Mesothelioma and Asbestos
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that is made up of long, thin fibres. Workers who are regularly exposed to asbestos are at risk of developing lung diseases, such as mesothelioma.
It could take a long time for symptoms to appear after asbestos exposure. Different asbestos types can cause different symptoms.
Pleural Mesothelioma
Pleural mesothelioma, a form of cancer, that affects the outer lung lining (pleura). It is the most frequent mesothelioma form and is responsible for 70 to 79% of all diagnosed cases. The condition can cause chest pain, breath shortness and a feeling heaviness.
Exposure to asbestos, a class of minerals comprised of microscopic fibers causes this type of cancer. When inhaled, these fibers cling to the lung and cause irritation that leads to scarring and DNA mutations. The pleura surrounds the lungs and chest cavity, so these irritations can affect both the lungs as well as the heart of a person. Mesothelioma symptoms usually don't appear until 30 to 50 years after exposure.
The most common symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include chest pain and shortness of breath. Patients may also suffer from chest tightness and coughing, or breathing difficulties. Patients with this cancer have a history that includes asbestos exposure at work. The most prevalent jobs that expose people to the risk of developing pleural mesothelioma are manufacturing, construction and shipbuilding. People who have served in the military could be at a higher risk due to the widespread asbestos use in Navy vessels and army bunkers.
The TNM (tumors lymph nodes and metastases staging system) is the most commonly used staging system used for the pleural cancer. The stage a patient is in at the time of diagnosis will help determine what treatment plan they will receive. For instance, patients suffering from mesothelioma pleural stage three or four have a worse prognosis than those in a lower stage. Mesothelioma in stage four is usually spread to the diaphragm, liver or even the heart of a patient. This can make it more difficult to treat and increase the likelihood of complications for patients.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
In contrast to pleural cancer, which forms in the lung's lining, peritoneal cancer develops in a membrane that covers the abdominal cavity, including organs such as the intestines and the liver. Similar to pleural mesothelioma mesothelioma can be caused by asbestos exposure. There are only 300-500 cases diagnosed each year this is less than pleural asbestosis.
As with pleural asbestosis, symptoms can take a long time to manifest. Most patients suffer from abdominal pain and a mass in the abdomen. This type of mesothelioma may cause nausea, weight loss, and fever. Many of these symptoms are similar to symptoms of digestive issues, which could cause misdiagnosis.
Typically, doctors can identify mesothelioma by conducting a thorough medical history and physical exam. Imaging tests like X-rays or CT scans are a way to identify mesothelioma. These tests can reveal tumors and other signs of cancer that aren't visible on an X-ray.
The results of these tests allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma, determine the stage of the disease and suggest treatment options. Staging is determined based on the type of cells and whether or whether the tumor has spread to other regions of the body.
Asbestos exposure is the main risk factor. People who have been in occupations which require asbestos, such as plumbing, manufacturing, electrical work or construction, are at increased risk of developing the disease. Even if a person isn't employed in any of these areas they could still be exposed through family members and other sources. For this reason, anyone who suspects they may be at risk should speak to an experienced doctor. A mesothelioma specialist can assist those who have had a experience with asbestos to understand more about their risk.
Risk Factors
Asbestos exposure is the main risk factor for mesothelioma, making up as much as 80 percent of all cases. Exposure to asbestos can occur due to work, military service or through living with a person who is exposed to asbestos or has previously done such. When exposed to asbestos, the particles can be breathed into the lungs and abdomen. These irritate the linings and cause cancerous cells to develop in the mesothelium. After exposure to asbestos, mesothelioma may develop between 15 and 60 years old.
Other risk factors include genetics, smoking and age. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely to develop mesothelioma than those who are younger or more senior. This is because mesothelioma usually takes 20 to 60 years from the first exposure before the first signs of cancer appear. It is important to remember that mesothelioma may develop in people who were exposed to asbestos but didn't work with it directly. This is known as indirect or secondary asbestos exposure and can be just as harmful as direct asbestos exposure.
Smoking increases the chance of mesothelioma since it damages mesothelium. It also makes it more susceptible. In addition, mesothelioma may be exacerbated by certain illnesses like asbestosis and pneumonia. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than females. This is due to men being more likely to work with asbestos and experience a an extended period of exposure than women. Additionally, men are more likely to live with someone who worked with asbestos and carry asbestos fibers from their workplace on their clothes. Women tend to have less exposure to asbestos and don't typically carry asbestos around on their clothes.
Diagnosis
Mesothelioma is a difficult cancer to recognize because the symptoms often resemble other conditions. This can result in patients being misdiagnosed.
NYU Langone doctors will perform an examination of the body and document the patient's medical history including asbestos exposure. Doctors can also order an X-ray chest or CT scan to detect lumps and other abnormalities, and also to look for evidence of asbestos exposure in the past like plaques on the pleura (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the formation of fluid between the lung and chest wall (known as pleural effusion).
Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram which examines the blood vessels and the heart and magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI, test, which uses radio waves and magnets to make a series of precise images of the inside of the body. Another method doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma is to perform an operation called a biopsy. In a surgical biopsy doctors remove a small amount of tissue from the peritoneum or pleura for further testing. A pathologist can then examine the tissue with a microscope to see if it has 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 tumour, are used to classify the disease. Certain mesothelioma types have a higher chance of metastasizing or spreading, so it's important to establish a clear diagnosis to ensure that the doctors can treat it before it gets out of control.
Doctors may also conduct laboratory tests on a tumor to identify particular proteins, genes and other factors that help them understand the characteristics of cancer and plan treatment. These results are known as staging.
Treatment
A mesothelioma diagnosis can be an incredibly frightening prospect. It is important to remember, however, that cancer can be treated particularly in its initial stages. Many mesothelioma patients live for many years with the disease, without spreading to other areas of their body.
Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma in many ways. Asbestos fibers, which are small enough to not be felt or seen by naked eyes can be airborne and irritate the lining of the lung (pleura). Over time the irritation can lead to the formation of scar tissues that eventually result in tumors.
The pleura is the area that surrounds the heart and lungs and also the abdomen. Mesothelium consists of cells that react when exposed to asbestos. They cause inflammation of the tissue and cause it to scar. These changes can result in malignant mesothelioma tumors.
A shortness of breath, chest pain or fluid accumulation on the lungs are all indications of pleural msothelioma. In rare cases cancer can spread to the tissues that surround the reproductive organs and the heart.
A doctor may request biopsy if imaging scans show a potential lung tumor or stomach. During the procedure, doctors will remove small amounts of the fluid or tumor for lab testing. The results will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and determine the best treatment plan.
There are Hoover asbestos lawyer of treatment for mesothelioma, including surgery and chemotherapy. Most doctors utilize the combination of these treatments. Patients could also benefit from participating in a clinical study of new mesothelioma treatments. Patients can find out more by consulting a mesothelioma expert who has treated the condition.