Mesothelioma and Asbestos
Asbestos, a mineral that naturally occurs in the form of long, thin fibers. People who are exposed to asbestos risk developing lung diseases such as mesothelioma.
The symptoms of these diseases might not manifest for years after exposure to asbestos. Different types of asbestos can cause different symptoms.
Pleural Mesothelioma
Pleural mesothelioma can be found in the outer lung lining, or pleura. It is the most common mesothelioma type, accounting for up between 70 and 79% of diagnosed cases. The condition can cause chest discomfort, shortness of breath and a feeling of weightiness.
Exposure to asbestos, a group of minerals comprised of microscopic fibers, typically causes this kind of cancer. These fibers, when inhaled cause irritation and DNA mutations. Pleura covers both the chest cavity and the lungs, and so irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma symptoms are usually not apparent until 30 to 50 years after exposure.
Shortness of breath and chest pain are the most common symptoms. Patients may also feel tightness in their chest and coughing, or breathing difficulties. Patients with this cancer have a history of disease that includes asbestos exposure at work. Manufacturing, construction and shipbuilding are among the most prevalent jobs that put people at high chance of developing pleural mesothelioma. People who have worked in the military are at a higher risk due to the widespread Asbestos Case usage in Navy ships and army bunkers.
The most popular staging system for pleural mesothelioma is the TNM (tumor lymph nodes, lymph nodes and metastases) staging system. The stage a patient is in at the moment of diagnosis will determine what treatment plan they will receive. For instance, patients who have a pleural mesothelioma in stage three or four have a less favorable prognosis than patients with a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma may develop into the heart, liver or diaphragm. 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 forms in the peritoneum – an elongated membrane that covers the abdominal cavity as well as organs such as the intestines and liver. Similar to pleural mesothelioma mesothelioma is triggered by asbestos exposure. It is estimated that only 300-500 cases are diagnosed each year, which is less than pleural asbestosis.
As with pleural mesothelioma symptoms can take years to show. The majority of patients suffer from abdominal pain and a mass in the abdomen. The symptoms of this type of mesothelioma may also include nausea, weight loss and fever. A lot of these symptoms are similar to those experienced by digestive issues, which could lead to incorrect diagnosis.
The doctors can detect mesothelioma through examining the patient’s medical history and performing a physical examination. They can also use imaging tests like Xrays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to detect mesothelioma. These tests can reveal tumors, as well as other indications of cancer that aren’t apparent on an X-ray.
These test results allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and determine the stage of the disease and suggest treatment options. The staging is determined by the type of cell and whether or the cancer has spread to other areas of the body.
Asbestos exposure is the most important risk factor. People who have worked in jobs that involve asbestos, such as plumbing, manufacturing, electrical work or construction, are at increased risk of developing the disease. Even if someone does not work in any of these areas however, they may still be exposed through family members and other sources. Anyone who suspects that they are at risk should talk to a doctor. A mesothelioma specialist can help those who have a experience with asbestos to understand more about their risk.
Risk Factors
Asbestos exposure is the primary mesothelioma risk factor, which accounts for as much as 80 percent of all cases. Exposure to asbestos legal may occur as a result of work, military service or by living with someone who is exposed to asbestos or has previously done such. asbestos claim particles are inhaled by people who are exposed to asbestos. These particles irritate the linings of the lungs, causing cancerous cells to form in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma can take between 15 and 60 years to develop following exposure to asbestos.
Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and age. People in their 40s or 50s are more at risk of developing mesothelioma compared to those who are younger or older. It is because mesothelioma generally occurs between 20 and 60 years from the initial exposure to asbestos before symptoms of cancer begin to manifest. It is important to note, too, that mesothelioma could occur in people who have been exposed to asbestos without having worked with it directly. This is referred to as secondary or indirect asbestos exposure and can be as dangerous as direct asbestos exposure.
Smoking increases the chance of mesothelioma since it damages mesothelium. It also makes it more prone to. Mesothelioma is also aggravated by certain diseases, such as asbestosis and pneumonia. It is also important to remember that mesothelioma is more common in men than women. This is because men are 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 worked with asbestos and to have asbestos-containing fibers on their clothing. Women are less likely to come into exposure to asbestos compensation and don’t typically carry asbestos case around on their clothing.
Diagnosis
Mesothelioma is a difficult cancer to diagnose because the symptoms often resemble other conditions. This can lead to victims being wrongly diagnosed.
NYU Langone doctors will perform a physical examination and record the patient’s medical background, including asbestos exposure. Doctors may also order a chest X-ray or CT scan to look for lumps and other abnormalities as well as evidence of asbestos exposure in the past such as plaques in the pleura (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the formation 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 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 a different method for doctors to identify mesothelioma. In a surgical biopsy doctors will remove a small piece of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum, to be tested further. A pathologist can examine the tissue under microscopes to determine whether it contains cancerous cells.
The type of mesothelial cells involved and the benign or malignant nature of the cells as well as the location the cancer, its type and the stage of the tumour, are used to classify the disease. Certain mesothelioma types have a higher chance of metastasizing or spreading, so it’s important to determine the type of mesothelioma so doctors can treat it prior to it becoming out-of-control.
Doctors can also perform tests in the lab on tumors to determine specific genes, proteins or other elements that will help them identify the characteristics of cancer and plan treatment. These results are known as staging.
Treatment
A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be terrifying. It is important to keep in mind that cancer can be treated, particularly in its early stages. A lot of people suffering from mesothelioma be afflicted for a long time, without expanding.
Asbestos exposure can trigger mesothelioma via various mechanisms. Asbestos fibres, too small to be felt or observed with the naked eyes are able to become airborne and irritate the lining of the lung (pleura). In time irritation leads to formation of scar tissue, which leads to changes in the structure of cells that eventually develop into tumors.
The Pleura is a covering that protects the abdomen, heart, and lungs. Mesothelium consists of cells that react to asbestos which causes it to become inflamed and develop scar tissue. These changes can eventually cause mesothelioma cancers.
The symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are breathing problems and chest pain, or a buildup of fluid on the lung (pleural effusion). In rare instances, the cancer can spread to the tissues surrounding the heart and reproductive organs.
A doctor may request a biopsy if imaging scans reveal a possible tumor in the lungs or stomach. The procedure involves the removal of small amounts of fluid or tumor to allow for lab tests. The results can confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and help determine the most effective treatment plan.
There are a variety of treatment for mesothelioma such as chemotherapy and surgery. Most doctors utilize the combination of these treatments. Participating in clinical trials of new mesothelioma treatment may also be beneficial for patients. To learn more, patients should speak to mesothelioma specialists who have expertise in treating the condition.