Mesothelioma and Asbestos
Asbestos is a natural mineral that comes in thin, long fibres. People who are regularly exposed to asbestos may develop lung diseases such as mesothelioma.
It could take a long time for symptoms to show up after exposure to asbestos. Different asbestos types can cause different symptoms.
Pleural Mesothelioma
Pleural mesothelioma occurs in the lung's outer lining also known as the pleura. It is the most common mesothelioma that accounts for up 70 to 79% of all diagnosed cases. Patients with this disease feel chest pain and breath shortness and may also feel an ache or heaviness in the chest.
Exposure to asbestos, a class of minerals made of microscopic fibers, typically causes this kind of cancer. These fibers, when inhaled, cause irritation and DNA mutations. The pleura covers the lungs and chest cavity This means that these irritations can affect both the lungs and a person's heart. Norman asbestos lawsuit don't appear until 30 to 50 years after exposure.
Shortness of breath and chest pain are the most common symptoms. Patients may also feel tightness in their chest, coughing or difficulty breathing. Patients with this type of cancer have a past that includes asbestos exposure at work. Manufacturing, construction, and shipbuilding are the most prevalent occupations that put people at a high risk of developing pleural mesothelioma. People who were in the military are at greater risk due to the extensive use asbestos in Navy vessels and bunkers in the Army.
The most popular staging method for pleural mesothelioma is the TNM (tumor lymph nodes, lymph nodes, and metastases) staging system. The stage the patient is in at the moment of diagnosis will determine what treatment plan they will receive. Patients who have pleural mesothelioma which is in stage three or four will suffer a more negative outlook than those in a less advanced stage. 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
Unlike pleural mesothelioma, which develops in the lung lining, peritoneal mesothelioma forms in the peritoneum, an elongated membrane that covers the abdominal cavity as well as organs such as the liver and intestines. Like pleural mesothelioma, peritoneal mesothelioma can be caused by asbestos exposure. There are only 300-500 cases diagnosed annually which is lower than pleural asbestosis.
As with pleural mesothelioma symptoms may take years to appear. Most patients are afflicted with abdominal pain as well as a mass in the abdomen. The symptoms of this kind of mesothelioma could also include nausea as well as weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms could be misinterpreted as gastrointestinal issues and can lead to a misdiagnosis.
Typically, doctors can identify mesothelioma through an extensive health history and physical examination. Imaging tests such as X-rays or CT scans are a way to detect mesothelioma. These tests can reveal tumors, as well as other indications of cancer that aren't visible on an X-ray.
These test results allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma, determine the stage and recommend treatment options. The stage is determined by the type of cell and whether the tumor has spread.
The most important mesothelioma-related risk factor is exposure to asbestos. People who have worked in professions that require asbestos, like plumbing manufacturing, electrical work or construction, are at a higher risk of developing the disease. Even if a person is not employed in one of these areas however, they may still be exposed through family members and other sources. Therefore, anyone who is concerned that they might be at risk should talk to an experienced doctor. If they have any history of exposure to asbestos and mesothelioma is a concern, a specialist will assist them in learning more about their risk.
Risk Factors
Asbestos is the most significant risk factor in mesothelioma. It is responsible for as much as the 80% of cases. Exposure to asbestos can occur due to military service, work or living with someone who used to work with asbestos. When exposed to asbestos, the particles are able to be inhaled into abdomen and lungs. They can cause irritation to the linings of the abdomen and can cause cancerous cells to grow in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma can take between 15 and 60 years to develop after exposure to asbestos.
Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and age. The people in their 40s or 50s are more at chance of developing mesothelioma to those younger or older. It takes mesothelioma 20-60 years to manifest cancer symptoms after the first exposure. It is important to remember, too, that mesothelioma could occur in people who have been exposed to asbestos, but without having worked with it directly. This is called indirect or secondary exposure to asbestos. It could be as hazardous as direct exposure.
Smoking increases the risk of getting mesothelioma because it causes mesothelium damage and makes it more vulnerable to asbestos. Additionally, mesothelioma can be exacerbated by certain illnesses like asbestosis and pneumonia. It is also important to know that mesothelioma occurs more frequently in men than women. This is due to the fact that men are more likely to be exposed to asbestos and endure 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-containing fibers on their clothing. Women are less likely to come into contact with asbestos and don't typically carry asbestos on their clothes.
Diagnosis
Mesothelioma is a difficult cancer to identify because the symptoms are often similar to other diseases. Due to this, patients are sometimes misdiagnosed.
NYU Langone doctors will perform a physical examination and record the patient's medical history including asbestos exposure. Doctors will also order an CT scan or chest X-ray to check for lumps, abnormalities and evidence of exposure to asbestos. These include pleural plaques, thickened pleura and calcium deposits.
Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance imaging or MRI test, which makes use of magnets and radio waves in order to create a series detailed images of inside the body. Another way for doctors to detect mesothelioma is through a surgical biopsy. When a biopsy is performed doctors take a tiny piece of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum to be tested further. A pathologist then examines the tissue with a magnifying lens to determine if it is a cancerous cell.
Mesothelioma is classified according to the type of mesothelial cells involved, whether these cells are benign or malignant, and the location, type, and stage of the cancer. Certain mesothelioma types have a higher chance of metastasizing or spreading therefore it is essential to determine the type of mesothelioma to ensure that the 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 which will help them identify cancer characteristics and plan treatment. These results are known as staging.
Treatment
A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be terrifying. But, it is crucial to remember that the cancer can be treated, particularly in its initial stages. Many mesothelioma patients live for many years without the disease spreading to other areas of their body.
Asbestos exposure can trigger mesothelioma via many mechanisms. Asbestos fibers that are small enough to not be felt or seen by naked eyes can be airborne, causing irritation to the lung's lining (pleura). As time passes irritation can lead to formation of scar tissue, which causes changes in the structure of cells which eventually lead to tumors.
The Pleura is a protective layer that covers the lungs, heart and abdomen. Mesothelium is made up of cells that react when exposed to asbestos. They cause inflammation of the tissue and cause it to become scarred. Overtime, these changes lead to the development of malignant mesothelioma tumors.
The symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are breathing problems and chest pain, or an accumulation of fluid on the lungs (pleural effusion). In rare cases, cancer can spread into the tissues that surround the reproductive organs as well as the heart.
A doctor will request biopsy if imaging scans reveal a possible tumor in the lungs or stomach. During the procedure, doctors take tiny amounts of fluid or tumor for lab analysis. The results can confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and help determine the best treatment plan.
There are a variety of mesothelioma treatment, including chemotherapy, surgery and immunotherapy. Most doctors utilize a combination of these treatments. Participating in clinical trials of mesothelioma treatments that are new could be beneficial to patients. Patients can find out more by consulting a mesothelioma specialist who has treated mesothelioma.