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

Mesothelioma and Asbestos

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

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

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer of the outer lung lining, also known as pleura. It is the most common mesothelioma form and accounts for 70% to 79% of all diagnosed cases. People with 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 family of minerals made of microscopic fibers, typically causes this type of cancer. Once inhaled, the fibers stick inside the lungs and cause irritation that results in scarring and DNA mutations. Pleura covers both the chest cavity as well as the lungs, which means that irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma symptoms are usually not apparent until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

The most commonly reported symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include chest discomfort and shortness of breath. Some patients have coughing problems, trouble breathing, or chest tightness. Patients with this cancer have a past that includes asbestos exposure at work. The most frequent jobs that expose workers to the risk of developing pleural mesothelioma are construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding. Individuals who have been in the military may be at an especially high risk due to the frequent use of asbestos in Navy ships and bunkers for the army.

The most commonly used staging method for pleural mesothelioma is the TNM (tumor, lymph nodes and metastases) staging system. The stage that a patient is in at the moment of diagnosis will determine the treatment plan they should receive. For instance, patients who have mesothelioma that is pleural in stage three or four have a less favorable prognosis than patients with a lower stage. Mesothelioma in stage four is usually spread to the diaphragm, liver and/or a person's heart. This can make the cancer more difficult to treat, and increase the chances of complications for patients.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

In contrast to 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 like the liver and intestines. Similar to pleural mesothelioma and peritoneal mesothelioma can be caused by asbestos exposure. The disease is less common than pleural mesothelioma, with just 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.

Like pleural mesothelioma, symptoms can take a long time to manifest. The majority of patients suffer from abdominal pain and an abdominal mass. This type of mesothelioma may cause nausea, weight loss and fever. A lot of these symptoms are similar to those experienced by digestive problems, which can result in confusion in diagnosis.

Generally, doctors can find mesothelioma after an extensive health history and physical exam. Imaging tests like X-rays or CT scans can be used to identify mesothelioma. These tests can reveal cancerous tumors or other indications of cancer that aren't visible on X-rays.

These test results enable doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and establish the stage. They can also recommend treatment options. The stage is determined by the kind of cell and if the cancer has spread.

The most important mesothelioma risk factor is asbestos exposure. People who have been exposed to asbestos in occupations, like electrical or plumbing work, or in construction, manufacturing and manufacturing are more likely to contract the disease. Even if an individual isn't employed in any of these areas, he or she can be exposed to asbestos to asbestos through family members and other sources. Therefore, anyone who suspects they may be at risk should speak to an experienced doctor. If they have a history of asbestos exposure, 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 as much as 80percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos may occur as a result of work, military service, or through living with a person who works with asbestos or used to do so. When exposed to asbestos attorney, particles can be inhaled into the lungs and abdomen. They can cause irritation to the linings of the abdomen and can cause cancerous cells to develop in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma may take between 15 and 60 years to develop following exposure to asbestos.

Other risk factors include genetics, smoking and age. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely get mesothelioma than people younger or older. This is because mesothelioma usually takes 20 to 60 years from the first exposure to asbestos before the first signs of cancer appear. It is also important to note that mesothelioma can develop in those who were exposed to asbestos, but did not engage directly with it. This is known as secondary or indirect asbestos exposure, and is as hazardous as direct asbestos exposure.

Smoking increases a person's chances of developing mesothelioma due to the fact that it damages the mesothelium, which makes it more vulnerable to asbestos legal. Mesothelioma can also be aggravated by certain illnesses such as asbestosis and pneumonia. It is also important to remember that mesothelioma is more prevalent for men than women. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for a longer period of time and to work with asbestos for longer durations and to work with it. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who worked with asbestos, and to have asbestos fibers on their clothing. Women tend to have less exposure to asbestos and don't typically carry asbestos attorney around on their clothes.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is difficult to identify because the symptoms often resemble other conditions. This is why patients are often wrongly diagnosed.

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

Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance scan, or MRI test, which uses magnets and radio waves in order to produce a series of precise images of inside the body. Another method doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma is to perform a surgical biopsy. When a biopsy is performed, doctors remove a tiny part of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum, to be further examined. A pathologist can then examine the tissue using a magnifying glass to determine if it is a cancerous cell.

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

Doctors can also run tests in the laboratory on tumors to determine particular proteins, genes and other factors which can help them identify the cancer's characteristics and plan treatment. These results are called staging.

Treatment

A diagnosis of mesothelioma may be frightening. However, it is important to remember that the cancer can be treated, particularly in its early stages. Many patients with mesothelioma survive for many years with the disease without it spreading to other parts of their body.

Exposure to asbestos may cause mesothelioma in a number of ways. Asbestos fibers, which are tiny enough to be felt or seen by naked eyes are able to become airborne and irritate the lung's lining (pleura). In time the irritation causes the formation of scar tissues and eventually tumors.

The pleura surrounds the heart and lungs, as well as the abdomen. Mesothelium is composed of cells that react to asbestos case and cause it to enflame and develop scar tissue. These changes can result in malignant mesothelioma tumors.

A 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 be spread to the tissues around the heart and reproductive organs.

A doctor will order biopsy if imaging scans show the possibility of a lung tumor or stomach. The procedure involves the removal of a small amount of liquid or tumor for lab tests. The results will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and determine the best treatment plan.

There are a variety of mesothelioma treatment options, including surgery, chemotherapy and immunotherapy. The majority of doctors use an amalgamation of these techniques. Participating in clinical trials of new mesothelioma treatment may also be beneficial for patients. To find out more, patients should speak to mesothelioma specialists who have expertise in treating the condition.