Mesothelioma and Asbestos
Asbestos is a natural mineral that is made up of thin, long fibres. People who are regularly exposed to asbestos risk developing lung diseases, such as mesothelioma.
Norwalk asbestos lawsuit can take years for symptoms to show up after exposure to asbestos. Different asbestos types can cause different symptoms.
Pleural Mesothelioma
Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer that occurs in the lung's outer lining (pleura). It is the most frequent mesothelioma type, accounting for up 70 to 79% of all diagnosed cases. Patients suffering from this condition experience pain in the chest and shortness of breath and may also feel an ache or heaviness in the chest.
Exposure to asbestos, a class of minerals comprised of microscopic fibers, usually causes this kind of cancer. When inhaled, these fibers can cause irritation and DNA mutations. Pleura covers both the chest cavity as well as the lungs, so irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma symptoms are usually not apparent until 30 to 50 years after exposure.
Chest pain and shortness breath are the most frequent symptoms. Patients may also experience coughing, difficulty breathing, or chest tightness. People who suffer from this cancer usually have an history of exposure to asbestos in the workplace. Manufacturing, construction and shipbuilding are the most prevalent jobs which put people at risk risk of developing pleural mesothelioma. Individuals who have served in the military are at higher risk due to the widespread use of asbestos 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 at when they are diagnosed will aid their doctor in determining the most appropriate treatment plan for them. Patients suffering from pleural mesothelioma who is in stage three or stage four will have a worse prognosis than those in a less advanced stage. Stage four mesothelioma is often spread to the liver, diaphragm and/or a person's heart. This makes it more difficult to treat and increase the likelihood of complications for patients.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
Unlike pleural mesothelioma, which develops in the lung lining, peritoneal mesothelioma forms in the peritoneum - it is a membrane that lines the abdominal cavity as well as organs such as the intestines and liver. Like pleural mesothelioma, peritoneal mesothelioma can be caused by asbestos exposure. Only 300-500 cases are diagnosed each year this is less than pleural asbestosis.
Like pleural mesothelioma, the symptoms can take years to show. Patients generally suffer from abdominal pain and may have a mass in their abdomen. Symptoms of this type of mesothelioma could also include nausea as well as weight loss and fever. A lot of these symptoms are similar to symptoms of digestive issues, which could lead to incorrect diagnosis.
The doctors can detect mesothelioma through examining the patient's medical history and conducting a physical exam. They can also use imaging tests like X-rays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to identify mesothelioma. These tests can reveal tumors, as well as other symptoms of cancer that aren't visible on X-rays.
These test results allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma, determine the stage of the disease and suggest treatment options. The stage is determined by the type of cell and whether the tumor has spread.
Asbestos exposure is the most important risk factor. People who have worked in professions that require asbestos, such as plumbing or manufacturing, electrical work or construction, are at a higher risk of developing the disease. Even if an individual is not employed in any of these areas they could be exposed to asbestos through family members and other sources. Anyone who thinks they may be at risk should speak with a doctor. If they have any history of exposure to asbestos and mesothelioma is a concern, a specialist will assist them in learning more about the risk.
Risk Factors
Asbestos exposure is the primary risk factor for mesothelioma, making up as much as 80 percent of all cases. Exposure to asbestos may occur due to military service, work or living with someone who used to work with asbestos. Asbestos particles can be inhaled by people who are exposed to asbestos. They can cause irritation to the linings of the abdomen and can cause cancerous cells to form in the mesothelium. Following exposure to asbestos, mesothelioma may be diagnosed between 15 and 60 year.
Other risk factors include genetics, smoking and aging. People in their 40s and 50s are at a higher chance of developing mesothelioma to those who are younger or older. This is because mesothelioma typically takes 20 to 60 years after the initial exposure before cancer symptoms appear. It is important to remember that mesothelioma can occur in those who have been exposed to asbestos without having worked with it directly. This is called secondary or indirect exposure to asbestos. It is just as harmful as direct exposure.
Smoking can increase the likelihood of developing mesothelioma due to the fact that it damages the mesothelium, which makes it more susceptible to asbestos. Furthermore, mesothelioma is worsened by certain diseases like pneumonia and asbestosis. It is also important to note that mesothelioma occurs more frequently in males than females. This is due to men being more likely to work with asbestos and have a longer period of exposure than women. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who worked with asbestos, and to carry asbestos fibers on their clothing. Women tend to be less in contact with asbestos, and don't typically carry asbestos on their clothing.
Diagnosis
Mesothelioma is a difficult disease to recognize because the symptoms are often similar to other diseases. Because of this, victims are often wrongly diagnosed.
NYU Langone doctors will perform a physical examination and record the patient's medical background, including asbestos exposure. Doctors may also request an CT scan or chest X-ray in order to look for abnormalities, lumps and evidence of asbestos exposure. These include plaques on the pleura, pleura that are thickened and calcium deposits.
Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram, which examines the heart and blood vessels and magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI, test, which uses radio waves and magnets to create precise images of the inside of the body. Another method doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma is by performing the procedure of a surgical biopsy. In a surgical biopsy doctors will remove a small part of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum, to be examined further. A pathologist can then examine the tissue under a microscope to see if it has cancerous cells.
The mesothelial type involved as well as the benign or malignant nature of those cells and the location, type and stage of the tumor, are used to classify the disease. Certain types of mesothelioma are more likely to develop metastasis or spread and spread, therefore it is essential to establish a definitive diagnosis so that doctors can treat the disease before it gets out of control.
Doctors may also conduct laboratory tests on a tumor to find particular proteins, genes, or other factors which can help them identify the characteristics of cancer and plan treatment. These results are known as staging.
Treatment
A mesothelioma diagnosis can be a frightening prospect. It is important to remember, however, that cancer can be treated particularly in its early stages. A lot of people suffering from mesothelioma be afflicted for a long time without spreading.
Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma by a variety of mechanisms. Asbestos fibers, too small to see or feel by the naked eye can become airborne and irritate the lung's lining (pleura). Over time irritation can lead to formation of scar tissue which leads to changes in the structure of cells which eventually lead to tumors.
The pleura is the area that surrounds the lungs and heart and also the abdomen. Mesothelium is composed of cells that respond when exposed to asbestos. They cause inflammation to the tissue and cause it to scar. In time, these changes can result in the growth of malignant mesothelioma tumors.
Shortness of breath, chest discomfort, or the accumulation of fluid on the lungs are all indications of pleural msothelioma. In rare cases, the cancer can spread to the tissues surrounding the heart and reproductive organs.
If imaging scans reveal a possible mass in the stomach or lungs, a doctor will order biopsies. During the procedure, doctors will remove a small sample of the tumor or fluid for lab analysis. The results will confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis and determine the best treatment plan.
There are several types of mesothelioma treatment options, including surgery, chemotherapy and immunotherapy. Most doctors use a combination of these treatments. Patients could also benefit from taking part in a clinical trial of new mesothelioma therapies. Patients can learn more about the trials by speaking with a mesothelioma doctor who has treated the condition.