Mesothelioma and Asbestos
Asbestos, a natural mineral, naturally forms in the form of long, thin fibers. People who are exposed to asbestos may develop lung diseases, such as mesothelioma.
The symptoms of these diseases might not manifest for years after exposure to asbestos. Different asbestos types may cause different symptoms.
Pleural Mesothelioma
Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer of the lung's outer lining, also known as pleura. It is the most common mesothelioma type, accounting for up between 70 and 79% of diagnosed cases. This condition causes chest pain, shortness of breathe and a feeling of heaviness.
Exposure to asbestos, a family of minerals composed of microscopic fibers, usually causes this type of cancer. These fibers, when inhaled cause irritation 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 symptoms typically don't show until 30 to 50 years after exposure.
The most commonly reported symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include chest discomfort and shortness of breath. Patients may 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 the most prevalent jobs that put people at high danger of developing pleural melanoma. Individuals who have served in the military are at higher risk due to the frequent use of 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 that a patient is at upon diagnosis will aid their doctor in determining the best treatment plan for them. For example, patients with mesothelioma pleural stage three or four have a worse prognosis than patients with a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma is often spread to the diaphragm, the liver or even the heart of a patient. This can make the cancer more difficult to treat and increase the chance of complications for the patient.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
In contrast to pleural cancer, which is found in the lining of the lung, peritoneal cancer develops in the membrane that covers the abdominal cavity, which includes organs like the intestines and the liver. Similar to pleural mesothelioma and peritoneal mesothelioma is triggered by asbestos exposure. The disease is much less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma. There are around 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.
As with pleural asbestosis, symptoms can take several years to manifest. Most patients experience abdominal pain and an abdominal mass. The symptoms of this kind of mesothelioma may also include nausea as well as weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms could be mistaken for gastrointestinal problems, leading to a mistaken diagnosis.
Generally, doctors can find mesothelioma after an extensive health history and physical examination. They can also use imaging tests like X-rays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to identify mesothelioma. These tests can reveal tumors and other cancer signs that aren't evident on X-rays.
These tests enable doctors to diagnose mesothelioma, identify the stage and suggest treatment options. The stage is determined by the type of cell as well as whether the tumor has spread.
Asbestos exposure is the most important risk factor. People who have worked in professions that require asbestos, such as plumbing, manufacturing, electrical work or construction, are at a higher risk of developing the disease. However, even if people do not work in these areas they could be exposed to asbestos through relatives or other sources. This is why anyone who believes they could be at risk should talk to an expert. If they have any history of exposure to asbestos and mesothelioma is a concern, a specialist will assist them in finding out more about the risk.
Risk Factors
Asbestos exposure is a major risk factor for mesothelioma, making up as much as 80 percent of all cases. Exposure to asbestos may occur due to work, military service, or through living with a person who works with asbestos or was previously exposed to doing such. When exposed to asbestos, particles are able to be inhaled into lungs and abdomen. These particles can cause irritation to the linings and cause cancerous cells to form in the mesothelium. After exposure to asbestos, mesothelioma may occur between 15 and 60 years.
Other risk factors include genetics, smoking and age. People in their 40s and 50s are more at risk of developing mesothelioma compared to those younger or older. Mesothelioma can take between 20 and 60 years to manifest cancer symptoms after the first exposure. It is important to remember that mesothelioma is a possibility in those who were exposed to asbestos but didn't deal with it directly. This is referred to as secondary or indirect exposure to asbestos. It can be just as dangerous as direct exposure.
Smoking increases the risk of getting mesothelioma because it causes mesothelium damage and makes it more prone to asbestos. Furthermore, mesothelioma is exacerbated by certain illnesses like asbestosis and pneumonia. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than women. This is due to the fact that men are more likely to work with asbestos and have a longer period of exposure than women. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who worked with asbestos, and to have asbestos fibers on their clothing. Women are less likely to come into exposure to asbestos and do not typically carry asbestos home on their clothes.
Diagnosis
Mesothelioma is a difficult cancer to diagnose because the symptoms are often similar to other diseases. Because of this, victims are often wrongly diagnosed.
The first step to diagnose mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform a physical exam and take notes on the medical history of a patient which includes asbestos exposure. Doctors will also order a CT scan or chest X-ray to check for abnormalities, lumps 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 uses radio waves and magnets to produce a series of precise images of inside the body. A surgical biopsy is a different method for doctors to identify mesothelioma. During a surgical biopsy, doctors take a small amount of tissue from the peritoneum or pleura for further analysis. A pathologist then examines the tissue with an magnifying glass to determine if it contains cancerous cell.
The type of mesothelial cell involved and the benign or malignant nature of those cells and the location, type and stage of the tumour, are used to categorize the disease. Certain mesothelioma types have a higher risk of spreading or metastasizing therefore it is essential to establish a clear diagnosis to ensure that the doctors can treat it prior to it becoming out of control.
Doctors can also perform tests in the lab on tumors to determine specific proteins, genes or other elements that can help them describe the characteristics of cancer and plan treatment. These results are referred to as staging.
Treatment
A mesothelioma diagnosis can be terrifying. It is crucial to remember that cancer can be treated, particularly in its initial stages. A lot of people suffering from mesothelioma endure the disease for a long time, without spreading.
asbestos lawyer mesothelioma can cause mesothelioma by various mechanisms. Asbestos particles, which are too small to be able to see or feel through the naked eye, can become airborne and irritate the lung's lining (pleura). Over time irritation leads to formation of scar tissue, which leads to changes in the cell structure which eventually lead to tumors.
The pleura is the area that surrounds the heart and lungs and also the abdomen. Mesothelium is made up of cells that respond when exposed to asbestos. They cause inflammation to the tissue and cause it to become scarred. These changes can eventually lead to malignant mesothelioma tumours.
The signs of pleural mesothelioma can include shortness of breath, chest pain or a buildup of fluid in the lung (pleural effusion). In rare instances the cancer may grow to the tissues surrounding the heart and reproductive organs.
A doctor will request a biopsy if imaging scans show the possibility of a lung tumor or stomach. The procedure involves the removal of small amounts of fluid or tumor for tests in the laboratory. The results will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma, and also determine the best treatment plan.
There are a variety of mesothelioma treatments, which include chemotherapy, surgery, and immunotherapy. The majority of doctors use a combination of these methods. Patients can also benefit by participating in a clinical study of new mesothelioma therapies. Patients can find out more by speaking with a mesothelioma doctor who has treated mesothelioma.