Mesothelioma and Asbestos
Asbestos is a natural mineral that is found in long, thin fibres. Workers who are regularly exposed to asbestos are at risk of developing lung diseases such as mesothelioma.
It can take years for symptoms to show up after asbestos exposure. Different asbestos types may cause different symptoms.
Pleural Mesothelioma
Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer that affects the outer lung liner (pleura). It is the most common mesothelioma type, accounting for up 70 to 79% of diagnosed cases. Patients with this disease feel chest pain and breath shortness, and they may feel an ache or heaviness in the chest.
This type of cancer is often caused through exposure to asbestos, which is a collection of minerals made up of microscopic fibres. When inhaled, these fibers cling to the lung and cause irritation that results in scarring and DNA mutations. The pleura surrounds the chest cavity and lungs, so these irritations can affect both the lungs as well as the heart of a person. Mesothelioma symptoms typically don't show until 30 to 50 years after exposure.
Shortness of breath and chest pain are the most common symptoms. Patients may also experience difficulty breathing or chest tightness. Patients with this type of cancer have a past that includes asbestos exposure at work. Construction, manufacturing, and shipbuilding are the most prevalent jobs that put people at a high chance of developing pleural mesothelioma. Individuals who have been in the military may be at an especially high risk because of the extensive asbestos usage in Navy vessels and bunkers used by 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 when they are diagnosed will assist their doctor in determining the best treatment plan for them. For example, patients with mesothelioma pleural stage three or four have a poorer prognosis than those in lower stages. Stage four mesothelioma often spreads to the liver, diaphragm or even a person's heart. This could make the cancer more difficult to treat, and increase the chance of complications for the patient.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
In contrast to pleural mesothelioma which develops in the lung lining, peritoneal mesothelioma develops in the peritoneum, an elongated membrane that covers the abdominal cavity and organs such as the intestines and the liver. Similar to pleural mesothelioma mesothelioma is caused by asbestos exposure. It is estimated that only 300-500 cases are diagnosed each year this is less than pleural asbestosis.
As with pleural mesothelioma symptoms can take years to show. Patients typically suffer from abdominal pain and could also experience a mass 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 misdiagnosis.
Doctors can detect mesothelioma by reviewing the medical history of the patient and conducting a physical exam. They can also use imaging tests like Xrays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to help find mesothelioma. These tests can reveal tumors, as well as other indications of cancer that aren't visible on X-rays.
These test results enable doctors to identify mesothelioma, and determine the stage. They can also recommend treatment options. The stage is determined by the kind of cell and if the cancer has spread.
The most significant mesothelioma-related risk factor is exposure to asbestos. People who have worked in asbestos-related occupations, like electrical or plumbing work, or in manufacturing and construction are more likely to contract the disease. Even if a person isn't employed in one of these areas they could still be exposed through family members and other sources. Therefore, anyone who suspects they may be at risk should talk to a doctor. A mesothelioma expert can help those who have had a history with asbestos to learn more about their risk.
Risk Factors
Asbestos exposure is a major mesothelioma risk factor, making up as much as 80 percent of all cases. Exposure to asbestos may occur through work, military service or by living with someone who works with asbestos or has previously done the same. When exposed to baldwin park asbestos attorney , the particles are able to be inhaled into abdomen and lungs. These irritate the linings and cause cancerous cells to grow in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma may take between 15 and 60 years to develop following exposure to asbestos.
Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and age. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely to develop mesothelioma than those who are younger or older. It takes mesothelioma between 20 and 60 years to manifest cancer symptoms after the first exposure. It is important to remember that mesothelioma could develop in people who have been exposed to asbestos, but without having worked with it directly. This is called indirect or secondary exposure to asbestos. It is just as harmful as direct exposure.
Smoking increases the risk of developing mesothelioma due to the fact that it causes mesothelium damage and makes it more susceptible to asbestos. Additionally, mesothelioma can be worsened by certain diseases like asbestosis and pneumonia. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than females. This is due to men being more likely to work with asbestos and experience 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 into exposure to asbestos and do not typically carry asbestos on their clothes.
Diagnosis
It is difficult to identify mesothelioma due to its symptoms being often similar to other conditions. This can lead to victims being misdiagnosed.
NYU Langone doctors will perform an examination of the body and document the patient's medical background, including asbestos exposure. Doctors may also order a chest X-ray or CT scan to look for lumps and other abnormalities as well as evidence of past asbestos exposure such as pleural plaques (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the accumulation of fluid between the lung and the chest wall (known as the 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 a different method doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma. In a surgical biopsy, doctors remove a tiny piece of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum, to be examined further. A pathologist will then look at the tissue with a magnifying lens to determine if it contains cancerous cells.
The type of mesothelial cells involved and the benign or malignant nature of the cells and the location the cancer, its type and the stage of the tumor, are used to classify the disease. Some types of mesothelioma are more likely to spread or metastasize and spread, therefore it is essential to establish a definitive diagnosis so doctors can treat the disease before it becomes out of control.
Doctors can also run tests in the lab on tumors to determine specific proteins, genes or other elements that help them understand the cancer's characteristics and plan treatment. These results are known as staging.
Treatment
A mesothelioma diagnose can be terrifying. But, it is crucial to remember that the disease can be treated, particularly in its earlier stages. Many patients with mesothelioma survive for many years with the disease, without spreading to other parts of their body.
Asbestos exposure can trigger mesothelioma via many mechanisms. Asbestos fibers, which are too small to detect or feel through the naked eye, can become airborne and irritate the lung's lining (pleura). Over time, the irritation leads to the formation of scar tissue and eventually tumors.
The pleura covers the lungs and the heart and also the abdomen. Mesothelium is composed of cells that react to exposure to asbestos, causing it to inflame and create scar tissue. These changes can eventually cause mesothelioma cancers.
Breathing problems, chest discomfort or fluid buildup on the lungs are all symptoms of pleural msothelioma. In rare instances, the cancer can be spread to the tissues around the heart and reproductive organs.
A doctor may request a biopsy if imaging scans show the possibility of a tumor in the lungs or stomach. The procedure involves the removal of a small amount of fluid or tumor for laboratory testing. The results can confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and determine the most effective treatment plan.
There are many types of treatment for mesothelioma such as chemotherapy and surgery. Most doctors utilize a combination of these methods. Patients may also benefit from taking part in a clinical trial of new mesothelioma treatment. To learn more, patients should consult a mesothelioma specialist who has experience treating the condition.