Mesothelioma and Asbestos
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that comes in long, thin fibres. Workers who are regularly exposed to asbestos risk developing lung diseases like mesothelioma.
The symptoms of these diseases might not manifest for years after exposure to asbestos. Different asbestos types can cause different symptoms.
Pleural Mesothelioma
Pleural mesothelioma can be found in the lung's outer lining or the pleura. It is the most prevalent form of mesothelioma and is responsible for 70 to 79% of all diagnosed cases. Patients with this disease feel chest pain and breath shortness, and they may feel the sensation of weight in the chest.
This type of cancer usually caused by exposure to asbestos which is a grouping of minerals made up of microscopic fibres. These fibers, when inhaled, cause irritation and DNA mutations. Pleura covers both the chest cavity and the lungs, so irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma symptoms usually don't appear until 30 to 50 years after exposure.
Chest pain and shortness breath are the most common symptoms. Patients may have coughing problems, trouble breathing, or chest tightness. People with this cancer often have an history of exposure to asbestos in the workplace. Manufacturing, construction and shipbuilding are among the most common occupations that put people at high risk of developing pleural mesothelioma. People who have served in the military are at a higher risk because of the extensive asbestos use in Navy vessels and bunkers used by the army.
The TNM (tumors lymph nodes and metastases staging system) is the most common staging system for pleural adenocarcinoma. The stage a patient is in at the moment of diagnosis will determine the treatment plan they will receive. Patients with pleural mesothelioma that is in stage three or four will suffer a more negative prognosis than those in a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma is often spread to the liver, diaphragm or even the heart of a patient. This can make it more difficult to treat and increase the chance of complications for the patient.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
As opposed to pleural mesothelioma that is a lung-lining cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma is found in the peritoneum -- an elongated membrane that covers the abdominal cavity as well as organs like the intestines and the liver. Similar to pleural mesothelioma mesothelioma is caused by asbestos exposure. It is estimated that only 300-500 cases are diagnosed annually, which is less than the pleural asbestosis.
As with pleural asbestosis symptoms can take a long time to show. The majority of patients experience abdominal pain and a mass in the 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 cause incorrect diagnosis.
Generally speaking, doctors can detect mesothelioma by conducting an extensive health history and physical examination. Imaging tests like X-rays or CT scans are a way to identify mesothelioma. These tests can detect tumors and other signs of cancer which aren't evident on X-rays.
These tests enable doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and establish the stage. They can also suggest treatment options. The staging is determined by the type of cells and whether or the cancer has spread to other areas of the body.
Asbestos exposure is the most important risk factor. People who have worked in professions which require asbestos, like plumbing manufacturing, electrical work, or construction, are at a higher risk of developing the disease. Even if a person does not work in any of these areas however, they may be exposed to asbestos through family members or other sources. Anyone who thinks they are at risk should speak with a doctor. 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, accounting for up to 80 percent of all cases. Exposure to asbestos can occur through work, military service or by living with someone who works with asbestos or has previously done so. Asbestos particles can be inhaled by people who are exposed to it. These particles can cause irritation to the linings, causing 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. People in their 40s or 50s are at a higher risk of developing mesothelioma compared to those who are younger or older. It takes mesothelioma 20-60 years to show signs of cancer after the first exposure. It is important to remember that mesothelioma may develop in people who have been exposed to asbestos without having directly worked with it. This is referred to as indirect or secondary asbestos exposure. It can be as hazardous as direct asbestos exposure.
Smoking increases the chance of mesothelioma because it damages the mesothelium. It also makes it more susceptible. Mesothelioma can also be aggravated by certain illnesses, including asbestosis and pneumonia. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than women. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for longer periods of time and to work with asbestos for longer periods of time. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who worked with asbestos, and to have asbestos fibers on their clothing. Women tend to be less exposed to asbestos and they are less likely to carry asbestos on their clothes.
pasadena asbestos attorneys is difficult to recognize mesothelioma since its symptoms are often similar to other conditions. This can result in patients being incorrectly diagnosed.
NYU Langone doctors will perform a physical examination and record the patient's medical history, including asbestos exposure. Doctors will also recommend an CT scan or chest X-ray in order to look for lumps, abnormalities and evidence of exposure to asbestos. These include plaques in the pleura, thickened pleura and calcium deposits.
Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance image, or MRI test, which uses magnets and radio waves to create a series detailed images of the inside of the body. A surgical biopsy is yet another way for doctors to diagnose mesothelioma. In a surgical biopsy doctors will remove a small piece of tissue from pleura or the peritoneum, to be further examined. A pathologist will then look at the tissue with a magnifying lens to determine whether it contains cancerous cell.
Mesothelioma is classified according to the type of mesothelial cell involved, whether these cells are malignant or benign and also the location of the tumor, its type, and the stage of the tumor. Certain types of mesothelioma may be more likely to grow or spread, so it is important to establish a definitive diagnosis so doctors can treat the disease before it goes out of control.
Doctors may also conduct laboratory tests on tumors to determine particular proteins, genes, or other factors that help them understand the cancer's characteristics and plan treatment. These results are known as staging.
Treatment
A diagnosis of mesothelioma may be frightening. However, it is important to remember that the disease is treatable, particularly in its earlier stages. Many people with mesothelioma can be afflicted for many years without it spreading.
Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma through a variety of ways. Asbestos particles, which are too small to see or feel with the naked eye, can be airborne and cause irritation to the lung's lining (pleura). As time passes irritation leads to formation of scar tissue which leads to changes in the structure of cells that can eventually grow into tumors.
The Pleura is a covering that covers the lungs, heart and abdomen. Mesothelium is composed of cells that react to exposure to asbestos and cause it to enflame and develop scar tissue. In time, these changes can result in the growth of malignant mesothelioma tumors.
The signs of pleural mesothelioma can include breathlessness, chest pain or an accumulation of fluid in the lungs (pleural effusion). In rare instances, the cancer can grow to the tissues surrounding the heart and reproductive organs.
A doctor will order biopsy if imaging scans show the possibility of a tumor in the lungs or stomach. During the procedure doctors remove small amounts of fluid or tumor for tests in the laboratory. The results can confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and indicate the most effective treatment plan.
There are a variety of mesothelioma treatments, including surgery, chemotherapy and immunotherapy. Most doctors rely on a combination of these methods. Patients can also benefit by taking part in a clinical trial of new mesothelioma treatment. Patients can learn more by consulting a mesothelioma expert who has treated the disease.