Mesothelioma and Asbestos

asbestos attorney, a mineral that naturally forms in the form of thin, long fibers. Workers who are exposed to asbestos on a regular basis are at risk of developing mesothelioma as well as other types of lung diseases.

Symptoms of these diseases may not manifest for years after exposure to asbestos. Different asbestos types can cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma can be found in the lung's outer lining, or the pleura. It is the most common mesothelioma that accounts for up 70% to 79% of diagnosed cases. The condition can cause chest pain, shortness of breathe and a feeling weightiness.

This kind of cancer is typically caused by exposure to asbestos which is a cluster of minerals composed of microscopic fibers. These fibers, when inhaled cause irritation and DNA mutations. Pleura covers both the chest cavity and the lungs, so irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma typically doesn't manifest until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

The most frequent symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include chest discomfort and shortness of breath. Some patients may also experience chest tightness or coughing. They may also experience difficulty breathing. Patients with this type of cancer typically have an history of exposure to asbestos in the workplace. Manufacturing, construction, and shipbuilding are the most prevalent occupations which put people at risk risk of developing pleural mesothelioma. People who were in the military are at greater risk due to the widespread use of asbestos in Navy vessels and Army bunkers.

The TNM (tumors lymph nodes and metastases staging system) is the most commonly used staging system used for the pleural adenocarcinoma. The stage a patient is in at the moment of diagnosis will determine the treatment plan they should follow. For instance, patients suffering from a pleural mesothelioma in stage three or four have a less favorable prognosis than those in lower stages. Mesothelioma in stage four is usually spread to the liver, diaphragm and/or a person's heart. This makes the cancer more difficult to treat and increase the risk of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Unlike pleural cancer, that develops in the lining of the lung, peritoneal cancer develops in a membrane that surrounds the abdominal cavity, which includes organs such as the intestines and liver. Like pleural mesothelioma, peritoneal mesothelioma can be caused by asbestos exposure. It is estimated that only 300-500 cases are diagnosed annually this is less than the pleural asbestosis.

Like pleural mesothelioma, the symptoms can take a long time to manifest. The majority of patients experience abdominal pain and a mass in the abdomen. The symptoms of this type of mesothelioma may also include nausea as well as weight loss and fever. A lot of these symptoms are similar to symptoms of digestive issues, which could result in misdiagnosis.

Generally, doctors can find mesothelioma by conducting an exhaustive medical history and physical exam. Imaging tests such as X-rays or CT scans are a way to identify mesothelioma. These tests can reveal tumors and other cancer signs that aren't visible on X-rays.

These test results allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and determine the stage and recommend treatment options. The stage is determined by the kind of cell and if the cancer has spread.

Asbestos exposure is the most important risk factor. People who have been in occupations that require asbestos, such as plumbing manufacturing, electrical work or construction, are at a higher risk of developing the disease. Even if a person does not work in any of these areas they could be exposed to asbestos through family members or other sources. For this reason, anyone who suspects they may be at risk should talk to an expert. A mesothelioma specialist can help those with a history with asbestos to learn more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos exposure is a major risk factor for mesothelioma accounting for up to 80 percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos can happen due to military service, work or living with those who worked with asbestos case (gagetaylor.com official blog). When exposed to asbestos, the particles can be breathed into the lungs and abdomen. These particles irritate the linings of the lungs, causing 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 at a higher chance of developing mesothelioma to people who are younger or more. Mesothelioma can take between 20 and 60 years to manifest cancer symptoms after the first exposure. It is important to remember, too, that mesothelioma may occur in people who have been exposed to asbestos without having directly worked with it. This is known as secondary or indirect asbestos exposure and can be as dangerous as direct asbestos exposure.

Smoking increases the risk of developing mesothelioma due to the fact that it causes mesothelium damage and makes it more vulnerable to asbestos lawsuit. Mesothelioma can also be caused by certain diseases, such as asbestosis and pneumonia. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than women. This is due to men being more likely to work with asbestos lawsuit and experience a an extended period of exposure than women. Additionally, men are more likely to live with someone who had asbestos exposure and bring stray asbestos fibers home on their clothes. Women tend to be less in contact with asbestos, and don't typically bring asbestos home on their clothes.

Diagnosis

It is difficult to recognize mesothelioma since its symptoms are frequently similar to other illnesses. Due to this, patients are often mistakenly diagnosed.

NYU Langone doctors will perform an examination of the body and document the patient's medical background including asbestos exposure. Doctors can also order an X-ray chest or CT scan to look for lumps and other abnormalities, as well as evidence of asbestos exposure in the past such as plaques in the pleura (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the formation of fluid between the lung and chest wall (known as the pleural effusion).

Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram, which examines the heart and blood vessels, and a magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI, test that uses radio waves and magnets to create precise images of the inside of the body. Another way doctors can diagnose mesothelioma is by performing an operation called a biopsy. In a surgical biopsy doctors take a tiny piece of tissue from pleura or the peritoneum, to be examined further. A pathologist can look at the tissue under a microscope to see if it has cancerous cells.

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

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

Treatment

A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be terrifying. However, it is important to keep in mind that the cancer is treatable, especially in its early stages. Many patients with mesothelioma live with the disease for many years without it spreading.

Exposure to asbestos compensation can cause mesothelioma in a number of ways. Asbestos fibres, tiny enough to be felt or seen by naked eyes, can become airborne, irritating the lining of the lung (pleura). As time passes, the irritation leads to the formation of scar tissues, which eventually lead to tumors.

The pleura is a protective covering that surrounds the lungs, heart and abdomen. Mesothelium is made up of cells that respond when exposed to asbestos. They cause inflammation to the tissue and cause it to become scarred. In time, these changes can result in the growth of malignant mesothelioma tumors.

A shortness of breath, chest discomfort, or the accumulation of fluid on the lungs are all symptoms of pleural mesothelioma. In rare instances, cancer can spread into the tissues that surround the reproductive organs as well as the heart.

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

There are several types of mesothelioma treatments, including surgery, chemotherapy and immunotherapy. The majority of doctors use the combination of these methods. Patients can also benefit by enrolling in a clinical trial of new mesothelioma treatment. Patients can learn more by speaking with a mesothelioma doctor who has treated the condition.