The Mesothelioma And Asbestos Case Study You'll Never Forget

Mesothelioma and Asbestos

asbestos lawsuit is a naturally occurring mineral that is found in thin, long fibres. Workers who are exposed asbestos on a regular basis risk developing mesothelioma and other lung diseases of different types.

It could take a long time for symptoms to show up after exposure to asbestos. Different asbestos types may cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma, a form of cancer, that develops in the outer lung liner (pleura). It is the most prevalent type of mesothelioma, making up 70 to 79% of diagnosed cases. This condition causes chest discomfort, shortness of breath, and a feeling of heavyness.

This type of cancer is typically caused through exposure to asbestos, which is a grouping of minerals that are comprised of microscopic fibres. Once inhaled, these fibers cling to the lungs and cause irritation that causes scarring and DNA mutations. Pleura is the lining of both the chest cavity and the lungs, so irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma is usually not symptomatic until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

The most commonly reported symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are chest pain and breath shortness. Some patients may also feel tightness in their chest, coughing or difficulty breathing. People with this cancer have a past that includes asbestos exposure at work. Manufacturing, construction, and shipbuilding are the most prevalent occupations that put people at a high risk of developing pleural mesothelioma. People who served in the military are at a greater risk due the widespread use of asbestos in Navy vessels and bunkers for the Army.

The TNM (tumors lymph nodes and metastases staging system) is the most common staging system used for the pleural cancer. The stage a patient is in when they are diagnosed will aid their doctor in determining the best treatment plan for them. Patients suffering from pleural mesothelioma who is in stage three or four will have a less favorable prognosis than those in a less advanced stage. Stage four mesothelioma is often spread to the diaphragm, the liver and/or a person's heart. This could make the cancer more difficult to treat and increase the chances of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

In contrast to pleural cancer, which forms in the lung's lining it develops in a membrane that covers the abdominal cavity, which includes organs like the intestines and liver. Like pleural mesothelioma, peritoneal mesothelioma is triggered by asbestos exposure. The disease is much less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma, and just 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.

As with pleural mesothelioma symptoms can take years to show. Most patients suffer from abdominal pain and a mass in the abdomen. This mesothelioma type can cause nausea, weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms are similar to those experienced by gastrointestinal issues, which can cause confusion in diagnosis.

Generally, doctors can find mesothelioma through an extensive health history and physical examination. They can also use imaging tests such as X-rays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to help find mesothelioma. These tests can reveal cancerous tumors or other indications of cancer that aren't apparent on an X-ray.

These test results allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma, determine the stage of the disease and suggest treatment options. The staging is determined by the cell type and whether or the cancer has spread to other regions of the body.

Asbestos exposure is the biggest risk factor. People who have worked in asbestos-related occupations, like electrical or plumbing work or in manufacturing and construction are more likely to develop the disease. Even if they do not work in these fields, they can still be exposed to asbestos through family members or through other sources. For this reason, anyone who is concerned that they might be at risk should speak to a doctor. If they have an history of exposure to asbestos or mesothelioma, a specialist can assist them in learning more about the risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos exposure is a major risk factor for mesothelioma, which accounts for as much as 80 percent of all cases. Exposure to asbestos case can happen through work, military service, or through living with a person who is exposed to asbestos case (click this) or was previously exposed to doing such. Asbestos particles can be breathed in by people who are exposed to asbestos. The particles cause irritation to the linings, causing cancerous cells to develop in the mesothelium. After asbestos exposure, mesothelioma may occur between 15 and 60 years old.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics, and age. People in their 40s and 50s are at a higher risk of developing mesothelioma as compared to people who are younger or more. It takes mesothelioma 20-60 years before it manifests cancer symptoms after the first exposure. It is important to remember that mesothelioma can be present in those who have been exposed to asbestos, but without having been directly exposed to it. This is called indirect or secondary exposure to asbestos, and it can be just as dangerous as direct exposure.

Smoking can increase the likelihood of developing mesothelioma since it causes mesothelium damage and makes it more vulnerable to asbestos. Furthermore, mesothelioma is worsened by certain diseases like asbestosis and pneumonia. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma 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 have lived with someone who worked with asbestos, and to carry asbestos fibers on their clothing. Women tend to have less contact with asbestos and do not typically carry asbestos compensation on their clothes.

Diagnosis

It is difficult to recognize mesothelioma due to its symptoms being often similar to other conditions. This could lead to patients being incorrectly diagnosed.

The first step in diagnosing mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform a physical exam and take notes on the medical history of a patient, including asbestos exposure. Doctors will also order a CT scan or chest X-ray to check for lumps, abnormalities and evidence of exposure to asbestos. These include plaques in the pleura, thickened pleura and calcium deposits.

Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram, which examines the heart and blood vessels, and a magnetic resonance imaging, also known as MRI test, which uses magnets and radio waves to make a series of detailed images of the inside of the body. A surgical biopsy is another method for doctors to identify mesothelioma. When a biopsy is performed doctors take a tiny piece of tissue from pleura or the peritoneum to be further examined. A pathologist can then examine the tissue with microscopes to determine if it is contaminated with cancerous cells.

The mesothelial type involved, the malignant or benign nature of the cells and the location the cancer, its type and the stage of the tumour, are used to classify the disease. Certain mesothelioma types have greater risk of spreading or metastasizing, so it's important to get a definitive diagnosis to ensure that the doctors can treat it prior to it becoming out of control.

Doctors may also conduct tests in the laboratory on tumors to determine specific proteins, genes or other factors that can help them describe cancer characteristics and determine the best treatment. These results are called staging.

Treatment

A diagnosis of mesothelioma may be terrifying. It is important to remember, however, that cancer can be treated especially at its early stages. Many patients with mesothelioma endure the disease for many years without it spreading.

Exposure to asbestos may cause mesothelioma in a number of ways. Asbestos fibers, which are tiny enough to be felt or observed through the naked eye are able to become airborne, irritating the lining of the lung (pleura). As time passes the irritation can lead to the formation of scar tissue that eventually result in tumors.

The Pleura is a protective layer that covers the lungs, heart and abdomen. Mesothelium is composed of cells that react to exposure to asbestos, causing it to inflame and create scar tissue. In time, these changes can cause the development of malignant mesothelioma tumors.

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

If scans of imaging reveal an underlying mass in the stomach or lungs doctors will recommend biopsies. During the procedure, doctors take small amounts of the fluid or tumor for laboratory testing. The results can confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma, and also determine the most effective treatment plan.

There are many types of mesothelioma treatment, including surgery, chemotherapy and immunotherapy. Most doctors utilize the combination of these treatments. Enrolling in clinical trials of new mesothelioma treatment may also be beneficial to patients. To find out more, patients should speak to mesothelioma experts who have had experience treating the disease.