Mesothelioma and Asbestos
Asbestos is a natural mineral that is found in long, thin fibres. People who are exposed to asbestos risk developing lung diseases, such as mesothelioma.
The symptoms of these diseases may not show up for decades after exposure to asbestos. Different asbestos types may cause different symptoms.
Pleural Mesothelioma
Pleural mesothelioma is a type of cancer that develops in the outer lung liner (pleura). It is the most common mesothelioma type and is responsible for 70 to 79% of diagnosed cases. The condition can cause chest pain, shortness of breathe, and a feeling of heavyness.
This kind of cancer is typically caused by exposure to asbestos which is a cluster of minerals comprised of microscopic fibres. The 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 as well as the heart of a person. Mesothelioma symptoms usually don't appear until 30 to 50 years after exposure.
The most commonly reported symptoms of pleural melanoma are chest discomfort and shortness of breath. Some patients have coughing problems, trouble breathing, or chest tightness. People who suffer from this cancer usually have an history of exposure to asbestos in the workplace. The most frequent jobs that expose people to the risk of developing pleural cancer are manufacturing, construction, and shipbuilding. People who have served in the military may be at a higher risk due to the widespread asbestos use in Navy vessels and bunkers used by the army.
topeka asbestos attorney (tumors lymph nodes, tumors, and metastases staging system) is the most commonly used staging system for the pleural cancer. The stage a patient is in at the time of diagnosis can help determine what treatment plan they should follow. For example, patients with mesothelioma pleural stage three or four have a less favorable prognosis than those in a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma often spreads to the liver, diaphragm or even a person's heart. This could make the cancer more difficult to treat, and increase the risk of complications for the patient.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
Unlike pleural cancer, which is found in the lung's lining it develops in a membrane that covers the abdominal cavity, including organs such as the liver and intestines. Like pleural mesothelioma, asbestos exposure is the primary cause of peritoneal msothelioma. The disease is less common than pleural mesothelioma, with just 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.
As with pleural asbestosis, symptoms can take several years to manifest. Typically, patients suffer from abdominal pain and abdominal swelling. This kind of mesothelioma can also cause nausea, weight loss and fever. A lot of these symptoms can be misinterpreted as gastrointestinal issues and can lead to a false diagnosis.
Doctors can identify mesothelioma by looking over the medical history of the patient and performing a physical examination. They can also utilize imaging tests like Xrays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to detect mesothelioma. These tests can show tumors and other indications 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 is determined by the kind of cell and if the cancer has spread.
The most significant mesothelioma-related risk factor is asbestos exposure. People who have worked in professions that involve asbestos, like plumbing electrical work, manufacturing or construction, are at greater risk of developing the disease. However, even if people aren't employed in these areas they could be exposed to asbestos through family members or through other sources. Therefore, anyone who suspects they may be at risk should speak to a doctor. A mesothelioma specialist can assist those who have had a history with asbestos to learn more about their risk.
Risk Factors
Asbestos exposure is the main risk factor for mesothelioma, accounting for up to 80 percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos can occur as a result of military service, work, or living with someone who used to work with asbestos. When exposed to asbestos, small particles can be breathed into the lungs and abdomen. These particles can cause irritation to the linings of the lungs, causing cancerous cells to develop in the mesothelium. After asbestos exposure mesothelioma is likely to develop between 15 and 60 years old.
Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and age. The people in their 40s or 50s are at greater risk of developing mesothelioma compared to those younger or older. This is because mesothelioma usually lasts between 20 and 60 years from the first 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 didn't engage directly with it. This is known as secondary or indirect exposure to asbestos and it can be just as dangerous as direct exposure.
Smoking can increase the likelihood of developing mesothelioma due to the fact that it damages the mesothelium and makes it more prone to asbestos. Additionally, mesothelioma can be caused by certain illnesses, such as pneumonia and asbestosis. It is also important to remember that mesothelioma occurs more frequently for men than women. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for a longer period of time and work with it. Also, men are more likely to live with someone who has worked with asbestos and carry stray asbestos fibers home on their clothing. Women are less likely to come into exposure to asbestos and do not typically carry asbestos on their clothes.
Diagnosis
Mesothelioma is a difficult disease to identify because the symptoms are often similar to other conditions. Due to this, patients are often misdiagnosed.
NYU Langone doctors will perform a physical examination and record the patient's medical history, including asbestos exposure. Doctors will also order an CT scan or chest X-ray in order to look 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, and a magnetic resonance imaging, also known as MRI, test that uses radio waves and magnets to make a series of detailed images of the interior of the body. A surgical biopsy is another way for doctors to diagnose mesothelioma. In a surgical biopsy doctors take a small amount of tissue from the peritoneum or pleura for further analysis. A pathologist can then examine the tissue with an magnifying glass to determine whether it contains cancerous cells.
Mesothelioma can be classified based on the type of mesothelial cells involved, whether these cells are malignant or benign, and the location of the tumor, the type, and the stage of the tumor. Certain types of mesothelioma are at a higher risk of metastasizing or spreading, so it's important to establish a clear diagnosis so that doctors can treat it prior to it becoming out of control.
Doctors can also run tests in the laboratory on a tumor to find specific proteins, genes, or other factors which can help them identify the characteristics of cancer and plan treatment. These results are called staging.
Treatment
A mesothelioma diagnosis can be terrifying. But, it is crucial to remember that the cancer is treatable, especially in its early stages. Many people with mesothelioma live for years with the disease without it spreading to other areas of their body.
Asbestos exposure can cause mesothelioma through various mechanisms. Asbestos fibers, too small to be able to see or feel through the naked eye, can become airborne and cause irritation to the lung's lining (pleura). In time irritation can lead to formation of scar tissue, which leads to changes in the structure of cells that eventually develop into tumors.
The pleura surrounds the lungs and the heart and also the abdomen. Mesothelium consists of cells that react to exposure to asbestos which causes it to become inflamed and form scar tissue. Overtime, these changes cause the development of malignant mesothelioma tumors.
Symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include shortness of breath and chest pain as well as a buildup of fluid in the lung (pleural effusion). In rare cases cancer can spread to the tissues that surround the reproductive organs and the heart.
If scans of imaging reveal a possible mass in the lungs or stomach doctors will recommend a biopsies. In the course of the procedure, doctors remove a small amount of fluid or tumor for lab tests. The results can confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis, and indicate the best treatment plan.
There are several types of mesothelioma treatment options, including chemotherapy, surgery and immunotherapy. Most doctors use a combination of these treatments. Patients can also benefit by enrolling in a clinical trial of new mesothelioma treatments. To learn more, patients should speak with mesothelioma specialists who have expertise in treating the condition.