It's The Mesothelioma And Asbestos Case Study You'll Never Forget

Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos, a natural mineral, naturally forms in the form of thin, long fibers. People who are regularly exposed to asbestos lawyer may develop lung diseases, such as mesothelioma.

The symptoms of these diseases may not be evident for a long time after exposure to asbestos. Different asbestos types may cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma, a form of cancer, that affects the outer lung liner (pleura). It is the most common mesothelioma that accounts for up 70 to 79% of diagnosed cases. People with this condition feel chest pain 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 causes this type of cancer. Once inhaled, these fibers are absorbed into the lung and cause irritation which causes scarring 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.

The most common symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are chest discomfort and shortness of breath. Patients may also feel tightness in their chest and coughing, or breathing difficulties. People who suffer from this cancer usually have previous exposure to asbestos in the workplace. Manufacturing, construction and shipbuilding are among the most prevalent occupations that put people at high danger of developing pleural melanoma. People who were in the military are at greater risk due the frequent use of asbestos in Navy vessels and Army bunkers.

The TNM (tumors, lymph nodes, and metastases staging system) is the most commonly used staging system used to treat the pleural adenocarcinoma. The stage that a patient is at upon diagnosis will help their doctor determine the best treatment plan for them. For example, patients with mesothelioma that is pleural in stage three or four have a less favorable prognosis than those in a lower stage. Mesothelioma in stage four can spread to the liver, heart or diaphragm. This could make the cancer more difficult to treat and increase the chances of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

As opposed to pleural mesothelioma that is a lung-lining cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma forms in the peritoneum -- a membrane that lines the abdominal cavity as well as organs like the intestines and liver. Similar to pleural mesothelioma, exposure to asbestos is the cause of peritoneal mesothelioma. Only 300-500 cases are diagnosed each year which is lower than the pleural asbestosis.

As with pleural asbestosis symptoms can take several years to show. Patients generally experience abdominal pain, and could also experience a mass in their abdomen. The symptoms of this kind of mesothelioma can also include nausea as well as weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms are similar to those experienced by gastrointestinal issues, which can lead to confusion in diagnosis.

Typically, doctors can identify mesothelioma through an exhaustive medical history and physical exam. They can also use imaging tests like Xrays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to help find mesothelioma. These tests can detect tumors and other signs of cancer which aren't visible on X-rays.

The results of these tests allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and establish the stage. They also offer treatment options. The stage is determined by the type of cell as well as whether the tumor has spread.

The most important risk factor for mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos. People who have worked in jobs which require asbestos, like plumbing, manufacturing, electrical work or construction, are at increased risk of developing the disease. Even if a person isn't 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 suspects they may be at risk should talk to an experienced doctor. If they have a history of asbestos exposure and mesothelioma is a concern, a specialist will help them find out more about the risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos is the most significant mesothelioma-related risk factor. It is responsible for up to 80% of all cases. Exposure to asbestos may occur through work, military service, or through living with a person who works with asbestos legal or has previously done so. Asbestos particles can be inhaled by people who are exposed to it. These particles can cause irritation to the linings and can cause cancerous cells to form in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma may take 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 or 50s are at a higher risk of developing mesothelioma compared to those who are younger or older. It is because mesothelioma generally occurs between 20 and 60 years from the initial time of exposure before symptoms of cancer begin to manifest. 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 referred to as secondary or indirect exposure to asbestos, and it is just as harmful as direct exposure.

Smoking increases a person's chances of getting mesothelioma because it damages the mesothelium, which makes it more susceptible to asbestos case. Mesothelioma is also aggravated by certain diseases, such as asbestosis and pneumonia. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma compared to women. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for longer periods of time and work 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 settlement, and to have asbestos fibers on their clothing. Women are less likely to come in contact with asbestos, and don't typically carry asbestos on their clothes.

Diagnosis

It is difficult to diagnose mesothelioma since its symptoms are often similar to other conditions. Due to this, patients are often mistakenly diagnosed.

NYU Langone doctors will perform physical examinations and document the patient's medical history including asbestos exposure. Doctors can also request an X-ray of the chest or CT scan to check for lumps or other abnormalities, as well as evidence of asbestos exposure in the past such as pleural plaques (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the formation of fluid between the lung and chest wall (known as the pleural effusion).

Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram, which examines the heart and blood vessels as well as a magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI, test, which makes use of radio waves and magnets to create detailed images of the inside of the body. Another way for doctors to detect mesothelioma is to perform an operation called a biopsy. A surgical biopsy is when doctors remove a small amount of tissue from the peritoneum or pleura for further testing. A pathologist then examines the tissue with a magnifying lens to determine if it contains cancerous cells.

The mesothelial type involved as well as 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. Certain types of mesothelioma are more likely to grow or spread which is why it is crucial to get a definite diagnosis to ensure that doctors are able to treat the disease before it becomes out of control.

Doctors may also conduct tests in the lab on tumors to determine particular proteins, genes, or other factors that can help them describe the cancer's characteristics and plan treatment. These results are known as staging.

Treatment

A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be frightening. It is important to remember, however, that cancer can be treated particularly in its initial stages. Many patients with mesothelioma be afflicted for a long time without expanding.

Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma through many mechanisms. Asbestos particles, which are too small to be able to see or feel by the naked eye can become airborne and cause irritation to the lung's lining (pleura). Over time irritation can lead to formation of scar tissue, which can cause changes in the cell structure that can eventually grow into tumors.

The pleura is a protective covering that covers the abdomen, heart, and lungs. Mesothelium consists of cells that respond when exposed to asbestos. They cause inflammation of the tissue and cause it to become scarred. These changes can result in malignant mesothelioma tumors.

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

A doctor will request a biopsy if imaging scans show a potential mass in the lungs or stomach. During the procedure doctors remove a small amount of liquid or tumor for lab tests. The results can confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and help determine the most effective treatment plan.

There are a variety of mesothelioma treatments, including surgery, chemotherapy and immunotherapy. The majority of doctors use the combination of these methods. Patients could also benefit from participating in a clinical study of new mesothelioma treatment. To find out more, patients should speak with mesothelioma specialists who have expertise in treating the condition.