Mesothelioma and Asbestos
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that comes in thin, long fibres. Workers who are exposed to asbestos regularly risk developing mesothelioma and other types of lung diseases.
The symptoms of these diseases might not show up for decades after exposure to asbestos. Different asbestos types may cause different symptoms.
Pleural Mesothelioma
Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer that develops in the lung's outer the lining (pleura). It is the most frequent mesothelioma type, accounting for up between 70 and 79% of all diagnosed cases. This condition causes chest pain, shortness of breathe, and a feeling of heavyness.
This kind of cancer is often caused through exposure to asbestos, which is a grouping of minerals made up of microscopic fibres. Once inhaled, these fibers are absorbed into the lungs and cause irritation that leads to scarring and DNA mutations. The pleura covers the chest cavity and lungs This means that these irritations can affect both the lungs as well as the heart of a person. Mesothelioma typically doesn't manifest until 30 to 50 years after exposure.
The most commonly reported symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include chest pain and shortness of breath. Patients may have coughing problems, trouble breathing, or chest tightness. Patients with this type of cancer typically have an history of exposure to asbestos in the workplace. Manufacturing, construction and shipbuilding are among the most frequent occupations which put people at risk chance of developing pleural mesothelioma. People who have served in the military are at an especially high risk because of the extensive asbestos use in Navy ships and bunkers for the army.
The TNM (tumors, lymph nodes, and metastases staging system) is the most commonly used staging system used to treat the pleural cancer. The stage a patient is in at the moment of diagnosis will determine the treatment plan they should receive. Patients who have pleural mesothelioma which is in stage three or four will suffer a more negative prognosis than those in a lower stage. Mesothelioma in stage four can be spread to the liver, heart or diaphragm. This could make the cancer more difficult to treat and increase the chance of complications for the patient.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
As opposed to pleural mesothelioma that is a lung-lining cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma is found in the peritoneum, it is a membrane that lines the abdominal cavity and organs such as the liver and intestines. Like pleural mesothelioma, asbestos exposure is the primary reason for peritoneal msothelioma. daly city asbestos law firm is less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma, and only about 300-500 cases diagnosed each year.
As with pleural asbestosis, symptoms can take years to manifest. The majority of patients are afflicted with abdominal pain as well as abdominal swelling. The symptoms of this type of mesothelioma can also include nausea or weight loss, as well as fever. Many of these symptoms are similar to symptoms of gastrointestinal issues, which can result in misdiagnosis.
Doctors can detect mesothelioma by reviewing the medical history of the patient and conducting a physical exam. Imaging tests like X-rays and CT scans are a way to detect mesothelioma. These tests can show tumors and other indications of cancer that aren't visible on an X-ray.
The results of these tests allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and establish the stage. They also offer treatments. The stage is determined by the type of cell as well as whether the tumor has spread.
Asbestos exposure is the main risk factor. People who have been in occupations that require asbestos, such as plumbing, manufacturing, electrical work, or construction, are at increased risk of developing the disease. Even if an individual is not employed in any of these areas, he or she can be exposed to asbestos through family members and other sources. Anyone who suspects that they are at risk should consult an expert. A mesothelioma specialist can help those who have a history with asbestos to learn more about their risk.
Risk Factors
Asbestos is the primary risk factor for mesothelioma. It accounts for as much as 80percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos can happen due to work, military service, or through living with a person who is exposed to asbestos or used to do the same. When exposed to asbestos, small particles can be breathed into the abdomen and lungs. These particles can cause irritation to the linings, causing cancerous cells to grow in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma can take between 15 and 60 years to develop following exposure to asbestos.
Other risk factors include genetics, smoking and age. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely get mesothelioma than people younger or more senior. It takes mesothelioma 20-60 years to manifest cancer symptoms after the first exposure. It is important to keep in mind, too, that mesothelioma could occur in people who have been exposed to asbestos without having worked with it directly. This is referred to as secondary or indirect asbestos exposure. It can be just as harmful as direct asbestos exposure.
Smoking increases the risk of mesothelioma, since it damages mesothelium. It also makes it more susceptible. Mesothelioma is also aggravated by certain illnesses, including asbestosis and pneumonia. It is also important to note that mesothelioma is more common in males than females. This is due to the fact that men are more likely to work with asbestos and have an extended period of exposure than women. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who worked with asbestos, and to carry asbestos fibers on their clothing. Women are less likely to come into exposure to asbestos and don't typically carry asbestos around on their clothing.
Diagnosis
Mesothelioma is difficult to recognize because the symptoms can be similar to other diseases. This could lead to patients being incorrectly diagnosed.
NYU Langone doctors will perform physical examinations and document the patient's medical history, including asbestos exposure. Doctors may also order an X-ray chest or CT scan to detect lumps and other abnormalities, and also to look for evidence of previous asbestos exposure like pleural plaques (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the formation of fluid between the lung and chest wall (known as pleural effusion).
Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance image or MRI test, which uses magnets and radio waves in order to produce a series of precise images of the insides of the body. Another method doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma is to perform a surgical biopsy. In a surgical biopsy doctors remove a small piece of tissue from the pleura or peritoneum for further testing. A pathologist is then able to examine the tissue under microscopes to determine whether it contains cancerous cells.
Mesothelioma can be classified based on the type of mesothelial cells involved, whether those cells are malignant or benign, and the location of the tumor, the type, and the stage of the tumor. Some types of mesothelioma have an increased chance of metastasizing or spreading and it's crucial to get a definitive diagnosis to ensure that the doctors can treat it before it becomes out-of-control.
Doctors can also perform tests in the laboratory on tumors to identify specific genes, proteins or other factors that can help them describe cancer characteristics and plan treatment. These results are known as staging.
Treatment
A diagnosis of mesothelioma may be frightening. It is important to remember, however, that cancer can be treated, especially at its early stages. A lot of people suffering from mesothelioma endure the disease for a long time without expanding.
Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma through a variety of ways. Asbestos fibers, too small to see or feel through the naked eye, can be airborne and cause irritation to the lining of the lungs (pleura). Over time irritation can lead to formation of scar tissue, which leads to changes in the structure of cells which eventually lead to tumors.
The Pleura is a covering that covers the lungs, heart and abdomen. Mesothelium is made up of cells that respond when exposed to asbestos. They cause inflammation of the tissue and cause it to scar. Overtime, these changes result in the growth of malignant mesothelioma tumors.
The signs of pleural mesothelioma can include shortness of breath, chest pain or a buildup of fluid on the lungs (pleural effusion). In rare instances, cancer can spread into the tissues around the reproductive organs and heart.
A doctor will order biopsy if imaging scans show a potential tumor in the lungs or stomach. During the procedure, doctors remove tiny amounts of fluid or tumor for lab analysis. The results will confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis and indicate the best treatment option.
There are many types of treatment for mesothelioma such as chemotherapy and surgery. The majority of doctors use an amalgamation of these techniques. Patients can also benefit by enrolling in a clinical trial of new mesothelioma therapies. Patients can learn more about the trials by consulting a mesothelioma specialist who has treated mesothelioma.