It's Time To Forget Mesothelioma And Asbestos: 10 Reasons Why You Do Not Need It

Mesothelioma and Asbestos

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

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

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer that occurs in the outer lung lining (pleura). It is the most frequent mesothelioma form and is responsible for 70 to 79% of diagnosed cases. This condition causes chest pain, shortness of breathe and a feeling heaviness.

Exposure to asbestos, a family of minerals composed of microscopic fibers, typically causes this type of cancer. Once inhaled, these fibers cling to the lungs and cause irritation that results in scarring and DNA mutations. The pleura covers the lungs and chest cavity, so these irritations can 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 common symptoms of pleural melanoma are chest discomfort and shortness of breath. Some patients have coughing problems, trouble breathing or chest tightness. People who suffer from this cancer usually have previous exposure to asbestos in the workplace. The most frequent jobs that expose people to the risk of developing pleural mesothelioma are construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding. People who have served in the military may be at risk due to the frequent asbestos use in Navy vessels and bunkers used by the army.

The TNM (tumors, lymph nodes, and metastases staging system) is the most common staging system for pleural adenocarcinoma. The stage a patient has upon diagnosis will help their doctor determine the best treatment plan for them. For example, patients with mesothelioma that is pleural in stage three or four have a poorer prognosis than those with a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma often spreads to the diaphragm, liver and/or a person's heart. This makes it more difficult to treat and raises the likelihood of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Unlike pleural mesothelioma, which is a lung-lining cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma forms in the peritoneum -- it is a membrane that lines the abdominal cavity and organs like the intestines and the liver. Similar to pleural mesothelioma mesothelioma is caused by asbestos exposure. It is estimated that only 300-500 cases are diagnosed annually which is lower than pleural asbestosis.

As with pleural mesothelioma symptoms may take years to appear. Patients usually suffer from abdominal pain and could also experience a mass in their abdomen. This type of mesothelioma may cause nausea, weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms can be mistaken for gastrointestinal problems, leading to a false diagnosis.

Doctors can detect mesothelioma by reviewing the medical history of the patient and performing a physical examination. Imaging tests like X-rays or CT scans can be used to identify mesothelioma. These tests can reveal tumors as well as other signs of cancer which aren't evident on X-rays.

These test results enable doctors to identify mesothelioma, and determine the stage. They can also recommend treatments. The stage is determined by the type of cell and whether the cancer has spread.

Asbestos exposure is the main risk factor. People who have been exposed to asbestos in occupations, like plumbing or electrical work, or in manufacturing and construction, are more likely to contract the disease. However, even if individuals do not work in these fields they may be exposed to asbestos through family members or other sources. For this reason, anyone who believes they could be at risk should talk to a doctor. If they have any history of exposure to asbestos or mesothelioma, a specialist can assist them in learning more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos exposure is the primary mesothelioma risk factor, accounting for up to 80 percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos can happen through work, military service, or living with those who worked with asbestos. When exposed to asbestos, particles can be breathed into the abdomen and lungs. These particles can cause irritation to the linings, causing cancerous cells to develop in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma can take anywhere between 15 and 60 years to develop following exposure to asbestos.

Other risk factors include genetics, smoking and age. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely get mesothelioma than people younger or more senior. It takes mesothelioma between 20 and 60 years before it manifests cancer symptoms after the first exposure. It is also important to note that mesothelioma is a possibility in people who were exposed to asbestos but did not deal with it directly. This is referred to as secondary or indirect asbestos exposure. It can be just as harmful as direct asbestos exposure.

Smoking can increase the likelihood of developing mesothelioma due to the fact that it damages the mesothelium, which makes it more prone to asbestos. Additionally,  ann arbor asbestos lawyer  can be worsened by certain diseases like asbestosis and pneumonia. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than females. This is because men are more likely to work with asbestos and experience a a longer period of exposure than women. Men are also more likely to live with someone who had asbestos exposure and bring asbestos fibers that have escaped home on their clothes. Women tend to be less in contact with asbestos, and they don't usually carry asbestos on their clothing.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is a difficult disease to diagnose because the symptoms often resemble other diseases. This is why patients are sometimes misdiagnosed.

NYU Langone doctors will perform a physical examination and record the patient's medical history including asbestos exposure. Doctors will also recommend a CT scan or chest X-ray to check for lumps, abnormalities 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, which makes use of radio waves and magnets in order to create a series of detailed images of inside the body. Another way doctors can diagnose mesothelioma is by performing an operation called a biopsy. During a surgery biopsy, doctors remove a tiny part of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum to be tested further. A pathologist can then examine the tissue using an magnifying glass to determine whether it contains cancerous cells.

The mesothelial type involved and the benign or malignant nature of these cells as well as the location and stage of the tumor, are used to categorize the disease. Certain types of mesothelioma are at greater risk of metastasizing or spreading, so it's important to determine the type of mesothelioma so doctors can treat it prior to it becoming out-of-control.

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

Treatment

A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be terrifying. However, it is important to keep in mind that the cancer is treatable, especially in its initial stages. Many mesothelioma patients live for a long time without the disease spreading to other areas of their body.

Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma through many mechanisms. Asbestos fibers that are small enough to not be felt or viewed by naked eyes are able to become airborne and irritate the lung's lining (pleura). Over time the irritation causes the formation of scar tissue and eventually tumors.

The pleura surrounds the heart and lungs and also the abdomen. Mesothelium consists of cells that react to asbestos, causing it to inflame and develop scar tissue. These changes can eventually result in malignant mesothelioma tumors.

The signs of pleural mesothelioma can include breathlessness, chest pain or a buildup of fluid on the lungs (pleural effusion). In rare cases, the cancer can be spread to the tissues around the heart and reproductive organs.

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 lab analysis. The results can confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and indicate the best treatment plan.

There are a variety of mesothelioma treatment options, including surgery, chemotherapy and immunotherapy. Most doctors utilize combinations of these treatments. Patients may also benefit from enrolling in a clinical trial of new mesothelioma treatments. To learn more about the trials, patients should speak to a mesothelioma specialist who has experience treating the condition.