10 Essentials About Mesothelioma And Asbestos You Didn't Learn In The Classroom

Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos is a natural mineral that comes in thin, long fibres. Workers who are exposed asbestos on a regular basis risk developing mesothelioma and other lung diseases.

It can take years for symptoms to appear after exposure to asbestos. Different asbestos types can cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer of the outer lung lining, or the pleura. It is the most frequent type of mesothelioma, making up 70 to 79% of all diagnosed cases. People with this condition feel chest pain and breath shortness, and they may feel the sensation of weight in the chest.

This type of cancer is usually caused by exposure to asbestos, which is a cluster of minerals that are made up of microscopic fibres. When inhaled, these fibers can cause irritation and DNA mutations. Pleura surrounds both the chest cavity and the lungs, and so irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma usually doesn't show symptoms until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

The most common symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are chest pain and breath shortness. Some patients may also feel tightness in their chest and coughing, or breathing difficulties. Patients with this cancer have a history of disease that includes asbestos exposure at work. The most prevalent jobs that expose people to the risk of developing pleural mesothelioma are construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding. Individuals who have been in the military may be at an especially high risk due to the widespread use of asbestos in Navy vessels and bunkers for the army.

The most common staging method for pleural mesothelioma is the TNM (tumor lymph nodes, lymph nodes and metastases) staging system. The stage a patient is in at diagnosis will assist their doctor in determining the most effective treatment plan for them. For instance, patients suffering from a pleural mesothelioma in stage three or four have a less favorable prognosis than those with a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma often spreads to the liver, diaphragm or even a person's heart. This could make the cancer 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 develops in the peritoneum, it is a membrane that lines the abdominal cavity and organs like the intestines and the liver. Similar to pleural mesothelioma, asbestos exposure is the primary cause of peritoneal msothelioma. The disease is much less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma, with around 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.

Like pleural mesothelioma, symptoms can take years to show. Typically, patients experience abdominal pain and a mass in the abdomen. This type of mesothelioma may cause nausea, weight loss, and fever. Many of these symptoms are similar to symptoms of digestive problems, which can result in confusion in diagnosis.

The doctors can detect mesothelioma through looking over the medical history of the patient and performing a physical exam. They can also utilize imaging tests like X-rays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to help find mesothelioma. These tests can detect tumors and other signs of cancer that aren't evident on X-rays.

The results of these tests allow doctors to identify mesothelioma, and determine the stage. They can also recommend treatment options. The stage of the disease is determined based on the cell type and whether or the cancer has spread to other parts of the body.

The most significant mesothelioma risk factor is asbestos exposure. People who have worked in professions that involve asbestos, like plumbing manufacturing, electrical work or construction, are at a higher risk of developing the disease. Even if a person does not work in one of these fields they could still be exposed to asbestos through family members and other sources. This is why anyone who suspects they may be at risk should speak to an expert. A mesothelioma specialist can assist those who have had a experience with asbestos to understand more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos exposure is a major risk factor for mesothelioma accounting for up to 80 percent of all cases. Exposure to asbestos may occur due to work, military service or through living with a person who works with asbestos or has previously done such. When exposed to asbestos, particles are able to be inhaled into lungs and abdomen. These irritate the linings and cause cancerous cells to develop in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma can take between 15 and 60 years to develop following exposure to asbestos.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics, and age. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely to get mesothelioma than people younger or more senior. This is because mesothelioma usually takes 20 to 60 years from the initial time of exposure before symptoms of cancer begin to manifest. It is also important to know that mesothelioma can develop in people who have been exposed to asbestos, but did not deal with it directly. This is referred to as indirect or secondary asbestos exposure. It can be just as harmful as direct asbestos exposure.

Smoking increases a person's chances of getting mesothelioma because it causes mesothelium damage and makes it more prone to asbestos. Mesothelioma is also aggravated by certain illnesses such as 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 longer periods 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 had worked with asbestos and to have asbestos fibers on their clothing. Women tend to be less exposed to asbestos and they are less likely to carry asbestos on their clothes.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is difficult to identify because the symptoms can be similar to other diseases. This can lead to victims being wrongly diagnosed.

The first step in identifying mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform a physical exam and take note of the medical history of the patient which includes asbestos exposure. Doctors will also recommend a CT scan or chest X-ray to check for abnormalities, lumps and evidence of exposure to asbestos.  centennial asbestos lawyer  include plaques in the pleura, thickened pleura and calcium deposits.

Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance scan or MRI test, which uses radio waves and magnets to produce a series of precise images of the insides of the body. A surgical biopsy is another way for doctors to diagnose mesothelioma. During a surgery biopsy doctors take a tiny piece of tissue from pleura or the peritoneum, to be tested further. A pathologist can then examine the tissue under an magnifying glass to determine whether it contains cancerous cell.

The type of mesothelial cell involved and the benign or malignant nature of those cells, as well as the location, type and stage of the cancer are used to classify the disease. Some types of mesothelioma have a higher risk of metastasizing or spreading and it's crucial to determine the type of mesothelioma so that doctors can treat it prior to it becoming out-of-control.

Doctors can also perform tests in the laboratory on tumors to determine specific genes, proteins, or other factors which can aid in describing cancer characteristics and plan treatment. These results are called staging.

Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnosis can be an incredibly frightening prospect. It is important to keep in mind, however, that cancer can be treated particularly in its early stages. Many people with mesothelioma live for years without the disease spreading to other areas of their body.

Exposure to asbestos can trigger mesothelioma through a variety of ways. Asbestos fibers, which are small enough to not be felt or seen with the naked eyes, can become airborne, causing irritation to the lining of the lung (pleura). Over time irritation can lead to formation of scar tissue which causes changes in the cell structure that eventually develop into tumors.

The pleura is the area that surrounds the lungs and heart and the abdomen. Mesothelium is composed of cells that respond when exposed to asbestos. They inflame the tissue and cause it to become scarred. Overtime, these changes result in the growth of malignant mesothelioma cancers.

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

A doctor will order biopsy if scans show the possibility of a lung tumor or stomach. In the course of the procedure, doctors remove a small amount of fluid or tumor to allow for tests in the laboratory. The results can confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and help determine the best treatment plan.

There are many types of treatment for mesothelioma including chemotherapy and surgery. The majority of doctors use a combination of these methods. Patients may also benefit from participating in a clinical study of new mesothelioma treatment. Patients can learn more by speaking with a mesothelioma doctor who has treated mesothelioma.