Mesothelioma and Asbestos
Asbestos, a mineral that naturally forms in the form of thin, long fibers. Workers who are exposed asbestos on a regular basis are at risk of developing mesothelioma or other lung diseases.
Symptoms of these diseases may not be evident for a long time after exposure to asbestos. Different asbestos types may cause different symptoms.
Pleural Mesothelioma
Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer that occurs in the lung's outer lining (pleura). It is the most prevalent mesothelioma type, accounting for up 70 to 79% of all diagnosed cases. The condition can cause chest discomfort, shortness of breath and a feeling heaviness.
This kind of cancer is usually caused through exposure to asbestos, which is a cluster of minerals made up of microscopic fibres. These fibers, when inhaled, cause irritation and DNA mutations. The pleura is the area that surrounds the lungs and chest cavity, so these irritations can affect both the lungs and the heart of a person. Mesothelioma typically doesn't manifest until 30 to 50 years after exposure.
The most common symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include chest pain and breath shortness. Some patients have coughing problems, trouble breathing, or chest tightness. People with this cancer often have a history of exposure to asbestos in the workplace. The most frequent jobs that expose people to the risk of developing pleural cancer are construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding. People who served in the military are at a higher risk due to the extensive use asbestos in Navy vessels and bunkers in 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 is in upon diagnosis will assist their doctor in determining the most appropriate treatment plan for them. For example, patients with mesothelioma pleural stage three or four have a worse prognosis than patients with lower stages. Mesothelioma in stage four is usually spread to the diaphragm, the liver or even the heart of a patient. This could make the cancer more difficult to treat and increase the risk of complications for patients.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
In contrast to pleural mesothelioma which is a lung-lining cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma develops in the peritoneum, an elongated membrane that covers the abdominal cavity and organs such as the intestines and liver. As with pleural mesothelioma asbestos exposure is the primary cause of peritoneal msothelioma. The disease is less common than pleural mesothelioma, with just 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.
Like pleural mesothelioma, symptoms can take years to show. The majority of patients experience abdominal pain and a mass in the abdomen. The symptoms of this type of mesothelioma may also include nausea as well as weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms can be misinterpreted as gastrointestinal issues and can lead to a misdiagnosis.
Generally speaking, doctors can detect mesothelioma through an extensive health history and physical exam. Imaging tests such as X-rays or CT scans can be used to detect mesothelioma. These tests can reveal tumors, as well as other indications of cancer that aren't visible on an X-ray.
These tests enable doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and establish the stage. They can also recommend treatments. The staging is determined by the cell type and whether or whether the tumor has spread to other regions of the body.
The most significant mesothelioma risk factor is exposure to asbestos. People who have worked in asbestos-containing professions, such as plumbing or electrical work, or in construction, manufacturing and manufacturing, are more likely to contract the disease. However, even if people aren't employed in these areas they could be exposed to asbestos through family members or other sources. This is why anyone who believes they could be at risk should talk to an experienced doctor. If they have an history of exposure to asbestos, a mesothelioma specialist can assist them in finding out more about their risk.
Risk Factors
Asbestos is the most significant risk factor for mesothelioma. It accounts for up to 80% of all cases. Exposure to asbestos can occur through work, military service, or living with those who worked with asbestos. When exposed to asbestos, particles can be inhaled into the abdomen and lungs. These particles can cause irritation to the linings and can cause cancerous cells to grow in the mesothelium. Following exposure to asbestos, mesothelioma may develop between 15 and 60 year.
Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and age. The people in their 40s or 50s are more at chance of developing mesothelioma to those younger or older. It takes mesothelioma between 20 and 60 years to manifest cancer symptoms after the first exposure. It is important to note that mesothelioma can be present in people 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 is just as harmful as direct exposure.
Smoking increases the risk of developing mesothelioma since it causes mesothelium damage and makes it more vulnerable to asbestos. Mesothelioma is also aggravated by certain diseases, such as asbestosis and pneumonia. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma compared to women. This is because men are more likely to be exposed to asbestos and endure a a longer period of exposure than women. Additionally, men are more likely to live with someone who had asbestos exposure and bring asbestos fibers from their workplace on their clothes. Women are less likely to come exposed to asbestos, and don't typically carry asbestos on their clothing.
Diagnosis
It is difficult to identify mesothelioma since its symptoms are often similar to other conditions. Because of this, victims are sometimes wrongly diagnosed.
The first step in identifying mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform an examination and write notes on the medical history of a patient, including asbestos exposure. Doctors may also request an CT scan or chest X-ray to check for abnormalities, lumps and evidence of asbestos exposure. dayton asbestos attorney include pleural plaques, thickened pleura and calcium deposits.
Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram, which examines the blood vessels and the heart and magnetic resonance imaging, also known as MRI test, which makes use of magnets and radio waves to make a series of precise images of the inside of the body. A surgical biopsy is yet another 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 tested further. A pathologist then examines the tissue using a magnifying glass to determine whether it contains cancerous cell.
The mesothelial type involved as well as the benign or malignant nature of these cells as well as the location the cancer, its type and the stage of the tumor, are used to categorize the disease. Some types of mesothelioma are more likely to develop metastasis or spread, so it is important to establish a definitive diagnosis to ensure that doctors are able to treat the disease before it becomes out of control.
Doctors can also perform laboratory tests on tumors to determine specific genes, proteins, or other factors which can aid in describing cancer characteristics and determine the best treatment. These results are known as staging.
Treatment
A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be a frightening prospect. However, it is important to remember that the disease can be treated, particularly in its initial stages. Many people with mesothelioma can endure the disease for many years without it spreading.
Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma by a variety of mechanisms. Asbestos fibres, tiny enough to be felt or observed through the naked eye are able to become airborne and irritate the lining of the lung (pleura). In time, the irritation causes the formation of scar tissue, which can cause changes in the cell structure which eventually lead to tumors.
The pleura surrounds the lungs and heart and the abdomen. Mesothelium is made up 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.
A shortness of breath, chest discomfort or fluid buildup on the lungs are all signs of the pleural mesothelioma. In rare instances, cancer can spread into the tissues that surround the reproductive organs as well as the heart.
If scans of imaging reveal an area of concern in the lungs or stomach the doctor will request biopsies. During the procedure, doctors remove a small sample of the tumor or fluid for lab testing. The results will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma, and also determine the best treatment plan.
There are many types of mesothelioma treatments, which include chemotherapy, surgery, and immunotherapy. Most doctors use the combination of these treatments. Patients may also benefit from enrolling in a clinical trial of new mesothelioma therapies. To learn more, patients should consult mesothelioma specialists who have had experience treating the disease.