15 Unquestionable Reasons To Love Mesothelioma And Asbestos
Mesothelioma and Asbestos
Asbestos, a natural mineral, You Tube naturally occurs in the form of thin, long fibers. People who are exposed to asbestos on a regular basis are at risk of developing mesothelioma or other types of lung diseases.
It may take decades before symptoms begin to manifest after exposure to asbestos. Different asbestos types can cause different symptoms.
Pleural mesothelioma attorney
Pleural mesothelioma is a type of cancer that develops in the lung's outer lining (pleura). It is the most common mesothelioma form and is responsible for 70 to 79% all diagnosed cases. The condition can cause chest pain, shortness of breathe and a feeling weightiness.
This type of cancer is typically caused by exposure to asbestos which is a cluster of minerals that are comprised of microscopic fibres. When inhaled, these fibers can cause irritation and DNA mutations. The pleura surrounds the chest cavity and lungs and therefore, these irritations could affect both the lungs as well as the heart of a person. Mesothelioma is usually not symptomatic until 30 to 50 years after exposure.
The most frequent symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are chest discomfort and shortness of breath. Some patients also experience coughing, difficulty breathing, or chest tightness. People who suffer from this cancer usually have previous exposure to asbestos in the workplace. Construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding are among the most common occupations that put people at a high danger of developing pleural melanoma. People who have served in the military are at a higher risk because of the extensive asbestos use in Navy ships and bunkers for the army.
The most common staging system for pleural mesothelioma is the TNM (tumor, lymph nodes and metastases) staging system. The stage a patient is in at the time of diagnosis will help determine what treatment plan they should receive. Patients with pleural mesothelioma that is in stage three or four will have a worse prognosis than those who are in a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma may spread to the liver, heart, or diaphragm. This makes it more difficult to treat and increases the chance of complications for the patient.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
Contrary to pleural cancer that develops in the lining of the lung it develops in a membrane that surrounds the abdominal cavity, which includes organs such as 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 only about 300-500 cases diagnosed each year.
As with pleural asbestosis symptoms can take a long time to manifest. Typically, patients suffer from abdominal pain and abdominal swelling. The symptoms of this type of mesothelioma can also include nausea, weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms can be misinterpreted as gastrointestinal issues which can lead to a false diagnosis.
Typically, doctors can identify mesothelioma after an exhaustive health history and physical examination. Imaging tests such as X-rays or CT scans can be used to detect mesothelioma. These tests can reveal tumors and other signs of cancer which aren't visible on X-rays.
These test results enable 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 cells and whether or whether the cancer has spread to other parts of the body.
Asbestos exposure is the main risk factor. People who have worked in jobs that involve asbestos, such as plumbing or electrical work, manufacturing or construction, are at a higher risk of developing the disease. However, even if individuals aren't employed in these fields they may be exposed to asbestos through relatives or other sources. For this reason, anyone who suspects they may be at risk should speak to an experienced doctor. If they have any history of exposure to asbestos and mesothelioma is a concern, a specialist will help them find out more about the risk.
Risk Factors
Asbestos exposure is the main risk factor for mesothelioma making up as much as 80 percent of all cases. Exposure to asbestos can happen as a result of work, military service or through living with a person who is exposed to asbestos or has previously done such. When exposed to asbestos, the particles are able to be inhaled into abdomen and lungs. The particles cause irritation to the linings of the abdomen, which causes cancerous cells to grow in the mesothelium. Following exposure to asbestos mesothelioma is likely to be diagnosed between 15 and 60 year.
Other risk factors include genetics, smoking and age. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely to develop mesothelioma than those who are younger or older. This is because mesothelioma usually occurs between 20 and 60 years after the initial exposure to asbestos before the first signs of cancer appear. It is important to remember that mesothelioma can be present in those who have been exposed to asbestos, but without having worked with it directly. This is referred to as secondary or indirect asbestos exposure, and is just as harmful as direct asbestos exposure.
Smoking increases the risk of getting mesothelioma because it causes mesothelium damage and makes it more vulnerable to asbestos. Mesothelioma is also aggravated by certain illnesses such as asbestosis and pneumonia. It is also important to note 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 asbestos for longer periods of time. Men are also more likely to live with someone who was exposed to asbestos and bring asbestos fibers that have escaped home on their clothes. Women are less likely to come exposed to asbestos, and don't typically bring asbestos home on their clothing.
Diagnosis
Mesothelioma is a difficult disease to recognize because the symptoms often resemble other conditions. This is why patients are often misdiagnosed.
The first step in identifying mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform an examination of the body and take note of the medical history of the patient which includes asbestos exposure. Doctors may also request an CT scan or chest X-ray to check for abnormalities, lumps and evidence of asbestos exposure. These include plaques on the pleura, pleura that are thickened and calcium deposits.
Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram, which examines the heart and blood vessels, and a magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI test that uses magnets and radio waves to make a series of precise images of the inside of the body. A surgical biopsy is yet another method for doctors to identify mesothelioma. A surgical biopsy is when doctors remove a small amount of tissue from the pleura or peritoneum for further analysis. A pathologist is then able to examine the tissue under a microscope to see if it has cancerous cells.
Mesothelioma is classified according to the type of mesothelial cell involved, whether the cells are benign or malignant and also the location of the tumor, the type, and the stage of the tumor. Certain types of mesothelioma are more likely to spread or metastasize, so it is important to get a definite diagnosis so doctors can treat the disease before it goes out of control.
Doctors may also conduct tests in the lab on a tumor to identify specific genes, proteins and other factors that can help them describe the characteristics of cancer and plan treatment. These results are known as staging.
Treatment
A mesothelioma diagnose can be frightening. However, it's important to keep in mind that the cancer can be treated, particularly in its early stages. Many people with mesothelioma can live with the disease for a long time, without expanding.
Exposure to asbestos can trigger mesothelioma via various mechanisms. Asbestos fibers that are tiny enough to be felt or viewed with the naked eyes can be airborne, causing irritation to the lung's lining (pleura). As time passes, the irritation causes the formation of scar tissue, which causes changes in the cell structure that can eventually grow 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 inflame the tissue and cause it to scar. In time, these changes can cause the development of malignant mesothelioma tumors.
The signs of pleural mesothelioma can include breathing problems and chest pain, or the accumulation of fluid on the lung (pleural effusion). In rare cases, the cancer can be spread to the tissues around the heart and reproductive organs.
A doctor will order biopsy if scans show a potential tumor in the lungs or stomach. During the procedure, doctors remove tiny amounts of fluid or tumor for laboratory testing. The results can confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and help determine the best treatment plan.
There are a variety of treatment for mesothelioma including chemotherapy and surgery. The majority of doctors use the combination of these methods. Patients could also benefit from taking part in a clinical trial of new mesothelioma treatment. Patients can find out more by consulting a mesothelioma expert who has treated the disease.