Twenty Myths About Mesothelioma And Asbestos: Busted Mesothelioma and Asbestos

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

It may take decades for symptoms to show up after exposure to asbestos. Different types of asbestos may cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

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

Exposure to asbestos, a group of minerals comprised of microscopic fibers, typically causes this type of cancer. The fibers, when inhaled can cause irritation and DNA mutations. The pleura covers the chest cavity and lungs This means that these irritations can 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 frequent symptoms. Patients may also experience difficulty breathing or chest tightness. Patients with this type of cancer have a history that includes asbestos exposure at work. Manufacturing, construction and shipbuilding are among the most prevalent occupations that put people at a high chance of developing pleural mesothelioma. Individuals who have been in the military could be at an especially high risk because of the extensive asbestos use in Navy vessels and bunkers for the army.


The TNM (tumors, lymph nodes, and metastases staging system) is the most commonly used staging system used to treat pleural adenocarcinoma. The stage that the patient is in at the moment of diagnosis will determine what treatment plan they will receive. For example, patients with mesothelioma pleural stage three or four have a poorer prognosis than those in lower stages. Mesothelioma in stage four is usually spread to the diaphragm, the liver or even a person's heart. This can make the cancer more difficult to treat and increase the chances of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

In contrast to pleural mesothelioma which is a lung-lining cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma is found in the peritoneum -- it is a membrane that lines the abdominal cavity and organs like the intestines and the liver. Like pleural mesothelioma, peritoneal mesothelioma can be caused by asbestos exposure. It is estimated that only 300-500 cases are diagnosed each year which is lower than pleural asbestosis.

Like pleural mesothelioma, symptoms can take years to show. Typically, patients are afflicted with abdominal pain as well as a mass in the abdomen. This mesothelioma type can also cause nausea, weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms could be mistaken for gastrointestinal problems and can lead to a misdiagnosis.

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

These test results allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and determine the stage and suggest treatment options. The stage is determined by the kind of cell and if the cancer has spread.

The most significant mesothelioma-related risk factor is asbestos exposure. People who have been in occupations that involve asbestos, like plumbing, manufacturing, electrical work or construction, are at a higher risk of developing the disease. Even if a person is not employed in any of these areas however, they may still be exposed to asbestos through family members and other sources. For this reason, anyone who is concerned that they might be at risk should speak to an experienced doctor. If they have any history of exposure to asbestos or mesothelioma, a specialist can assist them in finding out more about the risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos exposure is the main risk factor for mesothelioma, making up as much as 80 percent of all cases. Exposure to asbestos can occur due to work, military service, or by living with someone who is exposed to asbestos or used to do such. When exposed to asbestos, small particles can be breathed into the lungs and abdomen. These particles can cause irritation to the linings and trigger cancerous cells to develop in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma can take anywhere between 15 and 60 years to develop following exposure to asbestos.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and the advancing age. People in their 40s and 50s are at a higher 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 also important to know that mesothelioma may develop in those who were exposed to asbestos but didn't deal with it directly. This is referred to as secondary or indirect exposure to asbestos. It could be as hazardous as direct exposure.

Smoking increases a person's chances of getting mesothelioma because it damages the mesothelium and makes it more prone to asbestos. Mesothelioma can also be caused by certain illnesses, including asbestosis and pneumonia. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than females. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for a longer time and to have worked with asbestos for longer durations and to work with it. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who has worked with asbestos and to carry asbestos fibers on their clothing. Women are less likely to come exposed to asbestos and don't typically carry asbestos on their clothes.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is difficult to identify because the symptoms are often similar to other conditions. This can lead to victims being wrongly diagnosed.

NYU Langone doctors will perform an examination of the body and document the patient's medical history, including asbestos exposure. Doctors may also order a chest X-ray or CT scan to look for lumps or other abnormalities, and also to look for evidence of asbestos exposure in the past such as plaques in the pleura (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the buildup of fluid between the lung and chest wall (known as the pleural effusion).

Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance scan or MRI test, which makes use of magnets and radio waves to create a series of detailed images of inside the body. Another method doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma is through a surgical biopsy. During a surgical biopsy, doctors take a small amount of tissue from the peritoneum or pleura for further analysis. A pathologist will then look at the tissue under an magnifying glass to determine if it is a cancerous cell.

yakima asbestos lawsuit of mesothelial cells involved as well as the benign or malignant nature of the cells, as well as the location, type and stage of the cancer are used to categorize the disease. Certain types of mesothelioma are at greater risk of spreading or metastasizing and it's crucial to get a definitive diagnosis to ensure that the doctors can treat it before it gets out-of-control.

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

Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnosis is a frightening prospect. It is important to keep in mind, however, that cancer can be treated, particularly in its early stages. Many people with mesothelioma can endure the disease for a long time, without spreading.

Exposure to asbestos may cause mesothelioma in many ways. Asbestos fibers that are small enough to not be felt or observed with the naked eyes can be airborne, irritating the lining of the lung (pleura). Over time irritation leads to formation of scar tissue which causes changes in the cell structure that can eventually grow into tumors.

The Pleura is a protective layer that surrounds the abdomen, heart, and lungs. Mesothelium is made up of cells that react to exposure to asbestos, causing it to inflame and create scar tissue. As time passes, these changes cause the development of malignant mesothelioma tumors.

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

If imaging scans show an area of concern in the stomach or lungs doctors will recommend biopsies. During the procedure, doctors take small amounts of the tumor or fluid for lab tests. The results will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and help determine the most effective treatment plan.

There are many types of treatment for mesothelioma such as chemotherapy and surgery. The majority of doctors employ combinations of these treatments. Patients can also benefit by participating in a clinical study of new mesothelioma treatment. Patients can learn more by speaking with a mesothelioma doctor who has treated mesothelioma.