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

Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos is a mineral that occurs naturally in the form of long, thin fibers. Workers who are exposed asbestos regularly risk developing mesothelioma and other lung diseases of different types.

It can take years before symptoms begin to manifest after exposure to asbestos. Different types of asbestos may cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma, a form of cancer, that affects the lung's outer liner (pleura). It is the most frequent mesothelioma that accounts for up between 70 and 79% of all diagnosed cases. This condition causes chest pain, shortness of breathe, and a feeling of weightiness.

This kind of cancer is typically caused by exposure to asbestos which is a cluster of minerals that are made up of microscopic fibres. Once inhaled, these fibers are absorbed into the lung and cause irritation which leads to scarring and DNA mutations. Pleura covers both the chest cavity and the lungs, so irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma symptoms usually don't appear until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

Chest pain and shortness breath are the most common symptoms. Patients may also experience chest tightness and coughing, or breathing difficulties. Patients with this type of cancer have a history of disease that includes asbestos exposure at work. Construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding are the most common jobs which put people at risk chance of developing pleural mesothelioma. People who have worked in the military could be at a higher risk due to the frequent asbestos use in Navy vessels and bunkers used by the army.

The most popular staging method for pleural mesothelioma is the TNM (tumor lymph nodes, lymph nodes and metastases) staging system. The stage a patient is in at the moment of diagnosis will determine the treatment plan they should follow. Patients suffering from pleural mesothelioma who is in stage three or stage four will have a less favorable outlook than those who are in a lower stage. Mesothelioma in stage four can spread to the liver, heart or diaphragm. This makes the cancer more difficult to treat and increase the chance of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

In contrast to pleural cancer, which forms in the lung's lining, peritoneal cancer develops in the membrane that covers the abdominal cavity, which includes organs like the liver and intestines. Like pleural mesothelioma, peritoneal mesothelioma is triggered by asbestos exposure. The disease is much less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma, and around 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.

Like pleural mesothelioma, the symptoms can take years to show. Patients generally have abdominal pain, and could also experience a mass in their abdomen. This kind of mesothelioma can also cause nausea, weight loss, and fever. Many of these symptoms are similar to those experienced by digestive issues, which could lead to confusion in diagnosis.

Generally, doctors can find mesothelioma through an exhaustive health history and physical examination. They can also utilize imaging tests like Xrays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to help find mesothelioma. These tests can reveal cancerous tumors or other indications of cancer that aren't visible on X-rays.

These test results allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma, identify the stage and suggest treatment options. The staging is determined by the type of cell and whether or the cancer has spread to other regions of the body.

Asbestos exposure is the main risk factor. People who have been exposed to asbestos in professions, 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 one of these areas they could still be exposed through family members and other sources. Anyone who believes they may be at risk should talk to an expert. A mesothelioma specialist can assist those with a experience with asbestos to understand more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos exposure is a major risk factor for mesothelioma, which accounts for as much as 80 percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos may occur due to military service, work, or living with those who worked with asbestos. When exposed to asbestos law, the particles are able to be inhaled into lungs and abdomen. These particles can cause irritation to the linings and trigger cancerous cells to form in the mesothelium. After exposure to asbestos litigation mesothelioma is likely to be diagnosed between 15 and 60 years.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and age. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely to get mesothelioma than people younger or more senior. This is because mesothelioma typically lasts between 20 and 60 years from the first exposure to asbestos before cancer symptoms appear. It is also important to note that mesothelioma is a possibility in those who were exposed to asbestos, but did not work with it directly. This is known as secondary or indirect asbestos exposure. It can be as dangerous as direct asbestos exposure.

Smoking increases the risk of developing mesothelioma due to the fact that it damages the mesothelium, which makes it more vulnerable to asbestos. Additionally, mesothelioma can be worsened by certain diseases like pneumonia and asbestosis. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma compared to women. This is due to the fact that men are more likely to be exposed to asbestos and endure a an extended period of exposure than women. Additionally, men are more likely to live with someone who had asbestos settlement exposure and bring asbestos fibers from their workplace on their clothes. Women tend to have less exposure to asbestos and don't typically carry asbestos on their clothes.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is a difficult disease to identify because the symptoms often resemble other diseases. Because of this, victims are often wrongly diagnosed.

The first step in identifying mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform a physical exam and take notes on the medical history of a patient which includes asbestos exposure. Doctors will also recommend a CT scan or chest X-ray to look for lumps, abnormalities, and evidence of asbestos exposure. These include pleural plaques, thickened pleura and calcium deposits.

Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram which examines the heart and blood vessels and magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI test, which makes use of magnets and radio waves to make a series of detailed images of the inside of the body. Another way doctors can diagnose mesothelioma is to perform a surgical biopsy. When a biopsy is performed, doctors remove a tiny piece of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum to be examined further. A pathologist will then look at the tissue using a magnifying lens to determine whether it contains cancerous cell.

The type of mesothelial cells involved and the benign or malignant nature of the cells and the location and stage of the tumor, are used to categorize the disease. Certain types of mesothelioma may be more likely to spread or metastasize, so it is important to establish a definitive diagnosis so doctors can treat the disease before it becomes out of control.

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

Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnosis is terrifying. It is important to keep in mind that cancer can be treated, especially at its early stages. Many patients with mesothelioma survive for years without the disease spreading to other areas of their body.

Exposure to asbestos legal can trigger mesothelioma in a number of ways. Asbestos particles, which are too small to be able to see or feel with the naked eye, can become airborne and cause irritation to the lung's lining (pleura). As time passes irritation can lead to formation of scar tissue, which can cause changes in the structure of cells that can eventually grow into tumors.

The pleura covers the lungs and the heart and the abdomen. Mesothelium is composed of cells that react to asbestos and cause it to enflame and create scar tissue. These changes eventually result in malignant mesothelioma tumors.

Breathing problems, chest discomfort, or the accumulation of fluid on the lungs are all signs of the pleural Msothelioma. In rare cases the cancer may grow to the tissues surrounding the heart and reproductive organs.

If imaging scans reveal a possible mass in the lungs or stomach doctors will recommend biopsies. The procedure involves the removal of a small amount of liquid or tumor for lab tests. The results can confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis and determine the best treatment option.

There are a variety of mesothelioma treatment options, including surgery, chemotherapy and immunotherapy. Most doctors utilize combinations of these treatments. Participating in clinical trials of new mesothelioma treatment may also be beneficial to patients. Patients can learn more by consulting a mesothelioma expert who has treated the disease.