Mesothelioma and Asbestos
Asbestos, a mineral that naturally forms in the form of thin, long fibers. People who are exposed to asbestos regularly are at risk of developing mesothelioma as well as other lung diseases of different types.
The symptoms of these diseases might not be evident for a long time after exposure to asbestos. Different types of asbestos can cause different symptoms.
Pleural Mesothelioma
Pleural mesothelioma occurs in the lung's outer lining also known as pleura. It is the most frequent mesothelioma that accounts for up 70 to 79% of diagnosed cases. Patients suffering from this condition suffer from chest pain and breathlessness, 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 cluster of minerals that are made up of microscopic fibres. The fibers, when inhaled can cause irritation and DNA mutations. The pleura is the area that surrounds the lungs and chest cavity, so these irritations can affect both the lungs and a person's heart. Mesothelioma typically doesn't manifest until 30 to 50 year after exposure.
Chest pain and shortness breath are the most frequently reported symptoms. Some patients also experience coughing, difficulty 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 the most frequent jobs that put people at high chance of developing pleural mesothelioma. Individuals who have served in the military are at greater risk due the widespread use of asbestos in Navy vessels and bunkers for the Army.
The most common staging method for pleural mesothelioma is the TNM (tumor lymph nodes, lymph nodes and metastases) staging system. The stage a patient has upon diagnosis will assist their doctor in determining the most appropriate treatment plan for them. For instance, patients who have 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 a person's heart. This makes the cancer more difficult to treat and increase the risk of complications for the patient.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
In contrast to pleural mesothelioma which develops in the lung lining, peritoneal mesothelioma forms in the peritoneum -- an elongated membrane that covers the abdominal cavity and organs such as the liver and intestines. everett asbestos lawyer to pleural mesothelioma, asbestos exposure is the reason for peritoneal msothelioma. There are only 300-500 cases diagnosed each year, which is less than pleural asbestosis.
As with pleural asbestosis symptoms can take several years to manifest. The majority of patients suffer from abdominal pain and a mass in the abdomen. The symptoms of this type of mesothelioma may also include nausea, weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms can be misinterpreted as digestive issues and can lead to a misdiagnosis.
Generally, doctors can find mesothelioma through a thorough health history and physical examination. Imaging tests like X-rays or CT scans can be used to detect mesothelioma. These tests can reveal tumors and other signs of cancer that aren't evident on X-rays.
The results of these tests allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and determine the stage and recommend treatment options. The stage is determined by the type of cell as well as whether the cancer has spread.
The most important mesothelioma risk factor is asbestos exposure. People who have been exposed to asbestos in jobs, such as electrical or plumbing work, or in construction and manufacturing are more likely to contract the disease. Even if someone isn't employed in any of these areas they could still be exposed through family members or other sources. Anyone who believes they are at risk should talk to a doctor. A mesothelioma specialist can assist those with a previous history of asbestos to find out more about their risk.
Risk Factors
Asbestos is the main risk factor in mesothelioma. It is responsible for up to 80percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos can happen as a result of work, military service, or living with someone who used to work with asbestos. Asbestos particles are inhaled by those who are exposed to asbestos. These particles can cause irritation to the linings of the abdomen, which causes cancerous cells to form in the mesothelium. After exposure to asbestos, mesothelioma may be diagnosed between 15 and 60 years old.
Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and age. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely get mesothelioma than people younger or more senior. This is because mesothelioma usually lasts between 20 and 60 years after the initial exposure to asbestos before the first signs of cancer appear. It is important to note that mesothelioma can be present in people who have been exposed to asbestos, but without having directly worked with it. This is known as indirect or secondary exposure to asbestos, and it can be just as dangerous as direct exposure.
Smoking increases the risk of developing mesothelioma since it damages the mesothelium and makes it more vulnerable to asbestos. Furthermore, mesothelioma is worsened by certain diseases like pneumonia and asbestosis. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than females. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for a longer period of time and to have worked with asbestos for longer periods of time. Also, men are more likely to live with someone who worked with asbestos and carry asbestos fibers that have escaped home on their clothing. Women are less likely to be in contact with asbestos, and they don't usually carry asbestos on their clothing.
Diagnosis
It is difficult to identify mesothelioma because its symptoms are often similar to other diseases. Because of this, victims are often misdiagnosed.
NYU Langone doctors will perform an examination of the body and document the patient's medical history, including asbestos exposure. Doctors may also request an CT scan or chest X-ray to look for abnormalities, lumps and evidence of exposure to asbestos. These include plaques on the pleura, pleura that are thickened and calcium deposits.
Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram, which examines the blood vessels and the heart and magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI, test, which uses magnets and radio waves to make a series of detailed images of the interior of the body. A surgical biopsy is a different way for doctors to diagnose mesothelioma. During a surgery biopsy doctors will remove a small piece of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum, to be examined further. A pathologist is then able to examine the tissue under microscopes to determine whether it has cancerous cells.
The mesothelial type involved as well as the benign or malignant nature of those cells and the location, type and stage of the cancer are used to categorize the disease. Some types of mesothelioma have a higher risk of spreading or metastasizing therefore it is essential to get a definitive diagnosis to ensure that the doctors can treat it before it becomes out of control.
Doctors may also conduct laboratory tests on tumors to determine specific proteins, genes or other elements that will help them identify cancer characteristics and plan treatment. These results are known as staging.
Treatment
A mesothelioma diagnosis can be an incredibly frightening prospect. But, it is crucial to remember that the cancer can be treated, particularly in its initial stages. Many patients with mesothelioma be afflicted for a long time without expanding.
Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma through various mechanisms. Asbestos fibers, too small to be able to see or feel through the naked eye, can become airborne and cause irritation to the lining of the lungs (pleura). Over time irritation can lead to formation of scar tissue, which causes changes in the cell structure that can eventually grow into tumors.
The pleura is the area that surrounds the lungs and heart and the abdomen. Mesothelium is composed of cells that respond when exposed to asbestos. They cause inflammation of the tissue and cause it to become scarred. These changes can result in malignant mesothelioma tumors.
Shortness of breath, chest discomfort or fluid buildup on the lungs are all indications of the pleural msothelioma. In rare cases cancer can spread to the tissues around the reproductive organs and heart.
If scans of imaging reveal an underlying mass in the lungs or stomach, a doctor will order a biopsies. During the procedure doctors remove some of the liquid or tumor for lab tests. The results can confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and determine the best treatment option.
There are a variety of treatment for mesothelioma including surgery and chemotherapy. Most doctors use the combination of these treatments. Patients could also benefit from taking part in a clinical trial of new mesothelioma treatment. To learn more about the trials, patients should speak to mesothelioma specialists who have experience treating the condition.