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

Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos is a mineral that occurs naturally in the form of thin, long fibers. Workers who are regularly exposed to asbestos are at risk of developing lung diseases like mesothelioma.

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

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma occurs in the lung's outer lining or the pleura. It is the most common mesothelioma type and is responsible for 70 to 79% of all diagnosed cases. The condition can cause chest pain, shortness of breathe and a feeling weightiness.

This kind of cancer is often caused by exposure to asbestos litigation which is a collection of minerals that are composed of microscopic fibers. When inhaled, these fibers cling to the lung and cause irritation that leads to scarring and DNA mutations. The pleura covers the lungs and chest cavity This means that these irritations can affect both the lungs as well as the heart of a person. Mesothelioma symptoms typically don't show until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

Chest pain and shortness breath are the most common symptoms. Some patients also experience difficulty breathing or chest tightness. Patients with this cancer have a past that includes asbestos exposure at work. Manufacturing, construction and shipbuilding are among the most prevalent jobs that put people at a high risk of developing pleural mesothelioma. People who have worked in the military are at risk due to the widespread use of asbestos in Navy ships and bunkers for the army.

The TNM (tumors lymph nodes, tumors, and metastases staging system) is the most popular staging system used to treat the pleural cancer. The stage the patient is in at the moment of diagnosis will determine what treatment plan they should follow. For example, patients with mesothelioma pleural stage three or four have a less favorable prognosis than those with a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma may spread to the liver, heart or diaphragm. This makes the cancer more difficult to treat, and increase the chance of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Unlike pleural cancer, which is found in the lung's lining, peritoneal cancer develops in the membrane that covers the abdominal cavity, including organs such as the liver and intestines. Like pleural mesothelioma, peritoneal mesothelioma is triggered by asbestos exposure. The disease is less common than pleural mesothelioma, and just 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.

As with pleural asbestosis symptoms can take years to manifest. Patients generally have abdominal pain, and may have a mass in their abdomen. This type of mesothelioma may cause nausea, weight loss, and fever. Many of these symptoms can be misinterpreted as digestive issues and can lead to a false diagnosis.

Doctors can detect mesothelioma by looking over the medical history of the patient and performing a physical exam. They may also employ imaging tests like X-rays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to identify mesothelioma. These tests can identify tumors and other cancer signs which aren't evident on X-rays.

These tests enable doctors to diagnose mesothelioma, determine the stage of the disease and suggest treatment options. Staging is determined based on the type of cell and whether or not the cancer has spread to other parts of the body.

The most important mesothelioma-related risk factor is asbestos exposure. People who have worked in asbestos-related jobs, such as electrical or plumbing work, or in manufacturing and construction, are more likely to develop the disease. Even if a person is not employed in one of these fields they could still be exposed through family members or other sources. Therefore, anyone who believes they could be at risk should speak to an expert. A mesothelioma expert can help those who have a experience with asbestos to understand more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos exposure is the main risk factor for mesothelioma, which accounts for as much as 80 percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos may occur as a result of military service, work or living with those who worked with asbestos. asbestos litigation particles can be inhaled by those who are exposed to asbestos. They can cause irritation to the linings of the abdomen and can cause cancerous cells to form in the mesothelium. After exposure to asbestos, mesothelioma may develop between 15 and 60 years old.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics, and the advancing age. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely to develop mesothelioma than those who are younger or more senior. Mesothelioma can take between 20 and 60 years to manifest cancer symptoms after the first exposure. It is important to remember that mesothelioma could occur in people who have been exposed to asbestos, but without having directly worked with it. This is known as indirect or secondary asbestos exposure, and is as hazardous as direct asbestos exposure.

Smoking increases the risk of getting mesothelioma because it damages the mesothelium, which makes it more vulnerable to asbestos case. Mesothelioma can also be caused by certain illnesses such as asbestosis and pneumonia. It is also important to note that mesothelioma is more common in men than women. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for longer periods of time and work with it. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who worked with asbestos and to have asbestos-containing fibers on their clothing. Women are less likely to be exposed to asbestos legal and they are less likely to bring asbestos home on their clothing.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is a difficult cancer to diagnose because the symptoms often resemble other diseases. This can result in patients being incorrectly diagnosed.

The first step in diagnosing mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform an examination and write note of the medical history of the patient including asbestos exposure. Doctors can also request an X-ray chest or CT scan to detect lumps or other abnormalities, and also to look for evidence of past asbestos exposure such as 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 an echocardiogram which examines the heart and blood vessels as well as a magnetic resonance imaging, also known as MRI, test, which makes use of radio waves and magnets to make a series of detailed images of the inside of the body. A surgical biopsy is yet another method for doctors to identify mesothelioma. In a surgical biopsy doctors take a small amount of tissue from the peritoneum or pleura for further analysis. A pathologist is then able to examine the tissue under microscopes to determine whether it contains cancerous cells.

The type of mesothelial cells involved and the benign or malignant nature of these cells, as well as the location and stage of the cancer are used to classify the disease. Certain types of mesothelioma are more likely to spread or metastasize, so it is important to have a clear diagnosis to ensure that doctors are able to treat the disease before it goes out of control.

Doctors can also run tests in the lab on a tumor to find particular proteins, genes and other factors that can help them describe the characteristics of the cancer and determine a treatment. These results are known as staging.

Treatment

A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be frightening. It is important to remember, however, that cancer can be treated, particularly in its early stages. Many patients with mesothelioma survive for a long time with the disease without it spreading to other areas of their body.

Exposure to asbestos may cause mesothelioma in a number of ways. Asbestos fibers, too small to detect or feel through the naked eye, can become airborne and irritate the lung's lining (pleura). In time the irritation causes the formation of scar tissues and eventually tumors.

The pleura is the area that surrounds the lungs and heart and also the abdomen. Mesothelium consists of cells that react to asbestos and cause it to enflame and form scar tissue. Overtime, these changes cause the development of malignant mesothelioma tumors.

The signs of pleural mesothelioma can include shortness of breath and chest pain, or an accumulation of fluid in the lung (pleural effusion). In rare cases, cancer can spread into the tissues that surround the reproductive organs and heart.

If imaging scans reveal a possible mass in the stomach or lungs the doctor will request a biopsies. During the procedure doctors remove some of the fluid or tumor to allow for lab tests. The results will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma, and also determine the best treatment option.

There are a variety of treatment for mesothelioma, including chemotherapy and surgery. Most doctors utilize combinations of these treatments. Patients can also benefit by participating in a clinical study of new mesothelioma therapies. To find out more, patients should consult mesothelioma specialists who have had experience treating the disease.