Mesothelioma and Asbestos
Asbestos is a natural mineral that is made up of thin, long fibres. Workers who are exposed to asbestos on a regular basis are at risk of developing mesothelioma or other types of lung diseases.
It may take decades before symptoms begin to manifest after exposure to asbestos. Different types of asbestos can cause different symptoms.
Pleural Mesothelioma
Pleural mesothelioma occurs in the lung's outer lining also known as pleura. It is the most common mesothelioma that accounts for up 70% to 79% of diagnosed cases. People with this condition feel chest pain and breath shortness and may also feel a sensation of heaviness in the chest.
This type of cancer often caused through exposure to asbestos, which is a collection of minerals that are comprised of microscopic fibres. When inhaled, these fibers cling to the lung and cause irritation which leads to scarring and DNA mutations. The pleura surrounds the lungs and chest cavity, so these irritations can affect both the lungs and a person's heart. Mesothelioma typically doesn't manifest until 30 to 50 year after exposure.
The most common symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include chest pain and shortness of breath. Some patients also experience difficulty breathing or chest tightness. People with this cancer have a history that includes asbestos exposure at work. The most frequent jobs that expose workers to the risk of pleural mesothelioma include manufacturing, construction and shipbuilding. People who have worked in the military may be at risk due to the widespread asbestos use in Navy vessels and army bunkers.
The TNM (tumors lymph nodes, tumors, and metastases staging system) is the most commonly used staging system for pleural adenocarcinoma. The stage that a patient is at at diagnosis will help their doctor determine the most appropriate treatment plan for them. For example, patients with mesothelioma pleural stage three or four have a less favorable prognosis than those with a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma is often spread to the diaphragm, liver or even a person's heart. This can make it more difficult to treat and increase the likelihood of complications for patients.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
As opposed to pleural mesothelioma that develops in the lung lining, peritoneal mesothelioma is found in the peritoneum -- an elongated membrane that covers the abdominal cavity as well as organs like the intestines and liver. Similar to pleural mesothelioma and peritoneal mesothelioma is caused by asbestos exposure. The disease is much less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma, and only about 300-500 cases diagnosed each year.
As with pleural mesothelioma symptoms may take years to appear. Typically, patients experience abdominal pain and a mass in the abdomen. This kind of mesothelioma can cause nausea, weight loss, and fever. A lot of these symptoms can be mistaken for gastrointestinal problems and can lead to a mistaken diagnosis.
The doctors can detect mesothelioma through looking over the medical history of the patient and performing a physical exam. They may also employ imaging tests such as X-rays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to identify mesothelioma. These tests can reveal cancerous tumors or other indications 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 is determined by the type of cell and whether the tumor has spread.
Asbestos exposure is the main risk factor. People who have been exposed to asbestos in professions, such as electrical or plumbing work or in construction and manufacturing, are more likely to develop the disease. Even if an individual is not employed in one of these areas however, they may still be exposed through family members and other sources. Anyone who believes they're at risk should speak with a doctor. A mesothelioma specialist can assist those who have a previous history of asbestos to find out more about their risk.
Risk Factors
Asbestos is the most significant risk factor in mesothelioma. It accounts for as much as 80% of all cases. Exposure to asbestos can happen due to work, military service, or living with people who have worked with asbestos. Asbestos particles can be breathed in by people who are exposed to it. These particles irritate the linings of the abdomen, which causes cancerous cells to grow in the mesothelium. Following exposure to asbestos mesothelioma can develop between 15 and 60 years.
Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and age. People in their 40s and 50s are at greater chance of developing mesothelioma to people who are younger or more. This is because mesothelioma usually takes 20 to 60 years from the first exposure to asbestos before cancer symptoms appear. It is important to keep in mind, too, that mesothelioma could develop in those who have been exposed to asbestos without having directly worked with it. This is known as indirect or secondary exposure to asbestos, and it could be as hazardous as direct exposure.
Smoking increases the chance of mesothelioma developing, because it damages the mesothelium. It also makes it more susceptible. Mesothelioma is also aggravated 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 and have a longer period of exposure than women. Also, men are more likely to live with someone who has was exposed to asbestos and bring asbestos fibers that have escaped home on their clothes. Women are less likely to come exposed to asbestos and they don't usually carry asbestos on their clothes.
carlsbad asbestos attorney is difficult to identify mesothelioma since its symptoms are frequently similar to other illnesses. Because of this, victims are often mistakenly diagnosed.
The first step in identifying mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform an examination and write note of the medical history of the patient including asbestos exposure. Doctors may also order an X-ray of the chest or CT scan to check for lumps and other abnormalities, as well as evidence of asbestos exposure in the past like plaques on the pleura (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the buildup of fluid between the lung and 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, or 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 by performing an operation called a biopsy. In a surgical biopsy doctors will remove a small piece of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum to be further examined. A pathologist will then look at the tissue under a magnifying lens to determine if it is a cancerous cell.
Mesothelioma is classified according to the type of mesothelial cells involved, whether those cells are benign or malignant and the location of the tumor, the type, and the stage of the cancer. Some types of mesothelioma are more likely to develop metastasis or spread, so it is important to establish a definitive diagnosis so doctors can treat the disease before it gets out of control.
Doctors may also conduct tests in the laboratory on tumors to determine specific proteins, genes or other elements that can aid in describing the characteristics of cancer and plan treatment. These results are referred to as staging.
Treatment
A mesothelioma diagnose can be frightening. It is important to keep in mind that cancer can be treated, particularly in its early stages. A lot of people suffering from mesothelioma endure the disease for a long time, without expanding.
Exposure to asbestos can trigger mesothelioma via many mechanisms. Asbestos fibres, tiny enough to be felt or viewed by naked eyes can be airborne, irritating the lining of the lung (pleura). In time, the irritation leads to the formation of scar tissues and eventually tumors.
The Pleura is a protective layer that covers the lungs, heart and abdomen. Mesothelium consists of cells that react to exposure to asbestos, causing it to inflame and form scar tissue. These changes eventually cause mesothelioma cancers.
The symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are breathlessness, chest pain or the accumulation of fluid in the lung (pleural effusion). In rare instances, cancer can spread into the tissues surrounding the reproductive organs as well as the heart.
A doctor will request biopsy if scans show the possibility of a tumor in the lungs or stomach. During the procedure doctors remove small amounts of fluid or tumor for laboratory testing. The results will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and help determine the best treatment option.
There are several types of mesothelioma treatments, including chemotherapy, surgery and immunotherapy. Most doctors utilize a combination of these treatments. Patients may also benefit from taking part in a clinical trial of new mesothelioma therapies. Patients can find out more by speaking with a mesothelioma doctor who has treated mesothelioma.