Mesothelioma and Asbestos
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that is made up of long, thin fibres. Workers who are exposed to asbestos regularly are at risk of developing mesothelioma as well as other lung diseases.
It could take a long time for symptoms to show up after exposure to asbestos. Different asbestos types can cause different symptoms.
Pleural Mesothelioma
Pleural mesothelioma is a type of cancer that occurs in the lung's outer liner (pleura). It is the most prevalent mesothelioma that accounts for up between 70 and 79% of diagnosed cases. People with this condition feel chest pain and breath shortness, and they may feel a sensation of heaviness in the chest.
This kind of cancer is often caused by exposure to asbestos which is a collection of minerals that are comprised of microscopic fibres. When inhaled, these fibers can cause irritation and DNA mutations. Pleura surrounds both the chest cavity as well as the lungs, so irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma usually doesn't show symptoms until 30 to 50 years after exposure.
Shortness of breath and chest pain are the most frequently reported symptoms. Patients may also experience difficulty breathing or chest tightness. People who suffer from this cancer usually have an history of exposure to asbestos in the workplace. The most prevalent jobs that expose people to the risk of pleural mesothelioma include manufacturing, construction, and shipbuilding. People who have worked in the military are at a higher risk due to the widespread asbestos usage in Navy ships and bunkers used by the army.
The most common staging method for pleural mesothelioma is the TNM (tumor, lymph nodes and metastases) staging system. The stage a patient is in when they are diagnosed will help their doctor determine the most effective treatment plan for them. For instance, patients who have mesothelioma that is pleural in stage three or four have a less favorable prognosis than those in lower stages. Mesothelioma in stage four can be spread to the liver, heart, or diaphragm. This makes it more difficult to treat and increase the chance of complications for patients.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
Contrary to pleural cancer which forms in the lining of the lung, peritoneal cancer develops in the membrane that covers the abdominal cavity, which includes organs like the liver and intestines. Similar to pleural mesothelioma and peritoneal mesothelioma is caused by asbestos exposure. Only 300-500 cases are diagnosed annually this is less than pleural asbestosis.
As with pleural mesothelioma symptoms may take years to appear. Typically, inglewood asbestos lawsuit experience abdominal pain and an abdominal mass. This mesothelioma type can cause nausea, weight loss, and fever. A lot of these symptoms can be misinterpreted as gastrointestinal issues and can lead to a mistaken diagnosis.
Generally, doctors can find mesothelioma after an extensive health history and physical examination. They may also employ imaging tests like Xrays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to help find mesothelioma. These tests can show tumors and other indications of cancer that aren't visible on X-rays.
The results of these tests allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and establish the stage. They can also recommend treatments. The stage is determined by the kind of cell and if the cancer has spread.
Asbestos exposure is the main risk factor. People who have worked in asbestos-related professions, such as plumbing or electrical work, or in construction, manufacturing and manufacturing are more likely to develop the disease. Even if they do not work in these areas, they can still be exposed to asbestos through family members or other sources. Anyone who thinks they are at risk should speak with an expert. A mesothelioma expert can help those who have a experience with asbestos to understand more about their risk.
Risk Factors
Asbestos exposure is the main mesothelioma risk factor, which accounts for as much as 80 percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos may occur due to military service, work or living with someone who used to work with asbestos. Asbestos particles can be inhaled by those who are exposed to it. These particles can cause irritation to the linings, causing cancerous cells to form in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma can take between 15 and 60 years to develop after exposure to asbestos.
Other risk factors include genetics, smoking and aging. The people in their 40s or 50s are at greater chance of developing mesothelioma to those who are younger or older. This is because mesothelioma typically lasts between 20 and 60 years from the first exposure to asbestos before the first signs of cancer appear. It is also important to know that mesothelioma is a possibility in people who have been exposed to asbestos, but did not engage directly with it. This is referred to as secondary or indirect asbestos exposure and can be as hazardous as direct asbestos exposure.
Smoking increases the risk of developing mesothelioma since it causes mesothelium damage and makes it more prone to asbestos. Mesothelioma can also be aggravated by certain illnesses, including asbestosis and pneumonia. It is also important to note that mesothelioma is more prevalent in men than women. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for longer periods of time and to work with asbestos for longer periods of time. 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 exposed to asbestos, and they are less likely to carry asbestos on their clothes.
Diagnosis
Mesothelioma is difficult to recognize because the symptoms are often similar to other conditions. This could lead to patients being wrongly diagnosed.
NYU Langone doctors will perform an examination of the body and document the patient's medical history including asbestos exposure. Doctors will also recommend a 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 a magnetic resonance image or MRI test, that 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 the procedure of a surgical biopsy. During a surgical biopsy, doctors remove a small amount of tissue from the peritoneum or pleura for further analysis. A pathologist will then look at the tissue with an magnifying glass to determine if it is a cancerous cell.
Mesothelioma can be classified based on the mesothelial type involved, whether the cells are malignant or benign and also the location of the tumor, its type, and the stage of the tumor. Certain types of mesothelioma are at an increased risk of spreading or metastasizing and it's crucial to get a definitive diagnosis so that doctors can treat it prior to it becoming out of control.
Doctors may also conduct laboratory tests on a tumor to identify specific genes, proteins and other factors which can help them identify the cancer's characteristics and plan treatment. These results are referred to as staging.
Treatment
A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be terrifying. But, it is crucial to remember that the cancer is treatable, particularly in its initial stages. Many mesothelioma patients live for many years without the disease spreading to other areas of their body.
Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma through many mechanisms. Asbestos fibers, too small to detect or feel through the naked eye, can become airborne and irritate the lung's lining (pleura). In time, the irritation leads to the formation of scar tissue and eventually tumors.
The pleura is the area that surrounds the heart and lungs and the abdomen. Mesothelium is made up of cells that react when exposed to asbestos. They cause inflammation of the tissue and cause it to become scarred. Overtime, these changes cause the development of malignant mesothelioma cancers.
Symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include breathlessness, chest pain or the accumulation of fluid in the lung (pleural effusion). In rare instances the cancer may grow to the tissues surrounding the heart and reproductive organs.
If scans of imaging reveal an area of concern in the lungs or stomach the doctor will request a biopsies. During the procedure, doctors take small amounts of the tumor or fluid for lab testing. The results can confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and determine the most effective treatment plan.
There are many types of mesothelioma treatment, which include chemotherapy, surgery, and immunotherapy. Most doctors rely on the combination of these methods. Participating in clinical trials for new mesothelioma treatment may also be beneficial for patients. To find out more, patients should consult a mesothelioma specialist who has expertise in treating the condition.