in determining the most appropriate treatment plan for them. Patients suffering from pleural mesothelioma who is in stage three or stage four will have a worse prognosis compared to those who are in a lower stage. Mesothelioma in stage four can spread to the liver, heart or diaphragm. This could make the cancer more difficult to treat, and increase the chances of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal gilbert mesothelioma lawsuit

Contrary to pleural cancer which is found in the lining of the lung, peritoneal cancer develops in a membrane that covers the abdominal cavity, including organs like the intestines and the liver. Similar to pleural mesothelioma and peritoneal mesothelioma can be caused by asbestos exposure. The disease is less common than pleural mesothelioma. There are just 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.

Like pleural mesothelioma, symptoms may take years to appear. Patients typically suffer from abdominal pain and could also experience a mass in their abdomen. The symptoms of this kind of mesothelioma may also include nausea as well as weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms could be mistaken for gastrointestinal problems and can lead to a mistaken diagnosis.

Generally speaking, doctors can detect mesothelioma through a thorough medical history and physical exam. They can also utilize imaging tests such as X-rays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to detect mesothelioma. These tests can identify tumors and other cancer signs that are not visible on X-rays.

These test results allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma, identify the stage of the disease and suggest treatment options. The stage is determined by the type of cell as well as whether the cancer has spread.

Asbestos exposure is the biggest risk factor. People who have worked in professions that require asbestos, such as plumbing manufacturing, electrical work or construction, are at greater risk of developing the disease. Even if an individual isn't employed in any of these areas they could be exposed to asbestos through family members or other sources. Anyone who thinks they may be at risk should talk to a doctor. If they have any history of exposure to asbestos, a mesothelioma attorneys specialist can assist them in learning more about the risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos exposure is the primary risk factor for mesothelioma, which accounts for as much as 80 percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos can occur as a result of work, military service, or by living with someone who works with asbestos or has previously done so. When exposed to asbestos, small particles can be breathed into the abdomen and lungs. The particles cause irritation to the linings of the abdomen, which causes cancerous cells to form in the mesothelium. After exposure to asbestos mesothelioma can be diagnosed between 15 and 60 year.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and age. The people in their 40s or 50s are more at chance of developing mesothelioma to people who are younger or more. It takes mesothelioma between 20 and 60 years before it manifests cancer symptoms after the first exposure. It is important to note, too, that mesothelioma may be present in those who have been exposed to asbestos, but without having worked with it directly. This is known as indirect or secondary asbestos exposure and can be just as harmful as direct asbestos exposure.

Smoking increases the chance of mesothelioma developing, because it damages the mesothelium. It also makes it more prone to. Mesothelioma can also be caused by certain illnesses such as asbestosis and pneumonia. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than females. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for a longer period of time and to have worked with asbestos for longer durations and to work with it. Men are also more likely to live with someone who had asbestos exposure and bring asbestos fibers that have escaped home on their clothing. Women tend to be less in contact with asbestos, and they don't usually carry Flower Mound Asbestos Lawsuit on their clothing.

Diagnosis

It is difficult to diagnose mesothelioma due to its symptoms being often similar to other conditions. Because of this, victims are sometimes wrongly diagnosed.

The first step in identifying mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform an examination of the body and take note of the medical history of the patient which includes asbestos exposure. Doctors can also request an X-ray chest or CT scan to look for lumps and other abnormalities, as well as evidence of past asbestos exposure like 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 an echocardiogram which examines the blood vessels and the heart and magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI, test, which makes use of radio waves and magnets to create detailed images of the interior of the body. A surgical biopsy is a different method for doctors to identify mesothelioma. During a surgical biopsy, doctors take a small amount of tissue from the pleura or peritoneum for further testing. A pathologist can examine the tissue with a microscope to see if it has cancerous cells.

The mesothelial type involved and the benign or malignant nature of those cells as well as the location and stage of the cancer are used to classify the disease. Certain types of mesothelioma are more likely to develop metastasis or spread, so it is important to establish a definitive diagnosis so doctors can treat the disease before it gets out of control.

Doctors may also conduct tests in the lab on tumors to determine specific genes, proteins, or other factors which will help them identify cancer characteristics and determine the best treatment. These results are referred to as staging.

Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnosis is a frightening prospect. It is crucial to remember that cancer can be treated particularly in its early stages. Many patients with mesothelioma survive for a long time with the disease, without spreading to other parts of their body.

Exposure to asbestos may cause mesothelioma through a variety of ways. Asbestos fibers, too small to see or feel with the naked eye, can become airborne and cause irritation to the lining of the lungs (pleura). As time passes, the irritation causes the formation of scar tissue, which can cause changes in the cell structure that eventually develop into tumors.

The Pleura is a protective layer that protects the lungs, heart and abdomen. Mesothelium consists of cells that respond when exposed to asbestos. They cause inflammation of the tissue and cause it to become scarred. In time, these changes can lead to the development of malignant mesothelioma tumors.

The symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are shortness of breath and chest pain, or the accumulation of fluid on the lung (pleural effusion). In rare cases, cancer can spread into the tissues around the reproductive organs and the heart.

A doctor will order a biopsy if imaging scans show the possibility of a tumor in the lungs or stomach. During the procedure, doctors take small amounts of the fluid or tumor for laboratory tests. The results will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and determine the best treatment plan.

There are several types of mesothelioma treatment, which include chemotherapy, surgery, and immunotherapy. Most doctors utilize a combination of these treatments. Participating in clinical trials for new mesothelioma treatment may also be beneficial to patients. To learn more, patients should speak to mesothelioma experts who have expertise in treating the condition.