Mesothelioma and Asbestos
Asbestos is a mineral that occurs naturally in the form of thin, long fibers. Workers who are exposed asbestos regularly risk developing mesothelioma and other lung diseases of different types.
Symptoms of these diseases may not manifest for years after exposure to asbestos. Different asbestos types may cause different symptoms.
Pleural Mesothelioma
Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer of the lung's outer lining also known as the pleura. It is the most common mesothelioma that accounts for up 70 to 79% of all diagnosed cases. People with this condition suffer from chest pain and shortness of breath and may experience a sensation of heaviness in the chest.
Exposure to asbestos, a family of minerals made of microscopic fibers causes this kind of cancer. Once inhaled, these fibers stick inside the lung and cause irritation that leads to scarring and DNA mutations. The pleura is the area that surrounds the lungs and chest cavity, so these irritations can affect both the lungs as well as the heart of a person. Mesothelioma symptoms usually don't appear until 30 to 50 years after exposure.
Chest pain and shortness breath are the most frequent symptoms. Some patients may also experience chest tightness or coughing. They may also experience difficulty breathing. Patients with this type of cancer have a past that includes asbestos exposure at work. The most prevalent jobs that put people at risk of developing pleural mesothelioma are construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding. People who were in the military are at a higher risk due to the extensive use asbestos in Navy vessels and bunkers for the Army.
The TNM (tumors lymph nodes, tumors, and metastases staging system) is the most commonly used staging system for pleural adenocarcinoma. The stage a patient is in when they are diagnosed will help their doctor determine the most appropriate treatment plan for them. For example, patients with mesothelioma pleural stage three or four have a poorer prognosis than those with a lower stage. Mesothelioma in stage four is usually spread to the liver, diaphragm and/or a person's heart. This can make it more difficult to treat and raises the risk of complications for patients.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
Contrary to pleural cancer which forms in the lung's lining the peritoneal cancer is a result of a membrane that covers the abdominal cavity, which includes organs such as the intestines and liver. Similar to pleural mesothelioma and peritoneal mesothelioma can be caused by asbestos exposure. There are only 300-500 cases diagnosed each year which is lower than pleural asbestosis.
Like pleural mesothelioma, the symptoms can take years to show. The majority of patients suffer from abdominal pain and abdominal swelling. The symptoms of this kind of mesothelioma could also include nausea, weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms can be mistaken for gastrointestinal problems and can lead to a misdiagnosis.
Doctors can detect mesothelioma by reviewing the medical history of the patient and conducting a physical exam. Imaging tests like X-rays and CT scans can be used to identify mesothelioma. These tests can reveal tumors and other signs of cancer that aren't evident on X-rays.
These tests enable doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and determine the stage. They can also suggest treatments. The stage is determined by the type of cell and whether the cancer has spread.
Asbestos exposure is the biggest risk factor. People who have been exposed to asbestos in professions, such as plumbing or electrical work, or in manufacturing and construction, are more likely to develop the disease. Even if someone isn't employed in one of these areas, he or she can still be exposed to asbestos through family members and other sources. For this reason, anyone who suspects they may be at risk should talk to an experienced doctor. If they have any history of exposure to asbestos or mesothelioma, a specialist can assist them in learning more about the risk.
Risk Factors
Asbestos exposure is the main mesothelioma risk factor, making up as much as 80 percent of all cases. Exposure to asbestos can happen due to work, military service, or by living with someone who works with asbestos or used to do so. When exposed to asbestos, the particles can be inhaled into the abdomen and lungs. These particles can cause irritation to the linings of the lungs, causing cancerous cells to form in the mesothelium. After asbestos exposure, mesothelioma may be diagnosed between 15 and 60 years.
Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and age. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely develop mesothelioma than those who are younger or more senior. It takes mesothelioma between 20 and 60 years to show signs of cancer after the first exposure. It is important to remember that mesothelioma is a possibility in people who were exposed to asbestos, but did not deal with it directly. This is referred to as indirect or secondary exposure to asbestos, and it could be as hazardous as direct exposure.
Smoking increases a person's chances of developing mesothelioma due to the fact that it damages the mesothelium, which makes it more vulnerable 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. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for a longer time and to work with asbestos for longer periods of time. Men are also more likely to live with someone who has worked with asbestos and carry stray asbestos fibers home on their clothes. Women tend to have less contact with asbestos and do not typically carry asbestos on their clothes.
Diagnosis
Mesothelioma is difficult to identify because the symptoms can be similar to other diseases. This could lead to patients being incorrectly diagnosed.
NYU Langone doctors will perform an examination of the body and document the patient's medical history, including asbestos exposure. Doctors may also order an X-ray of the chest or CT scan to detect lumps or other abnormalities, as well as evidence of asbestos exposure in the past like plaques on the pleura (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the buildup of fluid between the lung and the chest wall (known as pleural effusion).
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 create detailed images of the inside of the body. Another method doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma is by performing the procedure of a surgical biopsy. In a surgical biopsy doctors take a tiny piece of tissue from pleura or the peritoneum, to be tested further. A pathologist can then examine the tissue under a magnifying lens to determine if it contains cancerous cells.
Mesothelioma is classified according to the mesothelial type involved, whether the cells are malignant or benign, and the location of the tumor, its type, and the stage of the cancer. Certain mesothelioma types have an increased chance of metastasizing or spreading, so it's important to determine the type of mesothelioma so doctors can treat it before it becomes out of control.
Doctors can also perform laboratory tests on tumors in order to determine specific proteins, genes or other factors that can help them describe cancer characteristics and plan treatment. These results are referred to as staging.
Treatment
A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be an incredibly frightening prospect. It is crucial to remember that cancer can be treated, particularly in its initial stages. A lot of people suffering from mesothelioma endure the disease for many years without it expanding.
Akron asbestos attorney to asbestos can cause mesothelioma in many ways. Asbestos fibers, which are too small to be able to see or feel with the naked eye, can become airborne and irritate the lung's lining (pleura). Over time, the irritation causes the formation of scar tissue, which can cause changes in the cell structure that eventually develop into tumors.
The Pleura is a protective layer that surrounds the abdomen, heart, and lungs. Mesothelium is made up of cells that react to exposure to asbestos, causing it to inflame and form scar tissue. As time passes, these changes result in the growth of malignant mesothelioma tumors.
Breathing problems, chest discomfort, or the accumulation of fluid on the lungs are all symptoms of the pleural Msothelioma. In rare instances, cancer can spread into the tissues around the reproductive organs as well as the heart.
A doctor will request biopsy if scans reveal a possible lung tumor or stomach. During the procedure, doctors take tiny amounts of fluid or tumor for lab tests. The results can confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and help determine the best treatment option.
There are a variety of treatment for mesothelioma, including surgery and chemotherapy. The majority of doctors employ a combination of these treatments. Patients may also benefit from enrolling in a clinical trial of new mesothelioma treatments. To find out more, patients should speak to mesothelioma specialists who have experience treating the condition.