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

Mesothelioma and Asbestos

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

The symptoms of these diseases might not show up for decades after exposure to asbestos. Different asbestos types can cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma occurs in the outer lung lining, also known as the pleura. It is the most frequent form of mesothelioma and is responsible for 70 to 79% of diagnosed cases. Patients with this disease experience pain in the chest and breath shortness, and they may 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. The fibers, when inhaled, cause irritation and DNA mutations. Pleura covers both the chest cavity as well as the lungs, and so irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma symptoms usually don't appear until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

Shortness of breath and chest pain are the most frequent symptoms. Some patients also experience coughing, difficulty breathing or chest tightness. People with this cancer have a past that includes asbestos exposure at work. Construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding are the most common occupations that put people at a high chance of developing pleural mesothelioma. People who have served in the military may be at a higher risk due to the widespread asbestos usage in Navy ships and bunkers used by the army.

The TNM (tumors lymph nodes, tumors, 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 time of diagnosis can help determine the treatment plan they will receive. For example, patients with mesothelioma that is pleural in stage three or four have a worse prognosis than patients with a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma may develop into the liver, heart, or diaphragm. 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 is a lung-lining cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma develops in the peritoneum -- it is a membrane that lines the abdominal cavity as well as organs like the intestines and the liver. Like pleural mesothelioma, peritoneal mesothelioma is triggered by asbestos exposure. The disease is less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma. There are only about 300-500 cases diagnosed each year.

As with pleural asbestosis, symptoms can take several years to show. Patients generally have abdominal pain, and may also have a lump in their abdomen. The symptoms of this type of mesothelioma can also include nausea, weight loss and fever. A lot of these symptoms are similar to those experienced by gastrointestinal issues, which can cause confusion in diagnosis.

Typically, doctors can identify mesothelioma after an exhaustive health history and physical examination. They may also employ imaging tests like X-rays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to identify mesothelioma. These tests can detect tumors as well as other signs of cancer that aren't visible on X-rays.

These test results enable doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and determine the stage. They also offer treatments. The stage is determined by the kind of cell and if the cancer has spread.

Asbestos exposure is the most important risk factor. People who have been in occupations that require asbestos, such as plumbing or manufacturing, electrical work or construction, are at a higher risk of developing the disease. However, even if individuals aren't employed in these fields they could be exposed to asbestos through family members or through other sources. For this reason, anyone who believes they could be at risk should talk to an experienced doctor. If they have a history of asbestos exposure or mesothelioma, a specialist can assist them in learning more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos is the most significant risk factor for mesothelioma. It is responsible for as much as the 80% of cases. Exposure to asbestos can happen as a result of work, military service, or by living with someone who is exposed to asbestos or was previously exposed to doing such. When exposed to asbestos, the particles can be inhaled into the abdomen and lungs. These particles can cause irritation to the linings and can cause cancerous cells to grow in the mesothelium. After exposure to asbestos, mesothelioma may occur between 15 and 60 years old.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and the advancing age. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely be diagnosed with mesothelioma compared to those who are younger or more senior. It is because mesothelioma generally lasts between 20 and 60 years after the initial exposure to asbestos attorney before symptoms of cancer begin to manifest. It is also important to note that mesothelioma may develop in people who have been exposed to Asbestos case, but did not engage directly with it. This is known as indirect or secondary exposure to asbestos and it can be just as dangerous as direct exposure.

Smoking increases the chance of mesothelioma developing, since it damages mesothelium. It can also make it more vulnerable. Mesothelioma is also aggravated by certain illnesses 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 a longer time and work with asbestos for longer durations and to work with it. Also, men are more likely to live with someone who was exposed to asbestos and bring stray asbestos fibers home on their clothes. Women tend to have less contact with asbestos and don't typically carry asbestos lawyer on their clothes.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is a difficult disease to recognize because the symptoms often resemble other conditions. Due to this, patients are sometimes misdiagnosed.

NYU Langone doctors will perform an examination of the body and document the patient's medical background including asbestos exposure. Doctors will also recommend an CT scan or chest X-ray in order to look for lumps, abnormalities, and evidence of asbestos exposure. These include pleural plaques, thickened pleura and calcium deposits.

Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram which examines the heart and blood vessels as well as a magnetic resonance imaging, also known as MRI, test that uses radio waves and magnets to make a series of detailed images of the interior of the body. Another way doctors can diagnose mesothelioma is through the procedure of a surgical biopsy. In a surgical biopsy doctors will remove a small piece of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum, to be further examined. A pathologist can look at the tissue under microscopes to determine if it is contaminated with cancerous cells.

Mesothelioma can be classified based on the type of mesothelial cells involved, whether these cells are benign or malignant and also the location of the tumor, the type, and the stage of the tumor. Certain types of mesothelioma are at greater risk of spreading or metastasizing, so it's important to get a definitive diagnosis so doctors can treat it before it becomes out of control.

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

Treatment

A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be frightening. However, it is important to keep in mind that the cancer can be treated, particularly in its initial stages. Many patients with mesothelioma be afflicted for a long time, without spreading.

Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma in many ways. Asbestos fibers, which are tiny enough to be felt or observed with the naked eyes, can become airborne, irritating the lung's lining (pleura). Over time the irritation can lead to the formation of scar tissue, which eventually lead to tumors.

The pleura is a protective covering that covers the abdomen, heart, and lungs. Mesothelium consists of cells that react to asbestos which causes it to become inflamed and develop scar tissue. These changes eventually lead to malignant mesothelioma tumours.

The symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are shortness of breath and chest pain as well as an accumulation of fluid on the lung (pleural effusion). In rare instances, cancer can spread into the tissues surrounding the reproductive organs and heart.

A doctor will request a biopsy if imaging scans show a potential mass in the lungs or stomach. During the procedure, doctors remove tiny amounts of fluid or tumor for laboratory tests. The results will confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis, and determine the most effective treatment plan.

There are many types of mesothelioma treatment options, including chemotherapy, surgery and immunotherapy. The majority of doctors employ a combination of these treatments. Patients can also benefit by enrolling in a clinical trial of new mesothelioma treatments. To learn more, patients should consult mesothelioma specialists who have expertise in treating the condition.