Mesothelioma and Asbestos
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that comes in thin, long fibres. Workers who are regularly exposed to asbestos risk developing lung diseases like mesothelioma.
It can take years before symptoms begin to manifest after asbestos exposure. Different asbestos types may cause different symptoms.
Pleural Mesothelioma
Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer of the outer lung lining, or the pleura. It is the most prevalent form of mesothelioma and is responsible for 70 to 79% all diagnosed cases. People with this condition suffer from chest pain and shortness of breath, and they may feel the sensation of weight in the chest.
Exposure to asbestos, a class of minerals comprised of microscopic fibers, typically causes this kind of cancer. When inhaled, these fibers are absorbed into the lungs and cause irritation that results in scarring and DNA mutations. Pleura is the lining of both the chest cavity and the lungs, so irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma typically doesn't manifest until 30 to 50 years after exposure.
The most frequent symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are chest pain and shortness of breath. Some patients may also experience chest tightness, coughing or difficulty breathing. Patients with this type of cancer have a history of disease that includes asbestos exposure at work. Manufacturing, construction, and shipbuilding are the most prevalent occupations that put people at high chance of developing pleural mesothelioma. Individuals who have been in the military may be at an especially high risk due to the frequent asbestos usage in Navy vessels and army bunkers.
The TNM (tumors, lymph nodes, and metastases staging system) is the most popular staging system used to treat the pleural cancer. The stage that the patient is in at the time of diagnosis will help determine the treatment plan they will receive. Patients suffering from pleural mesothelioma who is in stage three or stage four will have a worse prognosis compared to those in a less advanced stage. Stage four mesothelioma is often spread to the diaphragm, the liver or even the heart of a patient. This can make it more difficult to treat and increases the risk of complications for patients.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
Unlike pleural mesothelioma, which develops in the lung lining, peritoneal mesothelioma develops in the peritoneum - an elongated membrane that covers the abdominal cavity and organs like the intestines and the liver. Like pleural mesothelioma, peritoneal mesothelioma can be caused by asbestos exposure. There are only 300-500 cases diagnosed each year, which is less than pleural asbestosis.
As with pleural mesothelioma symptoms may take years to appear. greensboro asbestos attorneys suffer from abdominal pain and may also have a lump in their abdomen. The symptoms of this kind of mesothelioma could also include nausea or weight loss, as well as fever. Many of these symptoms are similar to symptoms of digestive problems, which can cause misdiagnosis.
Generally, doctors can find mesothelioma by conducting an extensive health history and physical exam. Imaging tests like X-rays or CT scans are a way to identify mesothelioma. These tests can reveal tumors and other cancer signs which aren't evident on X-rays.
The results of these tests allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma, identify the stage and recommend treatment options. The staging is determined by the cell type and whether or whether the tumor has spread to other regions of the body.
Asbestos exposure is the biggest risk factor. People who have worked in jobs that involve asbestos, like plumbing manufacturing, electrical work or construction, are at greater risk of developing the disease. Even if a person isn't employed in any of these areas however, they may be exposed to asbestos through family members and other sources. Anyone who thinks they're at risk should speak with a doctor. A mesothelioma specialist can assist those with a experience with asbestos to understand more about their risk.
Risk Factors
Asbestos is the main mesothelioma-related risk factor. It is responsible for as much as the 80% of cases. Exposure to asbestos can occur as a result of work, military service, or by living with a person who is exposed to asbestos or used to do such. When exposed to asbestos, particles can be breathed into the abdomen and lungs. They can cause irritation to the linings of the abdomen and trigger cancerous cells to grow in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma can take anywhere between 15 and 60 years to develop following exposure to asbestos.
Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and aging. The people in their 40s or 50s are at greater chance of developing mesothelioma to those who are younger or older. This is because mesothelioma usually occurs between 20 and 60 years after the initial time of exposure before the first signs of cancer appear. It is important to note, too, that mesothelioma can be present in those who have been exposed to asbestos, but without having worked with it directly. This is known as secondary or indirect asbestos exposure. It can be as hazardous as direct asbestos exposure.
Smoking increases the chance of mesothelioma because it damages the mesothelium. It also makes it more prone to. Furthermore, mesothelioma is caused by certain illnesses, such as asbestosis and pneumonia. It is also important to know that mesothelioma is more prevalent in males than females. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for a longer period of time and to work 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 fibers on their clothing. Women are less likely to be exposed to asbestos, and don't typically carry asbestos on their clothing.
Diagnosis
Mesothelioma is a difficult disease to identify because the symptoms often resemble other conditions. Because of this, victims are sometimes misdiagnosed.
NYU Langone doctors will perform a physical examination and record the patient's medical history, including asbestos exposure. Doctors can also request a chest X-ray or CT scan to look for lumps or other abnormalities, as well as evidence of previous asbestos exposure like plaques in the pleura (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the accumulation of fluid between the lung and chest wall (known as pleural effusion).
Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram, which examines the heart and blood vessels as well as a magnetic resonance imaging, also known as MRI, test, which uses magnets and radio waves to make a series of precise images of the inside of the body. A surgical biopsy is another method doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma. In a surgical biopsy doctors take a small amount of tissue from the pleura or peritoneum for further testing. A pathologist can then examine the tissue with a magnifying glass to determine if it contains cancerous cells.
The type of mesothelial cells involved, the malignant or benign nature of those cells, as well as the location and stage of the cancer are used to categorize the disease. Certain types of mesothelioma may be more likely to develop metastasis or spread, so it is important to get a definite diagnosis so that doctors can treat the disease before it goes out of control.
Doctors may also conduct tests in the lab on tumors to determine specific genes, proteins or other elements that can aid in describing cancer characteristics and determine the best treatment. These results are called staging.
Treatment
A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be frightening. However, it is important to remember that the disease is treatable, particularly in its early stages. Many people with mesothelioma live for many years with the disease without it spreading to other organs of their body.
Exposure to asbestos may cause mesothelioma in many ways. Asbestos fibres, too small to be felt or viewed by naked eyes can be airborne, irritating the lung's lining (pleura). As time passes irritation leads to formation of scar tissue which leads to changes in the cell structure that eventually develop into tumors.
The pleura is a protective covering that protects the lungs, heart and abdomen. Mesothelium is composed of cells that respond when exposed to asbestos. They cause inflammation to the tissue and cause it to become scarred. In time, these changes can lead to the development of malignant mesothelioma tumors.
Symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include shortness of breath and chest pain as well as the accumulation of fluid on the lung (pleural effusion). In rare instances, cancer can spread into the tissues that surround the reproductive organs as well as the heart.
A doctor will order biopsy if scans reveal a possible mass in the lungs or stomach. During the procedure, doctors remove a small sample of the fluid or tumor for lab analysis. The results can confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis, and provide the best treatment plan.
There are several types of mesothelioma treatment options, including chemotherapy, surgery and immunotherapy. Most doctors rely on an amalgamation of these techniques. Participating in clinical trials for mesothelioma treatments that are new could be beneficial to patients. Patients can learn more about the trials by speaking with a mesothelioma doctor who has treated mesothelioma.