Mesothelioma and Asbestos
Asbestos is a natural mineral that is made up of long, thin fibres. People who are exposed to asbestos regularly are at risk of developing mesothelioma as well as other types of lung diseases.
It can take years for symptoms to show up after asbestos exposure. Different asbestos types can cause different symptoms.
Pleural Mesothelioma
Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer that affects the lung's outer lining (pleura). It is the most frequent mesothelioma type, accounting for up 70 to 79% of all diagnosed cases. Patients suffering from this condition feel chest pain and breathlessness and may experience an ache or heaviness in the chest.
This type of cancer often caused through exposure to asbestos, which is a cluster of minerals composed of microscopic fibers. The fibers, when inhaled, cause irritation and DNA mutations. The pleura surrounds 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.
The most frequent symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include chest pain and shortness of breath. Patients may also experience chest tightness, coughing or difficulty breathing. People with this cancer have a history that includes asbestos exposure at work. Manufacturing, construction and shipbuilding are among the most common occupations that put people at a high chance of developing pleural mesothelioma. Individuals who have been in the military are at risk due to the frequent asbestos usage in Navy ships and bunkers used by the army.
The most commonly used staging method 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 can help determine the treatment plan they should receive. Patients suffering from pleural mesothelioma who is in stage three or four will suffer a more negative outlook than those in a less advanced stage. Mesothelioma in stage four is usually spread to the liver, diaphragm or even a person's heart. This makes the cancer more difficult to treat, and increase the chances of complications for patients.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
Unlike pleural mesothelioma, which develops in the lung lining, peritoneal mesothelioma is found in the peritoneum, it is a membrane that lines the abdominal cavity and organs such as the intestines and the liver. Similar to pleural mesothelioma, asbestos exposure is the cause of peritoneal msothelioma. There are only 300-500 cases diagnosed each year, which is less than pleural asbestosis.
Like pleural mesothelioma, the symptoms can take years to show. Patients generally experience abdominal pain, and may also have a lump in their abdomen. The symptoms of this kind of mesothelioma may also include nausea or weight loss, as well as fever. Many of these symptoms are similar to symptoms of digestive issues, which could cause incorrect diagnosis.
Generally speaking, doctors can detect mesothelioma by conducting an exhaustive health history and physical examination. Imaging tests like X-rays and CT scans are a way to identify mesothelioma. These tests can show tumors, as well as other signs of cancer that aren't apparent on an X-ray.
These tests enable doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and establish the stage. They also offer treatment options. The stage is determined by the type of cell and whether the cancer has spread.
Asbestos exposure is the main risk factor. People who have worked in asbestos-containing jobs, such as plumbing or electrical work, or in construction and manufacturing, are more likely to develop the disease. Even if someone is not employed in one of these fields, he or she can be exposed to asbestos through family members and other sources. Anyone who suspects that they're at risk should talk to a doctor. If they have any history of exposure to asbestos, a mesothelioma specialist can assist them in learning more about the risk.
Risk Factors
Asbestos is the primary mesothelioma-related risk factor. It is responsible for as much as the 80% of cases. Exposure to asbestos can happen through work, military service, or living with people who have worked with asbestos. When exposed to asbestos, small particles can be inhaled into the lungs and abdomen. These particles can cause irritation to the linings 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 smoking, genetics and age. The people in their 40s or 50s are more at risk of developing mesothelioma compared to people who are younger or more. This is because mesothelioma typically takes 20 to 60 years from the initial exposure before the first signs of cancer appear. It is also important to note that mesothelioma can develop in those who were exposed to asbestos but did not engage directly with it. This is known as secondary or indirect asbestos exposure and can be just as harmful as direct asbestos exposure.
Smoking increases the risk of developing mesothelioma due to the fact that it damages the mesothelium, which makes it more prone to asbestos. Mesothelioma is also aggravated by certain illnesses, including asbestosis and pneumonia. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than females. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for a longer time and to work with asbestos for longer durations and to work with it. Also, men are more likely to live with someone who had asbestos exposure and bring stray asbestos fibers home on their clothing. wichita falls asbestos attorneys are less likely to come in contact with asbestos, and they are less likely to bring asbestos home on their clothes.
Diagnosis
It is difficult to identify mesothelioma due to its symptoms being frequently similar to other illnesses. Due to this, patients are sometimes wrongly diagnosed.
The first step to diagnose mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform a physical exam and take note of the medical history of the patient including asbestos exposure. Doctors can also order an X-ray of the chest or CT scan to look for lumps and other abnormalities as well as evidence of asbestos exposure in the past such as plaques on 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 an echocardiogram, which examines the heart and blood vessels and magnetic resonance imaging, also known as MRI, test, which uses magnets and radio waves to create precise images of the inside of the body. A surgical biopsy is yet another way for doctors to diagnose mesothelioma. During a surgical biopsy, doctors take a small amount of tissue from the pleura or peritoneum to conduct further tests. A pathologist will then look at the tissue with a magnifying glass to determine whether it contains cancerous cells.
The type of mesothelial cell involved as well as the benign or malignant nature of those cells and the location the cancer, its type and the stage of the tumour, are used to classify the disease. Certain types of mesothelioma are at greater risk of spreading or metastasizing and it's crucial to establish a clear diagnosis so that doctors can treat it before it becomes out-of-control.
Doctors can also perform tests in the laboratory on tumors to determine specific genes, proteins, or other factors which will help them identify the characteristics of cancer and plan treatment. These results are referred to as staging.
Treatment
A mesothelioma diagnosis is terrifying. However, it is important to remember that the disease is treatable, especially in its initial stages. Many mesothelioma patients live for years with the disease, without spreading to other organs of their body.
Asbestos exposure can trigger mesothelioma via many mechanisms. Asbestos fibers, which are too small to detect or feel by the naked eye can be airborne and cause irritation to the lining of the lungs (pleura). As time passes irritation leads to formation of scar tissue which can cause changes in the cell structure which eventually lead to tumors.
The Pleura is a protective layer that surrounds the lungs, heart and abdomen. Mesothelium is composed of cells that react to asbestos, causing it to inflame and develop scar tissue. In time, these changes can cause the development of malignant mesothelioma cancers.
Shortness of breath, chest discomfort or fluid buildup on the lungs are all indications of the pleural Msothelioma. In rare cases, cancer can spread into the tissues that surround the reproductive organs as well as the heart.
If imaging scans reveal an area of concern in the lungs or stomach the doctor will request biopsies. During the procedure, doctors remove a small sample of the fluid or tumor for laboratory analysis. The results will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and help determine the most effective treatment plan.
There are several types of mesothelioma treatment, which include chemotherapy, surgery, and immunotherapy. The majority of doctors use an amalgamation of these techniques. Patients may also benefit from taking part in a clinical trial of new mesothelioma treatment. Patients can learn more about the trials by consulting a mesothelioma expert who has treated mesothelioma.