Mesothelioma and Asbestos
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that is made up of long, thin fibres. Workers who are exposed asbestos on a regular basis are at risk of developing mesothelioma as well as other types of lung diseases.
The symptoms of these diseases may not manifest for years after exposure to asbestos. Different types of asbestos can cause different symptoms.
Pleural Mesothelioma
Pleural mesothelioma occurs in the lung's outer lining or the pleura. It is the most prevalent mesothelioma that accounts for up between 70 and 79% of all diagnosed cases. People with this condition suffer from chest pain and breathlessness, and they may feel a sensation of heaviness in the chest.
This type of cancer often caused by exposure to asbestos which is a collection of minerals that are composed of microscopic fibers. Once inhaled, the fibers cling to the lungs and cause irritation that causes scarring and DNA mutations. The pleura is the area that surrounds the lungs and chest cavity This means that these irritations can affect both the lungs and a person's heart. Mesothelioma symptoms are usually not apparent until 30 to 50 years after exposure.
The most commonly reported symptoms of pleural melanoma are chest pain and shortness of breath. Patients may also experience difficulty breathing or chest tightness. Patients with this cancer have a history that includes asbestos exposure at work. The most frequent jobs that put people at risk of developing pleural mesothelioma are construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding. People who have served in the military are at risk due to the widespread asbestos use in Navy vessels and bunkers for the army.
The most popular staging system for pleural mesothelioma is the TNM (tumor, lymph nodes and metastases) staging system. The stage that a patient is at upon diagnosis will assist their doctor in determining the best treatment plan for them. Patients suffering from pleural mesothelioma who is in stage three or four will suffer a more negative prognosis than those in a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma often spreads to the diaphragm, the liver or even a person's heart. This makes the cancer more difficult to treat and increase the chance of complications for the patient.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
In contrast to pleural mesothelioma which develops in the lung lining, peritoneal mesothelioma is found in the peritoneum - it is a membrane that lines the abdominal cavity as well as organs such as the intestines and liver. Like pleural mesothelioma, asbestos exposure is the cause of peritoneal mesothelioma. There are only 300-500 cases diagnosed annually, which is less than pleural asbestosis.
As with pleural mesothelioma symptoms can take years to show. Patients generally suffer from abdominal pain and may also have a lump in their abdomen. Symptoms of this type of mesothelioma may also include nausea, weight loss and fever. A lot of these symptoms can be mistaken for gastrointestinal problems and can lead to a false diagnosis.
Generally speaking, doctors can detect mesothelioma by conducting an exhaustive health history and physical exam. Imaging tests such as X-rays or CT scans are a way to detect mesothelioma. These tests can detect tumors and other cancer signs that aren't visible on X-rays.
These test results enable doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and establish the stage. They can also recommend treatment options. The staging is determined by the type of cells and whether or the cancer has spread to other regions of the body.
The most significant mesothelioma-related risk factor is asbestos exposure. People who have worked in asbestos-containing professions, such as electrical or plumbing work, or in construction, manufacturing and manufacturing, are more likely to develop the disease. Even if someone does not work in one of these areas however, they may still be exposed through family members or other sources. This is why anyone who suspects they may be at risk should talk to an experienced doctor. A mesothelioma expert can help those who have had a history with asbestos to learn more about their risk.
Risk Factors
Asbestos is the primary risk factor for mesothelioma. It accounts for as much as the 80% of cases. Exposure to asbestos can happen through work, military service, or by living with someone who is exposed to asbestos or has previously done the same. When exposed to asbestos, small particles are able to be inhaled into abdomen and lungs. These particles irritate the linings of the lungs, causing cancerous cells to form in the mesothelium. After exposure to asbestos mesothelioma can occur between 15 and 60 year.
Other risk factors include smoking, genetics, and the advancing age. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely develop mesothelioma than those who are younger or more senior. It is because mesothelioma generally occurs between 20 and 60 years from the initial exposure to asbestos before cancer symptoms appear. It is important to note, too, that mesothelioma can be present in people who have been exposed to asbestos without having worked with it directly. This is referred to as indirect or secondary asbestos exposure, and is just as harmful as direct asbestos exposure.
Smoking increases the chance of mesothelioma since it damages mesothelium. It can also make it more vulnerable. In addition, mesothelioma may be caused by certain illnesses, such as pneumonia and asbestosis. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma compared to 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 had worked with asbestos and to have asbestos fibers on their clothing. Women are less likely to be exposed to asbestos and don't typically carry asbestos on their clothes.
Diagnosis
It is difficult to recognize mesothelioma because its symptoms are often similar to other conditions. This can result in patients being incorrectly diagnosed.
The first step in diagnosing mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform an examination of the body and take down a patient's medical history including asbestos exposure. Doctors can also request an X-ray chest or CT scan to detect lumps or other abnormalities, and also to look for evidence of asbestos exposure in the past like plaques in the pleura (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 heart and blood vessels, and a magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI, test, which uses radio waves and magnets to create precise images of the inside of the body. Another way for doctors to detect mesothelioma is by performing a surgical biopsy. In a surgical biopsy doctors remove a small amount of tissue from the peritoneum or pleura for further testing. A pathologist is then able to look at the tissue under microscopes to determine if it contains cancerous cells.
Mesothelioma is classified according to the mesothelial type involved, whether those cells are malignant or benign, and the location of the tumor, the type, and the stage of the cancer. Certain types of mesothelioma are at greater risk of spreading or metastasizing, so it's important to establish a clear diagnosis so that doctors can treat it before it becomes out-of-control.
Doctors may also conduct tests in the laboratory on tumors in order to determine specific proteins, genes or other elements that can help them describe cancer characteristics and determine the best treatment. These results are known as staging.
Treatment
A mesothelioma diagnosis is a frightening prospect. However, it's important to remember that the disease is treatable, especially in its early stages. Many people with mesothelioma live for years without the disease spreading to other areas of their body.
Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma in many ways. Asbestos fibers, which are too small to see or feel with the naked eye, can become airborne and cause irritation to the lining of the lungs (pleura). Over time irritation can lead to formation of scar tissue, which leads to changes in the structure of cells that eventually develop into tumors.
lorain asbestos attorneys and the heart and also the abdomen. Mesothelium is composed of cells that react to exposure to asbestos, causing it to inflame and develop scar tissue. These changes eventually cause mesothelioma cancers.
A shortness of breath, chest pain or fluid accumulation on the lungs are all symptoms of pleural mesothelioma. In rare instances cancer can spread to the tissues surrounding the reproductive organs as well as the heart.
If scans of imaging reveal an underlying mass in the stomach or lungs the doctor will request a biopsies. During the procedure, doctors will remove tiny amounts of fluid or tumor for lab testing. The results can confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and determine the best treatment plan.
There are a variety of treatment for mesothelioma including chemotherapy and surgery. The majority of doctors employ combinations of these treatments. Patients could also benefit from enrolling in a clinical trial of new mesothelioma therapies. To learn more, patients should consult mesothelioma experts who have had experience treating the disease.