Mesothelioma and Asbestos
Asbestos is a mineral that naturally forms in the form of thin, long fibers. People who are regularly exposed to asbestos may develop lung diseases, such as mesothelioma.
It may take decades before symptoms begin to manifest after asbestos exposure. Different asbestos types can cause different symptoms.
Pleural Mesothelioma
Pleural mesothelioma is a type of cancer that occurs in the outer lung liner (pleura). It is the most frequent 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 class of minerals comprised of microscopic fibers causes this type of cancer. Once inhaled, these fibers are absorbed into the lung and cause irritation which leads to scarring and DNA mutations. Pleura is the lining of both the chest cavity and the lungs, and so irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma is usually not symptomatic until 30 to 50 year after exposure.
The most commonly reported symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include chest pain and breath shortness. Patients may also experience coughing, difficulty breathing or chest tightness. Patients with this type of cancer typically have previous exposure to asbestos in the workplace. Manufacturing, construction, and shipbuilding are the most frequent occupations that put people at high danger of developing pleural melanoma. Individuals who have served in the military are at a higher risk due to the extensive use asbestos in Navy vessels and bunkers for the Army.
The most common staging system for pleural mesothelioma is the TNM (tumor, lymph nodes and metastases) staging system. The stage that a patient is at upon diagnosis will aid their doctor in determining the best treatment plan for them. Patients who have pleural mesothelioma which is in stage three or stage four will suffer a more negative prognosis than those in a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma often spreads to the diaphragm, the liver or even the heart of a patient. This can make it more difficult to treat and increases the risk of complications for patients.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
In contrast to pleural mesothelioma which develops in the lung lining, peritoneal mesothelioma is found 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 and peritoneal mesothelioma can be caused by asbestos exposure. Only 300-500 cases are diagnosed annually this is less than pleural asbestosis.
Like pleural mesothelioma, symptoms may take years to appear. Patients usually experience abdominal pain, and may have a mass in their abdomen. This kind of mesothelioma can also cause nausea, weight loss and fever. A lot of these symptoms can be misinterpreted as digestive issues and can lead to a mistaken diagnosis.
Typically, doctors can identify mesothelioma by conducting an exhaustive health history and physical exam. They can also use imaging tests such as X-rays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to detect mesothelioma. These tests can detect tumors and other cancer signs that are not visible on X-rays.
These test results allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma, determine the stage of the disease and suggest treatment options. The stage is determined by the kind of cell and if the cancer has spread.
Asbestos exposure is the most important risk factor. People who have worked in jobs which require asbestos, like plumbing, manufacturing, electrical work, or construction, are at a higher risk of developing the disease. Even if an individual does not work in one of these fields they could be exposed to asbestos to asbestos through family members and other sources. Anyone who suspects that they are at risk should speak with an expert. A mesothelioma expert can help those who have had a previous history of asbestos to find out more about their risk.
Risk Factors
Asbestos exposure is a major mesothelioma risk factor, making up as much as 80 percent of all cases. Exposure to asbestos can happen due to work, military service or through living with a person who is exposed to asbestos or has previously done such. When exposed to asbestos, the particles can be breathed into the lungs and abdomen. These irritate the linings and can cause cancerous cells to form in the mesothelium. After exposure to asbestos mesothelioma can develop between 15 and 60 years.
Other risk factors include genetics, smoking and aging. The people in their 40s or 50s are at greater risk of developing mesothelioma as compared to people who are younger or more. It is because mesothelioma generally takes 20 to 60 years after the initial exposure before cancer symptoms appear. It is important to remember that mesothelioma could be present in those who have been exposed to asbestos without having been directly exposed to it. This is referred to as secondary or indirect exposure to asbestos, and it is just as harmful as direct exposure.
Smoking increases a person's chances of developing mesothelioma since it causes mesothelium damage and makes it more prone to asbestos. Additionally, mesothelioma can be exacerbated by certain illnesses like pneumonia and asbestosis. It is also important to remember that mesothelioma is more common for men than women. This is due to the fact that men are more likely to be exposed to asbestos and endure a an extended period of exposure than women. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who worked with asbestos and to have asbestos fibers on their clothing. Women are less likely to come into contact with asbestos and rarely carry asbestos on their clothing.
Diagnosis
Mesothelioma is difficult to recognize because the symptoms are often similar to other diseases. This is why patients are sometimes mistakenly diagnosed.
The first step in diagnosing mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform an examination and write notes on the medical history of a patient which includes asbestos exposure. Doctors may also request a CT scan or chest X-ray to look for abnormalities, lumps and evidence of exposure to asbestos. These include plaques in the pleura, thickened pleura and calcium deposits.
Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram which examines the heart and blood vessels, and a magnetic resonance imaging, also known as MRI test that uses magnets and radio waves to create detailed images of the inside of the body. A surgical biopsy is another method for doctors to identify mesothelioma. In a surgical biopsy doctors will remove a small part of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum, to be examined further. A pathologist will then look at the tissue under an magnifying glass to determine if it is a cancerous cell.
Mesothelioma is classified based on the mesothelial type involved, whether those cells are benign or malignant and also the location of the tumor, its type, and the stage of the tumor. Certain types of mesothelioma may be more likely to develop metastasis or spread and spread, therefore it is essential to establish a definitive diagnosis so doctors can treat the disease before it goes out of control.
Doctors may also conduct tests in the laboratory on tumors to determine specific genes, proteins, or other factors that can help them describe the characteristics of cancer 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, however, that cancer can be treated particularly in its initial stages. A lot of people suffering from mesothelioma be afflicted for a long time, without spreading.
bloomington asbestos law firm to asbestos can cause mesothelioma through various mechanisms. Asbestos fibers that are too small to be felt or viewed with the naked eyes, can become airborne, causing irritation to the lining of the lung (pleura). As time passes, the irritation causes the formation of scar tissue which causes changes in the cell structure which eventually lead to tumors.
The Pleura is a protective layer that covers the lungs, heart and abdomen. Mesothelium is made up of cells that respond when exposed to asbestos. They cause inflammation to the tissue and cause it to become scarred. These changes can eventually lead to malignant mesothelioma tumours.
The symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are breathlessness, chest pain or the accumulation of fluid in the lung (pleural effusion). In rare instances the cancer may grow to the tissues surrounding the heart and reproductive organs.
If scans of imaging reveal an area of concern in the stomach or lungs the doctor will request a biopsies. During the procedure, doctors will remove small amounts of the fluid or tumor for lab analysis. The results will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and provide the best treatment plan.
There are a variety of mesothelioma treatment options, including chemotherapy, surgery and immunotherapy. Most doctors use combinations of these treatments. Enrolling in clinical trials of new mesothelioma treatment may also be beneficial for patients. Patients can learn more about the trials by speaking with a mesothelioma doctor who has treated the condition.