Mesothelioma and Asbestos
Asbestos, a mineral that naturally occurs in the form of long, thin fibers. Workers who are regularly exposed to asbestos are at risk of developing lung diseases such as mesothelioma.
It can take years before symptoms begin to manifest after exposure to asbestos. Different asbestos types 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 type, accounting for up 70% to 79% of diagnosed cases. Patients suffering from this condition suffer from chest pain and shortness of breath, and they may feel an ache or heaviness in the chest.
This kind of cancer is usually caused through exposure to asbestos, which is a grouping of minerals that are composed of microscopic fibers. These fibers, when inhaled, cause irritation and DNA mutations. The pleura surrounds the chest cavity and lungs This means that these irritations can 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.
Shortness of breath and chest pain are the most frequently reported symptoms. Patients may also experience chest tightness and coughing, or breathing difficulties. Patients with this cancer have a history that includes asbestos exposure at work. The most frequent jobs that expose workers to the risk of developing pleural mesothelioma are construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding. Individuals who have served in the military are at higher risk due to the extensive use asbestos in Navy vessels and Army bunkers.
The TNM (tumors lymph nodes and metastases staging system) is the most popular staging system used to treat the pleural cancer. The stage the patient is in at the time of diagnosis can help determine the treatment plan they should receive. For example, patients with mesothelioma pleural stage three or four have a poorer prognosis than patients with lower stages. Mesothelioma in stage four can be spread to the liver, heart or diaphragm. This makes it more difficult to treat and increase the likelihood of complications for the patient.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
Contrary to pleural cancer which is found in the lining of the lung the peritoneal cancer is a result of a membrane that surrounds the abdominal cavity, including organs like the intestines and liver. Similar to pleural mesothelioma, asbestos exposure is the cause of peritoneal mesothelioma. Only 300-500 cases are diagnosed each year, which is less than the pleural asbestosis.
Like plantation asbestos lawsuit , the symptoms can take years to show. Most patients experience abdominal pain and a mass in the abdomen. Symptoms of this type of mesothelioma can also include nausea, weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms are similar to symptoms of digestive problems, which can cause confusion in diagnosis.
Generally speaking, doctors can detect mesothelioma after an extensive medical history and physical exam. They may also employ imaging tests like X-rays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to identify mesothelioma. These tests can reveal tumors and other indications of cancer that aren't apparent on an X-ray.
The results of these tests allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and determine the stage. They can also suggest treatment options. The stage is determined by the type of cell and whether the cancer has spread.
The most important risk factor for mesothelioma is asbestos exposure. People who have worked in jobs that involve asbestos, like plumbing or electrical work, manufacturing or construction, are at increased risk of developing the disease. Even if someone isn't employed in any of these areas they could be exposed to asbestos to asbestos through family members and other sources. Anyone who thinks they may be at risk should speak with a doctor. If they have an history of exposure to asbestos or mesothelioma, a specialist can assist them in learning more about their risk.
Risk Factors
Asbestos is the most significant mesothelioma-related risk factor. It accounts for as much as 80% of all cases. Exposure to asbestos may occur through work, military service, or living with people who have worked with asbestos. When exposed to asbestos, the particles can be breathed into the abdomen and lungs. The particles cause irritation to the linings, causing cancerous cells to grow in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma can take anywhere between 15 and 60 years to develop after exposure to asbestos.
Other risk factors include smoking, genetics, and the advancing age. People in their 40s and 50s are at a higher risk of developing mesothelioma as compared to those younger or older. It is because mesothelioma generally lasts between 20 and 60 years from the first exposure before cancer symptoms appear. It is important to note that mesothelioma may develop in those who have been exposed to asbestos, but without having worked with it directly. This is referred to as indirect or secondary asbestos exposure, and is as dangerous as direct asbestos exposure.
Smoking increases the risk of mesothelioma, since it damages mesothelium. It also makes it more prone to. Mesothelioma can also be aggravated by certain illnesses, including asbestosis and pneumonia. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma compared to women. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for longer periods of time and to have worked with it. Additionally, men are more likely to live with someone who has worked with asbestos and carry asbestos fibers that have escaped home on their clothes. Women tend to have less contact with asbestos and don't typically carry asbestos on their clothing.
Diagnosis
It is difficult to diagnose mesothelioma because its symptoms are frequently similar to other illnesses. This can result in patients being wrongly diagnosed.
NYU Langone doctors will perform an examination of the body and document the patient's medical background, including asbestos exposure. Doctors will also recommend a CT scan or chest X-ray in order to look for abnormalities, lumps and evidence of asbestos exposure. These include pleural plaques, thickened pleura and calcium deposits.
Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram which examines the heart and blood vessels, and a magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI, test, which makes use of radio waves and magnets to make a series of detailed images of the interior of the body. Another method doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma is by performing an operation called a biopsy. In a surgical biopsy doctors remove a small amount of tissue from the peritoneum or pleura for further analysis. A pathologist can examine the tissue under microscopes to determine if it has cancerous cells.
The type of mesothelial cells involved, the malignant or benign nature of these cells, as well as the location and stage of the tumour, are used to categorize the disease. Some types of mesothelioma have an increased risk of spreading or metastasizing, so it's important to determine the type of mesothelioma so doctors can treat it prior to it becoming out of control.
Doctors can also perform tests in the lab on tumors to determine specific genes, proteins or other elements that can help them describe cancer characteristics and determine the best treatment. These results are referred to as staging.
Treatment
A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be terrifying. It is important to remember that cancer can be treated, particularly in its initial stages. Many people with mesothelioma can endure the disease for a long time without spreading.
Exposure to asbestos can trigger mesothelioma via various mechanisms. Asbestos fibers, which are small enough to not be felt or observed through the naked eye, can become airborne and irritate the lining of the lung (pleura). As time passes the irritation causes the formation of scar tissue and eventually tumors.
The Pleura is a protective layer that covers the abdomen, heart, and lungs. Mesothelium is made up of cells that react when exposed to asbestos. They cause inflammation of the tissue and cause it to scar. 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 symptoms of the pleural mesothelioma. In rare cases, cancer can spread into the tissues around the reproductive organs and the heart.
A doctor will order a biopsy if imaging scans show a potential mass in the lungs or stomach. During the procedure doctors remove some of the fluid or tumor to allow for tests in the laboratory. The results can confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis, and provide the best treatment option.
There are many types of treatment for mesothelioma including chemotherapy and surgery. The majority of doctors employ combinations of these treatments. Participating in clinical trials for mesothelioma treatments that are new could be beneficial to patients. To learn more, patients should consult mesothelioma specialists who have expertise in treating the condition.