Mesothelioma and Asbestos
Asbestos is a mineral that naturally forms in the form of long, thin fibers. People who are regularly exposed to asbestos risk developing lung diseases, such as mesothelioma.
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 occurs in the outer lung the lining (pleura). It is the most frequent mesothelioma type, accounting for up 70% to 79% of diagnosed cases. Patients suffering from this condition feel chest pain and shortness of breath and may experience the sensation of weight in the chest.
Exposure to asbestos, a family of minerals comprised of microscopic fibers, typically causes this type of cancer. These fibers, when inhaled can cause irritation and DNA mutations. Pleura surrounds both the chest cavity as well as the lungs, and so irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma usually doesn't show symptoms until 30 to 50 year after exposure.
The most frequent symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include chest pain and shortness of breath. st louis asbestos law firm experience coughing, difficulty breathing, or chest tightness. People with this cancer often have previous exposure to asbestos in the workplace. The most frequent jobs that put people at risk of developing pleural mesothelioma are construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding. Individuals who have been in the military are at risk due to the widespread use of asbestos in Navy vessels and army bunkers.
The most popular staging system for pleural mysothelioma has been the TNM (tumor lymph nodes, lymph nodes, and metastases) staging system. The stage a patient is in upon diagnosis will aid their doctor in determining the most effective treatment plan for them. For instance, patients suffering from mesothelioma that is pleural in stage three or four have a worse prognosis than those in a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma can be spread to the liver, heart, or diaphragm. This could make the cancer more difficult to treat, and increase the risk of complications for patients.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
Unlike pleural mesothelioma, which is a lung-lining cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma forms in the peritoneum - a membrane that lines the abdominal cavity as well as organs like the intestines and the liver. Like pleural mesothelioma, asbestos exposure is the cause of peritoneal msothelioma. The disease is less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma, and just 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.
As with pleural mesothelioma symptoms can take years to show. The majority of patients experience abdominal pain and abdominal swelling. This kind of mesothelioma can cause nausea, weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms are similar to symptoms of digestive issues, which could result in confusion in diagnosis.
Generally, doctors can find mesothelioma after a thorough health history and physical examination. Imaging tests such as X-rays or CT scans can be used to detect mesothelioma. These tests can detect tumors and other signs of cancer that aren't visible on X-rays.
These tests enable doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and establish the stage. They also offer treatments. The stage is determined by the kind of cell and if the cancer has spread.
The most important mesothelioma-related risk factor is asbestos exposure. People who have worked in asbestos-containing jobs, such as electrical or plumbing work or in manufacturing and construction are more likely to contract the disease. Even if they do not work in these areas, they can still be exposed to asbestos through family members or other sources. Anyone who believes they're at risk should speak with a doctor. If they have an history of exposure to asbestos, a mesothelioma specialist can help them find out more about the risk.
Risk Factors
Asbestos exposure is the main risk factor for mesothelioma, which accounts for as much as 80 percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos can occur as a result of work, military service, or through living with a person who works with asbestos or was previously exposed to doing so. Asbestos particles are inhaled by those who are exposed to it. These particles irritate the linings of the abdomen, which causes cancerous cells to develop in the mesothelium. After exposure to asbestos mesothelioma is likely to develop between 15 and 60 years.
Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and age. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely develop mesothelioma than those who are younger or more senior. It takes mesothelioma between 20 and 60 years before it manifests cancer symptoms after the first exposure. It is also important to note that mesothelioma can develop in those who were exposed to asbestos, but did not work with it directly. This is known as secondary or indirect asbestos exposure. It can be as dangerous as direct asbestos exposure.
Smoking increases the risk of developing mesothelioma due to the fact that it damages the mesothelium, which makes it more vulnerable to asbestos. Additionally, mesothelioma can be exacerbated by certain illnesses like asbestosis and pneumonia. It is also important to note that mesothelioma is more prevalent for men than women. This is because men are more likely to be exposed to asbestos and endure a a longer period of exposure than women. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who has worked with asbestos and to carry asbestos fibers on their clothing. Women are less likely to come into exposure to asbestos and do not typically carry asbestos home on their clothing.
Diagnosis
Mesothelioma is a difficult disease to diagnose because the symptoms often resemble other conditions. This is why patients are sometimes mistakenly diagnosed.
The first step in diagnosing mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform an examination of the body and take note of the medical history of the patient including asbestos exposure. Doctors can also request an X-ray chest or CT scan to detect lumps or other abnormalities, and also to look for evidence of asbestos exposure in the past such as pleural plaques (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the buildup of fluid between the lung and the chest wall (known as pleural effusion).
Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance imaging or MRI test, that uses magnets and radio waves in order to create a series of detailed images of the insides of the body. Another way doctors can diagnose mesothelioma is through the procedure of a surgical biopsy. During a surgery biopsy doctors will remove a small part of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum to be further examined. A pathologist can then examine the tissue with microscopes to determine whether it is contaminated with cancerous cells.
The type of mesothelial cell involved as well as the benign or malignant nature of the cells, as well as the location the cancer, its type and the stage of the cancer are used to categorize the disease. Certain mesothelioma types have a higher risk of metastasizing or spreading, so it's important to establish a clear diagnosis to ensure that the doctors can treat it before it becomes out of control.
Doctors can also perform tests in the lab on tumors in order to determine specific genes, proteins, or other factors which can aid in describing the characteristics of cancer and plan treatment. These results are referred to as staging.
Treatment
A mesothelioma diagnose can be frightening. It is important to remember that cancer can be treated, particularly in its initial stages. Many people with mesothelioma can live with the disease for a long time, without spreading.
Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma through a variety of ways. Asbestos fibers that are small enough to not be felt or seen with the naked eyes, can become airborne and irritate the lung's lining (pleura). Over time irritation can lead to formation of scar tissue, which causes changes in the structure of cells that eventually develop into tumors.
The pleura surrounds the heart and lungs, as well as the abdomen. Mesothelium is composed of cells that respond when exposed to asbestos. They inflame the tissue and cause it to scar. These changes eventually lead to malignant mesothelioma tumours.
Breathing problems, chest discomfort, or the accumulation of fluid on the lungs are all symptoms of the pleural msothelioma. In rare instances the cancer may spread to the tissues surrounding 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 tiny amounts of tumor or fluid for lab tests. The results will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and provide the best treatment option.
There are several types of mesothelioma treatment options, including surgery, chemotherapy and immunotherapy. Most doctors rely on an amalgamation of these techniques. Participating in clinical trials for mesothelioma treatments that are new could be beneficial to patients. To learn more, patients should speak to mesothelioma specialists who have had experience treating the disease.