Mesothelioma and Asbestos
Asbestos is a natural mineral that comes in thin, long fibres. Workers who are exposed to asbestos regularly are at risk of developing mesothelioma as well as other lung diseases of different types.
Symptoms of these diseases may not show up for decades after exposure to asbestos. Different asbestos types may cause different symptoms.
Pleural Mesothelioma
Pleural mesothelioma is a type of cancer that develops in the outer lung lining (pleura). It is the most prevalent mesothelioma that accounts for up 70% to 79% of diagnosed cases. Patients with this disease feel chest pain and breath shortness, and they may feel the sensation of weight in the chest.
Exposure to asbestos, a group of minerals comprised of microscopic fibers, usually causes this type of cancer. When inhaled, these fibers cling to the lung and cause irritation which causes scarring and DNA mutations. Pleura covers both the chest cavity as well as the lungs, so irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma usually doesn't show symptoms until 30 to 50 year after exposure.
Shortness of breath and chest pain are the most frequently reported symptoms. Some patients also experience coughing, difficulty breathing, or chest tightness. People with this cancer have a history of disease that includes asbestos exposure at work. The most frequent jobs that expose workers to the risk of developing pleural mesothelioma are manufacturing, construction, and shipbuilding. Individuals who have been in the military may be at a higher risk because of the extensive asbestos use in Navy vessels and army bunkers.
The TNM (tumors, lymph nodes, and metastases staging system) is the most popular staging system used for the pleural adenocarcinoma. The stage a patient has when they are diagnosed will help their doctor determine the most effective treatment plan for them. Patients who have pleural mesothelioma which is in stage three or stage four will suffer a more negative outlook 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 raises the risk of complications for the patient.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
As opposed to pleural mesothelioma that develops in the lung lining, peritoneal mesothelioma is found in the peritoneum -- it is a membrane that lines the abdominal cavity as well as organs such as the intestines and liver. Like pleural mesothelioma, peritoneal mesothelioma is triggered by asbestos settlement exposure. The disease is less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma, and around 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.
As with pleural asbestosis, symptoms can take several years to manifest. Most patients suffer from abdominal pain and a mass in the abdomen. The symptoms of this kind of mesothelioma can also include nausea, weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms can be mistaken for gastrointestinal problems and can lead to a misdiagnosis.
Typically, doctors can identify mesothelioma through a thorough medical history and physical exam. They may also employ imaging tests like X-rays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to help find mesothelioma. These tests can identify tumors as well as other signs of cancer that are not evident on X-rays.
These tests enable doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and establish the stage. They can also recommend treatment options. The stage is determined by the type of cell and whether the cancer has spread.
The most significant risk factor for mesothelioma is asbestos exposure. People who have been exposed to asbestos in jobs, such as electrical or plumbing work or in construction, manufacturing and manufacturing are more likely to develop the disease. Even if a person does not work in any of these areas they could still be exposed through family members and other sources. For this reason, anyone who believes they could be at risk should speak to an experienced doctor. A mesothelioma specialist can help those who have had a previous history of asbestos to find out more about their risk.
Risk Factors
Asbestos exposure is the main risk factor for mesothelioma, which accounts for as much as 80 percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos can happen due to military service, work or living with those who worked with asbestos. When exposed to asbestos, the particles can be breathed into the lungs and abdomen. These particles can cause irritation to the linings, causing cancerous cells to form in the mesothelium. After exposure to asbestos, mesothelioma may be diagnosed between 15 and 60 years old.
Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and age. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely to be diagnosed with mesothelioma compared to those who are younger or more senior. It takes mesothelioma 20-60 years to show signs of cancer after the first exposure. It is also important to note that mesothelioma is a possibility in those who were exposed to asbestos, but did not engage directly with it. This is referred to as indirect or secondary asbestos exposure and can be just as harmful as direct asbestos exposure.
Smoking can increase the likelihood of getting mesothelioma because it damages the mesothelium and makes it more prone to asbestos. Mesothelioma can also be caused by certain illnesses, including asbestosis and pneumonia. It is also important to know that mesothelioma is more common for men than women. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos lawsuit for a longer time and to work with asbestos lawsuit for longer periods of time. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who had worked with asbestos and to have asbestos fibers on their clothing. Women tend to be less exposed to asbestos and don't typically bring asbestos home on their clothes.
Diagnosis
It is difficult to recognize mesothelioma due to its symptoms being often similar to other diseases. Because of this, victims are often wrongly diagnosed.
The first step in diagnosing 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 Legal exposure. Doctors will also order a CT scan or chest X-ray in order to look for abnormalities, lumps and evidence of exposure to asbestos. These include plaques on the pleura, pleura that are thickened and calcium deposits.
Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI test, which makes use of magnets and radio waves to create a series of detailed images of the inside of the body. Another method doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma is through the procedure of a surgical biopsy. When a biopsy is performed doctors take a tiny piece of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum, to be tested further. A pathologist is then able to examine the tissue under microscopes to determine whether it has cancerous cells.
Mesothelioma is classified according to the mesothelial type involved, whether these cells are benign or malignant and the location, type, and stage of the tumor. Certain mesothelioma types have a higher risk of metastasizing or spreading therefore it is essential to establish a clear diagnosis to ensure that the doctors can treat it before it gets out-of-control.
Doctors can also perform laboratory tests on tumors to identify specific proteins, genes, or other factors which can help them describe the characteristics of cancer and plan treatment. These results are called staging.
Treatment
A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be frightening. It is crucial to remember 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 spreading.
Exposure to asbestos can trigger mesothelioma in a number of ways. Asbestos fibers that are too small to be felt or seen by naked eyes, can become airborne, irritating the lung's lining (pleura). As time passes, the irritation leads to the formation of scar tissues that eventually result in tumors.
The pleura surrounds the heart and lungs and the abdomen. Mesothelium is made up of cells that react to asbestos which causes it to become inflamed and create scar tissue. In time, these changes can cause the development of malignant mesothelioma tumors.
Breathing problems, chest pain or fluid accumulation on the lungs are all symptoms of pleural msothelioma. In rare instances cancer may spread to the tissues around the reproductive organs as well as the heart.
If scans of imaging reveal an area of concern in the lungs or stomach, a doctor will order biopsies. In the course of the procedure, doctors remove small amounts of fluid or tumor for laboratory testing. The results will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and help determine the best treatment option.
There are many types of treatment for mesothelioma including surgery and chemotherapy. The majority of doctors use the combination of these methods. Enrolling in clinical trials of mesothelioma treatments that are new could be beneficial for patients. To learn more, patients should consult a mesothelioma specialist who has had experience treating the disease.
Asbestos is a natural mineral that comes in thin, long fibres. Workers who are exposed to asbestos regularly are at risk of developing mesothelioma as well as other lung diseases of different types.
Symptoms of these diseases may not show up for decades after exposure to asbestos. Different asbestos types may cause different symptoms.
Pleural Mesothelioma
Pleural mesothelioma is a type of cancer that develops in the outer lung lining (pleura). It is the most prevalent mesothelioma that accounts for up 70% to 79% of diagnosed cases. Patients with this disease feel chest pain and breath shortness, and they may feel the sensation of weight in the chest.
Exposure to asbestos, a group of minerals comprised of microscopic fibers, usually causes this type of cancer. When inhaled, these fibers cling to the lung and cause irritation which causes scarring and DNA mutations. Pleura covers both the chest cavity as well as the lungs, so irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma usually doesn't show symptoms until 30 to 50 year after exposure.
Shortness of breath and chest pain are the most frequently reported symptoms. Some patients also experience coughing, difficulty breathing, or chest tightness. People with this cancer have a history of disease that includes asbestos exposure at work. The most frequent jobs that expose workers to the risk of developing pleural mesothelioma are manufacturing, construction, and shipbuilding. Individuals who have been in the military may be at a higher risk because of the extensive asbestos use in Navy vessels and army bunkers.
The TNM (tumors, lymph nodes, and metastases staging system) is the most popular staging system used for the pleural adenocarcinoma. The stage a patient has when they are diagnosed will help their doctor determine the most effective treatment plan for them. Patients who have pleural mesothelioma which is in stage three or stage four will suffer a more negative outlook 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 raises the risk of complications for the patient.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
As opposed to pleural mesothelioma that develops in the lung lining, peritoneal mesothelioma is found in the peritoneum -- it is a membrane that lines the abdominal cavity as well as organs such as the intestines and liver. Like pleural mesothelioma, peritoneal mesothelioma is triggered by asbestos settlement exposure. The disease is less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma, and around 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.
As with pleural asbestosis, symptoms can take several years to manifest. Most patients suffer from abdominal pain and a mass in the abdomen. The symptoms of this kind of mesothelioma can also include nausea, weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms can be mistaken for gastrointestinal problems and can lead to a misdiagnosis.
Typically, doctors can identify mesothelioma through a thorough medical history and physical exam. They may also employ imaging tests like X-rays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to help find mesothelioma. These tests can identify tumors as well as other signs of cancer that are not evident on X-rays.
These tests enable doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and establish the stage. They can also recommend treatment options. The stage is determined by the type of cell and whether the cancer has spread.
The most significant risk factor for mesothelioma is asbestos exposure. People who have been exposed to asbestos in jobs, such as electrical or plumbing work or in construction, manufacturing and manufacturing are more likely to develop the disease. Even if a person does not work in any of these areas they could still be exposed through family members and other sources. For this reason, anyone who believes they could be at risk should speak to an experienced doctor. A mesothelioma specialist can help those who have had a previous history of asbestos to find out more about their risk.
Risk Factors
Asbestos exposure is the main risk factor for mesothelioma, which accounts for as much as 80 percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos can happen due to military service, work or living with those who worked with asbestos. When exposed to asbestos, the particles can be breathed into the lungs and abdomen. These particles can cause irritation to the linings, causing cancerous cells to form in the mesothelium. After exposure to asbestos, mesothelioma may be diagnosed between 15 and 60 years old.
Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and age. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely to be diagnosed with mesothelioma compared to those who are younger or more senior. It takes mesothelioma 20-60 years to show signs of cancer after the first exposure. It is also important to note that mesothelioma is a possibility in those who were exposed to asbestos, but did not engage directly with it. This is referred to as indirect or secondary asbestos exposure and can be just as harmful as direct asbestos exposure.
Smoking can increase the likelihood of getting mesothelioma because it damages the mesothelium and makes it more prone to asbestos. Mesothelioma can also be caused by certain illnesses, including asbestosis and pneumonia. It is also important to know that mesothelioma is more common for men than women. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos lawsuit for a longer time and to work with asbestos lawsuit for longer periods of time. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who had worked with asbestos and to have asbestos fibers on their clothing. Women tend to be less exposed to asbestos and don't typically bring asbestos home on their clothes.
Diagnosis
It is difficult to recognize mesothelioma due to its symptoms being often similar to other diseases. Because of this, victims are often wrongly diagnosed.
The first step in diagnosing 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 Legal exposure. Doctors will also order a CT scan or chest X-ray in order to look for abnormalities, lumps and evidence of exposure to asbestos. These include plaques on the pleura, pleura that are thickened and calcium deposits.
Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI test, which makes use of magnets and radio waves to create a series of detailed images of the inside of the body. Another method doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma is through the procedure of a surgical biopsy. When a biopsy is performed doctors take a tiny piece of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum, to be tested further. A pathologist is then able to examine the tissue under microscopes to determine whether it has cancerous cells.
Mesothelioma is classified according to the mesothelial type involved, whether these cells are benign or malignant and the location, type, and stage of the tumor. Certain mesothelioma types have a higher risk of metastasizing or spreading therefore it is essential to establish a clear diagnosis to ensure that the doctors can treat it before it gets out-of-control.
Doctors can also perform laboratory tests on tumors to identify specific proteins, genes, or other factors which can help them describe the characteristics of cancer and plan treatment. These results are called staging.
Treatment
A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be frightening. It is crucial to remember 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 spreading.
Exposure to asbestos can trigger mesothelioma in a number of ways. Asbestos fibers that are too small to be felt or seen by naked eyes, can become airborne, irritating the lung's lining (pleura). As time passes, the irritation leads to the formation of scar tissues that eventually result in tumors.
The pleura surrounds the heart and lungs and the abdomen. Mesothelium is made up of cells that react to asbestos which causes it to become inflamed and create scar tissue. In time, these changes can cause the development of malignant mesothelioma tumors.
Breathing problems, chest pain or fluid accumulation on the lungs are all symptoms of pleural msothelioma. In rare instances cancer may spread to the tissues around the reproductive organs as well as the heart.
If scans of imaging reveal an area of concern in the lungs or stomach, a doctor will order biopsies. In the course of the procedure, doctors remove small amounts of fluid or tumor for laboratory testing. The results will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and help determine the best treatment option.
There are many types of treatment for mesothelioma including surgery and chemotherapy. The majority of doctors use the combination of these methods. Enrolling in clinical trials of mesothelioma treatments that are new could be beneficial for patients. To learn more, patients should consult a mesothelioma specialist who has had experience treating the disease.
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