Mesothelioma and Asbestos
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that is found in thin, long fibres. Workers who are exposed asbestos regularly are at risk of developing mesothelioma as well as other lung diseases.
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 outer lung lining, or the pleura. It is the most frequent form of mesothelioma and accounts for 70% to 79% of all diagnosed cases. Patients with this disease experience pain in the chest and shortness of breath, and they may feel a sensation of heaviness in the chest.
This type of cancer often caused by exposure to asbestos, which is a grouping of minerals that are comprised of microscopic fibres. These fibers, when inhaled, cause irritation and DNA mutations. The pleura covers the chest cavity and lungs, so these irritations can affect both the lungs as well as a person's heart. Mesothelioma typically doesn't manifest until 30 to 50 years after exposure.
Shortness of breath and chest pain are the most frequent symptoms. Patients may also experience difficulty breathing, or chest tightness. Patients with this type of cancer have a history of disease that includes asbestos exposure at work. The most frequent jobs that put people at risk of pleural mesothelioma include manufacturing, construction and shipbuilding. Individuals who have been in the military could be at an especially high risk because of the extensive asbestos usage in Navy ships and army bunkers.
The TNM (tumors, lymph nodes, and metastases staging system) is the most common staging system used for pleural adenocarcinoma. The stage a patient is in at diagnosis will help their doctor determine the most appropriate treatment plan for them. For instance, patients who have mesothelioma pleural stage three or four have a poorer prognosis than patients with lower stages. Mesothelioma in stage four can develop into the liver, heart, or diaphragm. This can make it more difficult to treat and raises the chance of complications for the patient.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
In contrast to pleural cancer, which forms in the lung's lining it develops in a membrane that surrounds the abdominal cavity, which includes organs like the intestines and liver. Like pleural mesothelioma, peritoneal mesothelioma is triggered by asbestos exposure. It is estimated that only 300-500 cases are diagnosed annually which is lower than the pleural asbestosis.
As with pleural mesothelioma symptoms may take years to appear. Patients typically have abdominal pain, and may have a mass in their abdomen. This mesothelioma type can cause nausea, weight loss, and fever. Many of these symptoms can be misinterpreted as gastrointestinal issues which can lead to a misdiagnosis.
Typically, doctors can identify mesothelioma by conducting an exhaustive medical history and physical exam. They can also utilize imaging tests like X-rays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to help find mesothelioma. These tests can reveal tumors and other signs of cancer that aren't visible on X-rays.
The results of these tests allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and establish the stage. They can also suggest treatment options. The stage is determined by the type of cell as well as whether the tumor has spread.
Asbestos exposure is the biggest risk factor. 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 someone isn't employed in any of these areas, he or she can still be exposed through family members and other sources. Therefore, anyone who believes they could be at risk should talk to a doctor. If they have a history of asbestos exposure, a mesothelioma specialist can help them find out more about their risk.
Risk Factors
Asbestos exposure is the main mesothelioma risk factor, which accounts for as much as 80 percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos can happen through work, military service or by living with someone who works with asbestos or was previously exposed to doing the same. When exposed to asbestos, the particles can be breathed into the abdomen and lungs. They can cause irritation to the linings of the abdomen and trigger cancerous cells to develop in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma may take between 15 and 60 years to develop after exposure to asbestos.
Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and the advancing age. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely develop mesothelioma than those who are younger or more senior. This is because mesothelioma typically takes 20 to 60 years from the initial time of exposure before the first signs of cancer appear. It is also important to know that mesothelioma is a possibility in people who have been exposed to asbestos but did not engage directly with it. This is called indirect or secondary exposure to asbestos. It could be as hazardous as direct exposure.
Smoking increases the chance of mesothelioma as it damages the mesothelium. It also makes it more susceptible. Additionally, mesothelioma can be exacerbated by certain illnesses like pneumonia and asbestosis. It is also important to know that mesothelioma is more common in males than females. This is due to men being more likely to be exposed to asbestos and endure a 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-containing fibers on their clothing. Women are less likely to come into exposure to asbestos and do not typically carry asbestos home on their clothes.
Diagnosis
Mesothelioma is a difficult disease to diagnose because the symptoms often resemble other conditions. This is why patients are often mistakenly diagnosed.
NYU Langone doctors will perform a physical examination and record the patient's medical background, including asbestos exposure. Doctors may also order an X-ray chest or CT scan to detect lumps or other abnormalities, as well as 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 the pleural effusion).
Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram which examines the blood vessels and the heart and magnetic resonance imaging, also known as MRI test that uses radio waves and magnets to create detailed images of the inside of the body. Another method doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma is to perform an operation called a biopsy. During a surgical biopsy, doctors take a small amount of tissue from the pleura or peritoneum to conduct further tests. A pathologist can then examine the tissue with microscopes to determine whether it contains cancerous cells.
El Paso asbestos attorney of mesothelial cell involved and the benign or malignant nature of the cells, as well as the location and stage of the tumor, are used to categorize the disease. Certain types of mesothelioma are more likely to develop metastasis or spread, so it is important to establish a definitive diagnosis so that doctors can treat the disease before it gets out of control.
Doctors may also conduct laboratory tests on tumors to determine specific proteins, genes, or other factors which can aid in describing cancer characteristics and determine the best treatment. These results are known as staging.
Treatment
A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be an incredibly frightening prospect. However, it is important to remember that the cancer is treatable, especially in its early stages. Many mesothelioma patients live for a long time without the disease spreading to other parts of their body.
Exposure to asbestos can trigger mesothelioma in a number of ways. Asbestos particles, which are too small to detect or feel by the naked eye can be airborne and cause 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 which eventually lead to tumors.
The Pleura is a covering that protects the abdomen, heart, and lungs. Mesothelium is composed of cells that react to exposure to asbestos, causing it to inflame and create scar tissue. These changes can lead to malignant mesothelioma tumours.
The signs of pleural mesothelioma can include breathing problems and chest pain, or a buildup of fluid on the lungs (pleural effusion). In rare cases the cancer may grow to the tissues surrounding the heart and reproductive organs.
If imaging scans reveal an underlying mass in the lungs or stomach, a doctor will order biopsies. In the course of the procedure, doctors remove some of the fluid or tumor to allow for lab tests. The results can confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and help determine the most effective treatment plan.
There are several types of mesothelioma treatments, including surgery, chemotherapy and immunotherapy. Most doctors utilize combinations of these treatments. Patients may also benefit from taking part in a clinical trial of new mesothelioma therapies. To learn more, patients should speak with mesothelioma specialists who have expertise in treating the condition.