Mesothelioma and Asbestos
Asbestos is a natural mineral that is made up of thin, long fibres. People who are exposed to asbestos regularly risk developing mesothelioma and other lung diseases of different types.
It may take decades 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 develops in the outer lung the lining (pleura). It is the most frequent mesothelioma type and accounts for 70% to 79% of all diagnosed cases. Patients with this disease suffer from chest pain and shortness of breath and may also feel an ache or heaviness in the chest.
This kind of cancer is usually caused by exposure to asbestos, which is a collection of minerals composed of microscopic fibers. Once inhaled, the fibers cling to the lung and cause irritation which causes scarring and DNA mutations. The pleura surrounds the lungs and chest cavity and therefore, these irritations could affect both the lungs and the heart of a person. Mesothelioma symptoms usually don't appear until 30 to 50 years after exposure.
Chest pain and shortness breath are the most common symptoms. Some patients also experience coughing, difficulty breathing or chest tightness. Patients with this cancer have a history of disease that includes asbestos exposure at work. The most prevalent jobs that put people at risk of developing pleural mesothelioma are construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding. People who served in the military are at a higher risk due to the frequent use of asbestos in Navy vessels and bunkers in the Army.
The most common staging system for pleural mysothelioma has been the TNM (tumor lymph nodes, lymph nodes and metastases) staging system. The stage the patient is in at the time of diagnosis will help determine the treatment plan they should receive. For example, patients with mesothelioma pleural stage three or four have a poorer prognosis than those with lower stages. Stage four mesothelioma is often spread to the diaphragm, the liver and/or a person's heart. This can make it more difficult to treat and increases the likelihood of complications for the patient.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
As opposed to pleural mesothelioma that is a lung-lining cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma forms in the peritoneum - a membrane that lines the abdominal cavity and organs such as the intestines and liver. As with pleural mesothelioma exposure to asbestos is the cause of peritoneal msothelioma. Only 300-500 cases are diagnosed annually this is less than pleural asbestosis.
As with pleural asbestosis, symptoms can take a long time to show. Patients generally suffer from abdominal pain and may also have a lump in their abdomen. This kind of mesothelioma can cause nausea, weight loss, and fever. Many of these symptoms can be misinterpreted as digestive issues which can lead to a false diagnosis.
Generally, doctors can find mesothelioma after a thorough medical history and physical exam. Imaging tests such as X-rays or CT scans can be used to detect mesothelioma. These tests can reveal tumors, as well as other signs of cancer that aren't visible on X-rays.
These tests enable doctors to diagnose mesothelioma, identify the stage and suggest treatment options. The stage is determined by the kind of cell and if the tumor has spread.
Asbestos exposure is the biggest risk factor. People who have been exposed to asbestos in occupations, like plumbing or electrical work, or in construction, manufacturing and manufacturing, are more likely to develop the disease. However, even if individuals aren't employed in these areas they could be exposed to asbestos through family members or other sources. Anyone who believes they may be at risk should speak with an expert. A mesothelioma expert can help those who have a previous history of asbestos to find out more about their risk.
Risk Factors
Asbestos is the primary risk factor in mesothelioma. It accounts for as much as the 80% of cases. Exposure to asbestos can occur due to work, military service or through living with a person who is exposed to asbestos or has previously done such. When exposed to asbestos, the particles can be breathed into the abdomen and lungs. These particles irritate the linings of the abdomen, which causes cancerous cells to grow in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma can take anywhere 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 to be diagnosed with mesothelioma compared to those who are younger or older. Mesothelioma can take between 20 and 60 years before it manifests cancer symptoms after the first exposure. 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 is just as harmful as direct exposure.
Smoking increases the chance of mesothelioma developing, since it damages mesothelium. It can also make it more vulnerable. In addition, mesothelioma may be caused by certain illnesses, such as pneumonia and asbestosis. 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 be exposed to asbestos and endure a a longer period of exposure than women. Additionally, men are more likely to live with someone who was exposed to asbestos and bring asbestos fibers that have escaped home on their clothing. Women are less likely to come into exposure to asbestos and don't typically carry asbestos on their clothing.
Diagnosis
It is difficult to recognize mesothelioma due to its symptoms being frequently similar to other illnesses. This is why patients are sometimes wrongly diagnosed.
The first step in identifying 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 may also request an CT scan or chest X-ray to check 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, or MRI test, which uses magnets and radio waves to make a series of precise images of the inside of the body. A surgical biopsy is another method doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma. In a surgical biopsy doctors remove a small piece of tissue from the peritoneum or pleura for further testing. A pathologist will then look at the tissue with a magnifying glass to determine whether it contains cancerous cell.
The type of mesothelial cell involved, the malignant or benign nature of these cells and the location the cancer, its type and the stage of the tumor, are used to categorize the disease. Some types of mesothelioma are more likely to spread or metastasize, so it is important to have a clear diagnosis so doctors can treat the disease before it goes out of control.
Doctors can also run tests in the lab on a tumor to identify specific genes, proteins and other factors which can help them identify the characteristics of cancer and plan treatment. These results are known as staging.
Treatment
A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be terrifying. However, it's important to keep in mind that the cancer is treatable, especially in its initial stages. A lot of people suffering from mesothelioma endure the disease for many years without it expanding.
Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma in many ways. Asbestos fibres, tiny enough to be felt or observed by naked eyes are able to become airborne, irritating the lung's lining (pleura). In time irritation leads to formation of scar tissue, which can cause changes in the structure of cells that can eventually grow into tumors.
The pleura surrounds the heart and lungs, as well as the abdomen. Mesothelium is made up of cells that respond when exposed to asbestos. They inflame the tissue and cause it to scar. As fort worth asbestos lawyer , these changes lead to the development of malignant mesothelioma tumors.
The signs of pleural mesothelioma can include breathlessness and chest pain, or a buildup of fluid in the lung (pleural effusion). In rare cases, the cancer can grow to the tissues surrounding the heart and reproductive organs.
A doctor may request biopsy if imaging scans show a potential tumor in the lungs or stomach. During the procedure, doctors remove small amounts of the fluid or tumor for laboratory tests. The results will confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis and indicate the best treatment plan.
There are many types of treatment for mesothelioma, such as chemotherapy and surgery. The majority of doctors employ combinations of these treatments. Patients can also benefit by taking part in a clinical trial of new mesothelioma therapies. To learn more, patients should speak to a mesothelioma specialist who has expertise in treating the condition.