Mesothelioma and Asbestos
Asbestos is a natural mineral that comes in thin, long fibres. Workers who are regularly exposed to asbestos may develop lung diseases like mesothelioma.
Symptoms of these diseases may not be evident for a long time after exposure to asbestos. Different types of asbestos can cause different symptoms.
Pleural Mesothelioma
Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer of the lung's outer lining also known as the pleura. It is the most frequent type of mesothelioma, making up between 70 and 79% of diagnosed cases. This condition causes chest discomfort, shortness of breath, and a feeling of heaviness.
This kind of cancer is often caused by exposure to asbestos, which is a grouping of minerals comprised of microscopic fibres. The fibers, when inhaled can cause irritation and DNA mutations. The pleura covers the lungs and chest cavity and therefore, these irritations could affect both the lungs as well as the heart of a person. Mesothelioma symptoms usually don't appear until 30 to 50 years after exposure.
Chest pain and shortness breath are the most frequently reported symptoms. Patients may have coughing problems, trouble breathing, or chest tightness. Patients with this cancer have a history of disease that includes asbestos exposure at work. The most prevalent jobs that expose workers to the risk of developing pleural cancer are construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding. Individuals who have served in the military are at a greater risk due to the extensive use asbestos in Navy vessels and bunkers in the Army.
The most popular staging method for pleural mesothelioma is the TNM (tumor lymph nodes, lymph nodes, and metastases) staging system. The stage the patient is in at the moment of diagnosis will determine what treatment plan they should follow. For instance, patients who have mesothelioma pleural stage three or four have a worse prognosis than those with a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma often spreads to the diaphragm, liver and/or a person's heart. This can make it more difficult to treat and raises the risk of complications for patients.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
Unlike pleural mesothelioma, which develops in the lung lining, peritoneal mesothelioma is found in the peritoneum, it is a membrane that lines the abdominal cavity and organs such as the intestines and liver. Similar to pleural mesothelioma and peritoneal mesothelioma can be caused by asbestos exposure. Only 300-500 cases are diagnosed annually, which is less than pleural asbestosis.
Like pleural mesothelioma, symptoms can take years to show. The majority of patients are afflicted with abdominal pain as well as abdominal swelling. This mesothelioma type can also cause nausea, weight loss, and fever. A lot of these symptoms can be misinterpreted as gastrointestinal issues which can lead to a misdiagnosis.
Generally, doctors can find mesothelioma through a thorough health history and physical exam. They can also use imaging tests like X-rays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to help find mesothelioma. These tests can reveal tumors and other signs of cancer which aren't evident on X-rays.
These test results enable doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and establish the stage. They can also suggest treatments. Staging is determined based on the type of cells and whether or not the tumor has spread to other regions of the body.
The most important mesothelioma risk factor is exposure to asbestos. People who have been in occupations that require asbestos, like plumbing, electrical work, manufacturing or construction, are at greater risk of developing the disease. However, even if individuals do not work in these areas they could be exposed to asbestos through family members or other sources. Anyone who believes they're at risk should consult an expert. If they have a history of asbestos exposure and mesothelioma is a concern, a specialist will help them find out more about the risk.
Risk Factors
Asbestos exposure is the main risk factor for mesothelioma making up as much as 80 percent of all cases. Exposure to asbestos may occur due to military service, work or living with those who worked with asbestos. When exposed to asbestos, the particles can be inhaled into the abdomen and lungs. These particles irritate the linings, causing cancerous cells to develop in the mesothelium. After exposure to asbestos, mesothelioma may be diagnosed between 15 and 60 year.
Other risk factors include genetics, smoking and age. People in their 40s or 50s are at a higher risk of developing mesothelioma compared to those who are younger or older. This is because mesothelioma typically occurs between 20 and 60 years from the first exposure to asbestos before cancer symptoms appear. It is important to keep in mind that mesothelioma could be present in people who have been exposed to asbestos without having directly worked with it. This is referred to as secondary or indirect exposure to asbestos. It could be as hazardous as direct exposure.
Smoking increases the risk of developing mesothelioma since it damages the mesothelium, which makes it more susceptible to asbestos. Furthermore, mesothelioma is caused by certain illnesses, such as asbestosis and pneumonia. Decatur asbestos attorneys is also important to remember that mesothelioma is more prevalent for men than women. This is because men are more likely to be exposed to asbestos and endure a an extended period of exposure than women. Also, men are more likely to live with someone who was exposed to asbestos and bring asbestos fibers that have escaped home on their clothing. Women are less likely to be in contact with asbestos, and don't typically carry asbestos on their clothing.
Diagnosis
It is difficult to recognize mesothelioma due to its symptoms being frequently similar to other illnesses. Due to this, patients are often wrongly diagnosed.
NYU Langone doctors will perform a physical examination and record the patient's medical history, including asbestos exposure. Doctors may also order a chest X-ray or CT scan to detect lumps and other abnormalities and also to look for evidence of past asbestos exposure such as plaques on the pleura (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the formation of fluid between the lung and chest wall (known as pleural effusion).
Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram which examines the blood vessels and the heart, and a magnetic resonance imaging, also known as MRI test, which makes use of 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. A surgical biopsy is when doctors remove a small piece of tissue from the peritoneum or pleura for further analysis. A pathologist is then able to look at the tissue under microscopes to determine whether it has cancerous cells.
Mesothelioma can be classified based on the type of mesothelial cells involved, whether the cells are benign or malignant and the location of the tumor, its type, and the stage of the cancer. Some types of mesothelioma have an increased risk of metastasizing or spreading, so it's important to determine the type of mesothelioma so doctors can treat it prior to it becoming out-of-control.
Doctors can also run laboratory tests on a tumor to find specific proteins, genes or other elements that help them understand the characteristics of cancer and plan treatment. These results are known as staging.
Treatment
A mesothelioma diagnosis can be a frightening prospect. It is important to keep in mind that cancer can be treated particularly in its initial stages. Many people with mesothelioma live for many years without the disease spreading to other organs of their body.
Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma through a variety of ways. Asbestos fibers, too small to be able to see or feel through the naked eye, can become airborne and irritate the lining of the lungs (pleura). In time, the irritation leads to the formation of scar tissue and eventually tumors.
The pleura is a protective covering that covers the abdomen, heart, and lungs. Mesothelium is composed of cells that react when exposed to asbestos. They cause inflammation of the tissue and cause it to become scarred. As time passes, these changes result in the growth of malignant mesothelioma tumors.
A shortness of breath, chest discomfort or fluid buildup on the lungs are all indications of the pleural Msothelioma. In rare cases, cancer can spread into the tissues that surround the reproductive organs and heart.
A doctor may request biopsy if scans show a potential tumor in the lungs or stomach. During the procedure, doctors remove a small sample of the fluid or tumor for laboratory testing. The results can confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and determine the best treatment plan.
There are many types of treatment for mesothelioma, including surgery and chemotherapy. The majority of doctors employ the combination of these treatments. Patients could also benefit from taking part in a clinical trial of new mesothelioma treatment. To learn more about the trials, patients should speak to a mesothelioma specialist who has experience treating the condition.