Mesothelioma and Asbestos
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that comes in thin, long fibres. People who are exposed to asbestos risk developing lung diseases, such as mesothelioma.
It can take years for symptoms to appear after asbestos exposure. Different asbestos types may cause different symptoms.
Pleural Mesothelioma
Pleural mesothelioma occurs in the outer lung lining, or pleura. It is the most common type of mesothelioma, making up 70 to 79% of diagnosed cases. People with this condition feel chest pain and breathlessness, and they may feel an ache or heaviness in the chest.
Exposure to asbestos, a group of minerals comprised of microscopic fibers, usually causes this kind of cancer. Once inhaled, these fibers cling to the lungs and cause irritation that leads to scarring and DNA mutations. Pleura covers both the chest cavity and the lungs, so irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma symptoms typically don't show until 30 to 50 years after exposure.
The most commonly reported symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include chest discomfort and shortness of breath. Patients may also experience coughing, difficulty breathing, or chest tightness. Patients with this cancer have a history that includes asbestos exposure at work. Manufacturing, construction, and shipbuilding are the most common occupations which put people at risk risk of developing pleural mesothelioma. Individuals who have served in the military are at a greater risk due to the frequent use of asbestos in Navy vessels and bunkers in the Army.
The TNM (tumors lymph nodes, tumors, and metastases staging system) is the most common staging system used for the pleural adenocarcinoma. The stage a patient is in at the moment of diagnosis will determine the treatment plan they should follow. Patients with pleural mesothelioma that is in stage three or stage four will have a less favorable prognosis than those in a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma can develop into the heart, liver or diaphragm. This can make the cancer more difficult to treat and increase the chance of complications for patients.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
Unlike pleural mesothelioma, which is a lung-lining cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma develops in the peritoneum -- a membrane that lines the abdominal cavity and organs such as the intestines and liver. Like pleural mesothelioma, peritoneal mesothelioma can be caused by asbestos exposure. The disease is less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma, and around 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.
As with pleural mesothelioma symptoms can take a long time to manifest. Patients typically have abdominal pain, and could also experience a mass in their abdomen. This kind of mesothelioma can also cause nausea, weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms are similar to symptoms of gastrointestinal issues, which can lead to confusion in diagnosis.
Generally speaking, doctors can detect mesothelioma after an exhaustive health history and physical exam. Imaging tests like X-rays and CT scans can be used to detect mesothelioma. These tests can reveal tumors and other indications of cancer that aren't apparent on an X-ray.
These test results allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and determine the stage of the disease and suggest treatment options. The stage is determined by the kind of cell and if the tumor has spread.
The most important risk factor for mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos. People who have worked in professions that require asbestos, like plumbing, electrical work, manufacturing or construction, are at greater risk of developing the disease. Even if a person does not work in any of these areas, he or she can be exposed to asbestos through family members and other sources. Anyone who believes they're at risk should talk to an expert. If they have an history of exposure to asbestos, a mesothelioma specialist can assist them in finding out more about their risk.
Risk Factors
Asbestos exposure is the primary mesothelioma risk factor, accounting for up to 80 percent of all cases. Exposure to asbestos may occur due to military service, work, or living with people who have worked with asbestos. When exposed to asbestos, the particles are able to be inhaled into lungs and abdomen. These particles irritate the linings of the abdomen, which causes cancerous cells to form in the mesothelium. Following exposure to asbestos mesothelioma is likely to occur between 15 and 60 years.
Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and the advancing age. People in their 40s or 50s are more at risk of developing mesothelioma as compared to those younger or older. This is because mesothelioma typically takes 20 to 60 years from the first time of exposure before cancer symptoms appear. It is important to keep in mind that mesothelioma may be present in people who have been exposed to asbestos without having worked with it directly. This is called secondary or indirect exposure to asbestos. It can be just as dangerous as direct exposure.
Smoking increases the risk of mesothelioma, since it damages mesothelium. It also makes it more susceptible. In addition, mesothelioma may be worsened by certain diseases like pneumonia and asbestosis. It is also important to remember that mesothelioma is more prevalent in men than women. This is because men are more likely to be exposed to asbestos and endure a more exposure than women. Also, men are more likely to live with someone who has had asbestos exposure and bring asbestos fibers that have escaped home on their clothes. Women are less likely to be exposed to asbestos, and don't typically carry asbestos on their clothing.
Diagnosis
It is difficult to diagnose mesothelioma because its symptoms are frequently similar to other illnesses. This can lead to victims being misdiagnosed.
The first step in diagnosing 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. lakeland asbestos lawsuit can also order a chest X-ray or CT scan to detect lumps and other abnormalities, as well as evidence of previous asbestos exposure such as 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 a magnetic resonance scan or MRI test, which uses radio waves and magnets to produce a series of precise images of inside the body. A surgical biopsy is another way for doctors to diagnose mesothelioma. When a biopsy is performed doctors take a tiny piece of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum, to be tested further. A pathologist can examine the tissue with microscopes to determine whether it is contaminated with cancerous cells.
Mesothelioma is classified according to the mesothelial type involved, whether these cells are benign or malignant, and the location, type, and stage of the tumor. Certain types of mesothelioma may be more likely to develop metastasis or spread which is why it is crucial to have a clear diagnosis so doctors can treat the disease before it goes out of control.
Doctors may also conduct tests in the lab on a tumor to find specific proteins, genes, or other factors that can help them describe the characteristics of cancer and plan treatment. These results are called staging.
Treatment
A mesothelioma diagnosis is a frightening prospect. It is crucial to remember that cancer can be treated particularly in its early stages. Many people with mesothelioma can endure the disease for a long time without spreading.
Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma in many ways. Asbestos fibres, too small to be felt or observed through the naked eye can be airborne, irritating the lung's lining (pleura). Over time, the irritation causes the formation of scar tissue which causes changes in the cell structure which eventually lead to tumors.
The pleura is the area that surrounds the lungs and heart and the abdomen. Mesothelium is composed of cells that react to exposure to asbestos, causing it to inflame and create scar tissue. In time, these changes can cause the development of malignant mesothelioma tumors.
The signs of pleural mesothelioma can include breathlessness and chest pain, or a buildup of fluid on the lungs (pleural effusion). In rare instances the cancer may be spread to the tissues around the heart and reproductive organs.
If imaging scans show an underlying mass in the lungs or stomach the doctor will request biopsies. During the procedure, doctors take small amounts of the tumor or fluid for lab testing. The results will confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis and provide the best treatment option.
There are a variety of treatment for mesothelioma such as chemotherapy and surgery. Most doctors use combinations of these treatments. Enrolling 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 the disease.