Mesothelioma and Asbestos
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that is made up of long, thin fibres. People who are exposed to asbestos are at risk of developing lung diseases, such as mesothelioma.
It could take a long time before symptoms begin to manifest after exposure to asbestos. Different asbestos types can cause different symptoms.
Pleural Mesothelioma
Pleural mesothelioma can be found in the lung's outer lining or the pleura. It is the most common mesothelioma type, accounting for up 70% to 79% of diagnosed cases. The condition can cause chest pain, breath shortness, and a feeling of heaviness.
Exposure to asbestos, a class of minerals made of microscopic fibers, typically causes this kind of cancer. Once inhaled, the fibers cling to the lung and cause irritation that results in scarring and DNA mutations. The pleura is the area that surrounds the lungs and chest cavity, so these irritations can affect both the lungs as well as a person's heart. Mesothelioma is usually not symptomatic until 30 to 50 years after exposure.
The most common symptoms of pleural melanoma are chest pain and shortness of breath. Some patients have coughing problems, trouble breathing or chest tightness. People who suffer from this cancer usually have previous exposure to asbestos in the workplace. Construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding are the most common occupations which put people at risk chance of developing pleural mesothelioma. People who have served in the military could be at a higher risk due to the widespread use of asbestos in Navy ships and bunkers used by the army.
The most popular staging system for pleural mysothelioma has been the TNM (tumor, lymph nodes and metastases) staging system. The stage that a patient is at at diagnosis will help their doctor determine the best treatment plan for them. Patients who have pleural mesothelioma which is in stage three or stage four will have a less favorable prognosis than those in a less advanced stage. Stage four mesothelioma is often spread to the diaphragm, the liver or even a person's heart. This can make the cancer more difficult to treat, and increase the chance of complications for the patient.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
Unlike pleural mesothelioma, which develops in the lung lining, peritoneal mesothelioma forms in the peritoneum - a membrane that lines the abdominal cavity and organs such as the liver and intestines. As with pleural mesothelioma asbestos [
smi-webdemo-foodus.kro.Kr] exposure is the primary cause of peritoneal msothelioma. The disease is less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma, and just 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.
As with pleural mesothelioma symptoms can take a long time to manifest. Patients typically have abdominal pain, and could also experience a mass in their abdomen. This type of mesothelioma may also cause nausea, weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms can be mistaken for gastrointestinal problems, leading to a false diagnosis.
Generally, doctors can find mesothelioma after an exhaustive medical history and physical exam. They may also employ imaging tests like Xrays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to help find mesothelioma. These tests can reveal tumors, as well as other signs of cancer that aren't visible on X-rays.
These test results allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma, identify the stage and recommend treatment options. The stage of the disease is determined based on the type of cells and whether or the cancer has spread to other regions of the body.
Asbestos exposure is the main risk factor. People who have been exposed to asbestos in occupations, like plumbing or electrical work, or in construction and manufacturing are more likely to develop the disease. Even if someone does not work in one of these fields, he or she can still be exposed to
asbestos law through family members and other sources. Anyone who suspects that they're at risk should consult a doctor. A mesothelioma expert can help those who have had a experience with asbestos to understand more about their risk.
Risk Factors
Asbestos exposure is the main risk factor for mesothelioma making up as much as 80 percent of all cases. Exposure to asbestos may occur due to work, military service, or by living with someone who works with asbestos or used to do such. When exposed to asbestos, small particles can be inhaled into the abdomen and lungs. They can cause irritation to the linings of the abdomen and cause cancerous cells to grow in the mesothelium. Following exposure to asbestos, mesothelioma may develop between 15 and 60 year.
Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and the advancing age. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely to develop mesothelioma than those who are younger or more senior. This is because mesothelioma usually lasts between 20 and 60 years from the initial time of exposure before the first signs of cancer appear. It is important to keep in mind, too, that mesothelioma may develop in those who have been exposed to
asbestos lawyer without having directly worked with it. This is referred to as secondary or indirect asbestos exposure. It can be as dangerous as direct asbestos exposure.
Smoking increases a person's chances of developing mesothelioma since it damages the mesothelium, which makes it more vulnerable to
asbestos settlement. In addition, mesothelioma may be worsened by certain diseases like pneumonia and asbestosis. It is also important to remember that mesothelioma is more prevalent in men than women. This is because men are more likely to work with asbestos and have more exposure than women. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who worked with asbestos, and to have asbestos fibers on their clothing. Women are less likely to come into contact with asbestos and do not typically carry asbestos on their clothes.
Diagnosis
It is difficult to recognize mesothelioma because its symptoms are frequently similar to other illnesses. This can lead to victims being misdiagnosed.
The first step in identifying mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform a physical exam and take notes on the medical history of a patient which includes asbestos exposure. Doctors may also request an CT scan or chest X-ray to check for lumps, abnormalities, and evidence of asbestos exposure. These include pleural plaques, thickened pleura and calcium deposits.
Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram which examines the blood vessels and the heart as well as a magnetic resonance imaging, also known as MRI, test, which makes use of radio waves and magnets to create detailed images of the interior of the body. A surgical biopsy is another method doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma. During a surgery biopsy doctors will remove a small part of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum, to be examined further. A pathologist then examines the tissue with a magnifying glass to determine if it contains cancerous cell.
Mesothelioma is classified based on the mesothelial type involved, whether these cells are benign or malignant and the location of the tumor, its type, and the stage of the tumor. Certain types of mesothelioma are more likely to spread or metastasize which is why it is crucial to get a definite diagnosis so that doctors can treat the disease before it goes out of control.
Doctors may also conduct laboratory tests on tumors to determine specific proteins, genes or other factors that can help them describe cancer characteristics and plan treatment. These results are known as staging.
Treatment
A diagnosis of mesothelioma may be terrifying. However, it is important to remember that the disease is treatable, particularly in its earlier stages. Many people with mesothelioma live for years with the disease without it spreading to other parts of their body.
Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma by various mechanisms. Asbestos fibres, too small to be felt or observed by naked eyes, can become airborne and irritate the lining of the lung (pleura). In time irritation can lead to formation of scar tissue, which leads to changes in the cell structure that eventually develop into tumors.
The Pleura is a covering that covers the abdomen, heart, and lungs. Mesothelium is made up of cells that react to exposure to asbestos and cause it to enflame and develop scar tissue. These changes eventually result in malignant mesothelioma tumors.
The signs of pleural mesothelioma can include breathlessness and chest pain as well as the accumulation of fluid in the lung (pleural effusion). In rare instances, the cancer can be spread to the tissues around the heart and reproductive organs.
If imaging scans reveal an underlying mass in the stomach or lungs the doctor will request biopsies. During the procedure, doctors take small amounts of the tumor or fluid for lab testing. 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 surgery and chemotherapy. Most doctors use a combination of these treatments. Participating in clinical trials of mesothelioma treatments that are new could be beneficial for patients. Patients can learn more by consulting a mesothelioma expert who has treated mesothelioma.
