Mesothelioma and Asbestos
Asbestos, a natural mineral, naturally occurs in the form of long, thin fibers. Workers who are exposed asbestos regularly are at risk of developing mesothelioma as well as 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 develops in the outer lung liner (pleura). It is the most frequent mesothelioma type and accounts for 70% to 79% all diagnosed cases. Patients with this disease experience pain in the chest and breath shortness and may also feel the sensation of weight in the chest.
Exposure to asbestos, a family of minerals made of microscopic fibers, usually causes this type of cancer. When inhaled, these fibers cause irritation and DNA mutations. Pleura covers both the chest cavity and the lungs, which means that irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma symptoms are usually not apparent until 30 to 50 years after exposure.
Shortness of breath and chest pain are the most frequent symptoms. Patients may also experience coughing, difficulty breathing or chest tightness. People with this cancer often have previous exposure to asbestos in the workplace. Construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding are among the most prevalent occupations which put people at risk danger of developing pleural melanoma. People who were in the military are at a higher risk due to the extensive use asbestos in Navy vessels and bunkers for the Army.
The TNM (tumors lymph nodes, tumors, and metastases staging system) is the most popular staging system used to treat the pleural cancer. The stage a patient is in at the moment of diagnosis will determine what treatment plan they will receive. For instance, patients who have mesothelioma that is pleural in stage three or four have a worse prognosis than patients with a lower stage. Mesothelioma in stage four can be spread to the liver, heart or diaphragm. This can make it more difficult to treat and increases the likelihood of complications for the patient.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
As opposed to pleural mesothelioma that develops in the lung lining, peritoneal mesothelioma is found in the peritoneum -- an elongated membrane that covers the abdominal cavity as well as organs such as the intestines and the liver. Like pleural mesothelioma, asbestos exposure is the primary cause of peritoneal mesothelioma. The disease is less common than pleural mesothelioma, and just 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.
Like missouri city asbestos attorney , the symptoms can take a long time to manifest. Most patients suffer from abdominal pain and abdominal swelling. This type of mesothelioma may also cause nausea, weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms could be misinterpreted as gastrointestinal issues and can lead to a mistaken diagnosis.
Doctors can detect mesothelioma by examining the patient's medical history and performing a physical examination. They can also use imaging tests like X-rays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to detect mesothelioma. These tests can reveal cancerous tumors or other symptoms of cancer that aren't visible on X-rays.
These tests enable doctors to diagnose mesothelioma, determine the stage and recommend treatment options. The stage is determined by the type of cell as well as whether the tumor has spread.
Asbestos exposure is the biggest risk factor. People who have been in occupations that require asbestos, such as plumbing or manufacturing, electrical work, or construction, are at greater risk of developing the disease. However, even if individuals do not work in these fields they could be exposed to asbestos through relatives or other sources. Anyone who believes they're at risk should talk to a doctor. If they have any history of exposure to asbestos, a mesothelioma specialist can help them find out more about their risk.
Risk Factors
Asbestos exposure is the main mesothelioma risk factor, making up as much as 80 percent of all cases. Exposure to asbestos can happen through military service, work or living with people who have worked with asbestos. Asbestos particles are inhaled by people who are exposed to it. These particles can cause irritation to the linings of the lungs, causing cancerous cells to form in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma can take between 15 and 60 years to develop following exposure to asbestos.
Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and age. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely to get mesothelioma than people younger or more senior. This is because mesothelioma usually occurs between 20 and 60 years after the initial exposure before symptoms of cancer begin to manifest. It is important to remember that mesothelioma is a possibility in those who were exposed to asbestos, but did not work with it directly. This is known as indirect or secondary exposure to asbestos, and it can be just as dangerous as direct exposure.
Smoking increases the chance of mesothelioma developing, because it damages the mesothelium. It also makes it more susceptible. In addition, mesothelioma may be caused by certain illnesses, such as asbestosis and pneumonia. It is also important to remember that mesothelioma is more common for men than women. This is due to the fact that men are more likely to work with asbestos and experience a a longer period of exposure than women. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who has been exposed to asbestos, and to have asbestos fibers on their clothing. Women tend to have less contact with asbestos and don't typically carry asbestos home on their clothing.
Diagnosis
It is difficult to identify mesothelioma due to its symptoms being frequently similar to other illnesses. This could lead to patients being wrongly 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 request a chest X-ray or CT scan to look for lumps or other abnormalities, and also to look for evidence of past asbestos exposure like pleural plaques (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the formation of fluid between the lung and chest wall (known as the pleural effusion).
Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance scan or MRI test, that uses magnets and radio waves to create a series of detailed images of the insides of the body. A surgical biopsy is yet another method doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma. A surgical biopsy is when doctors remove a small piece of tissue from the peritoneum or pleura for further testing. A pathologist is then able to examine the tissue with microscopes to determine if it contains cancerous cells.
The type of mesothelial cells involved, the malignant or benign nature of the cells, as well as the location and stage of the tumour, are used to categorize the disease. Certain mesothelioma types have greater risk of metastasizing or spreading therefore it is essential to determine the type of mesothelioma so doctors can treat it prior to it becoming out of control.
Doctors may also conduct laboratory tests on a tumor to find specific genes, proteins or other elements which can help them identify the characteristics of cancer and plan treatment. These results are known as staging.
Treatment
A mesothelioma diagnose can be terrifying. However, it's important to remember that the disease is treatable, particularly in its early stages. Many patients with mesothelioma survive for years with the disease, without spreading to other areas of their body.
Asbestos exposure can cause mesothelioma through various mechanisms. Asbestos particles, which are too small to see or feel with the naked eye, can become airborne and cause irritation to the lung's lining (pleura). As time passes the irritation can lead to the formation of scar tissues that eventually result in tumors.
The pleura surrounds the heart and lungs and the abdomen. Mesothelium consists of cells that react when exposed to asbestos. They inflame the tissue and cause it to become scarred. As time passes, these changes lead to the development of malignant mesothelioma tumors.
Shortness of breath, chest discomfort or fluid buildup on the lungs are all symptoms of the pleural mesothelioma. In rare instances, cancer can spread into the tissues around the reproductive organs and heart.
A doctor may request biopsy if scans show the possibility of a lung tumor or stomach. During the procedure, doctors take small amounts of the fluid or tumor for lab testing. The results can confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma, and also determine the best treatment plan.
There are many types of treatment for mesothelioma including chemotherapy and surgery. Most doctors rely on an amalgamation of these techniques. Patients can also benefit by enrolling in a clinical trial of new mesothelioma treatment. To learn more, patients should speak to mesothelioma experts who have had experience treating the disease.