10 Meetups On Mesothelioma And Asbestos You Should Attend

Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos, a mineral that naturally forms in the form of thin, long fibers. Workers who are exposed asbestos on a regular basis are at risk of developing mesothelioma as well as other types of lung diseases.

It may take decades for symptoms to show up after exposure to asbestos. Different asbestos types can cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer of the lung's outer lining, or pleura. It is the most frequent type of mesothelioma, making up 70 to 79% of diagnosed cases. This condition causes chest discomfort, shortness of breath and a feeling of heavyness.

Exposure to asbestos, a group of minerals made of microscopic fibers causes this type of cancer. These fibers, when inhaled cause irritation and DNA mutations. The pleura surrounds the chest cavity and lungs, so these irritations can affect both the lungs and a person's heart. Mesothelioma usually doesn't show symptoms until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

Shortness of breath and chest pain are the most frequently reported symptoms. Patients may also experience difficulty breathing, or chest tightness. Patients with this cancer have a past that includes asbestos exposure at work. The most common jobs that expose people to the risk of developing pleural cancer are manufacturing, construction and shipbuilding. People who served in the military are at a greater risk due the extensive use asbestos in Navy vessels and bunkers for the Army.

The TNM (tumors, lymph nodes, and metastases staging system) is the most popular staging system used for pleural adenocarcinoma. The stage that a patient is at at diagnosis will aid their doctor in determining the most effective 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. Mesothelioma in stage four is usually spread to the diaphragm, liver or even a person's heart. This can make it more difficult to treat and raises the risk of complications for patients.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Unlike pleural mesothelioma, which is a lung-lining cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma is found in the peritoneum -- a membrane that lines the abdominal cavity and organs like the intestines and liver. Like pleural mesothelioma, exposure to asbestos is the cause of peritoneal mesothelioma. It is estimated that only 300-500 cases are diagnosed each year this is less than pleural asbestosis.

As with pleural asbestosis symptoms can take several years to manifest. Typically, patients suffer from abdominal pain and a mass in the abdomen. Symptoms of this type of mesothelioma may also include nausea as well as weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms could be mistaken for gastrointestinal problems and can lead to a misdiagnosis.

Doctors can identify mesothelioma by examining the patient's medical history and conducting a physical exam. Imaging tests such as X-rays or CT scans can be used to detect mesothelioma. These tests can identify tumors and other cancer signs that are not evident on X-rays.

The results of these tests allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and establish 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 worked in asbestos-containing professions, such as electrical or plumbing work, or in construction and manufacturing, are more likely to develop the disease. Even if an individual isn't employed in one of these fields however, they may still be exposed through family members or other sources. For this reason, anyone who believes they could be at risk should speak to an experienced doctor. If they have any history of exposure to asbestos, a mesothelioma specialist can assist them in finding out more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos is the most significant mesothelioma-related risk factor. It accounts for up to 80% of all cases. Exposure to asbestos claim can occur through military service, work, or living with people who have worked with asbestos. Asbestos particles can be inhaled by those who are exposed to it. These particles irritate the linings, causing cancerous cells to develop in the mesothelium. Following exposure to asbestos mesothelioma is likely to be diagnosed between 15 and 60 year.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and aging. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely to develop mesothelioma than those who are younger or more senior. It takes mesothelioma 20-60 years to manifest cancer symptoms after the first exposure. It is also important to know that mesothelioma is a possibility in those who were exposed to Asbestos Legal but did not work with it directly. This is called secondary or indirect exposure to asbestos claim. It can be just as dangerous as direct exposure.

Smoking increases a person's chances of developing mesothelioma due to the fact that it damages the mesothelium, which makes it more prone to asbestos. Additionally, mesothelioma can be worsened by certain diseases like pneumonia and asbestosis. It is also important to know that mesothelioma occurs more frequently for men than women. This is because men are more likely to work with asbestos and have a longer period of exposure than women. Men are also more likely to live with someone who has was exposed to asbestos and bring stray asbestos fibers home on their clothes. Women are less likely to be exposed to asbestos, and don't typically bring asbestos home on their clothing.

Diagnosis

It is difficult to identify mesothelioma because its symptoms are frequently similar to other illnesses. This is why patients are sometimes wrongly diagnosed.

NYU Langone doctors will perform an examination of the body and document the patient's medical background, including asbestos exposure. Doctors will also recommend a CT scan or chest X-ray to look for lumps, abnormalities, 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 blood vessels and the heart, and a magnetic resonance imaging, also known as MRI test that uses radio waves and magnets to make a series of precise images of the inside of the body. Another way for doctors to detect mesothelioma is through a surgical biopsy. In a surgical biopsy doctors take a tiny piece of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum to be tested further. A pathologist then examines the tissue using a magnifying glass to determine whether it contains cancerous cells.

The type of mesothelial cells involved as well as the benign or malignant nature of these cells as well as the location, type and stage of the tumor, are used to categorize the disease. Some types of mesothelioma have a higher chance of metastasizing or spreading, so it's important to determine the type of mesothelioma so doctors can treat it prior to it becoming out-of-control.

Doctors can also run tests in the laboratory on tumors to determine specific proteins, genes or other elements that help them understand the cancer's characteristics and plan treatment. These results are called 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 mesothelioma patients live for years with the disease without it spreading to other parts of their body.

Exposure to asbestos law may cause mesothelioma in a number of ways. Asbestos fibers, which are too small to be felt or seen through the naked eye, can become airborne, irritating the lining of the lung (pleura). In time irritation leads to formation of scar tissue which causes changes in the cell structure which eventually lead to tumors.

The pleura is the area that surrounds the heart and lungs, as well as the abdomen. Mesothelium is made up of cells that respond when exposed to asbestos. They cause inflammation to the tissue and cause it to become scarred. These changes can result in malignant mesothelioma tumors.

Symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include breathlessness and chest pain as well as a buildup of fluid in the lungs (pleural effusion). In rare instances, the cancer can grow to the tissues surrounding the heart and reproductive organs.

A doctor will order biopsy if imaging scans reveal a possible lung tumor or stomach. During the procedure, doctors take a small sample of the fluid or tumor for laboratory tests. The results can confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis, and provide the best treatment plan.

There are many types of treatment for mesothelioma including chemotherapy and surgery. Most doctors utilize an amalgamation of these techniques. Patients could also benefit from enrolling in a clinical trial of new mesothelioma treatment. To find out more, patients should consult a mesothelioma specialist who has experience treating the condition.