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Mesothelioma and Asbestos

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

The symptoms of these diseases might not manifest for years after exposure to asbestos. Different types of asbestos lawyer may cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma can be found in the lung's outer lining also known as pleura. It is the most frequent type of mesothelioma, making up between 70 and 79% of all diagnosed cases. Patients suffering from this condition experience pain in the chest and shortness of breath and may experience the sensation of weight 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. These fibers, when inhaled can cause irritation and DNA mutations. Pleura surrounds both the chest cavity and the lungs, so irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma symptoms usually don't appear until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

Shortness of breath and chest pain are the most frequently reported symptoms. Some patients also experience difficulty breathing, or chest tightness. People with this cancer often have an history of exposure to asbestos in the workplace. The most prevalent jobs that expose people to the risk of developing pleural mesothelioma are construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding. People who have served in the military could be at risk due to the frequent asbestos use in Navy vessels and army bunkers.

The most common staging system for pleural mesothelioma is the TNM (tumor, lymph nodes and metastases) staging system. The stage that the patient is in at the moment of diagnosis will determine what treatment plan they should receive. For instance, patients suffering from mesothelioma pleural stage three or four have a poorer prognosis than patients with a lower stage. Mesothelioma in stage four can spread to the liver, heart or diaphragm. This makes the cancer more difficult to treat, and increase the risk 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 and organs such as the liver and intestines. Like pleural mesothelioma, asbestos exposure is the primary cause of peritoneal mesothelioma. There are only 300-500 cases diagnosed annually, which is less than pleural asbestosis.

As with pleural asbestosis symptoms can take several years to show. Typically, patients experience abdominal pain and abdominal swelling. Symptoms of this type of mesothelioma can also include nausea as well as weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms are similar to those experienced by digestive issues, which could cause misdiagnosis.

Typically, doctors can identify mesothelioma by conducting an extensive medical history and physical exam. They may also employ imaging tests like X-rays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to identify mesothelioma. These tests can detect tumors and other cancer signs which aren't evident on X-rays.

The results of these tests allow doctors to identify mesothelioma, and determine the stage. They can also suggest treatment options. The stage is determined by the kind of cell and if the cancer has spread.

The most important mesothelioma risk factor is exposure to asbestos. People who have been in occupations that require asbestos compensation, like plumbing electrical work, manufacturing or construction, are at greater risk of developing the disease. However, even if people do not work in these areas they could be exposed to asbestos through family members or through other sources. Therefore, anyone who believes they could be at risk should speak to an experienced doctor. A mesothelioma specialist can assist those with a history with asbestos to learn more about their 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 is exposed to asbestos or has previously done the same. When exposed to asbestos, small particles can be breathed into the lungs and abdomen. The particles cause irritation to the linings of the abdomen, which causes cancerous cells to grow in the mesothelium. Following exposure to asbestos claim, mesothelioma may be diagnosed between 15 and 60 years old.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and age. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely develop mesothelioma than those who are younger or older. It takes mesothelioma 20-60 years before it manifests cancer symptoms after the first exposure. It is important to note that mesothelioma may occur in those who have been exposed to asbestos without having worked with it directly. This is known as secondary or indirect asbestos exposure and can be as dangerous as direct asbestos exposure.

Smoking can increase the likelihood of developing mesothelioma due to the fact that it damages the mesothelium, which makes it more prone to asbestos. Furthermore, mesothelioma is caused by certain illnesses, such as asbestosis and pneumonia. It is also important to remember that mesothelioma occurs more frequently in males than females. This is because men are more likely to work with asbestos and have a longer period of exposure than women. Also, men are more likely to live with someone who was exposed to asbestos and bring asbestos fibers from their workplace on their clothes. Women tend to be less exposed to asbestos, and they don't usually carry asbestos on their clothing.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is a difficult disease to diagnose because the symptoms can be similar to other diseases. This is why patients are often misdiagnosed.

NYU Langone doctors will perform a physical examination and record the patient's medical background including asbestos lawsuit exposure. Doctors can also request an X-ray chest or CT scan to check for lumps and other abnormalities and also to look for evidence of previous asbestos legal (you could try this out) exposure like plaques on the pleura (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the formation of fluid between the lung and chest wall (known as pleural effusion).

Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance image, or MRI test, which uses radio waves and magnets in order to produce a series of precise images of inside the body. A surgical biopsy is another method for doctors to identify mesothelioma. In a surgical biopsy doctors take a small amount of tissue from the peritoneum or pleura for further analysis. A pathologist then examines the tissue with a magnifying glass to determine whether it contains cancerous cells.

Mesothelioma is classified based on the mesothelial type involved, whether those cells are malignant or benign and also the location, type, and stage of the tumor. Some types of mesothelioma have an increased chance of metastasizing or spreading therefore it is essential to establish a clear diagnosis to ensure that the doctors can treat it before it becomes out of control.

Doctors can also perform tests in the laboratory on tumors to identify specific proteins, genes or other elements that will help them identify cancer characteristics and plan treatment. These results are referred to as staging.

Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnosis can be an incredibly frightening prospect. However, it is important to remember that the cancer can be treated, particularly in its initial stages. Many mesothelioma patients live for a long time with the disease, without spreading to other parts of their body.

Exposure to asbestos may cause mesothelioma in a number of ways. Asbestos fibers, which are small enough to not be felt or viewed through the naked eye are able to become airborne and irritate the lung's lining (pleura). As time passes, the irritation causes the formation of scar tissue, which can cause changes in the structure of cells that can eventually grow into tumors.

The pleura is the area that surrounds the lungs and the heart and also the abdomen. Mesothelium is made up of cells that react to exposure to asbestos and cause it to enflame and develop scar tissue. These changes can lead to malignant mesothelioma tumours.

Breathing problems, chest discomfort, or the accumulation of fluid 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.

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

There are a variety of mesothelioma treatment options, including surgery, chemotherapy and immunotherapy. The majority of doctors employ combinations of these treatments. Patients can also benefit by taking part in a clinical trial of new mesothelioma treatment. Patients can find out more by consulting a mesothelioma specialist who has treated the condition.