Mesothelioma and Asbestos
Asbestos, a natural mineral, naturally occurs in the form of thin, long fibers. Workers who are regularly exposed to asbestos are at risk of developing lung diseases, such as mesothelioma.
It may take decades for symptoms to appear after exposure to asbestos. Different asbestos types may cause different symptoms.
Pleural Mesothelioma
Pleural mesothelioma can be found in the outer lung lining, or the pleura. It is the most frequent mesothelioma that accounts for up 70% to 79% of diagnosed cases. People with this condition experience pain in the chest and breath shortness, and they may feel an ache or heaviness in the chest.
Exposure to asbestos, a group of minerals composed of microscopic fibers, typically causes this kind of cancer. The fibers, when inhaled cause irritation and DNA mutations. Pleura is the lining of both the chest cavity and the lungs, and so irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma symptoms are usually not apparent until 30 to 50 years after exposure.
Shortness of breath and chest pain are the most common symptoms. Patients may also feel tightness in their chest and coughing, or breathing difficulties. People who suffer from this cancer usually have a history of exposure to
asbestos compensation in the workplace. Construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding are the most common jobs which put people at risk chance of developing pleural mesothelioma. People who have served in the military may be at risk due to the widespread asbestos use in Navy ships and bunkers used by the army.
The most common staging method for pleural mesothelioma is the TNM (tumor lymph nodes, lymph nodes, and metastases) staging system. The stage the patient is in at the moment of diagnosis will determine the treatment plan they will receive. Patients who have pleural mesothelioma which is in stage three or four will suffer a more negative prognosis than those in a less advanced stage. Mesothelioma in stage four can be spread to the liver, heart, or diaphragm. This makes the cancer more difficult to treat and increase the chance of complications for patients.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
Unlike pleural mesothelioma, which develops in the lung lining, peritoneal mesothelioma develops in the peritoneum - a membrane that lines the abdominal cavity as well as organs such as the intestines and liver. As with pleural mesothelioma exposure to asbestos is the cause of peritoneal mesothelioma. There are only 300-500 cases diagnosed each year which is lower than pleural asbestosis.
As with pleural asbestosis, symptoms can take years to show. Most patients experience abdominal pain and a mass in the abdomen. This kind of mesothelioma can cause nausea, weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms are similar to symptoms of digestive problems, which can cause confusion in diagnosis.
Generally, doctors can find mesothelioma by conducting a thorough medical history and physical exam. They may also employ imaging tests like Xrays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to help find mesothelioma. These tests can show tumors and other signs of cancer that aren't apparent on an X-ray.
These tests enable doctors to diagnose mesothelioma, determine the stage and recommend treatment options. The stage is determined by the type of cell as well as whether the cancer has spread.
The most important risk factor for mesothelioma is asbestos exposure. People who have worked in professions which require asbestos, like plumbing electrical work, manufacturing or construction, are at increased risk of developing the disease. However, even if people do not work in these areas they may be exposed to asbestos through family members or through other sources. Anyone who suspects that they are at risk should speak with a doctor. If they have a history of asbestos exposure or mesothelioma, a specialist can help them find out more about the risk.
Risk Factors
Asbestos exposure is a major risk factor for mesothelioma, making up as much as 80 percent of all cases. Exposure to asbestos may occur as a result of work, military service, or living with someone who used to work with asbestos.
asbestos legal particles can be breathed in by those who are exposed to it. The particles cause irritation to the linings of the abdomen, which causes cancerous cells to grow in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma can take anywhere between 15 and 60 years to develop after exposure to asbestos.
Other risk factors include smoking, genetics, and age. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely to be diagnosed with mesothelioma compared to those who are younger or older. It is because mesothelioma generally takes 20 to 60 years from the initial exposure to asbestos before cancer symptoms appear. It is also important to note that mesothelioma is a possibility in people who were exposed to
asbestos compensation case -
visit my homepage - but didn't work with it directly. This is called indirect or secondary exposure to asbestos, and it could be as hazardous as direct exposure.
Smoking increases the risk of developing mesothelioma since it damages the mesothelium and makes it more susceptible to asbestos. Furthermore, mesothelioma is worsened by certain diseases like pneumonia and asbestosis. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than women. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for a longer time and work with asbestos for longer periods of time. Also, men are more likely to live with someone who 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 are less likely to carry asbestos on their clothing.
Diagnosis
It is difficult to diagnose mesothelioma because its symptoms are often similar to other conditions. This could lead to patients being 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 to look for lumps, abnormalities, and evidence of exposure to
asbestos legal. These include pleural plaques, thickened pleura and calcium deposits.
Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram, which examines the heart and blood vessels as well as a magnetic resonance imaging, also known as MRI test, which uses magnets and radio waves to create detailed images of the interior of the body. A surgical biopsy is yet another method doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma. In a surgical biopsy doctors remove a small piece of tissue from the pleura or peritoneum for further analysis. A pathologist can look at the tissue under microscopes to determine whether it is contaminated with cancerous cells.
The type of mesothelial cells involved and the benign or malignant nature of the cells as well as the location the cancer, its type and the stage of the tumor, are used to categorize the disease. Certain types of mesothelioma may be more likely to spread or metastasize which is why it is crucial to have a clear diagnosis so that doctors can treat the disease before it becomes out of control.
Doctors may also conduct laboratory tests on tumors in order to determine specific genes, proteins or other elements that can help them describe cancer characteristics and plan treatment. These results are known as staging.
Treatment
A mesothelioma diagnosis is a frightening prospect. It is crucial to remember, however, that cancer can be treated especially at its early stages. Many patients with mesothelioma be afflicted for many years without it expanding.
Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma through a variety of ways. Asbestos fibres, too small to be felt or observed by naked eyes are able to become airborne and irritate the lining of the lung (pleura). As time passes the irritation causes the formation of scar tissues that eventually result in tumors.