Mesothelioma and Asbestos
Asbestos, a mineral that naturally occurs in the form of long, thin fibers. People who are exposed to asbestos risk developing lung diseases, such as mesothelioma.
Symptoms of these diseases may not show up for decades after exposure to asbestos. Different types of asbestos can cause different symptoms.
Pleural Mesothelioma
Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer that occurs in the lung's outer liner (pleura). It is the most common mesothelioma that accounts for up between 70 and 79% of all diagnosed cases. People with this condition experience pain in the chest and breath shortness, and they may feel a sensation of heaviness in the chest.
This kind of cancer is usually caused by exposure to asbestos which is a cluster of minerals that are comprised of microscopic fibres. These fibers, when inhaled cause irritation and DNA mutations. Pleura surrounds both the chest cavity and the lungs, and so irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma symptoms typically don't show until 30 to 50 years after exposure.
The most frequent symptoms of pleural melanoma are chest pain and breath shortness. Patients may also suffer from chest tightness or coughing. They may also experience difficulty breathing. People with this cancer have a history of disease that includes asbestos exposure at work. The most frequent jobs that expose people to the risk of pleural mesothelioma include construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding. People who have worked in the military may 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 has upon diagnosis will aid their doctor in determining the best treatment plan for them. For instance, patients suffering from mesothelioma that is pleural in stage three or four have a poorer prognosis than those in a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma may be spread to the liver, heart, or diaphragm. This can make the cancer more difficult to treat, and increase the chance of complications for the patient.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
Contrary to pleural cancer that develops in the lining of the lung the peritoneal cancer is a result of a membrane that surrounds the abdominal cavity, including organs like the intestines and the liver. Similar to pleural mesothelioma mesothelioma can be caused by asbestos exposure. The disease is less common than pleural mesothelioma, with just 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.
As with pleural asbestosis symptoms can take a long time to manifest. Patients generally experience abdominal pain, and could also experience a mass in their abdomen. The symptoms of this kind of mesothelioma could also include nausea, weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms are similar to those of gastrointestinal issues, which can result in incorrect diagnosis.
Typically, doctors can identify mesothelioma after an exhaustive medical history and physical exam. Imaging tests like X-rays or CT scans can be used to identify mesothelioma. These tests can show cancerous tumors or other signs of cancer that aren't visible on X-rays.
These test results enable doctors to identify mesothelioma, and determine the stage. They also offer treatment options. The staging is determined by the cell type and whether or whether the cancer has spread to other areas of the body.
Asbestos exposure is the most important risk factor. People who have worked in professions that require asbestos, such as plumbing, electrical work, manufacturing or construction, are at increased risk of developing the disease. However, even if people aren't employed in these areas they could be exposed to asbestos through relatives or other sources. For this reason, anyone who believes they could be at risk should talk to a doctor. If they have any history of exposure to asbestos, a mesothelioma specialist can help them find out more about the risk.
Risk Factors
Asbestos exposure is a major risk factor for mesothelioma, accounting for up to 80 percent of all cases. Exposure to asbestos can happen due to military service, work, or living with those who worked with asbestos. Asbestos particles can be inhaled by people who are exposed to it. The particles cause irritation to the linings, causing cancerous cells to grow in the mesothelium. Following exposure to asbestos mesothelioma is likely to occur between 15 and 60 years.
Other risk factors include smoking, genetics, and age. The people in their 40s or 50s are at greater risk of developing mesothelioma as compared to those younger or older. Mesothelioma can take between 20 and 60 years to manifest cancer symptoms after the first exposure. It is important to remember that mesothelioma may occur in those who have been exposed to asbestos, but without having worked with it directly. This is referred to as indirect or secondary asbestos exposure. It can be as hazardous as direct asbestos exposure.
Smoking increases the risk of mesothelioma, as it damages the mesothelium. It can also make it more vulnerable. In addition, mesothelioma may be exacerbated by certain illnesses like asbestosis and pneumonia. It is also important to know that mesothelioma is more prevalent for men than 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 have asbestos-containing fibers on their clothing. Women are less likely to come exposed to asbestos, and they are less likely to bring asbestos home on their clothing.
Diagnosis
It is difficult to recognize mesothelioma since its symptoms are often similar to other diseases. Because of this, victims are often misdiagnosed.
NYU Langone doctors will perform an examination of the body and document the patient's medical background including asbestos exposure. Doctors can also request an X-ray of the chest or CT scan to detect lumps and other abnormalities, as well as evidence of previous asbestos exposure such as pleural plaques (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the formation of fluid between the lung and the chest wall (known as the pleural effusion).
Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram, which examines the heart and blood vessels, and a magnetic resonance imaging, also known as MRI, test that uses radio waves and magnets to make a series of detailed images of the interior of the body. fontana asbestos attorneys use to diagnose mesothelioma is through a surgical biopsy. A surgical biopsy is when doctors remove a small piece of tissue from the pleura or peritoneum to conduct further tests. A pathologist will then look at the tissue with a magnifying glass to determine if it is a cancerous cell.
Mesothelioma is classified according to the type of mesothelial cells involved, whether the cells are benign or malignant and the location of the tumor, the type, and the stage of the tumor. Certain types of mesothelioma may be more likely to spread or metastasize and spread, therefore it is essential to get a definite diagnosis so that doctors can treat the disease before it gets out of control.
Doctors may also conduct tests in the lab on tumors in order to determine specific genes, proteins or other elements that can aid in describing cancer characteristics and plan treatment. These results are called staging.
Treatment
A mesothelioma diagnosis can be a frightening prospect. However, it is important to remember that the cancer is treatable, especially in its early stages. Many mesothelioma patients live for a long time with the disease without it spreading to other organs of their body.
Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma through various mechanisms. Asbestos fibres, small enough to not be felt or observed by naked eyes, can become airborne, causing irritation to the lining of the lung (pleura). In time the irritation can lead to the formation of scar tissue that eventually result in tumors.
The Pleura is a protective layer that protects the lungs, heart and abdomen. Mesothelium is composed of cells that react to asbestos which causes it to become inflamed and form scar tissue. These changes eventually lead to malignant mesothelioma tumours.
The signs of pleural mesothelioma can include shortness of breath and chest pain, or an accumulation of fluid on the lungs (pleural effusion). In rare instances cancer may spread to the tissues surrounding the reproductive organs and heart.
A doctor will order biopsy if imaging scans show the possibility of a tumor in the lungs or stomach. The procedure involves the removal of some of the fluid or tumor for lab tests. The results can confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and help determine the best treatment option.
There are a variety of treatment for mesothelioma including chemotherapy and surgery. The majority of doctors use an amalgamation of these techniques. Patients could also benefit from taking part in a clinical trial of new mesothelioma treatments. Patients can learn more about the trials by consulting a mesothelioma expert who has treated the disease.