10 Facts About Mesothelioma And Asbestos That Will Instantly Put You In A Good Mood

Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that is made up of thin, long fibres. Workers who are regularly exposed to asbestos risk developing lung diseases, such as mesothelioma.

It can take years for symptoms to show up after exposure to asbestos. Different types of asbestos can cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer of the outer lung lining, also known as the pleura. It is the most frequent mesothelioma that accounts for up between 70 and 79% of diagnosed cases. The condition can cause chest pain, shortness of breathe and a feeling heaviness.

Exposure to asbestos, a group of minerals comprised of microscopic fibers causes this kind of cancer. When inhaled, these fibers, cause irritation and DNA mutations. The pleura surrounds the lungs and chest cavity and therefore, these irritations could affect both the lungs and the heart of a person. Mesothelioma usually doesn't show symptoms until 30 to 50 year after exposure.

The most frequent symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are chest discomfort and shortness of breath. Patients may also experience chest tightness, coughing or difficulty breathing. People with this cancer have a history that includes asbestos exposure at work. The most frequent jobs that expose people to the risk of developing pleural cancer are manufacturing, construction and shipbuilding. Individuals who have served in the military are at greater risk due the frequent use of asbestos in Navy vessels and bunkers for the Army.

The most popular staging method for pleural mesothelioma is the TNM (tumor, lymph nodes and metastases) staging system. The stage that a patient is at when they are diagnosed will assist their doctor in determining the best treatment plan for them. Patients who have pleural mesothelioma which is in stage three or four will have a worse prognosis than those in a less advanced stage. Stage four mesothelioma is often spread to the liver, diaphragm or even a person's heart. This can make the cancer more difficult to treat, and increase the risk of complications for patients.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Contrary to pleural cancer which forms in the lining of the lung, peritoneal cancer develops in a membrane that covers the abdominal cavity, which includes organs like the intestines and the liver. Similar to pleural mesothelioma and peritoneal mesothelioma is triggered by asbestos exposure. The disease is less common than pleural mesothelioma, and around 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.

As with pleural asbestosis symptoms can take several years to manifest. Patients generally experience abdominal pain, and may have a mass in their abdomen. The symptoms of this kind of mesothelioma can also include nausea or weight loss, as well as fever. A lot of these symptoms are similar to those of digestive issues, which could cause misdiagnosis.

Generally, doctors can find mesothelioma after an exhaustive health history and physical examination. They can also use imaging tests like X-rays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to identify mesothelioma. These tests can identify tumors and other signs of cancer that aren't visible on X-rays.

These tests enable doctors to diagnose mesothelioma, determine the stage of the disease and suggest treatment options. The stage is determined by the kind of cell and if the tumor has spread.

Asbestos exposure is the biggest risk factor. People who have worked in asbestos-containing professions, such as plumbing or electrical work, or in construction, manufacturing and manufacturing, are more likely to contract the disease. Even if someone is not employed in one of these areas however, they may still be exposed 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 finding out more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos is the main mesothelioma-related risk factor. It is responsible for up to 80% of all cases. Exposure to asbestos can occur through work, military service or by living with a person who is exposed to asbestos or was previously exposed to doing such. When exposed to asbestos, the particles can be inhaled into the abdomen and lungs. The particles cause irritation to the linings of the abdomen, which causes cancerous cells to form in the mesothelium. After asbestos exposure, mesothelioma may develop between 15 and 60 year.

Other risk factors include genetics, smoking and aging. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely to be diagnosed with mesothelioma compared to those who are younger or older. It is because mesothelioma generally takes 20 to 60 years from the initial exposure before cancer symptoms appear. It is also important to note that mesothelioma may develop in people who were exposed to asbestos but didn't work with it directly. This is known as secondary or indirect exposure to asbestos. It could be as hazardous as direct exposure.

Smoking increases a person's chances of developing mesothelioma due to the fact that it damages the mesothelium, which makes it more susceptible to asbestos. Furthermore, mesothelioma is exacerbated by certain illnesses like pneumonia and asbestosis. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than women. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for a longer time and to have worked with asbestos for longer periods of time. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who worked with asbestos, and to have asbestos fibers on their clothing. Women tend to be less exposed to asbestos and they don't usually bring asbestos home on their clothing.

Diagnosis

It is difficult to recognize mesothelioma since its symptoms are often similar to other diseases. This could lead to patients being incorrectly diagnosed.

The first step in diagnosing mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform an examination of the body and take notes on the medical history of a patient which includes asbestos exposure.  Upland asbestos attorney  will also recommend an CT scan or chest X-ray to look for abnormalities, lumps and evidence of asbestos exposure. These include pleural plaques, thickened pleura and calcium deposits.

Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance scan or MRI test, that uses radio waves and magnets to create a series detailed images of the insides 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 tested further. A pathologist is then able to examine the tissue under microscopes to determine if it has cancerous cells.

Mesothelioma is classified according to the type of mesothelial cells involved, whether those cells are benign or malignant, and the location, type, and stage of the tumor. Certain mesothelioma types have greater risk of spreading or metastasizing therefore it is essential to determine the type of mesothelioma so that doctors can treat it prior to it becoming out of control.

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

Treatment

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

Exposure to asbestos may cause mesothelioma in many ways. Asbestos fibres, tiny enough to be felt or viewed through the naked eye are able to become airborne and irritate the lung's lining (pleura). Over time the irritation can lead to the formation of scar tissues and eventually tumors.

The pleura covers the lungs and heart, as well as the abdomen. Mesothelium is composed of cells that respond when exposed to asbestos. They inflame the tissue and cause it to become scarred. As time passes, these changes result in the growth of malignant mesothelioma tumors.

Breathing problems, chest discomfort or fluid buildup on the lungs are all signs of the pleural msothelioma. In rare instances cancer can 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. During the procedure, doctors take small amounts of the fluid or tumor for laboratory testing. The results can confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis, and determine the best treatment option.

There are many types of mesothelioma treatment options, including chemotherapy, surgery and immunotherapy. The majority of doctors use the combination of these methods. Participating in clinical trials of mesothelioma treatments may be beneficial for patients. Patients can find out more by consulting a mesothelioma specialist who has treated the condition.