Mesothelioma and Asbestos
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that is found in long, thin fibres. Workers who are regularly exposed to asbestos risk developing lung diseases, such as mesothelioma.
It could take a long time for symptoms to show up after asbestos exposure. Different types of asbestos may 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 type and accounts for 70% to 79% of all diagnosed cases. This condition causes chest pain, breath shortness, and a feeling of heaviness.
Exposure to asbestos, a family of minerals made of microscopic fibers causes this kind of cancer. Once inhaled, the fibers cling to the lungs and cause irritation that results in scarring and DNA mutations. Pleura surrounds both the chest cavity and the lungs, which means that irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma usually doesn't show symptoms until 30 to 50 years after exposure.
Shortness of breath and chest pain are the most frequent symptoms. Patients may have coughing problems, trouble breathing or chest tightness. Patients with this type of cancer typically have a history of exposure to asbestos in the workplace. The most frequent jobs that expose people to the risk of developing pleural mesothelioma are manufacturing, construction and shipbuilding. People who were in the military are at a greater risk due to the widespread use of asbestos in Navy vessels and Army bunkers.
The most common staging method for pleural mesothelioma is the TNM (tumor lymph nodes, lymph nodes, and metastases) staging system. The stage a patient is in at the time of diagnosis will help determine what treatment plan they should follow. For example, patients with mesothelioma pleural stage three or four have a less favorable prognosis than those with lower stages. Stage four mesothelioma is often spread to the diaphragm, the liver and/or a person's heart. This makes 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, it is a membrane that lines the abdominal cavity and organs like the intestines and liver. Similar to pleural mesothelioma mesothelioma is triggered by asbestos exposure. The disease is less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma, with just 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.
As with frisco asbestos lawyer may take years to appear. Patients generally experience abdominal pain, and may have a mass in their abdomen. This mesothelioma type can also cause nausea, weight loss, and fever. Many of these symptoms could be mistaken for gastrointestinal problems and can lead to a mistaken diagnosis.
Generally, doctors can find mesothelioma through an exhaustive medical history and physical exam. Imaging tests like X-rays or CT scans are a way to identify mesothelioma. These tests can detect tumors and other cancer signs that are not evident on X-rays.
These test results enable doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and establish the stage. They can also recommend treatments. The stage is determined by the kind of cell and if the cancer has spread.
Asbestos exposure is the main risk factor. People who have worked in asbestos-containing occupations, like plumbing or electrical work, or in construction, manufacturing and manufacturing, are more likely to contract the disease. However, even if people aren't employed in these fields they could be exposed to asbestos through relatives or other sources. This is why anyone who suspects they may be at risk should speak to an expert. A mesothelioma specialist can assist those who have had a experience with asbestos to understand more about their risk.
Risk Factors
Asbestos exposure is the primary mesothelioma risk factor, which accounts for as much as 80 percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos may occur through work, military service, or through living with a person who is exposed to asbestos or was previously exposed to doing the same. Asbestos particles are inhaled by people who are exposed to asbestos. The particles cause irritation to the linings, causing cancerous cells to grow in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma can take anywhere 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 older. Mesothelioma can take between 20 and 60 years before it manifests cancer symptoms after the first exposure. It is important to remember that mesothelioma can develop in people who were exposed to asbestos, but did not work with it directly. This is known as secondary or indirect asbestos exposure and can be just as harmful as direct asbestos exposure.
Smoking increases the chance of mesothelioma developing, since it damages mesothelium. It can also make it more vulnerable. In addition, mesothelioma may be exacerbated by certain illnesses like asbestosis and pneumonia. 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 an extended period of exposure than women. Men are also more likely to live with someone who worked with asbestos and carry stray asbestos fibers home on their clothing. Women tend to be less exposed to asbestos and they are less likely to carry asbestos on their clothing.
Diagnosis
It is difficult to diagnose mesothelioma because its symptoms are frequently similar to other illnesses. This can result in patients being incorrectly diagnosed.
NYU Langone doctors will perform an examination of the body and document the patient's medical background, including asbestos exposure. Doctors can also request an X-ray of the chest or CT scan to check for lumps and other abnormalities and also to look for evidence of asbestos exposure in the past such as pleural plaques (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the formation of fluid between the lung and chest wall (known as pleural effusion).
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 of detailed images of inside the body. A surgical biopsy is yet another method doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma. In a surgical biopsy doctors take a tiny piece of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum, to be further examined. A pathologist can then look at the tissue under a microscope to see if it has cancerous cells.
Mesothelioma is classified according to the type of mesothelial cell involved, whether the cells are benign or malignant and the location of the tumor, the type, and the stage of the tumor. Certain types of mesothelioma are at an increased chance of metastasizing or spreading, so it's important to get a definitive diagnosis so that doctors can treat it prior to it becoming out of control.
Doctors can also run tests in the laboratory on a tumor to identify specific genes, proteins or other elements which can help them identify the characteristics of the cancer and determine a treatment. These results are called staging.
Treatment
A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be an incredibly frightening prospect. It is important to keep in mind that cancer can be treated, particularly in its early stages. Many mesothelioma patients live for years with the disease, without spreading to other areas of their body.
Exposure to asbestos can trigger mesothelioma in a number of ways. Asbestos fibres, tiny enough to be felt or viewed with the naked eyes are able to become airborne, irritating the lining of the lung (pleura). As time passes the irritation causes the formation of scar tissues that eventually result in tumors.
The pleura covers the lungs and heart and the abdomen. Mesothelium consists of cells that react to asbestos which causes it to become inflamed and create scar tissue. These changes can result in malignant mesothelioma tumors.
Breathing problems, chest pain or fluid accumulation on the lungs are all symptoms of the pleural Msothelioma. In rare cases cancer may spread to the tissues surrounding the reproductive organs and heart.
A doctor will request biopsy if imaging scans show a potential mass in the lungs or stomach. During the procedure, doctors remove small amounts of the fluid or tumor for laboratory testing. The results can confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and help determine the most effective treatment plan.
There are many types of treatment for mesothelioma including surgery and chemotherapy. Most doctors utilize combinations of these treatments. Participating in clinical trials of mesothelioma treatments may be beneficial to patients. To find out more, patients should consult mesothelioma specialists who have expertise in treating the condition.