Mesothelioma and Asbestos
Asbestos is a mineral that naturally occurs in the form of thin, long fibers. People who are exposed to asbestos on a regular basis are at risk of developing mesothelioma or other lung diseases of different types.
The 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 is a type of cancer that occurs in the lung's outer lining (pleura). It is the most prevalent mesothelioma that accounts for up 70% to 79% of diagnosed cases. Patients with this disease experience pain in the chest and shortness of breath and may experience the sensation of weight in the chest.
Exposure to asbestos, a class of minerals composed of microscopic fibers, usually causes this type of cancer. When inhaled, these fibers cling to the lung and cause irritation that results in scarring and DNA mutations. Pleura surrounds both the chest cavity as well as the lungs, and so irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma symptoms are usually not apparent until 30 to 50 years after exposure.
Chest pain and shortness breath are the most common symptoms. Some patients may also feel tightness in their chest or coughing. They may also experience difficulty breathing. People with this cancer have a history of disease that includes asbestos exposure at work. The most common jobs that expose workers to the risk of pleural mesothelioma include manufacturing, construction, and shipbuilding. People who have worked in the military could be at a higher risk due to the widespread asbestos use in Navy ships and bunkers for the army.
The TNM (tumors lymph nodes and metastases staging system) is the most common staging system used for pleural adenocarcinoma. The stage a patient is in at the time of diagnosis will help determine the treatment plan they should follow. For instance, patients who have mesothelioma that is pleural in stage three or four have a less favorable prognosis than those with lower stages. Stage four mesothelioma may develop into the liver, heart or diaphragm. This can make it more difficult to treat and raises the likelihood of complications for the patient.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
Unlike pleural mesothelioma, which is a lung-lining cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma develops in the peritoneum -- it is a membrane that lines the abdominal cavity as well as organs such as the liver and intestines. Similar to pleural mesothelioma and peritoneal mesothelioma can be caused by asbestos exposure. There are only 300-500 cases diagnosed each year this is less than the pleural asbestosis.
As with pleural asbestosis, symptoms can take several years to manifest. Typically, patients are afflicted with abdominal pain as well as abdominal swelling. This mesothelioma type can cause nausea, weight loss, and fever. Many of these symptoms can be misinterpreted as digestive issues and can lead to a mistaken diagnosis.
Doctors can identify mesothelioma by reviewing the medical history of the patient and performing a physical examination. They can also use imaging tests like X-rays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to identify mesothelioma. These tests can reveal tumors, as well as other indications of cancer that aren't visible on X-rays.
These test results allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and determine the stage and recommend treatment options. Staging is determined based on the type of cell and whether or not the cancer has spread to other areas of the body.
The most significant mesothelioma risk factor is exposure to asbestos. People who have been exposed to asbestos in occupations, like electrical or plumbing work or in manufacturing and construction are more likely to contract the disease. Even if an individual is not employed in any of these areas, he or she can be exposed to asbestos to asbestos through family members and other sources. Anyone who thinks they are at risk should consult an expert. A mesothelioma specialist can help those who have a experience with asbestos to understand more about their risk.
Risk Factors
Asbestos is the main risk factor in mesothelioma. It is responsible for as much as the 80% of cases. Exposure to asbestos may occur as a result of work, military service, or living with someone who used to work with asbestos. Asbestos particles are inhaled by those who are exposed to asbestos. They can cause irritation to the linings of the abdomen and cause cancerous cells to grow in the mesothelium. After asbestos exposure mesothelioma can develop between 15 and 60 years old.
Other risk factors include genetics, smoking and age. People in their 40s or 50s are at greater risk of developing mesothelioma compared to those younger or older. It takes mesothelioma 20-60 years to show signs of cancer after the first exposure. It is also important to note that mesothelioma can develop in people who have been exposed to asbestos but did not engage directly with it. This is referred to as secondary or indirect asbestos exposure, and is just as harmful as direct asbestos exposure.
Smoking increases the risk of mesothelioma, as it damages the mesothelium. It also makes it more susceptible. Furthermore, mesothelioma is exacerbated by certain illnesses like asbestosis and pneumonia. It is also important to remember that mesothelioma is more prevalent in males than females. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for a longer time and work with it. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who had worked with asbestos and to have asbestos fibers on their clothing. Women are less likely to come into contact with asbestos and don't typically carry asbestos home on their clothing.
Diagnosis
It is difficult to recognize mesothelioma due to its symptoms being frequently similar to other illnesses. This can lead to victims being incorrectly diagnosed.
NYU Langone doctors will perform a physical examination and record the patient's medical background including asbestos exposure. Doctors can also request a chest X-ray or CT scan to check for lumps and other abnormalities and also to look for evidence of past asbestos exposure such as pleural plaques (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the buildup of fluid between the lung and chest wall (known as the pleural effusion).
Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram, which examines the blood vessels and the heart, and a magnetic resonance imaging, also known as MRI, test that uses radio waves and magnets to make a series of detailed images of the interior of the body. A surgical biopsy is another method doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma. In a surgical biopsy doctors take a tiny part of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum to be tested further. A pathologist can look at the tissue under microscopes to determine whether it contains cancerous cells.
Mesothelioma is classified according to the mesothelial type involved, whether the cells are benign or malignant and also the location, type, and stage of the cancer. Certain mesothelioma types have greater risk of metastasizing or spreading and it's crucial to establish a clear diagnosis so doctors can treat it before it becomes out-of-control.
Doctors may also conduct tests in the lab on tumors in order to determine specific proteins, genes or other factors that will help them identify cancer characteristics and determine the best treatment. These results are referred to as staging.
Treatment
A mesothelioma diagnosis can be terrifying. It is important to remember, however, that cancer can be treated especially at its early stages. Many patients with mesothelioma endure the disease for many years without it spreading.
Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma through many mechanisms. Asbestos fibers, which are too small to detect or feel with the naked eye, can be airborne and cause irritation to the lung's lining (pleura). Over time, the irritation causes the formation of scar tissue, which leads to changes in the cell structure that can eventually grow into tumors.
The pleura is the area that surrounds the heart and lungs and also the abdomen. schaumburg asbestos attorney consists of cells that react to asbestos which causes it to become inflamed and form scar tissue. In time, these changes can lead to the development of malignant mesothelioma cancers.
Shortness of breath, chest discomfort, or the accumulation of fluid on the lungs are all symptoms of pleural Msothelioma. In rare cases the cancer may be spread to the tissues around the heart and reproductive organs.
If imaging scans reveal an underlying mass in the lungs or stomach doctors will recommend biopsies. During the procedure doctors remove a small amount of fluid or tumor to allow for lab tests. The results can confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and provide the best treatment option.
There are a variety of mesothelioma treatments, including chemotherapy, surgery and immunotherapy. Most doctors utilize the combination of these treatments. Participating in clinical trials for mesothelioma treatments that are new could be beneficial to patients. Patients can find out more by speaking with a mesothelioma doctor who has treated the disease.