Mesothelioma and
asbestos settlementasbestos case is a naturally occurring mineral that is made up of long, thin fibres. People who are regularly exposed to asbestos may develop lung diseases, such as mesothelioma.
It could take a long time for symptoms to show up after exposure to asbestos. Different asbestos types may cause different symptoms.
Pleural Mesothelioma
Pleural mesothelioma can be found in the lung's outer lining, or pleura. It is the most prevalent mesothelioma that accounts for up between 70 and 79% of diagnosed cases. The condition can cause chest pain, breath shortness and a feeling weightiness.
This type of cancer typically caused through exposure to asbestos, which is a collection of minerals that are composed of microscopic fibers. When inhaled, these fibers cling to the lung and cause irritation which leads to scarring and DNA mutations. The pleura surrounds the lungs and chest cavity This means that these irritations can affect both the lungs as well as the heart of a person. Mesothelioma symptoms typically don't show until 30 to 50 years after exposure.
Chest pain and shortness breath are the most common symptoms. Some patients may also feel tightness in their chest or coughing. They may also experience difficulty breathing. Patients with this type of cancer have a history that includes asbestos exposure at work. The most prevalent jobs that expose workers to the risk of pleural mesothelioma include manufacturing, construction and shipbuilding. People who have worked in the military may be at a higher risk because of the extensive use of asbestos in Navy ships and bunkers used by the army.
The TNM (tumors, lymph nodes, and metastases staging system) is the most common staging system used for the pleural cancer. The stage that the patient is in at the time of diagnosis will help determine what treatment plan they should follow. For instance, patients suffering from mesothelioma that is pleural in stage three or four have a less favorable prognosis than those in a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma can develop into the heart, liver or diaphragm. This could make the cancer more difficult to treat, and increase the chances of complications for patients.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
Unlike pleural mesothelioma, which is a lung-lining cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma is found in the peritoneum, an elongated membrane that covers the abdominal cavity and organs like the liver and intestines. Similar to pleural mesothelioma mesothelioma is triggered by asbestos exposure. The disease is much less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma, and only about 300-500 cases diagnosed each year.
As with pleural asbestosis, symptoms can take several years to show. The majority of patients suffer from abdominal pain and a mass in the abdomen. This mesothelioma type can cause nausea, weight loss, and fever. A lot of these symptoms can be mistaken for gastrointestinal problems which can lead to a false diagnosis.
Generally speaking, doctors can detect mesothelioma through an extensive health history and physical exam. Imaging tests such as X-rays or CT scans can be used to detect mesothelioma. These tests can show cancerous tumors or other symptoms of cancer that aren't visible on an X-ray.
The results of these tests allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and establish the stage. They can also suggest treatment options. The stage is determined by the type of cell and whether the tumor has spread.
The most significant risk factor for mesothelioma is asbestos exposure. People who have been exposed to asbestos in professions, such as electrical or plumbing work, or in construction, manufacturing and manufacturing, are more likely to contract the disease. However, even if people do not work in these areas they may be exposed to asbestos through relatives or other sources. For this reason, anyone who is concerned that they might be at risk should speak to a doctor. A mesothelioma specialist can assist those who have a history with asbestos to learn more about their risk.
Risk Factors
Asbestos exposure is the main risk factor for mesothelioma, which accounts for as much as 80 percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos may occur due to work, military service, or through living with a person who works with asbestos or used to do the same. When exposed to asbestos, particles are able to be inhaled into lungs and abdomen. These irritate the linings and cause cancerous cells to grow in the mesothelium. After asbestos exposure mesothelioma is likely to be diagnosed between 15 and 60 years.
Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and age. People in their 40s or 50s are at a higher risk of developing mesothelioma compared to those who are younger or older. It is because mesothelioma generally occurs between 20 and 60 years after the initial exposure to
asbestos before cancer symptoms appear. It is also important to know that mesothelioma may develop in people who have been exposed to asbestos but did not engage directly with it. This is called secondary or indirect exposure to asbestos and it can be just as dangerous as direct exposure.
Smoking increases the risk of mesothelioma, as it damages the mesothelium. It also makes it more susceptible. Additionally, mesothelioma can be caused by certain illnesses, such as pneumonia and asbestosis. It is also important to know that mesothelioma occurs more frequently for men than women. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for a longer period of time and to work with asbestos for longer durations and to work with it. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who has been exposed to asbestos, and to have
asbestos fibers on their clothing. Women are less likely to come exposed to asbestos and they are less likely to carry asbestos on their clothes.
Diagnosis
Mesothelioma is difficult to recognize because the symptoms often resemble other diseases. Because of this, victims are often misdiagnosed.
NYU Langone doctors will perform a physical examination and record the patient's medical history, including asbestos exposure. Doctors may also request a CT scan or chest X-ray in order to look for lumps, abnormalities and evidence of asbestos exposure. These include plaques in the pleura, thickened pleura and calcium deposits.
Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance imaging or MRI test, which uses magnets and radio waves to create a series detailed images of the inside of the body. Another method doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma is by performing a surgical biopsy. When a biopsy is performed doctors will remove a small piece of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum to be examined further. A pathologist then examines the tissue with a magnifying glass to determine if it contains cancerous cells.
Mesothelioma is classified according to the type of mesothelial cells involved, whether the cells are malignant or benign and the location of the tumor, its type, and the stage of the tumor. Certain types of mesothelioma may be more likely to grow or spread, so it is important to establish a definitive diagnosis so doctors can treat the disease before it goes out of control.
Doctors can also run tests in the laboratory on tumors to determine specific proteins, genes, or other factors which can help them identify the characteristics of cancer and plan treatment. These results are known as staging.
Treatment
A mesothelioma diagnosis can be terrifying. It is important to keep in mind, however, that cancer can be treated, particularly in its early stages. Many people with mesothelioma can live with the disease for a long time without spreading.
Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma by many mechanisms.