Mesothelioma and Asbestos
Asbestos is a natural mineral that is found in long, thin fibres. People who are exposed to asbestos on a regular basis are at risk of developing mesothelioma or other types of lung diseases.
Symptoms of these diseases may not be evident for a long time after exposure to asbestos. Different asbestos types may cause different symptoms.
Pleural Mesothelioma
Pleural mesothelioma, a form of cancer, that affects the lung's outer lining (pleura). It is the most prevalent mesothelioma type and accounts for 70% to 79% of all diagnosed cases. Patients suffering from this condition suffer from chest pain and breath shortness and may experience a sensation of heaviness in the chest.
This type of cancer usually caused by exposure to asbestos which is a grouping of minerals made up of microscopic fibres. These fibers, when inhaled, cause irritation 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 usually doesn't show symptoms until 30 to 50 years after exposure.
Chest pain and shortness breath are the most frequently reported symptoms. Patients may have coughing problems, trouble 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 among the most frequent jobs that put people at high danger of developing pleural melanoma. People who were in the military are at a greater risk due to the frequent use of asbestos in Navy vessels and bunkers in the Army.
The most popular staging system for pleural mysothelioma has been 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 instance, patients suffering from mesothelioma pleural stage three or four have a less favorable prognosis than those in a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma may spread to the liver, heart, or diaphragm. This makes it more difficult to treat and increase the chance of complications for the patient.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
Unlike pleural cancer, which is found in the lining of the lung, peritoneal cancer develops in the membrane that covers the abdominal cavity, including organs such as the intestines and liver. Similar to pleural mesothelioma, asbestos exposure is the reason for peritoneal msothelioma. The disease is less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma, with just 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.
As with pleural mesothelioma symptoms can take a long time to manifest. Patients generally have abdominal pain, and may have a mass in their abdomen. The symptoms of this type of mesothelioma could also include nausea as well as weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms are similar to symptoms of gastrointestinal issues, which can lead to incorrect diagnosis.
Generally, doctors can find mesothelioma after a thorough medical history and physical exam. They can also utilize imaging tests like Xrays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to help find mesothelioma. These tests can reveal tumors and other cancer signs which aren't evident on X-rays.
These test results allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma, identify the stage of the disease and suggest treatment options. The stage is determined by the type of cell and whether the tumor has spread.
The most important mesothelioma-related risk factor is exposure to asbestos. People who have worked in professions that require asbestos, like plumbing or manufacturing, electrical work or construction, are at greater risk of developing the disease. However, even if individuals do not work in these fields they could be exposed to asbestos through family members or through other sources. Anyone who suspects that they are at risk should speak with an expert. If they have any history of exposure to asbestos, a mesothelioma specialist can assist them in finding out more about the risk.
Risk Factors
Asbestos is the most significant mesothelioma-related risk factor. It is responsible for as much as 80% of all cases. Exposure to asbestos can happen as a result of work, military service or by living with a person who works with asbestos or was previously exposed to doing such. Asbestos particles can be breathed in by people who are exposed to asbestos. These particles irritate the linings of the abdomen, which causes cancerous cells to grow in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma can take between 15 and 60 years to develop after exposure to asbestos.
Other risk factors include genetics, smoking and age. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely be diagnosed with mesothelioma compared to those who are younger or older. This is because mesothelioma usually takes 20 to 60 years from the initial time of exposure before the first signs of cancer appear. It is important to note that mesothelioma could be present in those who have been exposed to asbestos without having been directly exposed to it. This is referred to as indirect or secondary asbestos exposure, and is as dangerous as direct asbestos exposure.
Smoking increases the risk of getting mesothelioma because it damages the mesothelium and makes it more vulnerable to asbestos. In addition, mesothelioma may be exacerbated by certain illnesses like asbestosis and pneumonia. It is also important to note that mesothelioma is more common in males 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 it. hampton asbestos attorneys 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 exposed to asbestos and they are less likely to bring asbestos home on their clothes.
Diagnosis
It is difficult to diagnose mesothelioma since its symptoms are often similar to other conditions. This is why patients are sometimes wrongly diagnosed.
The first step in diagnosing mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform an examination and write note of the medical history of the patient, including asbestos exposure. Doctors may also order an X-ray chest or CT scan to look for lumps and other abnormalities, as well as evidence of previous asbestos exposure like plaques in the pleura (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the formation of fluid between the lung and the chest wall (known as pleural effusion).
Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram which examines the blood vessels and the heart and magnetic resonance imaging, also known as MRI, test, which makes use of magnets and radio waves to make a series of precise images of the inside of the body. Another way for doctors to detect mesothelioma is by performing the procedure of a surgical biopsy. During a surgery biopsy, doctors remove a tiny part of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum, to be further examined. A pathologist then examines the tissue with a magnifying glass to determine whether it contains cancerous cells.
The type of mesothelial cell involved as well as the benign or malignant nature of the cells and the location, type and stage of the tumour, are used to categorize the disease. Some types of mesothelioma are more likely to spread or metastasize, so it is important to establish a definitive diagnosis to ensure that doctors are able to treat the disease before it gets out of control.
Doctors can also perform tests in the lab on tumors to determine specific proteins, genes or other elements that can aid in describing cancer characteristics and determine the best treatment. These results are referred to as staging.
Treatment
A diagnosis of mesothelioma may be frightening. It is important to keep in mind that cancer can be treated especially at its early stages. A lot of people suffering from mesothelioma live with the disease for a long time without spreading.
Exposure to asbestos can trigger mesothelioma through a variety of ways. Asbestos fibers, which are too small to be able to see or feel with the naked eye, can become airborne and irritate the lung's lining (pleura). As time passes the irritation can lead to the formation of scar tissues that eventually result in tumors.
The Pleura is a protective layer that surrounds the lungs, heart and abdomen. Mesothelium is made up of cells that react to asbestos which causes it to become inflamed and develop scar tissue. These changes can eventually cause mesothelioma cancers.
A shortness of breath, chest pain or fluid accumulation on the lungs are all signs of the pleural msothelioma. In rare cases the cancer may be spread to the tissues around the heart and reproductive organs.
If imaging scans reveal a possible mass in the lungs or stomach doctors will recommend a biopsies. During the procedure, doctors take small amounts of the fluid or tumor for laboratory testing. The results will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and provide the best treatment option.
There are a variety of treatment for mesothelioma including chemotherapy and surgery. Most doctors use a combination of these treatments. Enrolling in clinical trials of mesothelioma treatments that are new could be beneficial to patients. To find out more, patients should consult a mesothelioma specialist who has expertise in treating the condition.