The Mesothelioma And Asbestos Case Study You'll Never Forget

Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that is made up of thin, long fibres. People who are exposed to asbestos on a regular basis risk developing mesothelioma and other types of lung diseases.

It can take years before symptoms begin to manifest after asbestos lawsuit exposure. Different asbestos types may cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma occurs in the outer lung lining, also known as the pleura. It is the most common mesothelioma that accounts for up between 70 and 79% of diagnosed cases. Patients with this disease experience pain in the chest and breath shortness and may experience a sensation of heaviness in the chest.

Exposure to asbestos, a class of minerals comprised of microscopic fibers, usually causes this kind of cancer. These fibers, when inhaled can cause irritation and DNA mutations. Pleura surrounds both the chest cavity as well as the lungs, which means that irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma symptoms typically don't show until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

The most commonly reported symptoms of pleural melanoma are chest discomfort and shortness of breath. Patients may also experience coughing, difficulty breathing, or chest tightness. People with this cancer have a past that includes asbestos case exposure at work. The most prevalent jobs that put people at risk of developing pleural cancer are construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding. People who have served in the military are at an especially high risk due to the frequent asbestos lawyer use in Navy vessels and bunkers for the army.

The TNM (tumors lymph nodes, tumors, and metastases staging system) is the most commonly used staging system for the pleural adenocarcinoma. The stage a patient is in when they are diagnosed will assist their doctor in determining the best treatment plan for them. Patients suffering from pleural mesothelioma who is in stage three or stage four will have a less favorable prognosis than those in a less advanced stage. Mesothelioma in stage four can be spread to the liver, heart, or diaphragm. This makes the cancer more difficult to treat and increase the chance of complications for patients.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Unlike pleural mesothelioma, which is a lung-lining cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma develops in the peritoneum -- an elongated membrane that covers the abdominal cavity and organs such as the intestines and the liver. Similar to pleural mesothelioma mesothelioma is triggered by asbestos exposure. The disease is less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma, with only about 300-500 cases diagnosed each year.

Like pleural mesothelioma, the symptoms can take a long time to manifest. Typically, patients suffer from abdominal pain and a mass in the abdomen. The symptoms of this kind of mesothelioma could also include nausea as well as weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms are similar to those experienced by gastrointestinal issues, which can cause incorrect diagnosis.

Doctors can detect 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 reveal tumors and other indications of cancer that aren't visible on an X-ray.

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

The most important mesothelioma-related risk factor is exposure to asbestos. People who have been in occupations that require asbestos, such as plumbing or manufacturing, electrical work, or construction, are at increased risk of developing the disease. Even if someone is not employed in one of these areas, he or she can be exposed to asbestos to asbestos case through family members and other sources. This is why anyone who suspects they may be at risk should speak to a doctor. A mesothelioma specialist can help those with 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 through military service, work, or living with those who worked with asbestos. Asbestos particles can be breathed in by those who are exposed to it. They can cause irritation to the linings of the abdomen and trigger cancerous cells to develop in the mesothelium. After exposure to asbestos mesothelioma can develop between 15 and 60 year.

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 to show signs of cancer after the first exposure. It is important to remember that mesothelioma is a possibility in people who have been exposed to asbestos but did not work with it directly. This is called indirect or secondary exposure to asbestos, and it can be just as dangerous as direct exposure.

Smoking increases a person's chances of getting mesothelioma because it damages the mesothelium, which makes it more vulnerable to asbestos. Mesothelioma is also aggravated by certain diseases, such as asbestosis and pneumonia. It is also important to know that mesothelioma is more common in males than females. This is due to the fact that men are more likely to work with asbestos and have more exposure than women. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who had worked with asbestos, and to have asbestos fibers on their clothing. Women are less likely to be exposed to asbestos, and they don't usually bring asbestos home on their clothes.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is difficult to diagnose because the symptoms are often similar to other diseases. Because of this, victims are often mistakenly diagnosed.

NYU Langone doctors will perform physical examinations and document the patient's medical history, including asbestos exposure. Doctors can also request a chest X-ray or CT scan to look for lumps or other abnormalities, and also to look for evidence of asbestos exposure in the past such as plaques in the pleura (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the buildup of fluid between the lung and chest wall (known as the pleural effusion).

Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram, which examines the heart and blood vessels and magnetic resonance imaging, also known as MRI test, which uses radio waves and magnets to create detailed images of the inside of 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 tested further. A pathologist can then examine the tissue using a magnifying glass to determine if it is a cancerous cells.

The type of mesothelial cell involved and the benign or malignant nature of the cells as well as the location and stage of the tumor, are used to categorize the disease. Some types of mesothelioma have a higher chance of metastasizing or spreading and it's crucial to establish a clear diagnosis so doctors can treat it before it gets out of control.

Doctors may also conduct tests in the laboratory on tumors to determine specific genes, proteins, or other factors that help them understand the characteristics of cancer and plan treatment. These results are referred to as staging.

Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnose can be terrifying. However, it is important to remember that the cancer is treatable, particularly in its earlier stages. Many patients with mesothelioma be afflicted for a long time without expanding.

Exposure to asbestos can trigger mesothelioma in many ways. Asbestos fibres, small enough to not be felt or viewed by naked eyes are able to become airborne and irritate the lung's lining (pleura). As time passes, the irritation leads to the formation of scar tissue, which eventually lead to tumors.

The Pleura is a covering that covers the lungs, heart and abdomen. Mesothelium is composed of cells that react to asbestos and cause it to enflame and form scar tissue. Overtime, these changes cause the development of malignant mesothelioma cancers.

A shortness of breath, chest discomfort, or the accumulation of fluid on the lungs are all symptoms of the pleural mesothelioma. In rare instances cancer may spread to the tissues around the reproductive organs and the heart.

A doctor may request a biopsy if imaging scans show the possibility of a lung tumor or stomach. The procedure involves the removal of a small amount of fluid or tumor for tests in the laboratory. The results will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and help determine the most effective treatment plan.

There are many types of mesothelioma treatment, including chemotherapy, surgery and immunotherapy. The majority of doctors employ combinations of these treatments. Enrolling in clinical trials of new mesothelioma treatment may also be beneficial for patients. Patients can learn more by consulting a mesothelioma specialist who has treated the condition.