From Around The Web: 20 Fabulous Infographics About Mesothelioma And Asbestos

Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos legal is a mineral that naturally forms in the form of long, thin fibers. Workers who are exposed to asbestos regularly are at risk of developing mesothelioma as well as other lung diseases.

It could take a long time for symptoms to appear after asbestos exposure. Different types of asbestos can cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer of the lung's outer lining or the pleura. It is the most common mesothelioma form and is responsible for 70 to 79% of all diagnosed cases. This condition causes chest pain, breath shortness and a feeling of weightiness.

This kind of cancer is often caused by exposure to asbestos which is a cluster of minerals composed of microscopic fibers. When inhaled, these fibers can cause irritation and DNA mutations. The pleura surrounds the lungs and chest cavity, so these irritations can affect both the lungs as well as a person's heart. Mesothelioma symptoms typically don't show until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

The most common symptoms of pleural melanoma are chest pain and breath shortness. Some patients also experience difficulty breathing, or chest tightness. People with this cancer often have a history of exposure to asbestos in the workplace. The most frequent jobs that expose workers to the risk of developing pleural mesothelioma are manufacturing, construction, and shipbuilding. Individuals who have served in the military are at a greater risk due the frequent use of asbestos litigation in Navy vessels and Army bunkers.

The most commonly used staging system for pleural mysothelioma has been the TNM (tumor, lymph nodes and metastases) staging system. The stage the patient is in at the moment of diagnosis will determine what treatment plan they should receive. Patients suffering from pleural mesothelioma who is in stage three or four will have a worse prognosis compared to those in a less advanced stage. Stage four mesothelioma may spread to the liver, heart or diaphragm. This can make the cancer more difficult to treat and increase the risk of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

As opposed to pleural mesothelioma that develops in the lung lining, peritoneal mesothelioma forms in the peritoneum -- an elongated membrane that covers the abdominal cavity as well as organs like the intestines and liver. Similar to pleural mesothelioma, asbestos exposure is the primary reason for peritoneal msothelioma. There are only 300-500 cases diagnosed each year, which is less than pleural asbestosis.

As with pleural asbestosis, symptoms can take a long time to manifest. Patients generally have abdominal pain, and may have a mass in their abdomen. This kind of mesothelioma can also cause nausea, weight loss, and fever. A lot of these symptoms can be mistaken for gastrointestinal problems, leading to a false diagnosis.

The doctors can detect mesothelioma through examining the patient's medical history and performing a physical examination. They may also employ imaging tests like X-rays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to identify mesothelioma. These tests can show cancerous tumors or other indications of cancer that aren't visible on an X-ray.

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

Asbestos exposure is the main risk factor. People who have worked in professions which require asbestos, such as plumbing manufacturing, electrical work, or construction, are at greater risk of developing the disease. Even if someone does not work in one of these areas however, they may be exposed to asbestos through family members and other sources. Therefore, anyone who is concerned that they might be at risk should speak to a doctor. A mesothelioma specialist can assist those who have had a previous history of asbestos to find out 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 due to work, military service or by living with someone who is exposed to asbestos or used to do the same. Asbestos particles can be breathed in by those who are exposed to asbestos. They can cause irritation to the linings of the abdomen and can cause cancerous cells to form in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma may take between 15 and 60 years to develop after exposure to asbestos.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and the advancing age. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely to get mesothelioma than people younger or more senior. This is because mesothelioma typically takes 20 to 60 years from the first exposure before the first signs of cancer appear. It is important to keep in mind that mesothelioma could develop 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. It can be as dangerous as direct asbestos exposure.

Smoking increases the chance of mesothelioma since it damages mesothelium. It also makes it more prone to. In addition, mesothelioma may be exacerbated by certain illnesses like pneumonia and asbestosis. It is also important to know that mesothelioma occurs more frequently in males than females. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for longer periods of time and to have worked with asbestos for longer durations and to work with it. Additionally, men are more likely to live with someone who has had asbestos exposure and bring stray asbestos fibers home on their clothes. Women are less likely to be in contact with asbestos, and they are less likely to carry asbestos on their clothing.

Diagnosis

It is difficult to recognize mesothelioma due to its symptoms being often similar to other diseases. Because of this, victims are sometimes mistakenly diagnosed.

The first step to diagnose mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform an examination and write notes on the medical history of a patient, including asbestos exposure. Doctors will also recommend a CT scan or chest X-ray in order to look for lumps, abnormalities and evidence of asbestos exposure. These include plaques in the pleura, thickened pleura and calcium deposits.

Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram, which examines the blood vessels and the heart and magnetic resonance imaging, also known as MRI, test, which uses radio waves and magnets to make a series of precise images of the inside of the body. A surgical biopsy is yet another way for doctors to diagnose mesothelioma. In a surgical biopsy doctors remove a small amount of tissue from the peritoneum or pleura for further testing. A pathologist can then examine the tissue under an magnifying glass to determine whether it contains cancerous cells.

Mesothelioma is classified according to the type of mesothelial cells involved, whether the cells are benign or malignant, and the location, type, and stage of the tumor. Certain types of mesothelioma are more likely to develop metastasis or spread which is why it is crucial to establish a definitive diagnosis so that doctors can treat the disease before it goes out of control.

Doctors can also run tests in the laboratory on tumors to determine particular proteins, genes and other factors which can help them identify the characteristics of cancer and plan treatment. These results are referred to as staging.

Treatment

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

Asbestos exposure can cause mesothelioma by many mechanisms. Asbestos fibres, too small to be felt or observed with the naked eyes can be airborne and irritate the lining of the lung (pleura). As time passes, the irritation leads to the formation of scar tissues, which eventually lead to tumors.

The pleura is the area that surrounds the heart and lungs and also the abdomen. Mesothelium consists of cells that react to asbestos attorney which causes it to become inflamed and develop scar tissue. As time passes, these changes cause the development of malignant mesothelioma tumors.

The signs of pleural mesothelioma can include shortness of breath, chest pain or an accumulation 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 biopsy if scans show a potential mass in the lungs or stomach. During the procedure, doctors take a small sample of the fluid or tumor for lab tests. The results can confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis and indicate the best treatment plan.

There are a variety of treatment for mesothelioma, including chemotherapy and surgery. Most doctors utilize the combination of these methods. Participating in clinical trials for mesothelioma treatments that are new could be beneficial to patients. Patients can learn more by speaking with a mesothelioma doctor who has treated the condition.