Mesothelioma and Asbestos
Asbestos is a mineral that naturally occurs in the form of thin, long fibers. People who are exposed to asbestos on a regular basis risk developing mesothelioma and other lung diseases of different types.
It may take decades before symptoms begin to manifest after asbestos exposure. Different asbestos types can cause different symptoms.
Pleural Mesothelioma
Pleural mesothelioma is a type of cancer that affects the lung's outer liner (pleura). It is the most prevalent type of mesothelioma, making up between 70 and 79% of all diagnosed cases. People with this condition feel chest pain and breathlessness and may also feel a sensation of heaviness in the chest.
This type of cancer usually caused by exposure to asbestos, which is a cluster of minerals made up of microscopic fibres. These fibers, when inhaled cause irritation and DNA mutations. Pleura covers both the chest cavity and the lungs, and so irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma symptoms usually don't appear until 30 to 50 years after exposure.
Shortness of breath and chest pain are the most frequently reported symptoms. Patients may also experience chest tightness or coughing. They may also experience difficulty breathing. Patients with this type of cancer typically have previous exposure to asbestos in the workplace. The most frequent jobs that put people at risk of pleural mesothelioma include construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding. Individuals who have been in the military may be at risk due to the widespread asbestos usage in Navy vessels and bunkers for the army.
The TNM (tumors lymph nodes and metastases staging system) is the most common staging system for the pleural cancer. The stage that a patient is at at diagnosis will assist their doctor in determining the best treatment plan for them. Patients who have pleural mesothelioma which is in stage three or four will have a less favorable prognosis than those who are in a less advanced stage. Stage four mesothelioma often spreads to the diaphragm, the liver or even a person's heart. This could make the cancer more difficult to treat and increase the risk of complications for the patient.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
As opposed to pleural mesothelioma that develops in the lung lining, peritoneal mesothelioma forms in the peritoneum -- an elongated membrane that covers the abdominal cavity and organs such as the intestines and the liver. Like pleural mesothelioma, exposure to asbestos is the cause of peritoneal msothelioma. The disease is less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma. There are around 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.
As with pleural asbestosis symptoms can take years to manifest. The majority of patients experience abdominal pain and abdominal swelling. This mesothelioma type can cause nausea, weight loss and fever. sioux falls asbestos law firm of these symptoms can be mistaken for gastrointestinal problems, leading to a false diagnosis.
Generally speaking, doctors can detect mesothelioma by conducting an extensive medical history and physical exam. They may also employ imaging tests such as X-rays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to help find mesothelioma. These tests can show tumors, as well as other indications of cancer that aren't apparent on an X-ray.
These test results enable doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and establish the stage. They can also recommend treatment options. The staging is determined by the type of cells and whether or whether the tumor has spread to other regions of the body.
The most important mesothelioma-related risk factor is exposure to asbestos. People who have been in occupations that involve asbestos, such as plumbing electrical work, manufacturing or construction, are at increased risk of developing the disease. Even if an individual does not work in one of these fields, he or she can be exposed to asbestos through family members or other sources. This is why anyone who believes they could be at risk should speak to a doctor. If they have any history of exposure to asbestos and mesothelioma is a concern, a specialist will help them find out more about the risk.
Risk Factors
Asbestos is the main mesothelioma-related risk factor. It accounts for up to 80% of all cases. Exposure to asbestos may occur due to work, military service or by living with a person who is exposed to asbestos or was previously exposed to doing such. When exposed to asbestos, the particles can be breathed into the abdomen and lungs. The particles cause irritation to the linings, causing cancerous cells to grow in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma can take anywhere between 15 and 60 years to develop after exposure to asbestos.
Other risk factors include smoking, genetics, and the advancing age. People in their 40s and 50s are at greater risk of developing mesothelioma as compared to those who are younger or older. It takes mesothelioma 20-60 years to show signs of cancer after the first exposure. It is important to note that mesothelioma could develop in people who have been exposed to asbestos, but without having worked with it directly. This is known as secondary or indirect exposure to asbestos and it is just as harmful as direct exposure.
Smoking increases the risk of mesothelioma, as it damages the mesothelium. It can also make it more vulnerable. In addition, mesothelioma may be caused by certain illnesses, such as asbestosis and pneumonia. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma compared to women. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for a longer time and to have worked with asbestos for longer durations and to work with it. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who had worked with 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 home on their clothing.
Diagnosis
Mesothelioma is a difficult disease to identify because the symptoms are often similar to other diseases. This can lead to victims being incorrectly diagnosed.
NYU Langone doctors will perform a physical examination and record the patient's medical background, including asbestos exposure. Doctors can also order an X-ray of the chest or CT scan to detect lumps and other abnormalities, as well as evidence of asbestos exposure in the past like plaques in the pleura (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the buildup of fluid between the lung and chest wall (known as the pleural effusion).
Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram which examines the blood vessels and the heart, and a magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI test that uses radio waves and magnets to make a series of detailed images of the inside of the body. A surgical biopsy is a different method doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma. During a surgery biopsy doctors will remove a small piece of tissue from pleura or the peritoneum, to be further examined. A pathologist then examines the tissue using a magnifying glass to determine if it contains cancerous cell.
The type of mesothelial cell involved as well as the benign or malignant nature of these cells, as well as the location, type and stage of the tumour, are used to classify the disease. Some types of mesothelioma are more likely to spread or metastasize, so it is important to establish a definitive diagnosis to ensure that doctors are able to treat the disease before it gets out of control.
Doctors may also conduct tests in the lab on a tumor to find specific genes, proteins, or other factors that help them understand the characteristics of the cancer and determine a treatment. These results are referred to as staging.
Treatment
A mesothelioma diagnose can be frightening. It is crucial to remember, however, that cancer can be treated particularly in its early stages. A lot of people suffering from mesothelioma live with the disease for many years without it expanding.
Exposure to asbestos can trigger mesothelioma in a number of ways. Asbestos fibers, which are tiny enough to be felt or viewed with the naked eyes can be airborne and irritate the lining of the lung (pleura). In time irritation can lead to formation of scar tissue, which causes changes in the cell structure that eventually develop into tumors.
The Pleura is a covering that covers the abdomen, heart, and lungs. Mesothelium consists of cells that react when exposed to asbestos. They cause inflammation to the tissue and cause it to become scarred. These changes eventually cause mesothelioma cancers.
The symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are breathing problems, chest pain or the accumulation of fluid in the lungs (pleural effusion). In rare cases the cancer may be spread to the tissues around the heart and reproductive organs.
A doctor will order biopsy if imaging scans show the possibility of a mass in the lungs or stomach. During the procedure, doctors remove a small sample of the fluid or tumor for laboratory analysis. The results can confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and help determine the best treatment plan.
There are many types of treatment for mesothelioma, including surgery and chemotherapy. Most doctors utilize a combination of these treatments. Patients may also benefit from enrolling in a clinical trial of new mesothelioma therapies. To find out more, patients should consult a mesothelioma specialist who has had experience treating the disease.