Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos is a natural mineral that is made up of thin, long fibres. People who are regularly exposed to asbestos lawsuit are at risk of developing lung diseases like mesothelioma.

It could take a long time before symptoms begin to manifest after exposure to asbestos. Different types of asbestos can cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer that affects the lung's outer lining (pleura). It is the most frequent form of mesothelioma and accounts for 70% to 79% all diagnosed cases. This condition causes chest discomfort, shortness of breath and a feeling heaviness.

This type of cancer is often caused by exposure to asbestos, which is a cluster of minerals composed of microscopic fibers. Once inhaled, the fibers stick inside the lung and cause irritation that leads to scarring and DNA mutations. Pleura is the lining of both the chest cavity as well as the lungs, and so irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma usually doesn't show symptoms until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

The most commonly reported symptoms of pleural melanoma are chest pain and breath shortness. Patients may also feel tightness in their chest, coughing or difficulty breathing. Patients with this type of cancer typically have previous exposure to asbestos in the workplace. The most prevalent jobs that put people at risk of developing pleural mesothelioma are manufacturing, construction and shipbuilding. People who have served in the military could be at a higher risk due to the widespread asbestos attorney use in Navy vessels and army bunkers.

The TNM (tumors, lymph nodes, and metastases staging system) is the most popular staging system used to treat the pleural cancer. The stage a patient is in when they are diagnosed will help their doctor determine the best treatment plan for them. For example, patients with mesothelioma pleural stage three or four have a poorer prognosis than those with lower stages. Stage four mesothelioma often spreads to the liver, diaphragm or even a person's heart. This can make it more difficult to treat and raises the likelihood of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

In contrast to pleural mesothelioma which develops in the lung lining, peritoneal mesothelioma forms in the peritoneum -- a membrane that lines the abdominal cavity as well as organs like the liver and intestines. As with pleural mesothelioma exposure to asbestos is the cause of peritoneal mesothelioma. The disease is less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma, and just 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.

Like pleural mesothelioma, symptoms may take years to appear. Patients generally have abdominal pain, and may also have a lump in their abdomen. This mesothelioma type can cause nausea, weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms could be misinterpreted as gastrointestinal issues which can lead to a false diagnosis.

Doctors can detect mesothelioma by examining the patient's medical history and conducting a physical exam. They can also use imaging tests such as X-rays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to detect mesothelioma. These tests can reveal cancerous tumors or other signs of cancer that aren't visible on X-rays.

These tests enable doctors to identify mesothelioma, and determine the stage. They also offer treatments. The stage is determined by the type of cell and whether the cancer has spread.

The most significant mesothelioma risk factor is exposure to asbestos. People who have worked in asbestos-containing occupations, like electrical or plumbing work, or in construction and manufacturing, are more likely to contract the disease. Even if someone isn't employed in any of these areas, he or she can be exposed to asbestos through family members or other sources. For this reason, anyone who is concerned that they might be at risk should talk to a doctor. A mesothelioma specialist can help those who have a history with asbestos to learn more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos exposure is a major risk factor for mesothelioma, which accounts for as much as 80 percent of all cases. Exposure to asbestos compensation may occur through work, military service or through living with a person who is exposed to asbestos or was previously exposed to doing so. Asbestos particles can be breathed in by those who are exposed to it. These irritate the linings and trigger cancerous cells to develop 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. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely be diagnosed with mesothelioma compared to those who are younger or older. Mesothelioma can take between 20 and 60 years to show signs of cancer after the first exposure. It is also important to know that mesothelioma may develop in people who have been exposed to asbestos legal, but did not deal with it directly. This is known as secondary or indirect asbestos litigation exposure and can be just as harmful as direct asbestos exposure.

Smoking increases the risk of mesothelioma, since it damages mesothelium. It also makes it more susceptible. Furthermore, mesothelioma is exacerbated by certain illnesses like pneumonia and asbestosis. It is also important to remember that mesothelioma occurs more frequently in males than females. This is due to the fact that men are more likely to work with asbestos and have a longer period of exposure than women. Men are also more likely to live with someone who has had asbestos exposure and bring asbestos fibers that have escaped home on their clothing. Women are less likely to come exposed to asbestos, and they don't usually bring asbestos home on their clothing.

Diagnosis

It is difficult to recognize mesothelioma since its symptoms are often similar to other diseases. This can result in patients being wrongly diagnosed.

The first step in identifying mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform an examination and write notes on the medical history of a patient including asbestos exposure. Doctors may also request a CT scan or chest X-ray to check for lumps, abnormalities and evidence of asbestos legal exposure. These include plaques in the pleura, thickened pleura and calcium deposits.

Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance scan or MRI test, which uses magnets and radio waves in order to create a series detailed images of the insides of the body. A surgical biopsy is yet another way for doctors to diagnose mesothelioma. In a surgical biopsy doctors take a small amount of tissue from the pleura or peritoneum for further testing. A pathologist can then examine the tissue under a magnifying lens to determine if it is a cancerous cell.

Mesothelioma can be classified based on the mesothelial type involved, whether these cells are benign or malignant and the location of the tumor, its type, and the stage of the tumor. Some types of mesothelioma are more likely to spread or metastasize and spread, therefore it is essential to establish a definitive diagnosis so that 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 that can help them describe the cancer's characteristics and plan treatment. These results are called staging.

Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnosis is terrifying. It is crucial to remember that cancer can be treated, particularly in its early stages. Many patients with mesothelioma survive for years with the disease, without spreading to other areas of their body.

Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma in a number of ways. Asbestos fibers that are too small to be felt or viewed with the naked eyes, can become airborne, irritating the lung's lining (pleura). As time passes the irritation causes the formation of scar tissue, which eventually lead to tumors.

The pleura is a protective covering that covers the abdomen, heart, and lungs. Mesothelium consists of cells that react to asbestos and cause it to enflame and develop scar tissue. These changes eventually result in malignant mesothelioma tumors.

Breathing problems, chest discomfort, or the accumulation of fluid on the lungs are all indications of the pleural mesothelioma. In rare cases, cancer can spread into the tissues surrounding the reproductive organs and heart.

If scans of imaging reveal a possible mass in the stomach or lungs, a doctor will order a biopsies. During the procedure doctors remove some of the liquid or tumor for lab tests. The results will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and provide the best treatment plan.

There are many types of treatment for mesothelioma including surgery and chemotherapy. Most doctors utilize the combination of these methods. Participating in clinical trials of mesothelioma treatments that are new could be beneficial for patients. To learn more about the trials, patients should consult a mesothelioma specialist who has expertise in treating the condition.