Mesothelioma and Asbestos
Asbestos is a natural mineral that is found in long, thin fibres. People who are exposed to asbestos regularly risk developing mesothelioma and other lung diseases.
The symptoms of these diseases may not manifest for years after exposure to asbestos. Different types of asbestos may cause different symptoms.
Pleural Mesothelioma
Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer of the lung's outer lining, or pleura. It is the most common mesothelioma type and is responsible for 70 to 79% of diagnosed cases. Patients suffering from this condition experience pain in the chest and breathlessness and may also feel the sensation of weight in the chest.
Exposure to asbestos, a class of minerals composed of microscopic fibers, typically causes this kind of cancer. These fibers, when inhaled, cause irritation and DNA mutations. Pleura covers both the chest cavity as well as the lungs, so irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma is usually not symptomatic until 30 to 50 year after exposure.
The most frequent symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include chest pain and breath shortness. Patients may also feel tightness in their chest, coughing or difficulty breathing. People with this cancer have a history of disease that includes asbestos exposure at work. The most frequent jobs that put people at risk of pleural mesothelioma include manufacturing, construction and shipbuilding. People who have served in the military are at a higher risk due to the frequent asbestos usage in Navy vessels and army bunkers.
The TNM (tumors lymph nodes and metastases staging system) is the most commonly used staging system for the pleural adenocarcinoma. The stage that the patient is in at the time of diagnosis will help determine what treatment plan they should receive. For example, patients with mesothelioma that is pleural in stage three or four have a poorer prognosis than those with a lower stage. Mesothelioma in stage four can develop into the heart, liver or diaphragm. This can make 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 is found in the peritoneum -- an elongated membrane that covers the abdominal cavity and organs such as the intestines and liver. Similar to pleural mesothelioma, asbestos exposure is the reason for peritoneal msothelioma. The disease is less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma, and just 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.
Like pleural mesothelioma, the symptoms can take years to show. Patients generally have abdominal pain, and may also have a lump in their abdomen. The symptoms of this kind of mesothelioma may also include nausea or weight loss, as well as fever. Many of these symptoms can be mistaken for gastrointestinal problems and can lead to a mistaken diagnosis.
Doctors can detect mesothelioma by looking over the medical history of the patient and performing a physical examination. Imaging tests like X-rays or CT scans are a way to detect mesothelioma. These tests can show cancerous tumors or other signs of cancer that aren't visible on X-rays.
The results of these tests allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma, identify the stage and recommend treatment options. The staging is determined by the type of cells and whether or whether the cancer has spread to other regions of the body.
Asbestos exposure is the biggest risk factor. People who have worked in asbestos-related jobs, such as plumbing or electrical work, or in manufacturing and construction are more likely to contract the disease. Even if an individual does not work in any of these areas they could be exposed to asbestos to asbestos through family members and other sources. Anyone who believes they may be at risk should speak with a doctor. If they have an history of exposure to asbestos and mesothelioma is a concern, a specialist will assist them in learning more about their risk.
Risk Factors
Asbestos is the primary risk factor in mesothelioma. It accounts for as much as the 80% of cases. Exposure to asbestos legal can happen through military service, work or living with someone who used to work with asbestos. When exposed to asbestos, small particles can be breathed into the abdomen and lungs. These irritate the linings and cause cancerous cells to grow in the mesothelium. After exposure to asbestos, mesothelioma may occur between 15 and 60 years old.
Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and the advancing age. People in their 40s and 50s are at a higher risk of developing mesothelioma compared to those younger or older. It is because mesothelioma generally lasts between 20 and 60 years from the first time of exposure before symptoms of cancer begin to manifest. It is important to note that mesothelioma may develop in those who have been exposed to asbestos case without having directly worked with it. This is known as indirect or secondary asbestos attorney exposure, and is as hazardous as direct asbestos exposure.
Smoking increases the risk of developing mesothelioma due to the fact that it damages the mesothelium and makes it more vulnerable to asbestos. In addition, mesothelioma may be caused 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 to have worked with it. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who has been exposed to asbestos, and to carry asbestos fibers on their clothing. Women are less likely to come into exposure to asbestos and don't typically carry asbestos on their clothes.
Diagnosis
Mesothelioma is difficult to recognize because the symptoms often resemble other diseases. Because of this, victims are often misdiagnosed.
NYU Langone doctors will perform physical examinations and document the patient's medical history, including asbestos exposure. Doctors can also request an X-ray chest or CT scan to check for lumps and other abnormalities and also to look for evidence of asbestos exposure in the past such as plaques on the pleura (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the buildup of fluid between the lung and chest wall (known as pleural effusion).
Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance imaging or MRI test, which makes use of radio waves and magnets to produce a series of precise images of the insides of the body. Another method doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma is by performing a surgical biopsy. A surgical biopsy is when doctors take a small amount of tissue from the peritoneum or pleura for further analysis. A pathologist can then examine the tissue using a magnifying lens to determine if it is a cancerous cells.
Mesothelioma can be classified based on the mesothelial type involved, whether the cells are malignant or benign and also the location of the tumor, its type, and the stage of the cancer. Certain types of mesothelioma are at an increased risk of spreading or metastasizing and it's crucial to establish a clear diagnosis so that doctors can treat it before it becomes out of control.
Doctors can also run tests in the lab on a tumor to identify particular proteins, genes, or other factors which can help them identify the characteristics of the cancer and determine a treatment. These results are referred to as staging.
Treatment
A mesothelioma diagnosis is terrifying. It is crucial to remember, however, that cancer can be treated especially at its early stages. A lot of people suffering from mesothelioma endure the disease for a long time, without expanding.
Exposure to asbestos (clicking here) can trigger mesothelioma via a variety of mechanisms. asbestos litigation fibers that are too small to be felt or observed through the naked eye, can become airborne and irritate the lining of the lung (pleura). As time passes the irritation causes the formation of scar tissue and eventually 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 cause inflammation of the tissue and cause it to become scarred. Overtime, these changes lead to the development of malignant mesothelioma tumors.
A shortness of breath, chest discomfort, or the accumulation of fluid on the lungs are all indications of pleural msothelioma. In rare instances, cancer can spread into the tissues that surround the reproductive organs and heart.
A doctor may request biopsy if imaging scans reveal a possible tumor in the lungs or stomach. During the procedure, doctors take small amounts of the tumor or fluid for lab tests. The results can confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and determine the most effective treatment plan.
There are many types of treatment for mesothelioma including chemotherapy and surgery. Most doctors use a combination of these treatments. Patients could also benefit from participating in a clinical study of new mesothelioma treatment. Patients can learn more about the trials by consulting a mesothelioma specialist who has treated mesothelioma.
Asbestos is a natural mineral that is found in long, thin fibres. People who are exposed to asbestos regularly risk developing mesothelioma and other lung diseases.
The symptoms of these diseases may not manifest for years after exposure to asbestos. Different types of asbestos may cause different symptoms.
Pleural Mesothelioma
Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer of the lung's outer lining, or pleura. It is the most common mesothelioma type and is responsible for 70 to 79% of diagnosed cases. Patients suffering from this condition experience pain in the chest and breathlessness and may also feel the sensation of weight in the chest.
Exposure to asbestos, a class of minerals composed of microscopic fibers, typically causes this kind of cancer. These fibers, when inhaled, cause irritation and DNA mutations. Pleura covers both the chest cavity as well as the lungs, so irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma is usually not symptomatic until 30 to 50 year after exposure.
The most frequent symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include chest pain and breath shortness. Patients may also feel tightness in their chest, coughing or difficulty breathing. People with this cancer have a history of disease that includes asbestos exposure at work. The most frequent jobs that put people at risk of pleural mesothelioma include manufacturing, construction and shipbuilding. People who have served in the military are at a higher risk due to the frequent asbestos usage in Navy vessels and army bunkers.
The TNM (tumors lymph nodes and metastases staging system) is the most commonly used staging system for the pleural adenocarcinoma. The stage that the patient is in at the time of diagnosis will help determine what treatment plan they should receive. For example, patients with mesothelioma that is pleural in stage three or four have a poorer prognosis than those with a lower stage. Mesothelioma in stage four can develop into the heart, liver or diaphragm. This can make 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 is found in the peritoneum -- an elongated membrane that covers the abdominal cavity and organs such as the intestines and liver. Similar to pleural mesothelioma, asbestos exposure is the reason for peritoneal msothelioma. The disease is less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma, and just 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.
Like pleural mesothelioma, the symptoms can take years to show. Patients generally have abdominal pain, and may also have a lump in their abdomen. The symptoms of this kind of mesothelioma may also include nausea or weight loss, as well as fever. Many of these symptoms can be mistaken for gastrointestinal problems and can lead to a mistaken diagnosis.
Doctors can detect mesothelioma by looking over the medical history of the patient and performing a physical examination. Imaging tests like X-rays or CT scans are a way to detect mesothelioma. These tests can show cancerous tumors or other signs of cancer that aren't visible on X-rays.
The results of these tests allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma, identify the stage and recommend treatment options. The staging is determined by the type of cells and whether or whether the cancer has spread to other regions of the body.
Asbestos exposure is the biggest risk factor. People who have worked in asbestos-related jobs, such as plumbing or electrical work, or in manufacturing and construction are more likely to contract the disease. Even if an individual does not work in any of these areas they could be exposed to asbestos to asbestos through family members and other sources. Anyone who believes they may be at risk should speak with a doctor. If they have an history of exposure to asbestos and mesothelioma is a concern, a specialist will assist them in learning more about their risk.
Risk Factors
Asbestos is the primary risk factor in mesothelioma. It accounts for as much as the 80% of cases. Exposure to asbestos legal can happen through military service, work or living with someone who used to work with asbestos. When exposed to asbestos, small particles can be breathed into the abdomen and lungs. These irritate the linings and cause cancerous cells to grow in the mesothelium. After exposure to asbestos, mesothelioma may occur between 15 and 60 years old.
Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and the advancing age. People in their 40s and 50s are at a higher risk of developing mesothelioma compared to those younger or older. It is because mesothelioma generally lasts between 20 and 60 years from the first time of exposure before symptoms of cancer begin to manifest. It is important to note that mesothelioma may develop in those who have been exposed to asbestos case without having directly worked with it. This is known as indirect or secondary asbestos attorney exposure, and is as hazardous as direct asbestos exposure.
Smoking increases the risk of developing mesothelioma due to the fact that it damages the mesothelium and makes it more vulnerable to asbestos. In addition, mesothelioma may be caused 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 to have worked with it. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who has been exposed to asbestos, and to carry asbestos fibers on their clothing. Women are less likely to come into exposure to asbestos and don't typically carry asbestos on their clothes.
Diagnosis
Mesothelioma is difficult to recognize because the symptoms often resemble other diseases. Because of this, victims are often misdiagnosed.
NYU Langone doctors will perform physical examinations and document the patient's medical history, including asbestos exposure. Doctors can also request an X-ray chest or CT scan to check for lumps and other abnormalities and also to look for evidence of asbestos exposure in the past such as plaques on the pleura (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the buildup of fluid between the lung and chest wall (known as pleural effusion).
Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance imaging or MRI test, which makes use of radio waves and magnets to produce a series of precise images of the insides of the body. Another method doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma is by performing a surgical biopsy. A surgical biopsy is when doctors take a small amount of tissue from the peritoneum or pleura for further analysis. A pathologist can then examine the tissue using a magnifying lens to determine if it is a cancerous cells.
Mesothelioma can be classified based on the mesothelial type involved, whether the cells are malignant or benign and also the location of the tumor, its type, and the stage of the cancer. Certain types of mesothelioma are at an increased risk of spreading or metastasizing and it's crucial to establish a clear diagnosis so that doctors can treat it before it becomes out of control.
Doctors can also run tests in the lab on a tumor to identify particular proteins, genes, or other factors which can help them identify the characteristics of the cancer and determine a treatment. These results are referred to as staging.
Treatment
A mesothelioma diagnosis is terrifying. It is crucial to remember, however, that cancer can be treated especially at its early stages. A lot of people suffering from mesothelioma endure the disease for a long time, without expanding.
Exposure to asbestos (clicking here) can trigger mesothelioma via a variety of mechanisms. asbestos litigation fibers that are too small to be felt or observed through the naked eye, can become airborne and irritate the lining of the lung (pleura). As time passes the irritation causes the formation of scar tissue and eventually 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 cause inflammation of the tissue and cause it to become scarred. Overtime, these changes lead to the development of malignant mesothelioma tumors.
A shortness of breath, chest discomfort, or the accumulation of fluid on the lungs are all indications of pleural msothelioma. In rare instances, cancer can spread into the tissues that surround the reproductive organs and heart.
A doctor may request biopsy if imaging scans reveal a possible tumor in the lungs or stomach. During the procedure, doctors take small amounts of the tumor or fluid for lab tests. The results can confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and determine the most effective treatment plan.
There are many types of treatment for mesothelioma including chemotherapy and surgery. Most doctors use a combination of these treatments. Patients could also benefit from participating in a clinical study of new mesothelioma treatment. Patients can learn more about the trials by consulting a mesothelioma specialist who has treated mesothelioma.