Mesothelioma and Asbestos
Asbestos, a natural mineral, naturally forms in the form of thin, long fibers. Workers who are regularly exposed to asbestos risk developing lung diseases such as mesothelioma.
It can take years before symptoms begin to manifest after exposure to asbestos. Different types of asbestos can cause different symptoms.
Pleural Mesothelioma
Pleural mesothelioma can be found in the lung's outer lining, also known as pleura. It is the most prevalent type of mesothelioma, making up between 70 and 79% of diagnosed cases. This condition causes chest discomfort, shortness of breath and a feeling of heavyness.
This type of cancer is often caused by exposure to asbestos which is a grouping of minerals that are made up of microscopic fibres. Once inhaled, the fibers are absorbed into the lung and cause irritation which 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 symptoms typically don't show until 30 to 50 years after exposure.
The most common symptoms of pleural melanoma are chest pain and shortness of breath. Some patients may also experience chest tightness and coughing, or breathing difficulties. People with this cancer have a history that includes asbestos exposure at work. The most prevalent jobs that expose people to the risk of pleural mesothelioma include manufacturing, construction, and shipbuilding. People who served in the military are at a greater risk due the extensive use asbestos in Navy vessels and bunkers in the Army.
The most commonly used staging system 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 the treatment plan they should receive. For instance, patients who have mesothelioma pleural stage three or four have a poorer prognosis than those with lower stages. Mesothelioma in stage four is usually spread to the diaphragm, liver or even the heart of a patient. This can make it more difficult to treat and increases the chance of complications for patients.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
In contrast 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 liver. Like pleural mesothelioma, peritoneal mesothelioma is caused by asbestos exposure. The disease is less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma. There are only about 300-500 cases diagnosed each year.
Like pleural mesothelioma, the symptoms can take a long time to manifest. Patients usually experience abdominal pain, and may also have a lump in their abdomen. This mesothelioma type can cause nausea, weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms can be misinterpreted as digestive issues which can lead to a mistaken diagnosis.
The doctors can detect mesothelioma through looking over the medical history of the patient and performing a physical exam. Imaging tests like X-rays and CT scans are a way to detect mesothelioma. These tests can show tumors and other symptoms of cancer that aren't visible on an X-ray.
The results of these tests allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma, determine the stage of the disease and suggest treatment options. The stage is determined by the type of cell as well as whether the tumor has spread.
The most significant mesothelioma-related risk factor is asbestos exposure. People who have worked in asbestos-related jobs, such as electrical or plumbing work, or in manufacturing and construction, are more likely to contract the disease. Even if a person does not work in any of these areas, he or she can still be exposed through family members or other sources. This is why anyone who suspects they may be at risk should talk to a doctor. If they have a history of asbestos exposure or mesothelioma, a specialist can assist them in learning more about the risk.
Risk Factors
Asbestos exposure is the primary risk factor for mesothelioma making up as much as 80 percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos can happen as a result of work, military service, or living with people who have worked with asbestos. When exposed to asbestos, small particles can be inhaled into the lungs and abdomen. These particles can cause irritation to the linings of the abdomen, which causes cancerous cells to develop in the mesothelium. After asbestos exposure mesothelioma is likely to develop between 15 and 60 years old.
Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and the advancing age. The people in their 40s or 50s are at a higher chance of developing mesothelioma to those who are younger or older. It is because mesothelioma generally takes 20 to 60 years after the initial exposure to asbestos before the first signs of cancer appear. It is important to remember that mesothelioma could occur in people who have been exposed to asbestos without having worked with it directly. This is referred to as secondary or indirect asbestos exposure and can be as hazardous as direct asbestos exposure.
Smoking increases a person's chances of getting mesothelioma because it damages the mesothelium and makes it more susceptible to asbestos. Furthermore, mesothelioma is caused by certain illnesses, such as asbestosis and pneumonia. It is also important to remember that mesothelioma is more prevalent for men than women. This is due to the fact that men are more likely to be exposed to asbestos and endure a more exposure than women. Additionally, men are more likely to live with someone who worked with asbestos and carry asbestos fibers that have escaped home on their clothes. Women are less likely to come into exposure to asbestos and do not typically carry asbestos home on their clothes.
Diagnosis
It is difficult to identify mesothelioma since its symptoms are frequently similar to other illnesses. This could lead to patients being wrongly 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 chest or CT scan to detect lumps and other abnormalities and also to look for evidence of past asbestos exposure such as pleural plaques (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the buildup 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 that uses magnets and radio waves to make a series of detailed images of the interior of the body. Another method doctors 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 can then examine the tissue using a magnifying lens to determine if it contains cancerous cells.
Mesothelioma can be classified based on the type of mesothelial cell involved, whether the cells are malignant or benign and also the location of the tumor, the type, and the stage of the tumor. Some types of mesothelioma have an increased risk of spreading or metastasizing, so it's important to determine the type of mesothelioma to ensure that the doctors can treat it prior to it becoming out-of-control.
Doctors may also conduct tests in the laboratory on a tumor to identify specific proteins, genes or other elements which can help them identify the characteristics of the cancer and determine a treatment. These results are known as staging.
Treatment
A diagnosis of mesothelioma may be terrifying. It is important to remember that cancer can be treated, particularly in its early stages. Many people with mesothelioma live for a long time without the disease spreading to other parts of their body.
Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma through many mechanisms. Asbestos fibers, which are tiny enough to be felt or viewed by naked eyes, can become airborne, irritating the lung's lining (pleura). Over time, the irritation leads to the formation of scar tissues that eventually result in tumors.
The pleura covers the lungs and heart, as well as the abdomen. Mesothelium is composed of cells that react when exposed to asbestos. They cause inflammation to the tissue and cause it to become scarred. washington asbestos attorney can cause mesothelioma cancers.
Shortness of breath, chest discomfort or fluid buildup on the lungs are all signs of the pleural mesothelioma. In rare instances, the cancer can be spread to the tissues around the heart and reproductive organs.
A doctor will order a biopsy if imaging scans show the possibility of a mass in the lungs or stomach. During the procedure doctors remove some of the fluid or tumor to allow for tests in the laboratory. The results can confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis, and indicate the best treatment plan.
There are a variety of treatment for mesothelioma such as chemotherapy and surgery. The majority of doctors employ the combination of these treatments. Patients may also benefit from participating in a clinical study of new mesothelioma therapies. To learn more about the trials, patients should speak to a mesothelioma specialist who has expertise in treating the condition.