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

Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos, a mineral that naturally forms in the form of long, thin fibers. Workers who are exposed asbestos regularly risk developing mesothelioma and other lung diseases of different types.

It could take a long time for symptoms to appear after exposure to asbestos. Different asbestos types can cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma occurs in the lung's outer lining, also known as pleura. It is the most frequent form of mesothelioma and is responsible for 70 to 79% all diagnosed cases. The condition can cause chest pain, shortness of breathe and a feeling of heavyness.

Exposure to asbestos, a group of minerals comprised of microscopic fibers causes this type of cancer. Once inhaled, these fibers cling to the lung and cause irritation that leads to scarring and DNA mutations. The pleura surrounds the lungs and chest cavity and therefore, these irritations could affect both the lungs and the heart of a person. Mesothelioma symptoms typically don't show until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

Chest pain and shortness breath are the most frequently reported symptoms. Patients may also suffer from chest tightness and coughing, or breathing difficulties. Patients with this type of cancer have a past that includes asbestos exposure at work. The most prevalent jobs that expose people to the risk of pleural mesothelioma include manufacturing, construction, and shipbuilding. People who served in the military are at greater risk due to the extensive use asbestos in Navy vessels and bunkers in the Army.

The TNM (tumors lymph nodes, tumors, and metastases staging system) is the most common staging system used to treat pleural adenocarcinoma. The stage that a patient is at when they are diagnosed will aid their doctor in determining the best treatment plan for them. For example, patients with mesothelioma pleural stage three or four have a less favorable prognosis than those with lower stages. Mesothelioma in stage four is usually spread to the diaphragm, the liver or even the heart of a patient. This can make the cancer more difficult to treat, and increase the risk of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

In contrast to pleural cancer, that develops in the lung's lining, peritoneal cancer develops in a membrane that covers the abdominal cavity, including organs such as the intestines and the liver. As with pleural mesothelioma exposure to asbestos is the reason for peritoneal msothelioma. The disease is less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma. There are around 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.

As with pleural asbestosis symptoms can take several years to show. The majority of patients suffer from abdominal pain and abdominal swelling. Symptoms of this type of mesothelioma can also include nausea or weight loss, as well as fever. A lot of these symptoms are similar to those experienced by gastrointestinal issues, which can cause incorrect diagnosis.

Typically, doctors can identify mesothelioma after an exhaustive health history and physical examination. Imaging tests such as X-rays or CT scans can be used to identify mesothelioma. These tests can show tumors, as well as other signs of cancer that aren't visible on an X-ray.

These test results allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma, identify the stage and recommend treatment options. The stage is determined by the type of cell as well as whether the cancer has spread.

Asbestos exposure is the main risk factor. People who have been exposed to asbestos in occupations, like plumbing or electrical work, or in manufacturing and construction are more likely to contract the disease. However, even if people aren't employed in these fields they could be exposed to asbestos through relatives or other sources. Anyone who believes they are at risk should talk to an expert. A mesothelioma expert can help those who have a experience with asbestos case (click the next page) to understand more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos is the primary risk factor in mesothelioma. It is responsible for as much as 80percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos may occur due to work, military service or by living with a person who works with asbestos or used to do the same. When exposed to asbestos, small particles can be inhaled into the abdomen and lungs. These particles can cause irritation to the linings, causing cancerous cells to form in the mesothelium. After asbestos exposure, mesothelioma may be diagnosed between 15 and 60 year.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and age. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely get mesothelioma than people younger or more senior. It takes mesothelioma between 20 and 60 years to manifest cancer symptoms after the first exposure. It is important to keep in mind, too, that mesothelioma can develop in those who have been exposed to asbestos, but without having directly worked with it. This is referred to as indirect or secondary asbestos attorney exposure, and is just as harmful as direct asbestos exposure.

Smoking increases the risk of mesothelioma, because it damages the mesothelium. It can also make it more vulnerable. Furthermore, mesothelioma is worsened by certain diseases like 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 litigation for longer periods of time. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who had worked with asbestos, and to have asbestos law-containing fibers on their clothing. Women are less likely to be exposed to asbestos and they don't usually carry asbestos on their clothes.

Diagnosis

It is difficult to identify mesothelioma due to its symptoms being frequently similar to other illnesses. Due to this, patients are often wrongly diagnosed.

The first step in identifying mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform an examination of the body and take down a patient's medical history including asbestos exposure. Doctors will also order an CT scan or chest X-ray to check for lumps, abnormalities and evidence of asbestos exposure. These include pleural plaques, thickened pleura and calcium deposits.

Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance scan, or MRI test, that uses radio waves and magnets to create a series detailed images of the inside of the body. A surgical biopsy is yet another way for doctors to diagnose mesothelioma. When a biopsy is performed doctors take a tiny piece of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum to be tested further. A pathologist will then look at the tissue under an magnifying glass to determine if it is a cancerous cells.

Mesothelioma is classified according to the type of mesothelial cell involved, whether those cells are benign or malignant and also the location of the tumor, its type, and the stage of the tumor. Certain types of mesothelioma are at an increased risk of metastasizing or spreading therefore it is essential to get a definitive diagnosis so doctors can treat it before it becomes out of control.

Doctors can also run tests in the lab on a tumor to identify particular proteins, genes or other elements which can help them identify the cancer's characteristics and plan treatment. These results are referred to as staging.

Treatment

A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be frightening. It is crucial to remember, however, that cancer can be treated particularly in its initial stages. Many people with mesothelioma live for many years without the disease spreading to other organs of their body.

Exposure to asbestos may cause mesothelioma in a number of ways. Asbestos fibers that are small enough to not be felt or seen through the naked eye are able to become airborne, irritating the lung's lining (pleura). In time the irritation causes the formation of scar tissue, which eventually lead to tumors.

The pleura surrounds the lungs and the heart and the abdomen. Mesothelium is composed of cells that react when exposed to asbestos. They cause inflammation to the tissue and cause it to become scarred. In time, these changes can cause the development of malignant mesothelioma tumors.

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

A doctor will order biopsy if imaging scans reveal a possible tumor in the lungs or stomach. During the procedure, doctors remove a small sample of the fluid or tumor for lab analysis. The results will confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis and indicate the most effective treatment plan.

There are many types of treatment for mesothelioma including chemotherapy and surgery. Most doctors utilize a combination of these treatments. Patients may also benefit from taking part in a clinical trial of new mesothelioma therapies. Patients can learn more by speaking with a mesothelioma doctor who has treated mesothelioma.