Mesothelioma and
asbestos case (
related webpage)
Asbestos is a mineral that naturally forms in the form of long, thin fibers. People who are exposed to asbestos are at risk of developing lung diseases like mesothelioma.
It can take years for symptoms to appear after exposure to asbestos. Different types of asbestos can cause different symptoms.
Pleural Mesothelioma
Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer of the lung's outer lining, or the pleura. It is the most common mesothelioma type, accounting for up 70 to 79% of diagnosed cases. Patients suffering from this condition feel chest pain and breathlessness and may also feel the sensation of weight in the chest.
This type of cancer is typically caused through exposure to asbestos, which is a collection of minerals that are comprised of microscopic fibres. These fibers, when inhaled, cause irritation and DNA mutations. The pleura is the area that surrounds the chest cavity and lungs This means that these irritations can affect both the lungs and the heart of a person. Mesothelioma symptoms usually don't appear until 30 to 50 years after exposure.
Shortness of breath and chest pain are the most frequent symptoms. Patients may have coughing problems, trouble breathing or chest tightness. People with this cancer often have a history of exposure to asbestos in the workplace. The most frequent jobs that put people at risk of developing pleural mesothelioma are manufacturing, construction and shipbuilding. Individuals who have served in the military are at a greater risk due to the widespread use of
asbestos compensation in Navy vessels and bunkers in the Army.
The TNM (tumors, lymph nodes, and metastases staging system) is the most common staging system used to treat the pleural adenocarcinoma. The stage a patient has upon diagnosis will aid their doctor in determining the most appropriate treatment plan for them. Patients with pleural mesothelioma that is in stage three or four will have a less favorable prognosis compared to those who are in a less advanced stage. Mesothelioma in stage four is usually spread to the diaphragm, the liver and/or a person's heart. This makes it more difficult to treat and increases the likelihood of complications for the patient.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
Contrary to pleural cancer which is found in the lining of the lung the peritoneal cancer is a result of a membrane that covers the abdominal cavity, including organs like the intestines and liver. As with pleural mesothelioma exposure to asbestos is the reason for peritoneal msothelioma. The disease is less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma, and around 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.
Like pleural mesothelioma, the symptoms can take a long time to manifest. Most patients experience abdominal pain and abdominal swelling. The symptoms of this kind of mesothelioma could also include nausea, weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms can be misinterpreted as digestive issues, leading to a mistaken diagnosis.
The doctors can detect mesothelioma through looking over the medical history of the patient and performing a physical examination. Imaging tests like X-rays or CT scans can be used to detect mesothelioma. These tests can detect tumors as well as other signs of cancer that aren't evident on X-rays.
The results of these tests allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma, determine the stage of the disease and suggest treatment options. Staging is determined based on the type of cell and whether or not the tumor has spread to other regions of the body.
The most significant mesothelioma risk factor is
asbestos exposure. People who have worked in jobs that involve asbestos, like plumbing electrical work, manufacturing or construction, are at a higher risk of developing the disease. Even if a person is not employed in any of these areas however, they may still be exposed through family members and other sources. For this reason, anyone who is concerned that they might be at risk should talk to an experienced doctor. A mesothelioma specialist can help those who have had a previous history of asbestos to find out more about their risk.
Risk Factors
Asbestos exposure is the main risk factor for mesothelioma which accounts for as much as 80 percent of all cases. Exposure to asbestos can occur due to work, military service, or living with those who worked with asbestos. When exposed to asbestos, the particles can be inhaled into the abdomen and lungs. These particles irritate the linings of the lungs, causing cancerous cells to develop in the mesothelium. Following exposure to asbestos mesothelioma can be diagnosed between 15 and 60 years.
Other risk factors include smoking, genetics, and age. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely get mesothelioma than people younger or more senior. It is because mesothelioma generally takes 20 to 60 years from the initial time of exposure before symptoms of cancer begin to manifest. It is also important to note that mesothelioma can develop in people who have been exposed to asbestos but did not deal with it directly. This is referred to as indirect or secondary asbestos exposure. It can be just as harmful as direct asbestos exposure.
Smoking increases the chance of mesothelioma because it damages the mesothelium. It also makes it more prone to. Mesothelioma can also be caused by certain diseases, 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 settlement and have a longer period of exposure than women. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who had worked with asbestos and to carry asbestos fibers on their clothing. Women tend to be less exposed to asbestos, and they are less likely to bring asbestos home on their clothing.
Diagnosis
It is difficult to diagnose mesothelioma because its symptoms are frequently similar to other illnesses. Because of this, victims are often mistakenly diagnosed.
NYU Langone doctors will perform a physical examination and record the patient's medical history, including asbestos exposure. Doctors may also order a chest X-ray or CT scan to look for lumps and other abnormalities, as well as evidence of previous asbestos exposure such as plaques in the pleura (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the accumulation of fluid between the lung and the chest wall (known as pleural effusion).
Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance imaging or MRI test, that uses radio waves and magnets in order to create a series of detailed images of the insides of the body. A surgical biopsy is another method for doctors to identify mesothelioma. A surgical biopsy is when doctors take a small amount of tissue from the pleura or peritoneum for further analysis. A pathologist then examines the tissue under a magnifying glass to determine if it contains cancerous cells.
The type of mesothelial cells involved and the benign or malignant nature of those cells and the location the cancer, its type and the stage of the tumor, are used to classify the disease. Certain types of mesothelioma may be more likely to spread or metastasize and spread, therefore it is essential to establish a definitive diagnosis to ensure that doctors are able to treat the disease before it goes out of control.
Doctors can also run laboratory tests on a tumor to identify specific proteins, genes and other factors that help them understand 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's important to remember that the disease is treatable, especially in its early stages. A lot of people suffering from mesothelioma be afflicted for a long time without expanding.
Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma by a variety of mechanisms. Asbestos fibers, which are tiny enough to be felt or viewed with the naked eyes, can become airborne, irritating the lung's lining (pleura). In time, the irritation causes the formation of scar tissue which can cause changes in the cell structure that can eventually grow into tumors.
The pleura is the area that surrounds the lungs and heart and also the abdomen. Mesothelium is made up of cells that react when exposed to asbestos. They cause inflammation to the tissue and cause it to scar. These changes eventually result in malignant mesothelioma tumors.
Symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include shortness of breath, chest pain or the accumulation of fluid on the lungs (pleural effusion). In rare cases, the cancer can grow to the tissues surrounding the heart and reproductive organs.
A doctor will request biopsy if imaging scans show the possibility of a mass in the lungs or stomach. In the course of the procedure, doctors remove a small amount of fluid or tumor for laboratory testing. The results can confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and indicate the best treatment plan.
There are a variety of mesothelioma treatment, including chemotherapy, surgery and immunotherapy. The majority of doctors use a combination of these methods. Patients can also benefit by participating in a clinical study of new mesothelioma treatments. To learn more about the trials, patients should consult mesothelioma specialists who have had experience treating the disease.
