Mesothelioma and Asbestos
Asbestos is a natural mineral that comes in long, thin fibres. Workers who are exposed to
asbestos case regularly risk developing mesothelioma and other lung diseases.
It may take decades before symptoms begin to manifest after exposure to asbestos. Different types of asbestos can cause different symptoms.
Pleural Mesothelioma
Pleural mesothelioma, a form of cancer, that occurs in the outer lung the lining (pleura). It is the most common mesothelioma that accounts for up between 70 and 79% of diagnosed cases. The condition can cause chest discomfort, shortness of breath, and a feeling of heavyness.
This type of cancer is typically caused by exposure to asbestos which is a grouping of minerals made up of microscopic fibres. When inhaled, these fibers cause irritation and DNA mutations. The pleura covers the chest cavity and lungs This means that these irritations can affect both the lungs and a person's heart. Mesothelioma is usually not symptomatic until 30 to 50 years after exposure.
Chest pain and shortness breath are the most frequent symptoms. Some patients also experience difficulty breathing, or chest tightness. Patients with this type of cancer typically have a history of exposure to
asbestos claim in the workplace. Manufacturing, construction and shipbuilding are the most prevalent jobs which put people at risk chance of developing pleural mesothelioma. People who were in the military are at greater risk due the widespread use of
asbestos law in Navy vessels and Army bunkers.
The most commonly used staging system for pleural mesothelioma is the TNM (tumor lymph nodes, lymph nodes and metastases) staging system. The stage that the patient is in at the time of diagnosis will help determine what treatment plan they should follow. Patients who have pleural mesothelioma which is in stage three or stage four will suffer a more negative prognosis compared to those who are in a less advanced stage. Mesothelioma in stage four can develop into the liver, heart, or diaphragm. This makes the cancer more difficult to treat, and increase the chances of complications for patients.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
In contrast to pleural cancer, which is found in the lung's lining it develops in a membrane that covers the abdominal cavity, including organs like the intestines and the liver. Similar to pleural mesothelioma, asbestos exposure is the primary cause of peritoneal mesothelioma. The disease is less common than pleural mesothelioma. There are around 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.
As with pleural mesothelioma symptoms can take years to show. The majority of patients suffer from abdominal pain and a mass in the abdomen. The symptoms of this type of mesothelioma could also include nausea or weight loss, as well as fever. Many of these symptoms are similar to those of gastrointestinal issues, which can lead to incorrect diagnosis.
Generally speaking, doctors can detect mesothelioma by conducting an extensive health history and physical examination. Imaging tests like X-rays and CT scans can be used to identify mesothelioma. These tests can show tumors and 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 suggest treatment options. The stage of the disease is determined based on the cell type and whether or not the tumor has spread to other regions of the body.
Asbestos exposure is the main risk factor. People who have been in occupations that require
asbestos case, such as plumbing or manufacturing, electrical work or construction, are at increased risk of developing the disease. However, even if individuals aren't employed in these areas they could be exposed to asbestos through family members or other sources. This is why anyone who is concerned that they might be at risk should speak to an experienced doctor. A mesothelioma expert can help those with a history with asbestos to learn more about their risk.
Risk Factors
Asbestos exposure is a major mesothelioma risk factor, accounting for up to 80 percent of 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. Asbestos particles can be inhaled by people who are exposed to asbestos. They can cause irritation to the linings of the abdomen and can cause cancerous cells to form in the mesothelium. Following exposure to asbestos, mesothelioma may be diagnosed between 15 and 60 year.
Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and aging. People in their 40s or 50s are at greater chance of developing mesothelioma to people who are younger or more. This is because mesothelioma typically takes 20 to 60 years from the initial exposure before symptoms of cancer begin to manifest. It is important to remember that mesothelioma is a possibility in those who were exposed to asbestos but did not engage directly with it. This is referred to as secondary or indirect asbestos exposure, and is as hazardous as direct asbestos exposure.
Smoking increases the risk of getting mesothelioma because it damages the mesothelium, which makes it more susceptible to asbestos. Mesothelioma can also be aggravated by certain illnesses such as asbestosis and pneumonia. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than women. This is because men are more likely to work with asbestos and experience 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-containing fibers on their clothing. Women are less likely to come into exposure to asbestos and do not typically carry asbestos on their clothes.
Diagnosis
It is difficult to diagnose mesothelioma due to its symptoms being frequently similar to other illnesses. This could lead to patients being incorrectly diagnosed.
The first step in diagnosing mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform an examination of the body and take notes on the medical history of a patient including asbestos exposure. Doctors may also request a CT scan or chest X-ray to check for lumps, abnormalities, and evidence of exposure to
Asbestos Case. These include pleural plaques, thickened pleura and calcium deposits.
Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance scan or MRI test, that uses magnets and radio waves to produce a series of precise images of the inside of the body. Another method doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma is by performing a surgical biopsy. During a surgical biopsy, doctors remove a small piece of tissue from the pleura or peritoneum for further analysis. A pathologist then examines the tissue with a magnifying lens to determine whether it contains cancerous cell.
The mesothelial type involved as well as the benign or malignant nature of the cells, as well as the location, type and stage of the cancer are used to classify the disease. Certain types of mesothelioma are more likely to develop metastasis or spread which is why it is crucial to get a definite diagnosis so doctors can treat the disease before it gets 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 the cancer and determine a treatment. These results are called staging.
Treatment
A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be terrifying. However, it is important to remember that the cancer is treatable, especially in its early stages. Many mesothelioma patients live for a long time with the disease, without spreading to other parts of their body.
Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma through many mechanisms. Asbestos fibers, which are too small to detect or feel with the naked eye, can become airborne and irritate the lining of the lungs (pleura). As time passes, the irritation leads to the formation of scar tissue that eventually result in tumors.
The pleura is a protective covering that covers the lungs, heart and abdomen. Mesothelium is made up of cells that respond when exposed to asbestos. They cause inflammation of the tissue and cause it to scar. These changes eventually lead to malignant mesothelioma tumours.
A shortness of breath, chest pain or fluid accumulation on the lungs are all signs of pleural mesothelioma. In rare instances, the cancer can spread to the tissues surrounding the heart and reproductive organs.
A doctor will request biopsy if imaging scans show a potential lung tumor or stomach. During the procedure doctors remove a small amount of fluid or tumor for lab tests. The results can confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and determine the best treatment plan.
There are many types of treatment for mesothelioma including surgery and chemotherapy. The majority of doctors use the combination of these methods. Patients can also benefit by enrolling in a clinical trial of new mesothelioma therapies. To find out more, patients should speak to mesothelioma specialists who have experience treating the condition.
