Don't Make This Silly Mistake With Your Mesothelioma And Asbestos Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos is a mineral that naturally occurs in the form of long, thin fibers. Workers who are regularly exposed to asbestos risk developing lung diseases, such as mesothelioma.

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

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma occurs in the lung's outer lining, or the pleura. It is the most frequent mesothelioma type and accounts for 70% to 79% all diagnosed cases. This condition causes chest discomfort, shortness of breath, and a feeling of weightiness.

This type of cancer typically caused by exposure to asbestos which is a collection of minerals comprised of microscopic fibres. When inhaled, these fibers are absorbed into the lungs and cause irritation that results in scarring and DNA mutations. The pleura is the area that surrounds the lungs and chest cavity This means that these irritations can affect both the lungs and the heart of a person. Mesothelioma is usually not symptomatic until 30 to 50 years after exposure.


The most commonly reported symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include chest pain and breath shortness. Patients may also experience coughing, difficulty breathing or chest tightness. Patients with this cancer have a history of disease that includes asbestos exposure at work. Manufacturing, construction and shipbuilding are the most common occupations which put people at risk chance of developing pleural mesothelioma. People who have served in the military are at risk due to the widespread asbestos use in Navy vessels and army bunkers.

The most commonly used staging system for pleural mysothelioma has been the TNM (tumor lymph nodes, lymph nodes and metastases) staging system. The stage that a patient is in at the time of diagnosis can help determine what treatment plan they should receive. Patients who have pleural mesothelioma which is in stage three or four will suffer a more negative prognosis compared to those in a lower stage. Mesothelioma in stage four is usually spread to the liver, diaphragm and/or a person's heart. This can make it more difficult to treat and increases the chance of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

In contrast to pleural mesothelioma which develops in the lung lining, peritoneal mesothelioma forms in the peritoneum -- an elongated membrane that covers the abdominal cavity and organs like the intestines and liver. Like pleural mesothelioma, asbestos exposure is the primary reason for peritoneal msothelioma. The disease is much less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma, with just 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.

Like pleural mesothelioma, the symptoms may take years to appear. Patients typically have abdominal pain, and could also experience a mass in their abdomen. This type of mesothelioma may also cause nausea, weight loss, and fever. A lot of these symptoms are similar to symptoms of gastrointestinal issues, which can cause misdiagnosis.

Generally speaking, doctors can detect mesothelioma after an extensive health history and physical examination. They may also employ imaging tests like X-rays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to help find mesothelioma. These tests can show tumors, as well as other symptoms of cancer that aren't visible on an X-ray.

These tests enable doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and establish the stage. They can also suggest treatments. The stage is determined by the type of cell and whether the cancer has spread.

Asbestos exposure is the biggest risk factor. People who have been exposed to asbestos in professions, such as electrical or plumbing work or in manufacturing and construction, are more likely to develop the disease. Even if an individual is not employed in one of these fields, he or she can be exposed to asbestos through family members or other sources. Anyone who suspects that they're at risk should talk 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 a major mesothelioma risk factor, making up as much as 80 percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos can happen as a result of work, military service, or by living with a person who is exposed to asbestos or used to do so. Asbestos particles are inhaled by those who are exposed to asbestos. These particles can cause irritation to the linings, causing 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 aging. People in their 40s or 50s are at greater risk of developing mesothelioma as compared to those younger or older. Mesothelioma can take between 20 and 60 years to manifest cancer symptoms after the first exposure. It is important to remember, too, that mesothelioma can be present in those who have been exposed to asbestos without having worked with it directly. This is known as indirect or secondary asbestos exposure and can be just as harmful as direct asbestos exposure.

Smoking can increase the likelihood of developing mesothelioma due to the fact that it damages the mesothelium, which makes it more vulnerable to asbestos. Mesothelioma is also aggravated by certain diseases, such as asbestosis and pneumonia. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than women. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for longer periods of time and work with it. Also, men are more likely to live with someone who worked with asbestos and carry stray asbestos fibers home on their clothing. Women are less likely to come exposed to asbestos, and they don't usually carry asbestos on their clothes.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is a difficult disease to identify because the symptoms are often similar to other conditions. Due to this, patients are often wrongly diagnosed.

The first step in diagnosing mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform an examination of the body and take 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 lumps, abnormalities and evidence of exposure to asbestos. These include plaques on the pleura, pleura that are thickened and calcium deposits.

Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance image or MRI test, which makes use of magnets and radio waves to create a series detailed images of the insides of the body. Another way for doctors to detect mesothelioma is to perform an operation called a biopsy. During a surgical biopsy, doctors remove a small piece of tissue from the peritoneum or pleura for further analysis. A pathologist is then able to examine the tissue with a microscope to see if it contains cancerous cells.

Mesothelioma can be classified based on the mesothelial type involved, whether those cells are benign or malignant and also the location of the tumor, the type, and the stage of the tumor. Some types of mesothelioma are more likely to grow or spread and spread, therefore it is essential to get a definite diagnosis so that doctors can treat the disease before it gets out of control.

Doctors may also conduct laboratory tests on tumors to identify specific proteins, genes, or other factors which can aid in describing cancer characteristics and determine the best treatment. These results are known as staging.

Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnosis can be an incredibly frightening prospect. However, it's important to remember that the cancer is treatable, particularly in its earlier stages. A lot of people suffering from mesothelioma endure the disease for a long time without expanding.

Exposure to asbestos may cause mesothelioma in a number of ways. Asbestos fibres, small enough to not be felt or viewed through the naked eye, can become airborne and irritate the lung's lining (pleura). Over time the irritation can lead to the formation of scar tissues that eventually result in tumors.

The Pleura is a covering that covers the lungs, heart and abdomen. Mesothelium is composed of cells that react to asbestos, causing it to inflame and form scar tissue. Overtime, these changes lead to the development of malignant mesothelioma cancers.

Symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include shortness of breath, chest pain or an accumulation of fluid in the lungs (pleural effusion). In rare cases, the cancer can grow to the tissues surrounding the heart and reproductive organs.

If imaging scans reveal an underlying mass in the stomach or lungs the doctor will request biopsies. During the procedure, doctors will remove small amounts of the fluid or tumor for lab analysis. The results will confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis, and determine the best treatment plan.

There are cincinnati asbestos law firm of mesothelioma treatments, including surgery, chemotherapy and immunotherapy. Most doctors utilize the combination of these methods. Enrolling in clinical trials of mesothelioma treatments that are new could be beneficial for patients. To learn more, patients should speak with a mesothelioma specialist who has experience treating the condition.