Mesothelioma and Asbestos
Asbestos Case (
Dentozone.Com), a natural mineral, occurs naturally in the form of long, thin fibers. Workers who are regularly exposed to asbestos are at risk of developing lung diseases such as mesothelioma.
The symptoms of these diseases might not show up for decades after exposure to asbestos. Different asbestos types may cause different symptoms.
Pleural Mesothelioma
Pleural mesothelioma occurs in the outer lung lining, also known as the pleura. It is the most prevalent mesothelioma that accounts for up 70% to 79% of diagnosed cases. The condition can cause chest discomfort, shortness of breath, and a feeling of heavyness.
Exposure to asbestos, a group of minerals made of microscopic fibers, typically causes this kind of cancer. When inhaled, these fibers can cause irritation and DNA mutations. Pleura surrounds both the chest cavity and the lungs, which means that irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma usually doesn't show symptoms until 30 to 50 years after exposure.
The most frequent symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include chest pain and breath shortness. Some patients may also experience chest tightness, coughing or difficulty breathing. People with this cancer often have a history of exposure to asbestos in the workplace. The most prevalent jobs that put people at risk of pleural mesothelioma include manufacturing, construction and shipbuilding. People who were in the military are at greater risk due the extensive use asbestos in Navy vessels and bunkers for the Army.
The TNM (tumors, lymph nodes, and metastases staging system) is the most commonly used staging system used for the pleural cancer. The stage a patient is in upon diagnosis will assist their doctor in determining the most effective treatment plan for them. For instance, patients who have mesothelioma pleural stage three or four have a poorer prognosis than those in lower stages. Stage four mesothelioma can be spread to the liver, heart or diaphragm. This could make the cancer more difficult to treat and increase the chances of complications for patients.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
Unlike pleural cancer, which forms in the lining of the lung the peritoneal cancer is a result of the membrane that covers the abdominal cavity, which includes organs like the intestines and the liver. Similar to pleural mesothelioma, exposure to asbestos is the cause of peritoneal msothelioma. 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 experience abdominal pain and an abdominal mass. The symptoms of this type of mesothelioma can also include nausea, weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms can be misinterpreted as digestive issues which can lead to a false diagnosis.
The doctors can detect mesothelioma through reviewing the medical history of the patient and performing a physical examination. They may also employ imaging tests like X-rays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to detect mesothelioma. These tests can show tumors, as well as other indications of cancer that aren't apparent on an X-ray.
The results of these tests allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma, determine the stage and recommend treatment options. The staging is determined by the type of cells and whether or the tumor has spread to other areas of the body.
Asbestos exposure is the most important risk factor. People who have been in occupations which require asbestos, such as plumbing, manufacturing, electrical work or construction, are at a higher risk of developing the disease. Even if a person isn't employed in any of these areas they could still be exposed through family members or other sources. Anyone who suspects that they may be at risk should consult a doctor. If they have an history of exposure to asbestos, a mesothelioma specialist can assist them in finding out more about the risk.
Risk Factors
Asbestos exposure is the main risk factor for mesothelioma accounting for up to 80 percent of all cases. Exposure to asbestos can occur through work, military service or by living with someone who works with asbestos or used to do the same. Asbestos particles can be breathed in by those who are exposed to
asbestos attorney. 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 genetics, smoking and aging. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely to develop mesothelioma than those who are younger or older. Mesothelioma can take between 20 and 60 years before it manifests cancer symptoms after the first exposure. It is important to remember that mesothelioma is a possibility in people who have been exposed to asbestos but didn't deal with it directly. This is referred to as secondary or indirect asbestos exposure, and is as dangerous as direct asbestos exposure.
Smoking increases a person's chances of developing mesothelioma due to the fact that it damages the mesothelium and makes it more susceptible to asbestos. Mesothelioma can also be caused by certain illnesses such as asbestosis and pneumonia. It is also important to remember that mesothelioma is more common in males than females. This is due to men being more likely to work with asbestos and experience a a longer period of exposure than women. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who has been exposed to asbestos, and to have
asbestos fibers on their clothing. Women are less likely to be in contact with asbestos, and they are less likely to carry
asbestos litigation on their clothes.
Diagnosis
It is difficult to diagnose mesothelioma because its symptoms are frequently similar to other illnesses. Due to this, patients are sometimes mistakenly diagnosed.
The first step in diagnosing mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform a physical exam and take down a patient's medical history including asbestos exposure. Doctors may also order 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 such as plaques in the pleura (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the formation of fluid between the lung and chest wall (known as the pleural effusion).
Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance scan or MRI test, which makes use of magnets and radio waves in order to produce a series of precise images of inside the body. Another method doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma is through an operation called a biopsy. In a surgical biopsy doctors remove a small amount of tissue from the pleura or peritoneum for further testing. A pathologist is then able to look at the tissue under microscopes to determine whether it is contaminated with cancerous cells.
Mesothelioma can be classified based on the mesothelial type involved, whether those cells are malignant or benign, and the location of the tumor, the type, and the stage of the cancer. Certain mesothelioma types have greater risk of metastasizing or spreading, so it's important to determine the type of mesothelioma to ensure that the doctors can treat it before it becomes out-of-control.
Doctors can also run tests in the lab on a tumor to find 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 mesothelioma diagnosis can be an incredibly frightening prospect. However, it is important to keep in mind that the cancer is treatable, particularly in its initial stages. A lot of people suffering from mesothelioma live with the disease for many years without it expanding.
Exposure to
asbestos litigation can cause mesothelioma through a variety of ways. Asbestos fibres, too small to be felt or observed by naked eyes are able to become airborne and irritate the lung's lining (pleura). Over time the irritation can lead to the formation of scar tissue and eventually tumors.
The pleura is a protective covering that covers the abdomen, heart, and lungs. Mesothelium is made up of cells that react to asbestos which causes it to become inflamed and form scar tissue. These changes can eventually lead to malignant mesothelioma tumours.
Shortness of breath, chest discomfort or fluid buildup on the lungs are all symptoms of pleural mesothelioma. In rare instances cancer can spread to the tissues surrounding the reproductive organs as well as the heart.
A doctor will request biopsy if imaging scans show the possibility of a lung tumor or stomach. During the procedure, doctors remove tiny amounts of fluid or tumor for lab analysis. The results will confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis and indicate the most effective treatment plan.
There are a variety of treatment for mesothelioma, including chemotherapy and surgery. The majority of doctors use a combination of these methods. Patients can also benefit by taking part in a clinical trial of new mesothelioma therapies. To learn more, patients should speak with mesothelioma experts who have expertise in treating the condition.
