This Is The Mesothelioma And Asbestos Case Study You'll Never Forget

Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that is found in long, thin fibres. People who are exposed to asbestos may develop lung diseases, such as mesothelioma.

The symptoms of these diseases might not be evident for a long time after exposure to asbestos. Different asbestos types may cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer that develops in the outer lung lining (pleura). It is the most common form of mesothelioma and accounts for 70% to 79% all diagnosed cases. Patients suffering from this condition feel chest pain and breath shortness and may experience a sensation of heaviness in the chest.

This type of cancer is typically caused by exposure to asbestos which is a collection of minerals that are made up of microscopic fibres. When inhaled, these fibers, 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 usually doesn't show symptoms until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

Shortness of breath and chest pain are the most common symptoms. Some patients may also suffer from chest tightness, coughing or difficulty breathing. People with this cancer have a history of disease that includes asbestos exposure at work. The most common jobs that put people at risk of developing pleural cancer are manufacturing, construction and shipbuilding. People who were in the military are at a greater risk due to the widespread use of asbestos in Navy vessels and Army bunkers.

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 effective treatment plan for them. For instance, patients who have mesothelioma pleural stage three or four have a worse prognosis than patients with a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma often spreads to the diaphragm, liver and/or 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 develops in the peritoneum - a membrane that lines the abdominal cavity and organs like the intestines and liver. Like pleural mesothelioma, asbestos exposure is the primary reason for peritoneal msothelioma. It is estimated that only 300-500 cases are diagnosed annually, which is less than pleural asbestosis.

Like pleural mesothelioma, the symptoms can take years to show. Typically, patients suffer from abdominal pain and a mass in the abdomen. Symptoms of this type of mesothelioma can also include nausea as well as weight loss and fever. A lot of these symptoms are similar to those experienced by gastrointestinal issues, which can cause confusion in diagnosis.

Typically, doctors can identify mesothelioma through an exhaustive health history and physical examination. Imaging tests like X-rays or CT scans are a way to detect mesothelioma. These tests can show tumors, as well as other indications of cancer that aren't apparent on an X-ray.

The results of these tests allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma, identify the stage and recommend treatment options. The staging is determined by the cell type and whether or the tumor has spread to other parts of the body.

The most important mesothelioma-related risk factor is exposure to asbestos. People who have worked in professions that involve asbestos, such as plumbing manufacturing, electrical work or construction, are at a higher risk of developing the disease. However, even if individuals do not work in these areas they could be exposed to asbestos through family members or other sources. Therefore, anyone who believes they could be at risk should talk to a doctor. A mesothelioma specialist can assist those who have 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 settlement can happen through work, military service, or living with those who worked with asbestos. When exposed to asbestos, the particles can be inhaled into the abdomen and lungs. The particles cause irritation to the linings, causing cancerous cells to grow in the mesothelium. After asbestos exposure mesothelioma can occur between 15 and 60 year.

Other risk factors include genetics, smoking and aging. People in their 40s and 50s are at a higher chance of developing mesothelioma to those who are younger or older. Mesothelioma can take between 20 and 60 years to show signs of cancer after the first exposure. It is important to note that mesothelioma can develop in those who have been exposed to asbestos without having worked with it directly. This is referred to as indirect or secondary asbestos exposure and can be just as harmful as direct asbestos exposure.

Smoking increases the risk of developing mesothelioma due to the fact that it causes mesothelium damage and makes it more susceptible to Asbestos Case. Mesothelioma is also aggravated by certain diseases, such as asbestosis and pneumonia. It is also important to note that mesothelioma is more prevalent for men than women. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos lawsuit for a longer time and work with asbestos for longer durations and to work with it. Men are also more likely to live with someone who worked with asbestos attorney and carry asbestos fibers from their workplace on their clothing. Women tend to have less exposure to asbestos litigation and do not typically carry asbestos on their clothes.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is a difficult disease to recognize because the symptoms are often similar to other diseases. Because of this, victims are sometimes wrongly diagnosed.

The first step in diagnosing mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform an examination of the body and take down a patient's medical history which includes asbestos exposure. Doctors may also order an X-ray chest or CT scan to check for lumps and other abnormalities as well as evidence of previous asbestos exposure like pleural plaques (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the formation of fluid between the lung and the chest wall (known as pleural effusion).

Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI test, which uses radio waves and magnets in order to produce a series of precise images of the inside of the body. Another way doctors can diagnose mesothelioma is to perform the procedure of a surgical biopsy. In a surgical biopsy doctors will remove a small part of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum, to be further examined. A pathologist will then look at the tissue with a magnifying lens to determine if it is a cancerous cells.

The mesothelial type involved and the benign or malignant nature of those cells as well as the location and stage of the tumour, are used to classify the disease. Certain types of mesothelioma are at an increased risk of spreading or metastasizing, so it's important to establish a clear diagnosis so that doctors can treat it before it becomes out-of-control.

Doctors can also perform tests in the lab on tumors to determine specific genes, proteins or other factors that can help them describe cancer characteristics and plan treatment. These results are referred to as staging.

Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnosis can be a frightening prospect. However, it's important to remember that the disease is treatable, particularly in its earlier stages. Many people with mesothelioma live for many years without the disease spreading to other parts of their body.

Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma in many ways. Asbestos fibers, too small to detect or feel with the naked eye, can be airborne and cause irritation to the lung's lining (pleura). In time the irritation can lead to the formation of scar tissue and eventually tumors.

The pleura is a protective covering that protects the lungs, heart and abdomen. Mesothelium is made up of cells that react when exposed to asbestos. They cause inflammation to the tissue and cause it to become scarred. These changes eventually cause mesothelioma cancers.

Breathing problems, chest discomfort, or the accumulation of fluid on the lungs are all indications of pleural Msothelioma. In rare cases the cancer may spread to the tissues surrounding the heart and reproductive organs.

A doctor will order biopsy if scans show a potential tumor in the lungs or stomach. During the procedure doctors remove small amounts of fluid or tumor to allow for tests in the laboratory. The results can confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis and indicate the best treatment plan.

There are many types of mesothelioma treatments, which include chemotherapy, surgery, and immunotherapy. Most doctors utilize combinations of these treatments. Patients can also benefit by taking part in a clinical trial of new mesothelioma treatment. Patients can learn more about the trials by consulting a mesothelioma expert who has treated the disease.