Mesothelioma and Asbestos
Asbestos, a natural mineral, naturally occurs in the form of thin, long fibers. Workers who are exposed asbestos on a regular basis are at risk of developing mesothelioma or other lung diseases of different types.
Symptoms of these diseases may not manifest for years after exposure to asbestos. Different types of asbestos can cause different symptoms.
Pleural Mesothelioma
Pleural mesothelioma is a type of cancer that occurs in the lung's outer liner (pleura). It is the most prevalent mesothelioma type and accounts for 70% to 79% of all diagnosed cases. This condition causes chest discomfort, shortness of breath, and a feeling of weightiness.
Exposure to asbestos, a family of minerals composed of microscopic fibers causes this type of cancer. Once inhaled, these fibers cling to the lungs and cause irritation that leads to scarring and DNA mutations. Pleura surrounds both the chest cavity and the lungs, so irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma is usually not symptomatic until 30 to 50 year after exposure.
Shortness of breath and chest pain are the most common symptoms. Patients may also experience coughing, difficulty breathing or chest tightness. Patients with this type of cancer have a history that includes asbestos exposure at work. The most common jobs that put people at risk of developing pleural cancer are construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding. People who have served in the military could be at an especially high risk due to the frequent asbestos use in Navy vessels and bunkers for the army.
The TNM (tumors, lymph nodes, and metastases staging system) is the most commonly used staging system for the pleural cancer. The stage that the patient is in at the time of diagnosis can help determine what treatment plan they will receive. Patients who have pleural mesothelioma which is in stage three or stage four will have a less favorable prognosis compared to those in a lower stage. Mesothelioma in stage four can be spread to the liver, heart or diaphragm. This makes the cancer more difficult to treat, and increase the chances of complications for the patient.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
In contrast to pleural mesothelioma which is a lung-lining cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma develops in the peritoneum -- it is a membrane that lines the abdominal cavity as well as organs such as the intestines and the liver. Similar to pleural mesothelioma mesothelioma is triggered by asbestos exposure. The disease is less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma, with just 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.
As with pleural asbestosis, symptoms can take a long time to manifest. Typically, patients experience abdominal pain and an abdominal mass. The symptoms of this type of mesothelioma could also include nausea as well as weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms are similar to symptoms of digestive issues, which could lead to confusion in diagnosis.
Doctors can detect mesothelioma by examining the patient's medical history and performing a physical exam. Imaging tests like X-rays or CT scans are a way 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 diagnose mesothelioma and determine the stage. They can also recommend treatments. The staging is determined by the cell type and whether or whether the tumor has spread to other parts of the body.
The most significant risk factor for mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos. People who have worked in asbestos-related jobs, such as plumbing or electrical work, or in construction, manufacturing and manufacturing are more likely to develop the disease. Even if a person does not work in one of these areas, he or she can still be exposed through family members or other sources. For this reason, anyone who believes they could be at risk should speak to a doctor. If they have a history of asbestos exposure or mesothelioma, a specialist can assist them in learning more about the risk.
Risk Factors
Asbestos is the primary mesothelioma-related risk factor. It is responsible for up to 80% of all cases. Exposure to asbestos may occur through work, military service or by living with a person who is exposed to asbestos or was previously exposed to doing so. Asbestos particles can be breathed in by people who are exposed to it. They can cause irritation to the linings of the abdomen and cause cancerous cells to grow in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma can take between 15 and 60 years to develop after exposure to asbestos.
Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and aging. People in their 40s or 50s are at greater risk of developing mesothelioma as compared to those who are younger or older. This is because mesothelioma usually occurs between 20 and 60 years from the first exposure to asbestos before cancer symptoms appear. It is important to remember that mesothelioma may develop in people who were exposed to asbestos, but did not work with it directly. This is referred to as secondary or indirect exposure to asbestos, and it is just as harmful as direct exposure.
Smoking increases the risk of mesothelioma, since it damages mesothelium. It can also make it more vulnerable. Furthermore, mesothelioma is exacerbated by certain illnesses like asbestosis and pneumonia. It is also important to know that mesothelioma is more common for men than women. This is due to the fact that men are more likely to work with asbestos and have an extended period of exposure than women. Men are also more likely to live with someone who has worked with asbestos and carry stray asbestos fibers home on their clothing. Women are less likely to come exposed to asbestos and they are less likely to bring asbestos home on their clothing.
waterloo asbestos attorney is difficult to diagnose mesothelioma due to its symptoms being often similar to other diseases. Due to this, patients are sometimes misdiagnosed.
The first step in diagnosing mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform a physical exam and take note of the medical history of the patient which includes asbestos exposure. Doctors can also request an X-ray chest or CT scan to look for 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 buildup of fluid between the lung and chest wall (known as pleural effusion).
Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance image, or MRI test, which uses radio waves and magnets to create a series detailed images of the insides of the body. Another method doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma is through a surgical biopsy. A surgical biopsy is when doctors remove a small piece of tissue from the pleura or peritoneum to conduct further tests. A pathologist can then examine the tissue under microscopes to determine if it has cancerous cells.
The type of mesothelial cells involved, the malignant or benign nature of the cells and the location, type and stage of the cancer are used to classify the disease. Certain mesothelioma types have a higher risk of spreading or metastasizing therefore it is essential to get a definitive diagnosis to ensure that the doctors can treat it before it gets out of control.
Doctors can also perform tests in the lab on tumors to determine specific proteins, genes or other factors that can aid in describing cancer characteristics and determine the best treatment. These results are known as staging.
Treatment
A mesothelioma diagnose can be terrifying. But, it is crucial to remember that the disease can be treated, particularly in its early stages. Many patients with mesothelioma be afflicted for many years without it spreading.
Asbestos exposure can cause mesothelioma through many mechanisms. Asbestos fibers that are too small to be felt or seen through the naked eye, can become airborne, irritating the lining of the lung (pleura). As time passes the irritation can lead to the formation of scar tissue and eventually tumors.
The pleura covers the lungs and the heart, as well as the abdomen. Mesothelium is composed of cells that respond when exposed to asbestos. They cause inflammation to the tissue and cause it to scar. These changes can cause mesothelioma cancers.
Shortness of breath, chest discomfort, or the accumulation of fluid on the lungs are all signs of the pleural mesothelioma. In rare instances cancer may spread to the tissues surrounding the reproductive organs and heart.
A doctor may request biopsy if scans show a potential tumor in the lungs or stomach. During the procedure, doctors will remove a small sample of the fluid or tumor for laboratory analysis. The results will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and determine the most effective treatment plan.
There are a variety of mesothelioma treatments, which include chemotherapy, surgery, and immunotherapy. Most doctors utilize combinations of these treatments. Patients can also benefit by enrolling in a clinical trial of new mesothelioma treatments. Patients can learn more about the trials by speaking with a mesothelioma doctor who has treated mesothelioma.