Mesothelioma and Asbestos
Asbestos is a natural mineral that is made up of long, thin fibres. Workers who are regularly exposed to asbestos may develop lung diseases like mesothelioma.
Symptoms of these diseases may not be evident for a long time after exposure to asbestos. Different asbestos types may cause different symptoms.
Pleural Mesothelioma
Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer that occurs in the outer lung the lining (pleura). It is the most frequent form of mesothelioma and accounts for 70% to 79% of all diagnosed cases. Patients suffering from this condition experience pain in the chest and breathlessness, and they may feel an ache or heaviness in the chest.
This type of cancer is typically caused through exposure to asbestos, which is a cluster of minerals that are comprised of microscopic fibres. These fibers, when inhaled cause irritation and DNA mutations. The pleura is the area that surrounds the chest cavity and lungs, so these irritations can affect both the lungs and a person’s heart. Mesothelioma symptoms usually don’t appear until 30 to 50 years after exposure.
The most commonly reported symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include chest pain and breath shortness. Some patients also experience difficulty breathing or chest tightness. Patients with this cancer have a history that includes asbestos exposure at work. Construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding are among the most frequent jobs which put people at risk chance of developing pleural mesothelioma. People who were in the military are at a greater risk due the widespread use of asbestos in Navy vessels and bunkers in the Army.
The most commonly used staging system for pleural mysothelioma has been the TNM (tumor lymph nodes, lymph nodes, and metastases) staging system. The stage a patient is in at the time of diagnosis can help determine the treatment plan they will receive. For instance, patients suffering from mesothelioma that is pleural in stage three or four have a worse prognosis than those with a lower stage. Mesothelioma in stage four is usually spread to the diaphragm, liver or even a person’s heart. This makes the cancer more difficult to treat and increase the chance of complications for patients.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
Unlike pleural cancer, that develops in the lung’s lining it develops in the membrane that covers the abdominal cavity, including organs such as the liver and intestines. Similar to pleural mesothelioma, asbestos claim exposure is the cause of peritoneal mesothelioma. The disease is less common than pleural mesothelioma, and just 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.
As with pleural asbestosis symptoms can take a long time to manifest. Patients typically have abdominal pain, and could also experience a mass in their abdomen. The symptoms of this kind of mesothelioma can also include nausea as well as weight loss and fever. A lot of these symptoms are similar to those experienced by gastrointestinal issues, which can cause confusion in diagnosis.
Typically, doctors can identify mesothelioma by conducting an extensive health history and physical exam. Imaging tests like X-rays and CT scans can be used to identify mesothelioma. These tests can reveal tumors, as well as other indications of cancer that aren’t visible on X-rays.
These test results enable doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and determine the stage. They can also recommend treatment options. The stage is determined by the type of cell and whether the cancer has spread.
Asbestos exposure is the biggest risk factor. People who have been in occupations that involve asbestos legal, such as plumbing manufacturing, electrical work or construction, are at greater risk of developing the disease. However, even if individuals do not work in these areas, they can still be exposed to asbestos through relatives or other sources. This is why anyone who is concerned that they might be at risk should speak to an expert. If they have an history of exposure to asbestos, a mesothelioma specialist can help them find out more about the risk.
Risk Factors
Asbestos is the primary risk factor for mesothelioma. It is responsible for as much as 80% of all cases. Exposure to asbestos can occur through work, military service, or by living with someone who works with asbestos or used to do the same. asbestos case (This Web site) particles can be breathed in by people who are exposed to asbestos. The particles cause irritation to the linings, causing cancerous cells to develop in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma may take between 15 and 60 years to develop after exposure to asbestos.
Other risk factors include smoking, genetics, and age. People in their 40s and 50s are more at risk of developing mesothelioma as compared to those younger or older. It is because mesothelioma generally lasts between 20 and 60 years from the initial exposure before cancer symptoms appear. It is important to keep in mind that mesothelioma may develop in people who have been exposed to asbestos without having been directly exposed to it. This is known as secondary or indirect asbestos exposure and can be as dangerous as direct asbestos case exposure.
Smoking increases a person’s chances of developing mesothelioma due to the fact that it causes mesothelium damage and makes it more vulnerable to asbestos. Mesothelioma can also be caused by certain illnesses such as asbestosis and pneumonia. It is also important to note that mesothelioma is more common in men than women. This is due to the fact that men are more likely to work with asbestos and experience a an extended period of exposure than women. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who had been exposed to asbestos, and to have asbestos fibers on their clothing. Women tend to have less exposure to asbestos lawsuit and do not typically carry asbestos on their clothes.
Diagnosis
Mesothelioma is a difficult disease to diagnose because the symptoms often resemble other conditions. Due to this, patients are sometimes mistakenly diagnosed.
NYU Langone doctors will perform an examination of the body and document the patient’s medical background, including asbestos exposure. Doctors may also order an X-ray of the chest or CT scan to look for lumps and other abnormalities, as well as evidence of past asbestos exposure like plaques on 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 a magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI test, that uses radio waves and magnets to produce a series of precise images of the inside of the body. A surgical biopsy is a different method doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma. During a surgical biopsy, doctors remove a small amount of tissue from the pleura or peritoneum to conduct further tests. A pathologist is then able to examine the tissue with microscopes to determine whether it contains cancerous cells.
The type of mesothelial cell involved, the malignant or benign nature of the cells and the location and stage of the tumour, 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 to ensure that doctors are able to treat the disease before it gets out of control.
Doctors can also perform tests in the lab on tumors in order to determine specific genes, proteins or other factors that will help them identify cancer characteristics and plan treatment. These results are known as staging.
Treatment
A mesothelioma diagnosis can be terrifying. It is crucial to remember, however, that cancer can be treated particularly in its initial stages. Many people with mesothelioma can be afflicted for many years without it expanding.
asbestos case (This Web site) exposure can trigger mesothelioma via many mechanisms. Asbestos fibers, which are small enough to not be felt or viewed with the naked eyes, can become airborne, irritating the lining of the lung (pleura). Over time irritation can lead to formation of scar tissue, which leads to changes in the cell structure which eventually lead to tumors.
The pleura is the area that surrounds the lungs and heart, as well as the abdomen. Mesothelium consists of cells that react to asbestos, causing it to inflame and create scar tissue. Overtime, these changes cause the development of malignant mesothelioma tumors.
The signs of pleural mesothelioma can include breathlessness, chest pain or an accumulation of fluid in the lungs (pleural effusion). In rare instances cancer may spread to the tissues surrounding the reproductive organs and the heart.
A doctor may request biopsy if scans reveal a possible lung tumor or stomach. In the course of the procedure, doctors remove some of the fluid or tumor for tests in the laboratory. The results can confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and determine the most effective treatment plan.
There are many types of treatment for mesothelioma including surgery and chemotherapy. The majority of doctors use an amalgamation of these techniques. Patients can also benefit by participating in a clinical study of new mesothelioma treatment. To find out more, patients should consult a mesothelioma specialist who has expertise in treating the condition.