Mesothelioma and Asbestos
Asbestos, a mineral that naturally occurs in the form of long, thin fibers. 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 types of asbestos can cause different symptoms.
Pleural Mesothelioma
Pleural mesothelioma is a type of cancer that develops in the outer lung lining (pleura). It is the most prevalent mesothelioma type, accounting for up between 70 and 79% of diagnosed cases. People with this condition experience pain in the chest and breath shortness and may experience an ache or heaviness in the chest.
Exposure to asbestos, a class of minerals comprised of microscopic fibers, usually causes this type of cancer. These fibers, when inhaled can cause irritation and DNA mutations. The pleura is the area that surrounds the chest cavity and lungs and therefore, these irritations could affect both the lungs as well as the heart of a person. Mesothelioma usually doesn't show symptoms until 30 to 50 year after exposure.
The most commonly reported symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are chest pain and shortness of breath. Some patients also experience difficulty breathing, or chest tightness. Patients with this type of cancer typically have previous exposure to asbestos in the workplace. Manufacturing, construction and shipbuilding are the most common jobs which put people at risk risk of developing pleural mesothelioma. Individuals who have been in the military could be at risk due to the widespread asbestos use in Navy ships and bunkers for the army.
The TNM (tumors lymph nodes, tumors, and metastases staging system) is the most commonly used staging system used to treat the pleural adenocarcinoma. The stage the patient is in at the time of diagnosis will help determine what treatment plan they will receive. For instance, patients who have mesothelioma pleural stage three or four have a worse prognosis than patients with a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma can spread to the liver, heart, or diaphragm. This could make the cancer more difficult to treat, and increase the chances of complications for the patient.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
In contrast to pleural cancer, that develops in the lung's lining it develops in the membrane that covers the abdominal cavity, which includes organs such as the intestines and the liver. Like pleural mesothelioma, peritoneal mesothelioma is triggered by asbestos exposure. The disease is much less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma. There are around 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.
As with pleural asbestosis symptoms can take years to manifest. The majority of patients experience abdominal pain and an abdominal mass. This type of mesothelioma may cause nausea, 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 through a thorough health history and physical exam. They may also employ imaging tests like X-rays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to detect mesothelioma. These tests can reveal tumors and other indications of cancer that aren't apparent on an X-ray.
These test results enable doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and establish the stage. They can also recommend treatments. The stage is determined by the type of cell and whether the tumor has spread.
Asbestos exposure is the main risk factor. People who have worked in jobs that require asbestos, like plumbing manufacturing, electrical work, or construction, are at increased risk of developing the disease. Even if an individual does not work in one of these fields however, they may be exposed to asbestos through family members or other sources. Anyone who believes they're at risk should talk to an expert. If they have a history of asbestos exposure and mesothelioma is a concern, a specialist will help them find out more about their risk.
Risk Factors
Asbestos exposure is the primary mesothelioma risk factor, which accounts for as much as 80 percent of all cases. Exposure to asbestos can happen through military service, work or living with someone who used to work with asbestos. Asbestos particles are inhaled by people who are exposed to it. These particles can cause irritation to the linings and cause cancerous cells to develop in the mesothelium. After asbestos exposure, mesothelioma may occur between 15 and 60 years old.
Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and age. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely to develop mesothelioma than those who are younger or older. It is because mesothelioma generally lasts between 20 and 60 years from the first exposure before symptoms of cancer begin to manifest. It is also important to note that mesothelioma is a possibility in people who were exposed to asbestos but didn't engage directly with it. This is called secondary or indirect exposure to asbestos and it can be just as dangerous as direct exposure.
Smoking increases a person's chances of developing mesothelioma due to the fact that it causes mesothelium damage and makes it more prone to asbestos. Mesothelioma can also be caused by certain illnesses such as asbestosis and pneumonia. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than females. indiana asbestos attorney is due to men being more likely to work with asbestos and experience a more exposure than women. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who worked with asbestos, and to carry asbestos fibers on their clothing. Women tend to have less exposure to asbestos and don't typically carry asbestos home on their clothing.
Diagnosis
Mesothelioma is difficult to diagnose because the symptoms often resemble other conditions. Due to this, patients are sometimes misdiagnosed.
NYU Langone doctors will perform a physical examination and record the patient's medical background including asbestos exposure. Doctors may also order a chest X-ray or CT scan to look for lumps and other abnormalities as well as evidence of past asbestos exposure like pleural plaques (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the accumulation of fluid between the lung and chest wall (known as the pleural effusion).
Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram which examines the heart and blood vessels as well as a magnetic resonance imaging, also known as MRI test, which makes use of radio waves and magnets to create detailed images of the interior of the body. A surgical biopsy is another method for doctors to identify mesothelioma. A surgical biopsy is when doctors remove a small amount of tissue from the peritoneum or pleura for further testing. A pathologist can examine the tissue under microscopes to determine if it is contaminated with cancerous cells.
The type of mesothelial cells involved and the benign or malignant nature of these cells, as well as the location and stage of the cancer are used to categorize the disease. Certain types of mesothelioma may be more likely to spread or metastasize which is why it is crucial to get a definite diagnosis so that doctors can treat the disease before it becomes out of control.
Doctors may also conduct tests in the laboratory on tumors to identify specific genes, proteins 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 can be a frightening prospect. It is crucial to remember that cancer can be treated particularly in its early stages. Many patients with mesothelioma survive for years without the disease spreading to other organs of their body.
Exposure to asbestos may cause mesothelioma through a variety of ways. Asbestos fibers, which are too small to see or feel by the naked eye can become airborne and irritate the lining of the lungs (pleura). In time irritation can lead to formation of scar tissue, which causes changes in the cell structure which eventually lead to tumors.
The pleura is the area that surrounds the lungs and the heart and also the abdomen. Mesothelium is made up of cells that react when exposed to asbestos. They cause inflammation of the tissue and cause it to scar. Overtime, these changes result in the growth of malignant mesothelioma tumors.
The symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are breathing problems and chest pain, or the accumulation of fluid on the lungs (pleural effusion). In rare cases, the cancer can grow to the tissues surrounding the heart and reproductive organs.
A doctor will request biopsy if scans reveal a possible tumor in the lungs or stomach. In the course of the procedure, doctors remove some of the fluid or tumor to allow for tests in the laboratory. The results can confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and indicate the best treatment plan.
There are a variety of treatment for mesothelioma, such as chemotherapy and surgery. Most doctors use a combination of these treatments. Participating in clinical trials of mesothelioma treatments may be beneficial to patients. Patients can find out more by speaking with a mesothelioma doctor who has treated the disease.