Mesothelioma and Asbestos
Asbestos, a mineral that naturally occurs in the form of long, thin fibers. Workers who are exposed asbestos regularly are at risk of developing mesothelioma as well as other lung diseases.
It may take decades for symptoms to show up after exposure to asbestos. Different types of asbestos may cause different symptoms.
Pleural Mesothelioma
Pleural mesothelioma can be found in the lung's outer lining also known as pleura. It is the most common mesothelioma that accounts for up 70 to 79% of all diagnosed cases. Patients with this disease feel chest pain and shortness of breath and may experience the sensation of weight in the chest.
Exposure to asbestos, a family of minerals comprised of microscopic fibers, usually causes this type of cancer. Once inhaled, these fibers are absorbed into the lung and cause irritation which leads to scarring and DNA mutations. The pleura is the area that surrounds the chest cavity and lungs and therefore, these irritations could affect both the lungs as well as the heart of a person. Mesothelioma symptoms are usually not apparent until 30 to 50 years after exposure.
The most frequent symptoms of pleural melanoma are chest pain and breath shortness. Some patients also experience coughing, difficulty breathing, or chest tightness. Patients with this cancer have a past that includes asbestos exposure at work. Construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding are among the most frequent jobs which put people at risk risk of developing pleural mesothelioma. People who have worked in the military are at an especially high risk due to the frequent use of asbestos in Navy ships and bunkers for the army.
The TNM (tumors, lymph nodes, and metastases staging system) is the most common staging system for the pleural cancer. The stage a patient is in upon diagnosis will aid their doctor in determining the best treatment plan for them. For instance, patients suffering from a pleural mesothelioma in stage three or four have a poorer prognosis than those in a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma often spreads to the liver, diaphragm or even the heart of a patient. This can make it more difficult to treat and increase the likelihood of complications for patients.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
In contrast to pleural mesothelioma which is a lung-lining cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma develops in the peritoneum -- it is a membrane that lines the abdominal cavity as well as organs such as the liver and intestines. Like pleural mesothelioma, peritoneal mesothelioma is triggered by asbestos exposure. There are only 300-500 cases diagnosed annually, which is less than pleural asbestosis.
As with pleural asbestosis, symptoms can take years to manifest. Patients generally experience abdominal pain, and could also experience a mass in their abdomen. This kind of mesothelioma can also cause nausea, weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms could be mistaken for gastrointestinal problems which can lead to a mistaken diagnosis.
Typically, doctors can identify mesothelioma through a thorough health history and physical exam. Imaging tests like X-rays and CT scans are a way to detect mesothelioma. These tests can detect tumors and other cancer signs which aren't visible on X-rays.
These test results allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma, determine the stage of the disease and suggest treatment options. The staging is determined by the type of cell and whether or the tumor has spread to other regions of the body.
The most significant risk factor for mesothelioma is asbestos exposure. People who have been in occupations that require asbestos, such as plumbing or manufacturing, electrical work, or construction, are at greater risk of developing the disease. Even if a person does not work in one of these areas they could be exposed to asbestos through family members or other sources. For this reason, anyone who is concerned that they might be at risk should speak to an experienced doctor. A mesothelioma specialist can assist those who have a previous history of asbestos to find out more about their risk.
Risk Factors
Asbestos is the most significant mesothelioma-related risk factor. mobile asbestos attorney accounts for up to 80percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos may occur as a result of military service, work, or living with people who have worked with asbestos. Asbestos particles can be breathed in by those who are exposed to it. These particles can cause irritation to the linings and trigger cancerous cells to form in the mesothelium. After exposure to asbestos mesothelioma can occur between 15 and 60 years old.
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 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 may be present in people who have been exposed to asbestos without having been directly exposed to it. This is called secondary or indirect exposure to asbestos, and it could be as hazardous as direct exposure.
Smoking increases a person's chances of developing mesothelioma due to the fact that it damages the mesothelium and makes it more susceptible to asbestos. Additionally, mesothelioma can be worsened by certain diseases like pneumonia and asbestosis. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than women. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for longer periods of time and to work with it. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who been exposed to asbestos, and to carry asbestos fibers on their clothing. Women are less likely to come into exposure to asbestos and rarely carry asbestos on their clothing.
Diagnosis
It is difficult to recognize mesothelioma due to its symptoms being often similar to other diseases. Because of this, victims are often mistakenly diagnosed.
NYU Langone doctors will perform an examination of the body and document the patient's medical history, including asbestos exposure. Doctors may also request an CT scan or chest X-ray in order to look for lumps, abnormalities 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 heart and blood vessels and magnetic resonance imaging, also known as MRI test that uses radio waves and magnets to create precise images of the inside of the body. A surgical biopsy is another method doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma. When a biopsy is performed doctors take a tiny piece of tissue from pleura or the peritoneum to be examined further. A pathologist is then able to examine the tissue under a microscope to see if it contains cancerous cells.
The type of mesothelial cells involved as well as the benign or malignant nature of these cells as well as the location, type and stage of the tumour, are used to classify the disease. Certain types of mesothelioma are more likely to spread or metastasize which is why it is crucial to get a definite diagnosis so that doctors can treat the disease before it goes out of control.
Doctors may also conduct tests in the lab on tumors to determine specific proteins, genes and other factors which can help them identify the cancer's characteristics and plan treatment. These results are known as staging.
Treatment
A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be frightening. But, it is crucial to remember that the disease is treatable, especially in its early stages. Many mesothelioma patients live for a long time with the disease, without spreading to other areas of their body.
Exposure to asbestos may cause mesothelioma through a variety of ways. Asbestos fibers, which are too small to be able to see or feel with the naked eye, can become airborne and cause irritation to the lining of the lungs (pleura). As time passes irritation leads to formation of scar tissue, which causes changes in the structure of cells which eventually lead to tumors.
The pleura covers the heart and lungs and the abdomen. Mesothelium is made up of cells that respond when exposed to asbestos. They inflame the tissue and cause it to become scarred. These changes can result in malignant mesothelioma tumors.
Breathing problems, chest discomfort, or the accumulation of fluid on the lungs are all symptoms of pleural Msothelioma. In rare instances, cancer can spread into the tissues surrounding the reproductive organs as well as the heart.
If scans of imaging reveal an area of concern in the stomach or lungs doctors will recommend biopsies. The procedure involves the removal of a small amount of fluid or tumor for tests in the laboratory. The results can confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and determine the best treatment plan.
There are many types of treatment for mesothelioma, including chemotherapy and surgery. The majority of doctors use an amalgamation of these techniques. Patients could also benefit from enrolling in a clinical trial of new mesothelioma treatments. Patients can learn more by consulting a mesothelioma specialist who has treated the disease.