From The Web Twenty Amazing Infographics About Mesothelioma And Asbestos

Mesothelioma and Asbestos

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

It could take a long time before symptoms begin to manifest after asbestos exposure. Different asbestos types may cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer that affects the lung's outer lining (pleura). It is the most frequent mesothelioma type and accounts for 70% to 79% of diagnosed cases. People with this condition experience pain in the chest and breath shortness, and they may feel the sensation of weight in the chest.

Exposure to asbestos, a class of minerals made of microscopic fibers, usually causes this type of cancer. Once inhaled, these fibers cling to the lung and cause irritation which results in scarring and DNA mutations. Pleura covers both the chest cavity as well as the lungs, so irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma typically doesn't manifest until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

The most frequent symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include chest pain and breath shortness. Some patients may also suffer from chest tightness or coughing. They may also experience difficulty breathing. People with this cancer have a history that includes asbestos lawyer exposure at work. Construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding are among the most frequent occupations that put people at a high risk of developing pleural mesothelioma. Individuals who have served in the military are at higher risk due to the extensive use asbestos in Navy vessels and Army bunkers.

The TNM (tumors lymph nodes and metastases staging system) is the most common staging system used for the pleural cancer. The stage that a patient is at when they are diagnosed will aid their doctor in determining the most appropriate treatment plan for them. Patients suffering from pleural mesothelioma who is in stage three or four will have a worse prognosis than those in a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma may develop into the heart, liver or diaphragm. This makes it more difficult to treat and increases the likelihood of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

As opposed to pleural mesothelioma that is a lung-lining cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma develops in the peritoneum -- a membrane that lines the abdominal cavity and organs such as the intestines and the liver. As with pleural mesothelioma exposure to asbestos is the cause of peritoneal mesothelioma. It is estimated that only 300-500 cases are diagnosed annually this is less than the pleural asbestosis.

As with pleural asbestosis symptoms can take years to show. The majority of patients suffer from abdominal pain and an abdominal mass. The symptoms of this kind of mesothelioma could also include nausea or weight loss, as well as fever. A lot of these symptoms can be misinterpreted as gastrointestinal issues and can lead to a false diagnosis.

Typically, doctors can identify mesothelioma by conducting a thorough health history and physical exam. They can also use imaging tests like Xrays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to identify mesothelioma. These tests can reveal tumors, as well as other signs of cancer that aren't visible on an X-ray.

The results of these tests allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and establish 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 biggest risk factor. People who have worked in asbestos-containing jobs, such as electrical or plumbing work or in manufacturing and construction, are more likely to develop the disease. However, even if individuals aren't employed in these fields they may be exposed to asbestos through family members or through other sources. Therefore, anyone who believes they could be at risk should talk to an experienced doctor. If they have a history of asbestos exposure, a mesothelioma specialist can help them find out more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos exposure is the main mesothelioma risk factor, making up as much as 80 percent of all cases. Exposure to asbestos can happen through work, military service, or by living with someone who is exposed to asbestos or has previously done the same. When exposed to asbestos, small particles can be inhaled into the lungs and abdomen. These irritate the linings and can cause cancerous cells to grow in the mesothelium. After asbestos lawyer exposure mesothelioma can occur between 15 and 60 years old.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and age. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely get mesothelioma than people younger or more senior. Mesothelioma can take between 20 and 60 years to manifest cancer symptoms after the first exposure. It is also important to note that mesothelioma can develop in those who were exposed to asbestos but didn't deal with it directly. This is referred to as secondary or indirect asbestos exposure, and is as dangerous as direct asbestos legal exposure.

Smoking increases a person's chances of developing mesothelioma since it damages the mesothelium and makes it more prone to asbestos. Mesothelioma can also be caused by certain illnesses, including asbestosis and pneumonia. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than women. This is due to men being more likely to work with asbestos and have a longer period of exposure than women. Also, men are more likely to live with someone who had asbestos legal exposure and bring stray asbestos fibers home on their clothes. Women tend to have less contact with asbestos and don't typically carry asbestos settlement home on their clothing.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is a difficult cancer to recognize because the symptoms are often similar to other diseases. This can lead to victims being incorrectly diagnosed.

The first step to diagnose mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform an examination and write down a patient's medical history which includes asbestos exposure. Doctors may also order an X-ray chest or CT scan to look for lumps and other abnormalities, and also to look for evidence of past asbestos exposure like pleural plaques (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the buildup of fluid between the lung and the chest wall (known as pleural effusion).

Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram, which examines the heart and blood vessels, and a magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI test, which makes use of magnets and radio waves to create precise images of the inside of the body. Another way for doctors to detect mesothelioma is through a surgical biopsy. During a surgical biopsy, doctors remove a small piece of tissue from the pleura or peritoneum for further analysis. A pathologist then examines the tissue under an magnifying glass to determine whether it contains cancerous cell.

The type of mesothelial cell involved, the malignant or benign nature of those cells and the location the cancer, its type and the stage of the tumor, are used to classify the disease. Some types of mesothelioma have greater risk of metastasizing or spreading and it's crucial to determine the type of mesothelioma to ensure that the doctors can treat it prior to it becoming out-of-control.

Doctors can also perform tests in the lab on tumors to identify specific genes, proteins, or other factors which can aid in describing the characteristics of cancer and plan treatment. These results are known as staging.

Treatment

A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be terrifying. It is important to keep in mind that cancer can be treated, especially at its early stages. Many people with mesothelioma can be afflicted for a long time, without spreading.

Asbestos exposure can cause mesothelioma by many mechanisms. asbestos litigation fibers, which are tiny enough to be felt or seen by naked eyes can be airborne, causing irritation to the lining of the lung (pleura). In time the irritation can lead to the formation of scar tissues, which eventually lead to tumors.

The pleura covers the heart and lungs, as well as the abdomen. Mesothelium is made up of cells that react to exposure to asbestos, causing it to inflame and develop scar tissue. These changes eventually cause mesothelioma cancers.

The signs of pleural mesothelioma can include breathing problems and chest pain as well as an accumulation of fluid in the lung (pleural effusion). In rare instances cancer can spread to the tissues around the reproductive organs as well as the heart.

If scans of imaging reveal an underlying mass in the lungs or stomach the doctor will request a biopsies. The procedure involves the removal of some of the fluid or tumor for tests in the laboratory. The results can confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and determine the best treatment option.

There are a variety of treatment for mesothelioma, such as chemotherapy and surgery. Most doctors utilize a combination of these methods. Enrolling in clinical trials of mesothelioma treatments may be beneficial for patients. To find out more, patients should speak with a mesothelioma specialist who has had experience treating the disease.