Mesothelioma and Asbestos
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that is made up of long, thin fibres. People who are exposed to asbestos on a regular basis risk developing mesothelioma and other lung diseases of different types.
The symptoms of these diseases might not manifest for years after exposure to asbestos. Different asbestos types can cause different symptoms.
Pleural Mesothelioma
Pleural mesothelioma occurs in the outer lung lining, or pleura. It is the most common mesothelioma form and accounts for 70% to 79% of diagnosed cases. People with this condition suffer from chest pain and breathlessness and may also feel a sensation of heaviness in the chest.
Exposure to asbestos, a family of minerals composed of microscopic fibers, usually causes this kind of cancer. Once inhaled, these fibers are absorbed into the lung and cause irritation that leads to scarring and DNA mutations. Pleura is the lining of both the chest cavity as well as the lungs, and so irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma usually doesn't show symptoms until 30 to 50 years after exposure.
The most common symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are chest pain and breath shortness. Patients may also suffer from chest tightness and coughing, or breathing difficulties. Patients with this type of cancer have a past that includes asbestos exposure at work. Manufacturing, construction and shipbuilding are the most common occupations that put people at a high risk of developing pleural mesothelioma. Individuals who have served in the military are at greater risk due to the frequent use of asbestos in Navy vessels and bunkers in the Army.
The most popular staging system for pleural mesothelioma is the TNM (tumor, lymph nodes and metastases) staging system. The stage a patient is in at diagnosis will aid their doctor in determining the most appropriate treatment plan for them. For instance, patients suffering from mesothelioma that is pleural in stage three or four have a less favorable prognosis than patients with a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma can spread to the liver, heart, or diaphragm. This makes the cancer more difficult to treat, and increase the chance of complications for patients.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
As opposed to pleural mesothelioma that develops in the lung lining, peritoneal mesothelioma is found in the peritoneum, a membrane that lines the abdominal cavity and organs such as the liver and intestines. Like pleural mesothelioma, peritoneal mesothelioma can be caused by asbestos exposure. The disease is less common than pleural mesothelioma, and only about 300-500 cases diagnosed each year.
As with pleural asbestosis symptoms can take several years to manifest. Typically, patients are afflicted with abdominal pain as well as an abdominal mass. This mesothelioma type can cause nausea, weight loss, and fever. A lot of these symptoms are similar to those of digestive issues, which could lead to misdiagnosis.
Generally speaking, doctors can detect mesothelioma through an extensive medical history and physical exam. They can also utilize imaging tests like Xrays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to identify mesothelioma. These tests can show cancerous tumors or other symptoms of cancer that aren't visible on an X-ray.
The results of these tests allow doctors to identify 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 tumor has spread.
Asbestos exposure is the most important risk factor. People who have worked in professions that involve asbestos, such as plumbing, manufacturing, electrical work, or construction, are at a higher risk of developing the disease. Even if they do not work in these areas, they can still be exposed to asbestos through family members or through other sources. Anyone who thinks they may be at risk should speak with an expert. A mesothelioma expert can help those with a history with asbestos to learn more about their risk.
Risk Factors
Asbestos is the main mesothelioma-related risk factor. It is responsible for up to 80percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos can happen through work, military service, or living with people who have worked with asbestos. When exposed to asbestos, small particles are able to be inhaled into abdomen and lungs. These particles irritate the linings, causing cancerous cells to form in the mesothelium. Following exposure to asbestos mesothelioma can occur between 15 and 60 years old.
Other risk factors include genetics, smoking and age. The people in their 40s or 50s are at a higher risk of developing mesothelioma compared to those who are younger or older. This is because mesothelioma usually lasts between 20 and 60 years from the first exposure to asbestos before the first signs of cancer appear. It is important to remember that mesothelioma may develop in those who were exposed to asbestos but didn't deal with it directly. This is called secondary or indirect exposure to asbestos, and it is just as harmful as direct exposure.
Smoking increases the chance of mesothelioma developing, as it damages the mesothelium. It also makes it more prone to. Mesothelioma can also be aggravated by certain illnesses such as asbestosis and pneumonia. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than women. This is due to the fact that men are more likely to work with asbestos and have a longer period of exposure than women. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who had worked with asbestos and to have asbestos fibers on their clothing. Women tend to be less in contact with asbestos, and they don't usually bring asbestos home on their clothes.
Diagnosis
Mesothelioma is difficult to identify because the symptoms can be similar to other diseases. Because of this, victims are sometimes misdiagnosed.
NYU Langone doctors will perform a physical examination and record the patient's medical background, including asbestos exposure. Doctors can also request an X-ray of the chest or CT scan to detect lumps and other abnormalities, and also to look for evidence of asbestos exposure in the past like plaques in the pleura (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the accumulation of fluid between the lung and chest wall (known as the pleural effusion).
Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram, which examines the blood vessels and the heart, and a magnetic resonance imaging, also known as MRI, test, which makes use of magnets and radio waves to make a series of detailed images of the interior of the body. A surgical biopsy is yet another way for doctors to diagnose mesothelioma. A surgical biopsy is when doctors take a small amount of tissue from the pleura or peritoneum to conduct further tests. A pathologist can then examine the tissue under microscopes to determine whether it contains cancerous cells.
Mesothelioma is classified based on the mesothelial type involved, whether these cells are malignant or benign and also the location, type, and stage of the tumor. Certain mesothelioma types have an increased chance of metastasizing or spreading therefore it is essential to determine the type of mesothelioma so that doctors can treat it before it gets out of control.
Doctors may also conduct tests in the lab on tumors to determine specific genes, proteins, or other factors which can help them describe cancer characteristics and determine the best treatment. These results are known as staging.
Treatment
A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be terrifying. But, it is crucial to remember that the cancer is treatable, particularly in its early stages. Many people with mesothelioma live for a long time with the disease, without spreading to other organs of their body.
Asbestos exposure can cause mesothelioma by many mechanisms. Asbestos fibers, which are small enough to not be felt or viewed with the naked eyes, can become airborne, causing irritation to the lung's lining (pleura). In time irritation can lead to formation of scar tissue, which can cause changes in the cell structure that can eventually grow into tumors.
The pleura covers the heart and lungs, as well as the abdomen. farmington hills asbestos law firm is made up of cells that respond when exposed to asbestos. They cause inflammation to the tissue and cause it to scar. In time, these changes can lead to the development of malignant mesothelioma tumors.
The symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are breathing problems and chest pain, or a buildup of fluid on the lung (pleural effusion). In rare cases, the cancer can grow to the tissues surrounding the heart and reproductive organs.
If imaging scans reveal a possible mass in the lungs or stomach the doctor will request biopsies. The procedure involves the removal of a small amount of liquid or tumor for tests in the laboratory. The results will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma, and also determine the most effective treatment plan.
There are a variety of treatment for mesothelioma including chemotherapy and surgery. Most doctors rely on the combination of these methods. Participating in clinical trials of new mesothelioma treatment may also be beneficial for patients. To learn more about the trials, patients should consult mesothelioma specialists who have expertise in treating the condition.