Mesothelioma and Asbestos
Asbestos, a natural mineral, 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 of different types.
It may take decades for symptoms to show up after asbestos exposure. Different asbestos types may cause different symptoms.
Pleural Mesothelioma
Pleural mesothelioma occurs in the outer lung lining, or the pleura. It is the most common mesothelioma type and accounts for 70% to 79% all diagnosed cases. People with this condition feel chest pain and breathlessness, and they may feel an ache or heaviness in the chest.
Exposure to asbestos, a group of minerals made of microscopic fibers, typically causes this kind of cancer. These fibers, when inhaled can cause irritation and DNA mutations. The pleura covers the chest cavity and lungs and therefore, these irritations could affect both the lungs as well as a person's heart. Mesothelioma symptoms are usually not apparent until 30 to 50 years after exposure.
Chest pain and shortness breath are the most frequent symptoms. Some patients may also feel tightness in their chest and coughing, or breathing difficulties. Patients with this type of cancer typically have a history of exposure to asbestos in the workplace. Construction, manufacturing, and shipbuilding are the most prevalent occupations which put people at risk risk of developing pleural mesothelioma. People who have worked in the military are at a higher risk due to the widespread use of asbestos in Navy vessels and army bunkers.
The TNM (tumors lymph nodes and metastases staging system) is the most popular staging system used for the pleural cancer. The stage a patient is in at the time of diagnosis can help determine what treatment plan they will receive. For example, patients with mesothelioma pleural stage three or four have a less favorable prognosis than patients with lower stages. Stage four mesothelioma often spreads to the liver, diaphragm or even a person's heart. This makes it more difficult to treat and increase the likelihood of complications for the patient.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
Unlike pleural cancer, which is found in the lining of the lung, peritoneal cancer develops in a membrane that surrounds the abdominal cavity, which includes organs such as the liver and intestines. Similar to pleural mesothelioma and peritoneal mesothelioma is caused by asbestos exposure. The disease is less common than pleural mesothelioma, with only about 300-500 cases diagnosed each year.
As with pleural asbestosis, symptoms can take years to manifest. Patients typically suffer from 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 issues, which could result in incorrect diagnosis.
Doctors can identify mesothelioma by examining the patient's medical history and performing a physical examination. Imaging tests such as X-rays or CT scans are a way to identify mesothelioma. These tests can detect tumors and other signs of cancer that aren't visible on X-rays.
The results of these tests allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and determine the stage of the disease and suggest treatment options. The stage is determined by the kind of cell and if the cancer has spread.
Asbestos exposure is the biggest risk factor. People who have worked in asbestos-containing jobs, such as electrical or plumbing work, or in construction, manufacturing and manufacturing are more likely to contract the disease. However, even if people do not work in these fields they may be exposed to asbestos through family members or other sources. Anyone who thinks they may be at risk should talk to a doctor. A mesothelioma expert can help those who have had a previous history of asbestos to find out more about their risk.
Risk Factors
Asbestos is the main risk factor for mesothelioma. It accounts for up to 80percent of cases. Sunrise asbestos lawyer to asbestos can occur as a result of military service, work or living with people who have worked with asbestos. When exposed to asbestos, small particles are able to be inhaled into abdomen and lungs. These particles irritate the linings of the lungs, causing cancerous cells to form in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma can take anywhere between 15 and 60 years to develop following exposure to asbestos.
Other risk factors include genetics, smoking and age. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely develop mesothelioma than those who are younger or more senior. It takes mesothelioma 20-60 years before it manifests cancer symptoms after the first exposure. It is important to note that mesothelioma could occur in those who have been exposed to asbestos without having been directly exposed to it. This is called secondary or indirect exposure to asbestos. It can be just as dangerous as direct exposure.
Smoking increases a person's chances of getting mesothelioma because it damages the mesothelium, which makes it more prone to asbestos. Mesothelioma can also be aggravated by certain diseases, such as asbestosis and pneumonia. It is also important to know that mesothelioma is more common 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. Additionally, men are more likely to live with someone who had asbestos exposure and bring stray asbestos fibers home on their clothing. Women are less likely to come in contact with asbestos, and don't typically bring asbestos home on their clothing.
Diagnosis
It is difficult to recognize mesothelioma since its symptoms are often similar to other conditions. This can result in patients being incorrectly diagnosed.
The first step in identifying 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 a chest X-ray or CT scan to check for lumps and other abnormalities, and also to look for evidence of asbestos exposure in the past such as pleural plaques (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 blood vessels and the heart and magnetic resonance imaging, also known as MRI, test, which uses magnets and radio waves to make a series of detailed images of the interior of the body. A surgical biopsy is a different method for doctors to identify mesothelioma. A surgical biopsy is when doctors remove a small piece of tissue from the peritoneum or pleura for further testing. A pathologist is then able to look at the tissue under microscopes to determine if it has cancerous cells.
The type of mesothelial cell involved and the benign or malignant nature of these cells as well as the location the cancer, its type and the stage of the tumor, are used to categorize the disease. Certain types of mesothelioma are more likely to grow or spread which is why it is crucial to establish a definitive diagnosis so that doctors can treat the disease before it goes out of control.
Doctors can also perform tests in the lab on tumors to identify specific genes, proteins or other factors that will help them identify cancer characteristics and determine the best treatment. These results are known as staging.
Treatment
A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be a frightening prospect. It is crucial to remember that cancer can be treated particularly in its early stages. A lot of people suffering from mesothelioma be afflicted for a long time without spreading.
Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma through a variety of mechanisms. Asbestos fibers, which are small enough to not be felt or seen by naked eyes are able to become airborne and irritate the lining of the lung (pleura). As time passes the irritation causes the formation of scar tissues, which eventually lead to tumors.
The pleura surrounds the lungs and the heart and the abdomen. Mesothelium is composed of cells that respond when exposed to asbestos. They inflame the tissue and cause it to become scarred. These changes can eventually lead to malignant mesothelioma tumours.
A shortness of breath, chest discomfort or fluid buildup on the lungs are all symptoms of the pleural msothelioma. In rare cases, cancer can spread into the tissues surrounding the reproductive organs as well as the heart.
If imaging scans show an underlying mass in the lungs or stomach the doctor will request a biopsies. During the procedure, doctors take small amounts of the fluid or tumor for laboratory tests. The results can confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis and determine the most effective treatment plan.
There are a variety of treatment for mesothelioma including chemotherapy and surgery. Most doctors rely on an amalgamation of these techniques. Enrolling in clinical trials of mesothelioma treatments may be beneficial for patients. Patients can learn more about the trials by consulting a mesothelioma specialist who has treated the disease.