Mesothelioma and Asbestos
Asbestos, a natural mineral, naturally occurs in the form of long, thin fibers. People who are exposed to
asbestos compensation regularly are at risk of developing mesothelioma as well as other types of lung diseases.
Symptoms of these diseases may not show up for decades after exposure to asbestos. Different
asbestos types can cause different symptoms.
Pleural Mesothelioma
Pleural mesothelioma, a form of cancer, that affects the outer lung the lining (pleura). It is the most frequent form of mesothelioma and accounts for 70% to 79% of all diagnosed cases. Patients with this disease suffer from chest pain and breathlessness and may also feel the sensation of weight in the chest.
Exposure to
asbestos litigation, a group of minerals composed of microscopic fibers, usually causes this type of cancer. Once inhaled, the fibers stick inside the lung and cause irritation which leads to scarring and DNA mutations. The pleura surrounds the chest cavity and lungs and therefore, these irritations could affect both the lungs and a person's heart. Mesothelioma symptoms typically don't show until 30 to 50 years after exposure.
Chest pain and shortness breath are the most common symptoms. Patients may also experience difficulty breathing, or chest tightness. Patients with this cancer have a history of disease that includes asbestos exposure at work. The most frequent jobs that expose workers to the risk of developing pleural cancer are manufacturing, construction, and shipbuilding. People who served in the military are at greater risk due the extensive use asbestos in Navy vessels and bunkers in the Army.
The most popular staging method for pleural mesothelioma is the TNM (tumor lymph nodes, lymph nodes, and metastases) staging system. The stage that the patient is in at the moment of diagnosis will determine the treatment plan they should follow. For instance, patients suffering from mesothelioma pleural stage three or four have a poorer prognosis than patients with lower stages. Stage four mesothelioma is often spread to the diaphragm, the liver and/or a person's heart. This can make it more difficult to treat and increase the risk of complications for the patient.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
In contrast to pleural mesothelioma which develops in the lung lining, peritoneal mesothelioma is found in the peritoneum - a membrane that lines the abdominal cavity as well as organs like the intestines and liver. Similar to pleural mesothelioma and peritoneal mesothelioma can be caused by asbestos exposure. Only 300-500 cases are diagnosed annually, which is less than the pleural asbestosis.
As with pleural asbestosis, symptoms can take years to manifest. Typically, patients suffer from abdominal pain and abdominal swelling. Symptoms of this type of mesothelioma can also include nausea as well as weight loss and fever. A lot of these symptoms are similar to symptoms of gastrointestinal issues, which can result in misdiagnosis.
Doctors can detect mesothelioma by looking over the medical history of the patient and performing a physical exam. They can also utilize imaging tests such as X-rays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to detect mesothelioma. These tests can detect tumors as well as other signs of cancer that are not evident on X-rays.
These tests enable doctors to identify mesothelioma, and determine the stage. They can also recommend treatment options. The stage is determined by the type of cell and whether the tumor has spread.
The most important mesothelioma risk factor is asbestos exposure. People who have worked in professions that involve asbestos, such as plumbing or electrical work, manufacturing or construction, are at a higher risk of developing the disease. Even if someone isn't employed in one of these fields however, they may be exposed to asbestos through family members and other sources. Anyone who believes they may be at risk should speak with a doctor. If they have a history of asbestos exposure, a mesothelioma specialist can assist them in learning more about the risk.
Risk Factors
Asbestos is the main risk factor in mesothelioma. It is responsible for up to the 80% of cases. Exposure to asbestos may occur through work, military service or by living with a person who is exposed to asbestos or was previously exposed to doing such. When exposed to asbestos, particles can be breathed into the abdomen and lungs. These irritate the linings and can cause cancerous cells to form 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 the advancing age. People in their 40s or 50s are more at risk of developing mesothelioma as compared to people who are younger or more. It takes mesothelioma 20-60 years to manifest cancer symptoms after the first exposure. It is important to remember, too, that mesothelioma may develop in those who have been exposed to asbestos without having worked with it directly. This is known as indirect or secondary asbestos exposure. It can be just as harmful as direct
asbestos case exposure.
Smoking increases the risk of mesothelioma, because it damages the mesothelium. It also makes it more prone to. Additionally, mesothelioma can be worsened by certain diseases like asbestosis and pneumonia. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than females. This is because men are more likely to be exposed to asbestos legal (
telegra.ph) and endure a an extended period of exposure than women. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who worked with asbestos, and to have asbestos fibers on their clothing. Women are less likely to come into contact with
asbestos lawyer and do not typically carry asbestos around on their clothes.
Diagnosis
It is difficult to recognize mesothelioma since its symptoms are often similar to other diseases. This can lead to victims being wrongly diagnosed.
The first step to diagnose mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform an examination and write note of the medical history of the patient which includes asbestos exposure. Doctors may also request a CT scan or chest X-ray to look for abnormalities, lumps and evidence of exposure to asbestos. These include plaques in the pleura, thickened pleura and calcium deposits.
Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI test, that uses radio waves and magnets to create a series of detailed images of the insides of the body. Another way for doctors to detect mesothelioma is to perform a surgical biopsy. During a surgical biopsy, doctors remove a small amount of tissue from the peritoneum or pleura to conduct further tests. A pathologist can then look at the tissue under microscopes to determine if it contains cancerous cells.
The type of mesothelial cell involved and the benign or malignant nature of the cells and the location the cancer, its type and the stage of the cancer are used to classify the disease. Some types of mesothelioma have an increased risk of spreading or metastasizing and it's crucial to establish a clear diagnosis so doctors can treat it before it becomes out of control.
Doctors may also conduct laboratory tests on tumors in order to determine specific proteins, genes or other factors that can help them describe cancer characteristics and determine the best 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 patients with mesothelioma be afflicted for a long time without spreading.
Exposure to asbestos can trigger mesothelioma through a variety of ways. Asbestos fibers, which are too small to see or feel with the naked eye, can become airborne and irritate the lung's lining (pleura).