Mesothelioma and Asbestos
Asbestos, a mineral that occurs naturally in the form of long, thin fibers. People who are exposed to asbestos on a regular basis risk developing mesothelioma and other lung diseases.
The symptoms of these diseases may not be evident for a long time after exposure to asbestos. Different asbestos types may cause different symptoms.
Pleural Mesothelioma
Pleural mesothelioma, a form of cancer, that occurs in the lung's outer liner (pleura). It is the most frequent type of mesothelioma, making up 70% to 79% of diagnosed cases. This condition causes chest pain, shortness of breathe and a feeling of heavyness.
Exposure to asbestos, a family of minerals comprised of microscopic fibers, usually causes this kind of cancer. These fibers, when inhaled, cause irritation and DNA mutations. The pleura is the area that surrounds the lungs and chest cavity This means that these irritations can affect both the lungs as well as a person's heart. Mesothelioma symptoms typically don't show until 30 to 50 years after exposure.
The most commonly reported symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are chest pain and shortness of breath. Some patients also experience coughing, difficulty breathing, or chest tightness. Patients with this type of cancer typically have a history of exposure to asbestos in the workplace. The most common jobs that expose people to the risk of developing pleural cancer are manufacturing, construction, and shipbuilding. Individuals who have been in the military could be at a higher risk due to the frequent asbestos use in Navy ships and bunkers for the army.
The TNM (tumors lymph nodes, tumors, and metastases staging system) is the most common staging system used to treat the pleural adenocarcinoma. The stage a patient is in at the time of diagnosis can help determine the treatment plan they will receive. For instance, patients suffering from a pleural mesothelioma in stage three or four have a less favorable prognosis than those in a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma often spreads to the diaphragm, liver or even the heart of a patient. This could make the cancer more difficult to treat and increase the chances of complications for patients.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
Unlike pleural mesothelioma, which is a lung-lining cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma forms in the peritoneum, a membrane that lines the abdominal cavity as well as organs like the intestines and liver. Similar to pleural mesothelioma mesothelioma is caused by asbestos exposure. There are only 300-500 cases diagnosed annually, which is less than the pleural asbestosis.
As with pleural mesothelioma symptoms may take years to appear. Patients generally have abdominal pain, and could also experience a mass in their abdomen. The symptoms of this type of mesothelioma could also include nausea or weight loss, as well as fever. A lot of these symptoms are similar to those of digestive problems, which can lead to incorrect diagnosis.
The doctors can detect mesothelioma through looking over the medical history of the patient and conducting a physical exam. They can also utilize imaging tests such as X-rays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to identify mesothelioma. These tests can reveal tumors and other signs 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 stage of the disease is determined based on the cell type and whether or not the cancer has spread to other areas of the body.
The most important mesothelioma-related risk factor is asbestos exposure. People who have worked in asbestos-related jobs, such as electrical or plumbing work, or in construction, manufacturing and manufacturing, are more likely to contract the disease. Even if a person is not employed in one of these fields however, they may be exposed to asbestos to asbestos through family members and other sources. Anyone who thinks they are at risk should consult an expert. A mesothelioma expert can help those who have a previous history of asbestos to find out more about their risk.
Risk Factors
Asbestos is the primary mesothelioma-related risk factor. It is responsible for up to the 80% of cases. Exposure to asbestos can occur due to military service, work or living with those who worked with asbestos. When exposed to
asbestos claim, the particles are able to be inhaled into lungs and abdomen. These particles can cause irritation to the linings and trigger cancerous cells to form 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 be diagnosed with mesothelioma compared to those who are younger or more senior. This is because mesothelioma usually lasts between 20 and 60 years from the first exposure before the first signs of cancer appear. It is important to remember, too, that mesothelioma may be present in those who have been exposed to asbestos without having directly worked with it. This is called secondary or indirect exposure to asbestos and it can be just as dangerous as direct exposure.
Smoking increases a person's chances of developing mesothelioma due to the fact that it damages the mesothelium, which makes it more vulnerable to
asbestos claim. Mesothelioma can also be aggravated by certain diseases, such as asbestosis and pneumonia. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than females. This is due to men being more likely to be exposed to asbestos and endure a more exposure than women. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who has worked with asbestos and to carry
asbestos lawyer fibers on their clothing. Women are less likely to come into contact with asbestos and don't typically carry asbestos home on their clothes.
Diagnosis
Mesothelioma is a difficult cancer to recognize because the symptoms are often similar to other diseases. Due to this, patients are often misdiagnosed.
The first step to diagnose mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform a physical exam and take down a patient's medical history which includes asbestos exposure. Doctors can also order an X-ray of the chest or CT scan to look for lumps and other abnormalities, and also to look for evidence of past
asbestos exposure like plaques on the pleura (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the formation of fluid between the lung and the chest wall (known as pleural effusion).
Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram, which examines the heart and blood vessels as well as a magnetic resonance imaging, also known as MRI test, which uses magnets and radio waves to create detailed images of the inside of the body. Another way for doctors to detect mesothelioma is to perform an operation called a biopsy. A surgical biopsy is when doctors remove a small amount of tissue from the peritoneum or pleura for further analysis. A pathologist can then examine the tissue under a microscope to see if it is contaminated with cancerous cells.
The type of mesothelial cell involved, the malignant or benign nature of the cells as well as the location, type and stage of the tumor, are used to classify the disease. Certain types of mesothelioma are at an increased 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 perform tests in the laboratory on tumors in order to determine specific proteins, genes, or other factors which will help them identify cancer characteristics and determine the best treatment. These results are called staging.
Treatment
A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be terrifying. It is crucial to remember, however, that cancer can be treated particularly in its early stages. A lot of people suffering from mesothelioma be afflicted for many years without it expanding.
Asbestos exposure can trigger mesothelioma via a variety of mechanisms.
asbestos legal particles, which are too small to be able to see or feel with the naked eye, can be airborne and cause irritation to the lining of the lungs (pleura). Over 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 the area that surrounds the lungs and the heart, as well as the abdomen. Mesothelium is made up of cells that react to asbestos, causing it to inflame and form scar tissue. As time passes, these changes lead to the development of malignant mesothelioma cancers.
Breathing problems, chest pain or fluid accumulation on the lungs are all indications of the pleural mesothelioma. In rare cases, cancer can spread into the tissues that surround the reproductive organs and heart.
If scans of imaging reveal an underlying mass in the lungs or stomach, a doctor will order biopsies. During the procedure doctors remove some of the fluid or tumor for laboratory testing. The results can confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and indicate the best treatment plan.
There are many types of treatment for mesothelioma, including surgery and chemotherapy. The majority of doctors use an amalgamation of these techniques. Patients can also benefit by enrolling in a clinical trial of new mesothelioma therapies. To learn more about the trials, patients should consult mesothelioma specialists who have experience treating the condition.
