The Three Greatest Moments In Mesothelioma And Asbestos History

Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos is a natural mineral that comes in long, thin fibres. Workers who are exposed asbestos on a regular basis are at risk of developing mesothelioma or other types of lung diseases.

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

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma is a type of cancer that occurs in the lung's outer liner (pleura). It is the most prevalent mesothelioma that accounts for up 70 to 79% of all diagnosed cases. This condition causes chest pain, breath shortness and a feeling weightiness.

Exposure to asbestos, a family of minerals comprised of microscopic fibers, typically causes this type of cancer. When inhaled, these fibers can cause irritation and DNA mutations. Pleura is the lining of 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 frequent symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are chest pain and breath shortness. Some patients also experience difficulty breathing, or chest tightness. People with this cancer often have a history of exposure to asbestos in the workplace. The most frequent jobs that put people at risk of developing pleural cancer are construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding. Individuals who have been in the military may be at a higher risk due to the widespread asbestos usage in Navy vessels and bunkers used by the army.

The TNM (tumors, lymph nodes, and metastases staging system) is the most popular staging system used for the pleural adenocarcinoma. The stage a patient has when they are diagnosed will help their doctor determine the most appropriate treatment plan for them. Patients suffering from pleural mesothelioma who is in stage three or four will suffer a more negative outlook than those in a less advanced stage. Stage four mesothelioma often spreads to the diaphragm, liver or even the heart of a patient. This makes it more difficult to treat and increases the likelihood of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Unlike pleural mesothelioma, which is a lung-lining cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma is found in the peritoneum, an elongated membrane that covers the abdominal cavity as well as organs like the intestines and the liver. Like pleural mesothelioma, peritoneal mesothelioma is triggered by asbestos exposure. It is estimated that only 300-500 cases are diagnosed each year, which is less than pleural asbestosis.

As with pleural asbestosis symptoms can take years to show. Patients generally suffer from abdominal pain and may have a mass in their abdomen. The symptoms of this kind of mesothelioma may also include nausea as well as weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms can be misinterpreted as gastrointestinal issues which can lead to a mistaken diagnosis.

Doctors can identify mesothelioma by looking over the medical history of the patient and performing a physical examination. Imaging tests like X-rays and CT scans are a way to detect mesothelioma. These tests can detect tumors and other cancer signs which aren't visible on X-rays.

These test results enable doctors to identify mesothelioma, and determine the stage. They also offer treatments. The stage of the disease is determined based on the type of cell and whether or whether the cancer has spread to other areas of the body.

Asbestos exposure is the most important risk factor. People who have been in occupations that require asbestos, like plumbing, electrical work, manufacturing or construction, are at increased risk of developing the disease. Even if an individual is not employed in one of these fields however, they may be exposed to asbestos to asbestos through family members and other sources. Anyone who believes they are at risk should talk to a doctor. A mesothelioma expert can help those who have had a experience with asbestos to understand more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos exposure is a major risk factor for mesothelioma accounting for up to 80 percent of all cases. Exposure to asbestos can occur through work, military service, or by living with a person who is exposed to asbestos or was previously exposed to doing so. When exposed to asbestos, particles can be breathed into the abdomen and lungs. These irritate the linings and trigger cancerous cells to develop in the mesothelium. Following exposure to asbestos mesothelioma is likely to occur between 15 and 60 years.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and age. People in their 40s and 50s are more at chance of developing mesothelioma to those who are younger or older. This is because mesothelioma usually takes 20 to 60 years from the initial exposure before symptoms of cancer begin to manifest. It is important to remember that mesothelioma can develop in those who were exposed to asbestos, but did not work with it directly. This is referred to as secondary or indirect asbestos exposure. It can be as hazardous as direct asbestos exposure.

Smoking increases the risk of mesothelioma, as it damages the mesothelium. It also makes it more prone to. Mesothelioma can also be aggravated by certain illnesses, including asbestosis and pneumonia. It is also important to know that mesothelioma occurs more frequently in males than females. This is because men are more likely to be exposed to asbestos and endure a an extended period of exposure than women. Men are also more likely to live with someone who had asbestos exposure and bring asbestos fibers from their workplace on their clothes. Women are less likely to be exposed to asbestos, and they are less likely to carry asbestos on their clothes.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is a difficult disease to identify because the symptoms are often similar to other diseases. Due to this, patients are sometimes mistakenly diagnosed.

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

Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram, which examines the blood vessels and the heart as well as a magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI test that uses magnets and radio waves to create precise images of the inside of the body. A surgical biopsy is a different way for doctors to diagnose mesothelioma. When a biopsy is performed doctors take a tiny part of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum to be tested further. A pathologist can then look at the tissue under microscopes to determine whether it contains cancerous cells.

Mesothelioma is classified based on the mesothelial type involved, whether these cells are malignant or benign and the location of the tumor, the type, and the stage of the tumor. Some types of mesothelioma are more likely to spread or metastasize which is why it is crucial to get a definite diagnosis so doctors can treat the disease before it goes out of control.

Doctors may also conduct tests in the laboratory on a tumor to find particular proteins, genes and other factors that help them understand the cancer's characteristics and plan treatment. These results are referred to as staging.

Treatment

A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be terrifying. It is important to keep in mind that cancer can be treated, particularly in its early stages. Many people with mesothelioma live for a long time without the disease spreading to other organs of their body.

Asbestos exposure can cause mesothelioma by various mechanisms. Asbestos fibers, 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, the irritation causes the formation of scar tissue, which can cause changes in the structure of cells that eventually develop into tumors.

The pleura covers the lungs and the heart and also the abdomen. Mesothelium consists of cells that respond when exposed to asbestos. They cause inflammation of the tissue and cause it to become scarred. As time passes, these changes result in the growth of malignant mesothelioma tumors.

Symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include breathing problems and chest pain as well as the accumulation of fluid on the lungs (pleural effusion). In rare instances, the cancer can spread to the tissues surrounding the heart and reproductive organs.

A doctor will request biopsy if scans show the possibility of a tumor in the lungs or stomach. During the procedure doctors remove small amounts of fluid or tumor for lab tests. The results will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma, and also determine the best treatment option.

There are many types of treatment for mesothelioma, including surgery and chemotherapy. Most doctors use a combination of these treatments. Enrolling in  West Jordan asbestos lawsuits  of new mesothelioma treatment may also be beneficial to patients. Patients can learn more about the trials by consulting a mesothelioma expert who has treated the condition.