Mesothelioma and Asbestos
Asbestos is a natural mineral that comes in thin, long fibres. People who are regularly exposed to asbestos may develop lung diseases like mesothelioma.
The symptoms of these diseases might not manifest for years after exposure to asbestos. Different asbestos types can cause different symptoms.
Pleural Mesothelioma
Pleural mesothelioma can be found in the outer lung lining, also known as the pleura. It is the most prevalent mesothelioma type and is responsible for 70 to 79% of all diagnosed cases. Patients with this disease suffer from chest pain and shortness of breath, and they may feel a sensation of heaviness in the chest.
This type of cancer often caused by exposure to asbestos which is a cluster of minerals comprised of microscopic fibres. The fibers, when inhaled can cause irritation and DNA mutations. Pleura covers both the chest cavity as well as the lungs, which means that irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma symptoms usually don't appear until 30 to 50 years after exposure.
Chest pain and shortness breath are the most frequent symptoms. Some patients may also feel tightness in their chest or coughing. They may also experience difficulty breathing. Patients with this type of cancer typically have a history of exposure to asbestos in the workplace. The most prevalent jobs that expose workers to the risk of pleural mesothelioma include manufacturing, construction, and shipbuilding. People who have served in the military are at risk because of the extensive asbestos use in Navy ships and bunkers used by the army.
The TNM (tumors lymph nodes and metastases staging system) is the most popular staging system used to treat the pleural cancer. The stage the patient is in at the time of diagnosis will help determine what treatment plan they should follow. For instance, patients who have mesothelioma pleural stage three or four have a poorer prognosis than patients with a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma can spread to the liver, heart or diaphragm. This makes it more difficult to treat and raises the chance of complications for the patient.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
Contrary to pleural cancer which is found in the lining of the lung, peritoneal cancer develops in a membrane that covers the abdominal cavity, including organs such as the intestines and liver. As with pleural mesothelioma asbestos exposure is the primary cause of peritoneal msothelioma. There are only 300-500 cases diagnosed each year this is less than pleural asbestosis.
Like pleural mesothelioma, the symptoms can take years to show. Patients typically have abdominal pain, and may also have a lump in their abdomen. dearborn asbestos lawyer of this type of mesothelioma could also include nausea as well as weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms are similar to those experienced by gastrointestinal issues, which can result in misdiagnosis.
Generally speaking, doctors can detect mesothelioma by conducting an exhaustive medical history and physical exam. They may also employ imaging tests like X-rays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to help find mesothelioma. These tests can identify tumors and other signs of cancer which aren't visible on X-rays.
These test results enable doctors to identify mesothelioma, and determine the stage. They can also recommend treatments. The stage is determined by the type of cell as well as whether the tumor has spread.
The most important risk factor for mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos. People who have been exposed to asbestos in occupations, like plumbing or electrical work, or in construction, manufacturing and manufacturing, are more likely to contract the disease. Even if an individual does not work in one of these areas, he or she can still be exposed through family members or other sources. For this reason, anyone who suspects they may be at risk should speak to a doctor. If they have an history of exposure to asbestos or mesothelioma, a specialist can assist them in learning more about the risk.
Risk Factors
Asbestos exposure is a major risk factor for mesothelioma, which accounts for as much as 80 percent of all cases. Exposure to asbestos may occur as a result of work, military service or by living with a person who is exposed to asbestos or has previously done such. When exposed to asbestos, small particles can be breathed into the abdomen and lungs. These particles irritate the linings of the lungs, causing cancerous cells to form in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma can take between 15 and 60 years to develop following exposure to asbestos.
Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and aging. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely to develop mesothelioma than those who are younger or more senior. It takes mesothelioma between 20 and 60 years to manifest cancer symptoms after the first exposure. It is important to remember, too, that mesothelioma can occur in those 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 can be just as dangerous as direct exposure.
Smoking increases the risk of mesothelioma, since it damages mesothelium. It also makes it more susceptible. In addition, mesothelioma may be exacerbated by certain illnesses like pneumonia and asbestosis. 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 period of time and work with asbestos for longer durations and to work with it. Men are also more likely to live with someone who was exposed to asbestos and bring asbestos fibers that have escaped home on their clothes. Women are less likely to come into contact with asbestos and do not typically carry asbestos on their clothes.
Diagnosis
It is difficult to diagnose mesothelioma because its symptoms are often similar to other conditions. This can result in patients being misdiagnosed.
NYU Langone doctors will perform a physical examination and record the patient's medical background including asbestos exposure. Doctors will also order a CT scan or chest X-ray in order to look for abnormalities, lumps and evidence of asbestos exposure. These include plaques in the pleura, thickened pleura and calcium deposits.
Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram, which examines the blood vessels and the heart as well as a magnetic resonance imaging, also known as MRI, test that uses radio waves and magnets to make a series of precise images of the inside of the body. Another way doctors can diagnose mesothelioma is through a surgical biopsy. During a surgical biopsy, doctors take a small amount of tissue from the pleura or peritoneum for further testing. A pathologist can look at the tissue under microscopes to determine if it has cancerous cells.
Mesothelioma can be classified based on the mesothelial type involved, whether these cells are benign or malignant, and the location, type, and stage of the tumor. Some types of mesothelioma have an increased risk of spreading or metastasizing, so it's important to establish a clear diagnosis to ensure that the doctors can treat it prior to it becoming out-of-control.
Doctors can also perform laboratory tests on tumors in order to determine specific genes, proteins or other elements that can help them describe the characteristics of cancer and plan treatment. These results are called staging.
Treatment
A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be a frightening prospect. It is crucial to remember, however, that cancer can be treated particularly in its initial stages. Many people with mesothelioma live for years with the disease, without spreading to other areas of their body.
Asbestos exposure can cause mesothelioma through many mechanisms. Asbestos fibers, which are tiny enough to be felt or viewed by naked eyes, can become airborne and irritate the lung's lining (pleura). As time passes, the irritation causes the formation of scar tissue, which can cause changes in the structure of cells which eventually lead to tumors.
The pleura is a protective covering that covers the abdomen, heart, and lungs. Mesothelium consists of cells that respond when exposed to asbestos. They cause inflammation of the tissue and cause it to become scarred. These changes eventually lead to malignant mesothelioma tumours.
The symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are breathlessness and chest pain, or the accumulation of fluid in the lungs (pleural effusion). In rare instances cancer may spread to the tissues around the reproductive organs as well as the heart.
If imaging scans show a possible mass in the lungs or stomach, a doctor will order a biopsies. In the course of the procedure, doctors remove small amounts of fluid or tumor for tests in the laboratory. The results can confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis, and provide the best treatment option.
There are many types of mesothelioma treatment options, including surgery, chemotherapy and immunotherapy. The majority of doctors use a combination of these methods. Participating in clinical trials for mesothelioma treatments may be beneficial for patients. Patients can learn more about the trials by consulting a mesothelioma expert who has treated the disease.