Mesothelioma and Asbestos
Asbestos is a natural mineral that comes in long, thin fibres. People who are regularly exposed to asbestos may develop lung diseases like mesothelioma.
The symptoms of these diseases may not manifest for years 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 pleura. It is the most common mesothelioma that accounts for up between 70 and 79% of diagnosed cases. People with this condition suffer from chest pain and breath shortness and may also feel an ache or heaviness in the chest.
This type of cancer typically caused by exposure to asbestos which is a collection of minerals that are composed of microscopic fibers. Once inhaled, the fibers cling to the lung and cause irritation that causes scarring and DNA mutations. The pleura is the area that surrounds the lungs and chest cavity This means that these irritations can affect both the lungs as well as a person's heart. Mesothelioma usually doesn't show symptoms until 30 to 50 year after exposure.
Shortness of breath and chest pain are the most frequent symptoms. Some patients also experience coughing, difficulty breathing or chest tightness. Patients with this type of cancer typically have a history of exposure to asbestos in the workplace. Construction, manufacturing, and shipbuilding are the most frequent jobs that put people at high danger of developing pleural melanoma. People who have served in the military could be at a higher risk due to the widespread use of asbestos in Navy ships and army bunkers.
The TNM (tumors lymph nodes, tumors, and metastases staging system) is the most common staging system used to treat the pleural cancer. The stage a patient is in at the time of diagnosis can help determine the treatment plan they should receive. For instance, patients who have mesothelioma that is pleural in stage three or four have a worse prognosis than those in a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma may develop into the liver, heart, or diaphragm. This can make it more difficult to treat and increases the likelihood of complications for patients.
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 and organs like the intestines and liver. As with pleural mesothelioma exposure to asbestos is the cause of peritoneal mesothelioma. The disease is less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma, with only about 300-500 cases diagnosed each year.
Like pleural mesothelioma, the symptoms can take a long time to manifest. The majority of patients experience abdominal pain and a mass in the abdomen. This type of mesothelioma may also cause nausea, weight loss, and fever. A lot of these symptoms are similar to symptoms of gastrointestinal issues, which can cause confusion in diagnosis.
Doctors can identify mesothelioma by looking over the medical history of the patient and performing a physical examination. Imaging tests like X-rays or CT scans are a way to identify mesothelioma. These tests can reveal tumors and other signs of cancer which aren't visible on X-rays.
These test results enable doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and determine the stage. They can also recommend treatment options. The stage is determined by the type of cell as well as whether the cancer has spread.
The most important mesothelioma risk factor is exposure to asbestos. People who have been exposed to asbestos in professions, such as electrical or plumbing work or in construction, manufacturing and manufacturing are more likely to develop the disease. Even if they aren't employed in these fields they may be exposed to asbestos through family members or through other sources. Therefore, anyone who suspects they may be at risk should talk to a doctor. A mesothelioma specialist can assist those who have a previous history of asbestos to find out more about their risk.
Risk Factors
Asbestos is the primary risk factor in mesothelioma. It is responsible for up to 80percent 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 so. Asbestos particles can be inhaled by people who are exposed to it. The particles cause irritation to the linings of the lungs, causing cancerous cells to grow in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma may take between 15 and 60 years to develop following exposure to asbestos.
Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and the advancing age. People in their 40s or 50s are more at chance of developing mesothelioma to those younger or older. This is because mesothelioma typically occurs between 20 and 60 years from the first exposure before the first signs of cancer appear. It is important to remember that mesothelioma can develop in people who have been exposed to asbestos but didn't engage directly with it. This is known as secondary or indirect exposure to asbestos, and it could be as hazardous as direct exposure.
Smoking increases the risk of getting mesothelioma because it damages the mesothelium and makes it more prone to asbestos. In addition, mesothelioma may be worsened by certain diseases like pneumonia and asbestosis. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma compared to women. This is due to men being more likely to work with asbestos and experience 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 tend to have less exposure to asbestos and rarely carry asbestos on their clothes.
Diagnosis
Mesothelioma is a difficult cancer to diagnose 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 an examination and write notes on the medical history of a patient including asbestos exposure. Doctors may also request an CT scan or chest X-ray to look for lumps, abnormalities, and evidence of asbestos exposure. These include plaques on the pleura, pleura that are thickened and calcium deposits.
Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram, which examines the heart and blood vessels as well as a magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI, test that uses magnets and radio waves to make a series of precise images of the inside of the body. Another way for doctors to detect mesothelioma is through an operation called a biopsy. In a surgical biopsy doctors remove a small piece of tissue from the pleura or peritoneum for further analysis. A pathologist is then able to look at the tissue under microscopes to determine if it has cancerous cells.
Mesothelioma is classified according to the type of mesothelial cell involved, whether the cells are malignant or benign and also the location of the tumor, its type, and the stage of the tumor. Certain mesothelioma types have greater risk of spreading or metastasizing therefore it is essential to get a definitive diagnosis to ensure that the doctors can treat it before it becomes out of control.
Doctors may also conduct laboratory tests on tumors to determine specific genes, proteins or other elements that can aid in describing cancer characteristics and plan treatment. These results are called staging.
Treatment
A diagnosis of mesothelioma may be terrifying. It is crucial to remember that cancer can be treated, especially at its early stages. Many patients with mesothelioma be afflicted for many years without it expanding.
Exposure to asbestos can trigger mesothelioma in a number of ways. Asbestos fibers that are small enough to not be felt or observed by naked eyes, can become airborne and irritate the lung's lining (pleura). Over time irritation can lead to formation of scar tissue which can cause changes in the structure of cells which eventually lead to tumors.
The Pleura is a covering that covers the lungs, heart and abdomen. Mesothelium is made up of cells that respond when exposed to asbestos. They cause inflammation of the tissue and cause it to become scarred. These changes eventually lead to malignant mesothelioma tumours.
The symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are breathlessness, chest pain or a buildup of fluid on the lung (pleural effusion). In rare instances, the cancer can spread to the tissues surrounding the heart and reproductive organs.
A doctor may request biopsy if scans show a potential tumor in the lungs or stomach. In denton asbestos lawyer of the procedure, doctors remove small amounts of fluid or tumor to allow for laboratory testing. The results can confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis, and indicate the most effective treatment plan.
There are a variety of treatment for mesothelioma including surgery and chemotherapy. Most doctors rely on the combination of these methods. Enrolling in clinical trials of mesothelioma treatments may be beneficial for patients. To find out more, patients should consult a mesothelioma specialist who has had experience treating the disease.