Mesothelioma and Asbestos
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that comes in long, thin fibres. Workers who are exposed asbestos regularly are at risk of developing mesothelioma as well as other lung diseases of different types.
It can take years for symptoms to appear after asbestos exposure. Different asbestos types may cause different symptoms.
Pleural Mesothelioma
Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer of the lung's outer lining or the pleura. It is the most frequent mesothelioma that accounts for up 70 to 79% of diagnosed cases. The condition can cause chest discomfort, shortness of breath, and a feeling of weightiness.
Exposure to asbestos, a class of minerals composed of microscopic fibers, typically causes this type of cancer. These fibers, when inhaled, cause irritation and DNA mutations. Pleura covers both the chest cavity and the lungs, and so irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma is usually not symptomatic until 30 to 50 years after exposure.
The most common symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are chest pain and breath shortness. Some patients may also suffer from chest tightness, coughing or difficulty breathing. People who suffer from this cancer usually have an history of exposure to asbestos in the workplace. Construction, manufacturing, and shipbuilding are the most frequent jobs that put people at a high danger of developing pleural melanoma. People who have worked in the military are at risk due to the frequent use of asbestos in Navy ships and army bunkers.
The TNM (tumors lymph nodes and metastases staging system) is the most common staging system used for pleural adenocarcinoma. The stage that a patient is at at diagnosis will aid their doctor in determining the best treatment plan for them. For instance, patients suffering from mesothelioma that is pleural in stage three or four have a less favorable prognosis than patients with a lower stage. Mesothelioma in stage four is usually spread to the liver, diaphragm and/or a person's heart. 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 develops in the peritoneum -- it is a membrane that lines the abdominal cavity as well as organs like the liver and intestines. Similar to pleural mesothelioma mesothelioma is triggered by asbestos exposure. The disease is less common than pleural mesothelioma, with only about 300-500 cases diagnosed each year.
As with pleural asbestosis symptoms can take a long time to manifest. Patients usually have abdominal pain, and may have a mass in their abdomen. This type of mesothelioma may cause nausea, weight loss and fever. A lot of these symptoms are similar to those experienced by digestive problems, which can lead to incorrect diagnosis.
Generally speaking, doctors can detect mesothelioma by conducting an exhaustive health history and physical exam. Imaging tests like X-rays or CT scans are a way to detect mesothelioma. These tests can identify tumors as well as other signs of cancer which aren't visible on X-rays.
These tests enable doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and determine the stage of the disease and suggest treatment options. The stage of the disease is determined based on the type of cells and whether or whether the tumor has spread to other areas of the body.
The most significant mesothelioma-related risk factor is exposure to asbestos. People who have been in occupations that involve asbestos, like plumbing, manufacturing, electrical work or construction, are at greater risk of developing the disease. Even if an individual does not work in one of these areas however, they may be exposed to asbestos through family members and other sources. Anyone who suspects that they are at risk should talk to a doctor. A mesothelioma specialist can help those who have a history with asbestos to learn more about their risk.
Risk Factors
Asbestos is the main risk factor for mesothelioma. It accounts for as much as 80% of all cases. Exposure to asbestos may occur as a result of work, military service or through living with a person who is exposed to asbestos or was previously exposed to doing such. When exposed to asbestos, particles can be breathed into the abdomen and lungs. These irritate the linings and can cause cancerous cells to grow in the mesothelium. After asbestos exposure, mesothelioma may be diagnosed between 15 and 60 years.
Other risk factors include genetics, smoking and aging. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely get mesothelioma than people younger or older. It takes mesothelioma 20-60 years to show signs of cancer after the first exposure. It is also important to note that mesothelioma may develop in people who were exposed to asbestos, but did not deal with it directly. This is referred to as indirect or secondary asbestos exposure, and is as dangerous as direct asbestos exposure.
Smoking increases the chance of mesothelioma as it damages the mesothelium. It also makes it more prone to. milwaukee asbestos law firm can also be caused by certain illnesses, including asbestosis and pneumonia. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma compared to women. This is because men are more likely to work with asbestos and experience a an extended period of exposure than women. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who has worked with asbestos and to have asbestos-containing fibers on their clothing. Women are less likely to come into exposure to asbestos and rarely carry asbestos on their clothes.
Diagnosis
Mesothelioma is a difficult disease to identify because the symptoms often resemble other diseases. This can result in patients being misdiagnosed.
The first step in diagnosing mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform an examination of the body and take notes on the medical history of a patient including asbestos exposure. Doctors will also recommend an CT scan or chest X-ray to look for lumps, abnormalities and evidence of asbestos exposure. These include plaques on the pleura, pleura that are thickened and calcium deposits.
Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance imaging or MRI test, which makes use of radio waves and magnets in order to produce a series of precise images of the insides of the body. A surgical biopsy is yet another method for doctors to identify mesothelioma. During a surgery biopsy doctors take a tiny piece of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum to be further examined. 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, as well as the location and stage of the tumour, are used to categorize the disease. Certain types of mesothelioma are at a higher chance of metastasizing or spreading therefore it is essential to establish a clear diagnosis to ensure that the doctors can treat it before it becomes out-of-control.
Doctors can also run 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 referred to as staging.
Treatment
A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be an incredibly frightening prospect. But, it is crucial to remember that the disease can be treated, particularly in its early stages. Many mesothelioma patients live for many years without the disease spreading to other parts of their body.
Asbestos exposure can trigger mesothelioma via a variety of mechanisms. Asbestos fibers, which are too small to see or feel by the naked eye can become airborne and irritate the lining of the lungs (pleura). In time the irritation can lead to the formation of scar tissue and eventually tumors.
The pleura is a protective covering that protects the lungs, heart and abdomen. Mesothelium consists of cells that react to exposure to asbestos, causing it to inflame and form scar tissue. As time passes, these changes lead to the development of malignant mesothelioma tumors.
The signs of pleural mesothelioma can include breathlessness and chest pain, or an accumulation of fluid in the lungs (pleural effusion). In rare instances the cancer may be spread to the tissues around the heart and reproductive organs.
A doctor will request biopsy if imaging scans show the possibility of a tumor in the lungs or stomach. During the procedure, doctors take small amounts of the fluid or tumor for laboratory tests. The results can confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and help determine the most effective treatment plan.
There are many types of treatment for mesothelioma including chemotherapy and surgery. Most doctors rely on a combination of these methods. Enrolling in clinical trials of mesothelioma treatments may be beneficial to patients. To learn more about the trials, patients should speak with a mesothelioma specialist who has expertise in treating the condition.