Mesothelioma and asbestos Case

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

Symptoms of these diseases may not manifest for years after exposure to asbestos. Different asbestos types may cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma occurs in the lung's outer lining also known as the pleura. It is the most common mesothelioma that accounts for up 70% to 79% of diagnosed cases. The condition can cause chest discomfort, shortness of breath and a feeling of weightiness.

Exposure to asbestos, a family of minerals composed of microscopic fibers causes this type of cancer. These fibers, when inhaled cause irritation 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 usually don't appear until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

Shortness of breath and chest pain are the most frequent symptoms. Some patients may also feel tightness in their chest and coughing, or breathing difficulties. Patients with this type of cancer typically have an history of exposure to asbestos in the workplace. Construction, manufacturing, and shipbuilding are the most prevalent jobs that put people at high danger of developing pleural melanoma. People who have served in the military may be at an especially high risk due to the frequent use of asbestos in Navy vessels and army bunkers.

The most commonly used staging system for pleural mysothelioma has been the TNM (tumor lymph nodes, lymph nodes and metastases) staging system. The stage a patient is in at the time of diagnosis can help determine what treatment plan they will receive. For instance, patients suffering from mesothelioma pleural stage three or four have a less favorable prognosis than those with a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma is often spread to the liver, diaphragm or even a person's heart. This could make the cancer more difficult to treat and increase the risk of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

In contrast to pleural mesothelioma which develops in the lung lining, peritoneal mesothelioma develops in the peritoneum - an elongated membrane that covers the abdominal cavity and organs such as the intestines and liver. Like pleural mesothelioma, peritoneal mesothelioma is triggered by asbestos exposure. It is estimated that only 300-500 cases are diagnosed each year this is less than the pleural asbestosis.

As with pleural asbestosis symptoms can take years to show. Typically, patients are afflicted with abdominal pain as well as an abdominal mass. Symptoms of this type of mesothelioma can also include nausea, weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms are similar to symptoms of digestive problems, which can lead to misdiagnosis.

Doctors can identify mesothelioma by examining the patient's medical history and performing a physical exam. Imaging tests like X-rays and CT scans can be used to detect mesothelioma. These tests can reveal cancerous tumors or other indications of cancer that aren't apparent on an X-ray.

These tests enable doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and determine the stage. They also offer treatments. The stage of the disease is determined based on the type of cells and whether or not the cancer has spread to other regions of the body.

The most significant risk factor for mesothelioma is asbestos attorney exposure. People who have been in occupations that require asbestos, such as plumbing electrical work, manufacturing or construction, are at a higher risk of developing the disease. Even if someone is not employed in any of these areas however, they may still be exposed through family members and other sources. Anyone who suspects that they are at risk should consult a doctor. A mesothelioma specialist can assist those with a history with asbestos to learn more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos exposure is the primary 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. When exposed to asbestos, small particles can be inhaled into the abdomen and lungs. These particles can cause irritation to the linings and cause cancerous cells to form in the mesothelium. After asbestos exposure mesothelioma can occur between 15 and 60 years.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics, and the advancing age. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely be diagnosed with mesothelioma compared to those who are younger or more senior. It takes mesothelioma 20-60 years to manifest cancer symptoms after the first exposure. It is also important to know that mesothelioma can develop in those who were exposed to asbestos but didn't engage directly with it. This is called indirect or secondary exposure to asbestos law. It can be just as dangerous as direct exposure.

Smoking can increase the likelihood of developing mesothelioma since it damages the mesothelium and makes it more prone to asbestos. Mesothelioma is also aggravated by certain illnesses, including asbestosis and pneumonia. It is also important to note that mesothelioma is more prevalent in males than females. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for a longer period of time and to have worked with it. Additionally, men are more likely to live with someone who had asbestos exposure and bring stray asbestos fibers home on their clothing. Women tend to have less contact with asbestos and do not typically carry asbestos home on their clothes.

Diagnosis

It is difficult to recognize mesothelioma since its symptoms are often similar to other diseases. This can lead to victims being wrongly diagnosed.

NYU Langone doctors will perform physical examinations and document the patient's medical background, including asbestos exposure. Doctors will also order a CT scan or chest X-ray to look for lumps, abnormalities 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 imaging, or MRI test, which uses radio waves and magnets in order to create a series detailed images of inside the body. A surgical biopsy is a different way for doctors to diagnose mesothelioma. In a surgical biopsy doctors will remove a small part of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum, to be examined further. A pathologist can then look at the tissue under microscopes to determine whether it has cancerous cells.

Mesothelioma is classified according to the type of mesothelial cell involved, whether these cells are benign or malignant, and the location, type, and stage of the cancer. Certain mesothelioma types have an increased risk of spreading or metastasizing and it's crucial to get a definitive diagnosis to ensure that the doctors can treat it prior to it becoming out-of-control.

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

Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnosis can be an incredibly frightening prospect. But, it is crucial to keep in mind that the cancer is treatable, particularly in its early stages. Many mesothelioma patients live for years without the disease spreading to other organs of their body.

Exposure to asbestos may cause mesothelioma through a variety of ways. Asbestos fibers, which are tiny enough to be felt or viewed by naked eyes, can become airborne, irritating the lining of the lung (pleura). Over time irritation leads to formation of scar tissue, which causes changes in the structure of cells that eventually develop into tumors.

The pleura covers the lungs and the heart and the abdomen. Mesothelium is made up of cells that respond when exposed to asbestos. They cause inflammation to the tissue and cause it to become scarred. In time, these changes can lead to the development of malignant mesothelioma tumors.

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

A doctor may request biopsy if imaging scans reveal a possible tumor in the lungs or stomach. In the course of the procedure, doctors remove some of the fluid or tumor for lab tests. The results can confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and determine the most effective treatment plan.

There are many types of mesothelioma treatment, including surgery, chemotherapy and immunotherapy. The majority of doctors employ a combination of these treatments. Patients can also benefit by enrolling in a clinical trial of new mesothelioma treatment. Patients can learn more by consulting a mesothelioma expert who has treated the disease.