Mesothelioma and Asbestos
Asbestos is a natural mineral that is found in thin, long fibres. People who are regularly exposed to asbestos are at risk of developing lung diseases like mesothelioma.
The symptoms of these diseases might not be evident for a long time after exposure to asbestos. Different asbestos types can cause different symptoms.
Pleural Mesothelioma
Pleural mesothelioma occurs in the outer lung lining, also known as the pleura. It is the most frequent form of mesothelioma and accounts for 70% to 79% of all diagnosed cases. Patients with this disease suffer from chest pain and breathlessness and may also feel a sensation of heaviness in the chest.
This type of cancer is often caused through exposure to asbestos, which is a cluster of minerals that are made up of microscopic fibres. When inhaled, these fibers, cause irritation and DNA mutations. Pleura is the lining of both the chest cavity as well as the lungs, so irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma symptoms usually don't appear until 30 to 50 years after exposure.
Shortness of breath and chest pain are the most frequent symptoms. Patients may also experience difficulty breathing or chest tightness. Patients with this type of cancer typically have an history of exposure to asbestos in the workplace. The most prevalent jobs that expose people to the risk of developing pleural mesothelioma are construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding. People who were in the military are at higher risk due to the extensive use asbestos in Navy vessels and bunkers for the Army.
The TNM (tumors lymph nodes and metastases staging system) is the most popular staging system used to treat the pleural cancer. The stage that the patient is in at the time of diagnosis can help determine the treatment plan they should receive. Patients who have pleural mesothelioma which is in stage three or stage four will suffer a more negative prognosis than those who are in a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma can 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
Contrary to pleural cancer that develops in the lining of the lung, peritoneal cancer develops in a membrane that surrounds the abdominal cavity, including organs such as the intestines and liver. Similar to pleural mesothelioma mesothelioma is caused by asbestos exposure. The disease is less common than pleural mesothelioma, and around 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.
As with pleural asbestosis symptoms can take years to show. The majority of patients are afflicted with abdominal pain as well as a mass in the abdomen. This mesothelioma type can also cause nausea, weight loss, and fever. Many of these symptoms could be mistaken for gastrointestinal problems, leading to a false diagnosis.
Generally speaking, doctors can detect mesothelioma by conducting an exhaustive health history and physical exam. Imaging tests such as X-rays or CT scans are a way to detect mesothelioma. These tests can identify tumors and other cancer signs that are not visible on X-rays.
These test results allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma, identify 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 significant mesothelioma risk factor is asbestos exposure. People who have worked in jobs that involve asbestos, such as plumbing, electrical work, manufacturing or construction, are at greater risk of developing the disease. Even if a person isn't employed in one of these areas they could be exposed to asbestos through family members and other sources. mississippi asbestos law firm who thinks they may be at risk should speak with an expert. A mesothelioma specialist can help those with a experience with asbestos to understand more about their risk.
Risk Factors
Asbestos exposure is the primary risk factor for mesothelioma, making up as much as 80 percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos can occur due to military service, work, or living with someone who used to work with asbestos. When exposed to asbestos, small particles can be inhaled into the lungs and abdomen. These particles can cause irritation to the linings, causing cancerous cells to develop in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma may take between 15 and 60 years to develop after exposure to asbestos.
Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and age. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely to be diagnosed with mesothelioma compared to those who are younger or more senior. It takes mesothelioma between 20 and 60 years to show signs of cancer after the first exposure. It is important to note that mesothelioma can occur in people who have been exposed to asbestos, but without having directly worked with it. This is called indirect or secondary exposure to asbestos, and it is just as harmful as direct exposure.
Smoking can increase the likelihood of getting mesothelioma because it causes mesothelium damage and makes it more susceptible to asbestos. Mesothelioma can also be caused by certain illnesses, including asbestosis and pneumonia. It is also important to know that mesothelioma occurs more frequently in men than women. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for longer periods of time and work with asbestos for longer durations and to work with it. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who has worked with asbestos and to have asbestos-containing fibers on their clothing. Women are less likely to be in contact with asbestos, and they don't usually bring asbestos home on their clothing.
Diagnosis
It is difficult to diagnose mesothelioma because its symptoms are frequently similar to other illnesses. Because of this, victims are sometimes wrongly diagnosed.
The first step in identifying mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform an examination of the body and take down a patient's medical history including asbestos exposure. Doctors will also order an CT scan or chest X-ray to look for lumps, abnormalities and evidence of asbestos exposure. These include pleural plaques, thickened pleura and calcium deposits.
Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram which examines the blood vessels and the heart as well as a magnetic resonance imaging, also known as MRI, test, which makes use of radio waves and magnets to make a series of precise images of the inside of the body. Another way doctors can diagnose mesothelioma is through a surgical biopsy. When a biopsy is performed doctors take a tiny piece of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum to be examined further. A pathologist can then examine the tissue using a magnifying glass to determine if it is a cancerous cells.
The mesothelial type involved as well as the benign or malignant nature of those cells as well as the location the cancer, its type and the stage of the cancer are used to categorize the disease. Certain types of mesothelioma are more likely to develop metastasis or spread which is why it is crucial to have a clear diagnosis so doctors can treat the disease before it becomes out of control.
Doctors may also conduct tests in the lab on tumors to identify specific genes, proteins or other factors that will help them identify the characteristics of cancer and plan treatment. These results are known as staging.
Treatment
A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be terrifying. But, it is crucial to keep in mind that the cancer is treatable, especially in its early stages. Many mesothelioma patients live for years without the disease spreading to other organs of their body.
Asbestos exposure can cause mesothelioma by various mechanisms. Asbestos fibers, which are too small to see or feel by the naked eye can be airborne and cause irritation to the lung's lining (pleura). Over time irritation leads to formation of scar tissue, which can cause changes in the cell structure which eventually lead to tumors.
The pleura surrounds the heart and lungs and the abdomen. Mesothelium is made up of cells that react to asbestos and cause it to enflame and develop scar tissue. As time passes, these changes cause the development of malignant mesothelioma tumors.
Shortness of breath, chest discomfort, or the accumulation of fluid on the lungs are all signs of the pleural msothelioma. In rare cases the cancer may spread to the tissues surrounding the heart and reproductive organs.
If scans of imaging reveal a possible mass in the stomach or lungs the doctor will request a biopsies. During the procedure, doctors remove a small sample of the fluid or tumor for lab testing. The results will confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis, and indicate the best treatment plan.
There are a variety of mesothelioma treatment options, including chemotherapy, surgery and immunotherapy. The majority of doctors employ the combination of these treatments. Patients can also benefit by participating in a clinical study of new mesothelioma therapies. To find out more, patients should speak with a mesothelioma specialist who has expertise in treating the condition.