Mesothelioma and Asbestos
Asbestos, a mineral that naturally forms in the form of thin, long fibers. People who are regularly exposed to asbestos are at risk of developing lung diseases such as mesothelioma.
It may take decades before symptoms begin to manifest after exposure to asbestos. Different asbestos types can cause different symptoms.
Pleural Mesothelioma
Pleural mesothelioma can be found in the lung's outer lining also known as pleura. It is the most prevalent mesothelioma type, accounting for up 70 to 79% of diagnosed cases. This condition causes chest pain, breath shortness and a feeling of heaviness.
Exposure to asbestos, a group of minerals composed of microscopic fibers causes this type of cancer. Once inhaled, these fibers stick inside the lung and cause irritation which leads to scarring and DNA mutations. The pleura surrounds the chest cavity and lungs This means that these irritations can affect both the lungs as well as a person's heart. Mesothelioma typically doesn't manifest until 30 to 50 year after exposure.
Shortness of breath and chest pain are the most frequent symptoms. Patients may also suffer from chest tightness, coughing or difficulty breathing. People who suffer from this cancer usually have an history of exposure to asbestos in the workplace. The most prevalent jobs that expose workers to the risk of developing pleural mesothelioma are construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding. People who have worked in the military could be at risk due to the widespread asbestos usage in Navy vessels and bunkers for the army.
The most commonly used staging system for pleural mysothelioma has been the TNM (tumor, lymph nodes and metastases) staging system. missouri asbestos law firm that the patient is in at the time of diagnosis can help determine the treatment plan they will receive. Patients suffering from pleural mesothelioma who is in stage three or stage four will have a less favorable prognosis compared to those in a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma can be spread to the heart, liver or diaphragm. This makes it more difficult to treat and increase the likelihood of complications for patients.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
In contrast to pleural mesothelioma which develops in the lung lining, peritoneal mesothelioma forms in the peritoneum -- it is a membrane that lines the abdominal cavity as well as organs like the intestines and liver. Similar to pleural mesothelioma, exposure to asbestos is the cause of peritoneal mesothelioma. There are only 300-500 cases diagnosed each year this is less than pleural asbestosis.
Like pleural mesothelioma, symptoms can take years to show. Typically, patients suffer from abdominal pain and abdominal swelling. Symptoms of this type of mesothelioma may also include nausea as well as weight loss and fever. A lot of these symptoms are similar to those experienced by gastrointestinal issues, which can lead to misdiagnosis.
The doctors can detect mesothelioma through looking over the medical history of the patient and performing a physical examination. Imaging tests such as X-rays or CT scans are a way to identify mesothelioma. These tests can detect tumors and other cancer signs that aren't evident on X-rays.
The results of these tests allow doctors to identify mesothelioma, and determine the stage. They can also recommend treatment options. The staging is determined by the type of cell and whether or whether the tumor has spread to other regions of the body.
Asbestos exposure is the biggest risk factor. People who have worked in asbestos-containing occupations, like plumbing or electrical work, or in manufacturing and construction are more likely to contract the disease. Even if a person isn't employed in any of these areas, he or she can still be exposed through family members and other sources. This is why anyone who believes they could be at risk should speak to a doctor. A mesothelioma expert can help those who have a previous history of asbestos to find out 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 occur due to work, military service, or by living with someone who is exposed to asbestos or used to do so. When exposed to asbestos, particles can be inhaled into the lungs and abdomen. The particles cause irritation to the linings of the lungs, causing cancerous cells to develop in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma can take anywhere between 15 and 60 years to develop after exposure to asbestos.
Other risk factors include genetics, smoking and aging. People in their 40s or 50s are more at risk of developing mesothelioma as compared to people who are younger or more. This is because mesothelioma typically occurs between 20 and 60 years from the initial exposure to asbestos before the first signs of cancer appear. It is important to keep in mind that mesothelioma can develop in people who have been exposed to asbestos, but without having directly worked with it. This is referred to as secondary or indirect exposure to asbestos. It can be just as dangerous as direct exposure.
Smoking increases the risk of mesothelioma, as it damages the mesothelium. It also makes it more prone to. In addition, mesothelioma may be worsened by certain diseases like asbestosis and pneumonia. It is also important to note that mesothelioma is more common in males than females. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for longer periods of time and to work with it. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who had worked with 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 clothes.
Diagnosis
Mesothelioma is difficult to recognize because the symptoms are often similar to other conditions. Due to this, patients are often misdiagnosed.
The first step to diagnose mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform a physical exam and take notes on the medical history of a patient which includes asbestos exposure. Doctors will also order a 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 imaging or MRI test, that uses radio waves and magnets to create a series of detailed images of inside the body. A surgical biopsy is yet another way for doctors to diagnose mesothelioma. A surgical biopsy is when doctors remove a small piece of tissue from the peritoneum or pleura for further analysis. A pathologist can examine the tissue under microscopes to determine whether it is contaminated with cancerous cells.
The type of mesothelial cell involved and the benign or malignant nature of the cells and the location and stage of the tumour, are used to categorize the disease. Certain types of mesothelioma are more likely to develop metastasis or spread, so it is important to have a clear diagnosis to ensure that doctors are able to treat the disease before it gets out of control.
Doctors may also conduct laboratory tests on a tumor to find specific genes, proteins or other elements that can help them describe the cancer's characteristics and plan treatment. These results are referred to as staging.
Treatment
A mesothelioma diagnosis can be a frightening prospect. However, it's important to remember that the disease can be treated, particularly in its earlier stages. Many mesothelioma patients live for many years with the disease, without spreading to other areas of their body.
Asbestos exposure can trigger mesothelioma via various mechanisms. Asbestos fibers, too small to be able to see or feel with the naked eye, can become airborne and irritate the lining of the lungs (pleura). Over time, the irritation causes the formation of scar tissue which causes changes in the cell structure that eventually develop into tumors.
The pleura is the area that surrounds the lungs and heart and also the abdomen. Mesothelium is made up of cells that react when exposed to asbestos. They cause inflammation to the tissue and cause it to scar. These changes eventually cause mesothelioma cancers.
Symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include breathlessness and chest pain as well as a buildup of fluid in the lungs (pleural effusion). In rare cases cancer can spread to the tissues around the reproductive organs as well as the heart.
If imaging scans reveal a possible mass in the stomach or lungs, a doctor will order biopsies. The procedure involves the removal of small amounts of fluid or tumor to allow for laboratory testing. The results will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and determine the most effective treatment plan.
There are several types of mesothelioma treatments, which include chemotherapy, surgery, and immunotherapy. The majority of doctors use an amalgamation of these techniques. Patients can also benefit by enrolling in a clinical trial of new mesothelioma treatments. To find out more, patients should speak with mesothelioma specialists who have experience treating the condition.