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 exposed asbestos on a regular basis are at risk of developing mesothelioma or other types of lung diseases.

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

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma, a form of cancer, that affects the outer lung the lining (pleura). It is the most frequent type of mesothelioma, making up between 70 and 79% of diagnosed cases. Patients suffering from this condition suffer from chest pain and breath shortness and may experience an ache or heaviness in the chest.

Exposure to asbestos, a family of minerals comprised of microscopic fibers, usually causes this kind of cancer. When inhaled, these fibers stick inside the lung and cause irritation which causes scarring and DNA mutations. Pleura covers both the chest cavity and the lungs, so irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma usually doesn't show symptoms until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

Chest pain and shortness breath are the most common symptoms. Patients may have coughing problems, trouble breathing, or chest tightness. Patients with this type of cancer have a past that includes asbestos exposure at work. Manufacturing, construction and shipbuilding are among the most frequent jobs which put people at risk chance of developing pleural mesothelioma. Individuals who have been in the military could be at a higher risk because of the extensive asbestos usage in Navy vessels and bunkers used by the army.

The most commonly used staging system for pleural mesothelioma is the TNM (tumor lymph nodes, lymph nodes and metastases) staging system. The stage a patient has when they are diagnosed will aid their doctor in determining the best treatment plan for them. Patients who have pleural mesothelioma which is in stage three or stage four will have a worse outlook than those in a less advanced stage. Mesothelioma in stage four can develop into the liver, heart or diaphragm. This can make it more difficult to treat and increases the chance of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Unlike pleural mesothelioma, which is a lung-lining cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma forms in the peritoneum -- an elongated membrane that covers the abdominal cavity as well as organs like the intestines and liver. As with pleural mesothelioma asbestos exposure is the primary cause of peritoneal mesothelioma. There are only 300-500 cases diagnosed annually this is less than pleural asbestosis.

Like pleural mesothelioma, the symptoms can take a long time to manifest. Most patients are afflicted with abdominal pain as well as an abdominal mass. Symptoms of this type of mesothelioma could also include nausea, weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms are similar to those of digestive problems, which can result in confusion in diagnosis.

Generally speaking, doctors can detect mesothelioma by conducting an exhaustive medical history and physical exam. Imaging tests like X-rays or CT scans can be used 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 identify mesothelioma, and determine the stage. They can also recommend treatment options. The stage of the disease is determined based on the type of cell and whether or the tumor has spread to other parts of the body.

Asbestos exposure is the main risk factor. People who have worked in asbestos-related professions, such as electrical or plumbing work or in construction and manufacturing, are more likely to develop the disease. However, even if individuals do not work in these areas they could be exposed to asbestos through family members or other sources. For this reason, anyone who believes they could be at risk should talk to an expert. If they have any history of exposure to asbestos, a mesothelioma specialist can assist them in learning more about the risk.

Risk Factors

asbestos litigation exposure is the primary risk factor for mesothelioma, which accounts for as much as 80 percent of all cases. Exposure to asbestos may occur due to military service, work or living with those who worked with asbestos. When exposed to asbestos, the particles can be breathed into the abdomen and lungs. These particles can cause irritation to the linings of the lungs, causing cancerous cells to develop in the mesothelium. Following exposure to asbestos mesothelioma can develop between 15 and 60 year.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and the advancing age. People in their 40s and 50s are at a higher risk of developing mesothelioma compared to those who are younger or older. It takes mesothelioma 20-60 years to manifest cancer symptoms after the first exposure. It is also important to note that mesothelioma may develop in people who were exposed to asbestos, but did not engage directly with it. This is known as indirect or secondary exposure to asbestos. It can be just as dangerous as direct exposure.

Smoking increases the risk of developing mesothelioma due to the fact that it causes mesothelium damage and makes it more vulnerable to asbestos case (visit the site). Mesothelioma can also be aggravated by certain illnesses such as asbestosis and pneumonia. It is also important to remember that mesothelioma is more common in males than females. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for a longer time and work with it. Men are also more likely to live with someone who has was exposed to asbestos and bring stray asbestos fibers home on their clothing. Women are less likely to come into contact with asbestos and don't typically carry asbestos home on their clothes.

Diagnosis

It is difficult to diagnose mesothelioma since its symptoms are often similar to other conditions. Because of this, victims are often wrongly diagnosed.

NYU Langone doctors will perform an examination of the body and document the patient's medical background, including asbestos exposure. Doctors can also order an X-ray of the chest or CT scan to detect lumps and other abnormalities as well as evidence of asbestos attorney exposure in the past like pleural plaques (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the buildup of fluid between the lung and chest wall (known as pleural effusion).

Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram which examines the blood vessels and the heart and magnetic resonance imaging, also known as MRI test that uses magnets and radio waves to create detailed images of the inside of the body. Another way for doctors to detect mesothelioma is to perform an operation called a biopsy. A surgical biopsy is when doctors remove a small amount of tissue from the peritoneum or pleura to conduct further tests. A pathologist can examine the tissue under a microscope to see if it contains cancerous cells.

The type of mesothelial cell 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 types of mesothelioma are at greater chance of metastasizing or spreading therefore it is essential to get a definitive diagnosis to ensure that the doctors can treat it before it becomes out-of-control.

Doctors may also conduct laboratory tests on tumors to determine specific genes, proteins or other elements which can help them identify the characteristics of cancer and plan treatment. These results are known as staging.

Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnosis is terrifying. It is important to remember that cancer can be treated particularly in its early stages. Many people with mesothelioma live for years with the disease without it spreading to other organs of their body.

Asbestos exposure can trigger mesothelioma via various mechanisms. Asbestos fibers, which are too small to see or feel by the naked eye can be airborne and cause irritation to the lining of the lungs (pleura). As time passes irritation can lead to formation of scar tissue, which causes changes in the structure of cells that can eventually grow into tumors.

The pleura is a protective covering that covers the abdomen, heart, and lungs. Mesothelium is made up of cells that respond when exposed to asbestos. They cause inflammation of the tissue and cause it to become scarred. As time passes, these changes cause the development of malignant mesothelioma cancers.

The symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are shortness of breath, chest pain or an accumulation of fluid on the lung (pleural effusion). In rare cases the cancer may grow to the tissues surrounding the heart and reproductive organs.

If imaging scans show a possible mass in the stomach or lungs, a doctor will order a biopsies. During the procedure, doctors will remove small amounts of the fluid or tumor for laboratory analysis. The results can confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis and provide the most effective treatment plan.

There are many types of mesothelioma treatment, including chemotherapy, surgery and immunotherapy. Most doctors utilize a combination of these methods. Patients can also benefit by participating in a clinical study of new mesothelioma treatment. To find out more, patients should consult mesothelioma experts who have expertise in treating the condition.