Mesothelioma and Asbestos
Asbestos, a natural mineral, naturally forms in the form of thin, long fibers. Workers who are regularly exposed to asbestos risk developing lung diseases, such as mesothelioma.
Symptoms of these diseases may not be evident for a long time after exposure to asbestos. Different types of asbestos may cause different symptoms.
Pleural Mesothelioma
Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer that develops in the lung's outer lining (pleura). It is the most common form of mesothelioma and accounts for 70% to 79% of diagnosed cases. This condition causes chest pain, breath shortness, and a feeling of weightiness.
Exposure to asbestos, a class of minerals composed of microscopic fibers, usually causes this type of cancer. These fibers, when inhaled can cause irritation and DNA mutations. Pleura surrounds both the chest cavity and the lungs, and so irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma is usually not symptomatic until 30 to 50 years after exposure.
The most commonly reported symptoms of pleural melanoma are chest pain and shortness of breath. Some patients may also experience chest tightness and coughing, or breathing difficulties. Patients with this cancer have a history that includes asbestos exposure at work. The most frequent jobs that expose workers to the risk of pleural mesothelioma include manufacturing, construction and shipbuilding. People who served in the military are at higher risk due to the widespread use of asbestos in Navy vessels and bunkers for the Army.
The TNM (tumors, lymph nodes, and metastases staging system) is the most popular staging system used to treat the pleural adenocarcinoma. The stage the patient is in at the time of diagnosis can help determine the treatment plan they should receive. For instance, patients suffering from mesothelioma pleural stage three or four have a less favorable prognosis than patients with lower stages. Stage four mesothelioma can be spread to the heart, liver or diaphragm. This can make the cancer more difficult to treat and increase the chances of complications for the patient.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
As opposed to pleural mesothelioma that is a lung-lining cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma forms in the peritoneum -- it is a membrane that lines the abdominal cavity as well as organs like the intestines and the liver. As with pleural mesothelioma asbestos exposure is the cause of peritoneal mesothelioma. The disease is much less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma, and around 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.
Like pleural mesothelioma, symptoms may take years to appear. Typically, patients experience abdominal pain and a mass in the abdomen. 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 result in misdiagnosis.
Generally speaking, doctors can detect mesothelioma after an extensive health history and physical examination. Imaging tests such as X-rays or CT scans can be used to identify mesothelioma. These tests can reveal cancerous tumors or other indications of cancer that aren't visible on X-rays.
mission viejo asbestos lawsuit allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma, determine the stage and suggest treatment options. The staging is determined by the cell type and whether or not the cancer has spread to other regions of the body.
The most important risk factor for mesothelioma is asbestos exposure. People who have worked in professions that require asbestos, such as plumbing manufacturing, electrical work or construction, are at a higher risk of developing the disease. Even if they aren't employed in these areas, they can still be exposed to asbestos through family members or other sources. Anyone who thinks they're at risk should talk to a doctor. A mesothelioma expert can help those who have had a experience with asbestos to understand more about their risk.
Risk Factors
Asbestos is the main risk factor in mesothelioma. It accounts for as much as the 80% of cases. Exposure to asbestos may occur as a result of work, military service, or by living with someone who is exposed to asbestos or has previously done the same. When exposed to asbestos, the particles can be inhaled into the lungs and abdomen. These particles irritate the linings of the abdomen, which causes 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 age. The people in their 40s or 50s are more at risk of developing mesothelioma compared to people who are younger or more. It takes mesothelioma 20-60 years to show signs of cancer after the first exposure. It is important to keep in mind, too, that mesothelioma may develop in those who have been exposed to asbestos, but without having worked with it directly. This is called secondary or indirect exposure to asbestos. It is just as harmful as direct exposure.
Smoking increases the risk of mesothelioma, because it damages the mesothelium. It also makes it more prone to. 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 period of time and to have worked 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 fibers on their clothing. Women tend to have less contact with asbestos and rarely carry asbestos on their clothing.
Diagnosis
Mesothelioma is a difficult disease to recognize because the symptoms are often similar to other diseases. This is why patients are often mistakenly diagnosed.
NYU Langone doctors will perform an examination of the body and document the patient's medical history including asbestos exposure. Doctors will also order a CT scan or chest X-ray to check for lumps, abnormalities, and evidence of asbestos exposure. These include pleural plaques, thickened pleura and calcium deposits.
Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram, which examines the blood vessels and the heart as well as a magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI, test, which makes use of radio waves and magnets to create precise images of the inside of the body. Another way doctors can diagnose mesothelioma is to perform the procedure of a surgical biopsy. In a surgical biopsy doctors will remove a small piece of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum to be tested further. A pathologist can then examine the tissue using an magnifying glass to determine if it contains cancerous cell.
Mesothelioma is classified based on the type of mesothelial cell involved, whether the cells are malignant or benign and the location of the tumor, the type, and the stage of the tumor. Some types of mesothelioma have an increased risk of metastasizing or spreading and it's crucial to establish a clear diagnosis to ensure that the doctors can treat it prior to it becoming out of control.
Doctors can also perform laboratory tests on tumors in order to determine specific genes, proteins or other elements that can help them describe cancer characteristics and determine the best treatment. These results are known as staging.
Treatment
A mesothelioma diagnosis is terrifying. But, it is crucial to keep in mind that the cancer is treatable, especially in its early stages. Many people with mesothelioma can endure the disease for a long time, without spreading.
Exposure to asbestos may cause mesothelioma in many ways. Asbestos fibers that are too small to be felt or observed with the naked eyes can be airborne, causing irritation to the lung's lining (pleura). Over time, the irritation leads to the formation of scar tissue, which eventually lead to tumors.
The pleura is a protective covering that surrounds the abdomen, heart, and lungs. Mesothelium consists of cells that react when exposed to asbestos. They cause inflammation of the tissue and cause it to become scarred. These changes can cause mesothelioma cancers.
Shortness of breath, chest discomfort or fluid buildup on the lungs are all indications of the pleural Msothelioma. In rare instances the cancer may grow to the tissues surrounding the heart and reproductive organs.
A doctor may request biopsy if scans show the possibility of a lung tumor or stomach. During the procedure, doctors remove small amounts of the fluid or tumor for lab tests. The results can confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and help determine the best treatment plan.
There are many types of treatment for mesothelioma including surgery and chemotherapy. Most doctors utilize combinations of these treatments. Enrolling in clinical trials of mesothelioma treatments may be beneficial for patients. Patients can learn more about the trials by consulting a mesothelioma specialist who has treated the disease.