Mesothelioma and Asbestos
Asbestos is a natural mineral that is found in long, thin fibres. People who are regularly exposed to asbestos may develop lung diseases, such as mesothelioma.
It can take years for symptoms to appear after exposure to asbestos. Different types of asbestos may 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 and is responsible for 70 to 79% of diagnosed cases. This condition causes chest pain, shortness of breathe, and a feeling of heaviness.
Exposure to asbestos, a group of minerals comprised of microscopic fibers, usually causes this type of cancer. These fibers, when inhaled, cause irritation and DNA mutations. The pleura covers the lungs and chest cavity and therefore, these irritations could affect both the lungs and the heart of a person. Mesothelioma typically doesn't manifest until 30 to 50 years after exposure.
Chest pain and shortness breath are the most frequent symptoms. Patients may also experience coughing, difficulty breathing or chest tightness. People with this cancer have a past that includes asbestos exposure at work. Construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding are the most common jobs which put people at risk risk of developing pleural mesothelioma. Individuals who have served in the military are at higher risk due to the frequent use of asbestos in Navy vessels and Army bunkers.
The most commonly used staging method for pleural mesothelioma is the TNM (tumor, lymph nodes and metastases) staging system. The stage that a patient is at when they are diagnosed will help their doctor determine the most effective treatment plan for them. For instance, patients suffering from mesothelioma that is pleural in stage three or four have a less favorable prognosis than those in lower stages. Stage four mesothelioma often spreads to the diaphragm, liver or even the heart of a patient. This could make the cancer more difficult to treat, and increase the risk of complications for the patient.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
Contrary to pleural cancer that develops in the lining of the lung it develops in a membrane that surrounds the abdominal cavity, including organs such as the liver and intestines. Similar to pleural mesothelioma and peritoneal mesothelioma is caused by asbestos exposure. The disease is less common than pleural mesothelioma. There are just 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.
As with pleural mesothelioma symptoms can take years to show. Patients typically have abdominal pain, and could also experience a mass in their abdomen. This mesothelioma type can cause nausea, weight loss, and fever. Many of these symptoms are similar to those experienced by digestive issues, which could lead to incorrect diagnosis.
Generally speaking, doctors can detect mesothelioma through an exhaustive medical history and physical exam. Imaging tests like X-rays and CT scans are a way to detect mesothelioma. These tests can detect tumors as well as other signs of cancer that aren't evident on X-rays.
These test results enable doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and determine the stage. They can also suggest treatment options. The stage of the disease is determined based on the type of cells and whether or the tumor has spread to other regions of the body.
The most significant mesothelioma-related risk factor is exposure to asbestos. People who have worked in jobs that require asbestos, such as plumbing, manufacturing, electrical work or construction, are at increased risk of developing the disease. Even if they aren't employed in these areas they could be exposed to asbestos through family members or through other sources. Anyone who believes they may be at risk should talk to an expert. A mesothelioma expert can help those with a history with asbestos to learn more about their risk.
Risk Factors
Asbestos exposure is a major risk factor for mesothelioma, which accounts for as much as 80 percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos can happen as a result of work, military service or by living with a person who works with asbestos or was previously exposed to doing the same. Asbestos particles can be breathed in by those who are exposed to asbestos. These particles irritate the linings of the lungs, causing cancerous cells to grow in the mesothelium. After exposure to asbestos mesothelioma is likely to occur between 15 and 60 years old.
Other risk factors include smoking, genetics, and age. People in their 40s or 50s are more at risk of developing mesothelioma compared to those younger or older. Mesothelioma can take between 20 and 60 years to manifest cancer symptoms after the first exposure. It is important to remember, too, that mesothelioma may be present in those who have been exposed to asbestos, but without having directly worked with it. This is referred to as secondary or indirect asbestos exposure, and is as hazardous as direct asbestos exposure.
Smoking increases the risk of developing mesothelioma due to the fact that it causes mesothelium damage and makes it more prone to asbestos. Additionally, mesothelioma can be caused by certain illnesses, such as asbestosis and pneumonia. It is also important to know that mesothelioma is more prevalent in males than females. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for longer periods of time and to have worked with it. Also, men are more likely to live with someone who had asbestos exposure and bring asbestos fibers from their workplace on their clothing. Women are less likely to come into contact with asbestos and rarely carry asbestos on their clothes.
Diagnosis
It is difficult to diagnose mesothelioma due to its symptoms being often similar to other diseases. This can result in patients being incorrectly diagnosed.
The first step to diagnose 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 order an X-ray of the chest or CT scan to detect lumps and other abnormalities, and also to look for 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 a magnetic resonance scan, or MRI test, which uses radio waves and magnets in order to create a series of detailed images of the inside of the body. Another method doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma is by performing the procedure of a surgical biopsy. In a surgical biopsy doctors remove a small piece of tissue from the peritoneum or pleura to conduct further tests. A pathologist can then examine the tissue using a magnifying glass to determine if it contains cancerous cell.
Mesothelioma is classified according to the mesothelial type involved, whether those cells are benign or malignant and also the location, type, and stage of the cancer. Some types of mesothelioma are more likely to spread or metastasize and spread, therefore it is essential to get a definite diagnosis so doctors can treat the disease before it gets out of control.
Doctors may also conduct tests in the laboratory 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 known as staging.
Treatment
A mesothelioma diagnose can be frightening. However, it's important to keep in mind that the cancer can be treated, particularly in its early stages. Many people with mesothelioma can live with the disease for a long time without spreading.
Exposure to asbestos may cause mesothelioma in many ways. Asbestos particles, which are too small to be able to see or feel through the naked eye, can become airborne and cause irritation to the lining of the lungs (pleura). In time, the irritation causes the formation of scar tissue which leads to changes in the structure of cells that can eventually grow into tumors.
The pleura is a protective covering that surrounds the abdomen, heart, and lungs. Mesothelium consists of cells that react to exposure to asbestos, causing it to inflame and develop scar tissue. These changes can eventually cause mesothelioma cancers.
palm coast asbestos attorneys of pleural mesothelioma can include breathlessness and chest pain, or the accumulation of fluid on the lung (pleural effusion). In rare cases, cancer can spread into the tissues surrounding the reproductive organs and heart.
If imaging scans reveal an underlying mass in the stomach or lungs the doctor will request a biopsies. The procedure involves the removal of small amounts of fluid or tumor for tests in the laboratory. The results will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and help determine the best treatment option.
There are several types of mesothelioma treatments, including surgery, chemotherapy and immunotherapy. Most doctors rely on a combination of these methods. Participating in clinical trials for mesothelioma treatments may be beneficial to patients. To learn more about the trials, patients should consult mesothelioma experts who have experience treating the condition.