Mesothelioma and Asbestos
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that is made up of long, thin fibres. Workers who are exposed asbestos on a regular basis are at risk of developing mesothelioma as well as other lung diseases of different types.
The symptoms of these diseases may not be evident for a long time after exposure to asbestos. Different types of asbestos may cause different symptoms.
Pleural Mesothelioma
Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer that affects the outer lung the lining (pleura). It is the most common mesothelioma that accounts for up between 70 and 79% of diagnosed cases. People with this condition feel chest pain and breath shortness and may also feel a sensation of heaviness in the chest.
Exposure to asbestos, a group of minerals made of microscopic fibers, usually causes this kind of cancer. Once inhaled, these fibers cling to the lung and cause irritation that results in scarring and DNA mutations. The pleura covers the lungs and chest cavity, so these irritations can affect both the lungs and a person's heart. Mesothelioma typically doesn't manifest until 30 to 50 years after exposure.
The most common symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include chest pain and shortness of breath. Patients may have coughing problems, trouble breathing or chest tightness. Patients with this cancer have a past that includes asbestos exposure at work. The most prevalent jobs that put people at risk of developing pleural mesothelioma are manufacturing, construction, and shipbuilding. People who have served in the military may be at risk due to the widespread asbestos usage in Navy ships and army bunkers.
The most commonly used staging system for pleural mysothelioma has been the TNM (tumor lymph nodes, lymph nodes and metastases) staging system. The stage a patient is in at diagnosis will assist their doctor in determining the most appropriate treatment plan for them. For instance, patients who have a pleural mesothelioma in stage three or four have a worse prognosis than those with a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma often spreads to the liver, diaphragm or even the heart of a patient. This can make the cancer more difficult to treat, and increase the risk of complications for the patient.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
Unlike pleural mesothelioma, which develops in the lung lining, peritoneal mesothelioma forms in the peritoneum, an elongated membrane that covers the abdominal cavity as well as organs like the intestines and liver. Similar to pleural mesothelioma, asbestos exposure is the reason for peritoneal msothelioma. It is estimated that only 300-500 cases are diagnosed annually, which is less than pleural asbestosis.
Like pleural mesothelioma, the symptoms can take years to show. The majority of patients experience abdominal pain and a mass in the abdomen. Symptoms of this type of mesothelioma can also include nausea, weight loss and fever. A lot of these symptoms can be misinterpreted as gastrointestinal issues and can lead to a mistaken diagnosis.
Generally speaking, doctors can detect mesothelioma after an extensive medical history and physical exam. They can also utilize imaging tests like Xrays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to help find mesothelioma. These tests can reveal tumors and other indications of cancer that aren't visible on X-rays.
These tests enable doctors to diagnose mesothelioma, determine the stage of the disease and suggest treatment options. The stage is determined by the kind of cell and if the cancer has spread.
The most significant mesothelioma risk factor is asbestos exposure. People who have worked in asbestos-containing professions, such as electrical or plumbing work or in construction and manufacturing, are more likely to contract the disease. However, even if people aren't employed in these fields they could be exposed to asbestos through relatives or other sources. This is why anyone who suspects they may be at risk should talk to an expert. If they have a history of asbestos exposure or mesothelioma, a specialist can assist them in finding out more about the risk.
Risk Factors
Asbestos is the most significant mesothelioma-related risk factor. It is responsible for as much as 80% of all cases. Exposure to asbestos can happen as a result of work, military service or by living with someone who works with asbestos or was previously exposed to doing such. When exposed to asbestos, small particles can be inhaled into the lungs and abdomen. worcester asbestos law firm cause irritation to the linings, causing cancerous cells to grow in the mesothelium. After exposure to asbestos, mesothelioma may occur between 15 and 60 years.
Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and age. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely to get mesothelioma than people younger or older. It is because mesothelioma generally lasts between 20 and 60 years from the first exposure to asbestos before cancer symptoms appear. It is important to note, too, that mesothelioma may develop in those who have been exposed to asbestos, but without having directly worked with it. This is called indirect or secondary exposure to asbestos and it is just as harmful as direct exposure.
Smoking increases the risk of mesothelioma, since it damages mesothelium. It can also make it more vulnerable. Furthermore, mesothelioma is caused by certain illnesses, such as asbestosis and pneumonia. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than females. This is because men are more likely to be exposed to asbestos and endure a a longer period of exposure than women. Also, men are more likely to live with someone who was exposed to asbestos and bring stray asbestos fibers home on their clothes. Women tend to have less exposure to asbestos and don't typically carry asbestos around on their clothing.
Diagnosis
It is difficult to recognize mesothelioma due to its symptoms being often similar to other diseases. This is why patients are sometimes mistakenly diagnosed.
NYU Langone doctors will perform an examination of the body and document the patient's medical history, including asbestos exposure. Doctors will also order a CT scan or chest X-ray to look for lumps, abnormalities and evidence of asbestos exposure. These include pleural plaques, thickened pleura and calcium deposits.
Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance scan, or MRI test, that uses radio waves and magnets in order to produce a series of precise images of the inside of the body. A surgical biopsy is a different method doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma. During a surgery biopsy, doctors remove a tiny part of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum, to be examined further. A pathologist can look at the tissue under microscopes to determine whether it is contaminated with cancerous cells.
The type of mesothelial cells involved as well as the benign or malignant nature of these cells and the location, type and stage of the tumor, are used to classify the disease. Certain types of mesothelioma may be more likely to develop metastasis or spread and spread, therefore it is essential to have a clear diagnosis so doctors can treat the disease before it gets out of control.
Doctors may also conduct laboratory tests on a tumor to identify specific genes, proteins or other elements that help them understand the characteristics of the cancer and determine a treatment. These results are known as staging.
Treatment
A mesothelioma diagnose can be frightening. However, it is important to remember that the disease is treatable, particularly in its earlier stages. Many mesothelioma patients live for many years with the disease without it spreading to other organs of their body.
Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma through a variety of ways. Asbestos fibers, too small to be able to see or feel with the naked eye, can become airborne and irritate the lining of the lungs (pleura). In time the irritation causes the formation of scar tissue, which eventually lead to tumors.
The pleura is the area that surrounds the lungs and heart and also the abdomen. Mesothelium is composed of cells that react to exposure to asbestos which causes it to become inflamed and develop scar tissue. Overtime, these changes cause the development of malignant mesothelioma tumors.
The symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are breathlessness and chest pain, or a buildup of fluid in the lung (pleural effusion). In rare instances cancer may spread to the tissues around the reproductive organs as well as the heart.
If imaging scans reveal an area of concern in the stomach or lungs the doctor will request biopsies. During the procedure, doctors remove tiny amounts of fluid or tumor for lab tests. The results will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma, and also determine the best treatment option.
There are several types of mesothelioma treatment, which include chemotherapy, surgery, and immunotherapy. Most doctors utilize combinations of these treatments. Patients could also benefit from taking part in a clinical trial of new mesothelioma treatments. To find out more, patients should speak to mesothelioma experts who have experience treating the condition.