Mesothelioma and Asbestos
Asbestos is a mineral that naturally forms in the form of thin, long fibers. People who are exposed to asbestos may develop lung diseases such as mesothelioma.
The symptoms of these diseases might not show up for decades after exposure to asbestos. Different types of asbestos can cause different symptoms.
Pleural Mesothelioma
Pleural mesothelioma occurs in the outer lung lining, or the pleura. It is the most prevalent mesothelioma form and accounts for 70% to 79% of diagnosed cases. People with this condition suffer from chest pain and breath shortness, and they may feel the sensation of weight in the chest.
This type of cancer usually caused by exposure to asbestos which is a collection of minerals made up of microscopic fibres. When inhaled, these fibers, 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 usually don’t appear until 30 to 50 years after exposure.
The most common symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include chest pain and breath shortness. Some patients may also suffer from chest tightness and coughing, or breathing difficulties. People with this cancer have a history of disease that includes asbestos exposure at work. Manufacturing, construction and shipbuilding are the most frequent jobs which put people at risk danger of developing pleural melanoma. People who were in the military are at a greater risk due the widespread use of asbestos in Navy vessels and Army bunkers.
The TNM (tumors lymph nodes, tumors, and metastases staging system) is the most commonly used staging system for the pleural adenocarcinoma. The stage that a patient is in at the time of diagnosis can help determine the treatment plan they should follow. Patients suffering from pleural mesothelioma who is in stage three or stage four will have a less favorable prognosis than those who are in a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma can develop into the liver, heart or diaphragm. This makes the cancer more difficult to treat and increase the chances of complications for the patient.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
As opposed to pleural mesothelioma that is a lung-lining cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma forms in the peritoneum – an elongated membrane that covers the abdominal cavity as well as organs such as the liver and intestines. Similar to pleural mesothelioma mesothelioma is caused by asbestos exposure. The disease is less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma, with around 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.
As with pleural mesothelioma symptoms can take a long time to manifest. The majority of patients suffer from abdominal pain and an abdominal mass. This type of mesothelioma may cause nausea, weight loss, and fever. A lot of these symptoms can be misinterpreted as digestive issues and can lead to a mistaken diagnosis.
Doctors can detect mesothelioma by looking over the medical history of the patient and performing a physical examination. Imaging tests like X-rays or CT scans are a way to detect mesothelioma. These tests can reveal tumors and other signs of cancer which aren’t visible on X-rays.
The results of these tests allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and determine the stage. They also offer treatment options. The stage is determined by the type of cell and whether the cancer has spread.
Asbestos exposure is the main risk factor. People who have been exposed to asbestos in jobs, such as electrical or plumbing work or in construction and manufacturing, are more likely to contract the disease. Even if they do not work in these areas, they can still be exposed to asbestos through family members or through other sources. This is why anyone who believes they could be at risk should speak to a doctor. A mesothelioma expert can help those with a experience with asbestos to understand more about their risk.
Risk Factors
Asbestos exposure is the primary risk factor for mesothelioma making up as much as 80 percent of all 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 Case, the particles can be breathed into the lungs and abdomen. These irritate the linings and cause cancerous cells to form in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma can take anywhere between 15 and 60 years to develop after exposure to asbestos lawsuit.
Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and the advancing age. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely get mesothelioma than people younger or more senior. It takes mesothelioma 20-60 years to show signs of cancer after the first exposure. It is important to keep in mind, too, that mesothelioma may occur in those who have been exposed to asbestos, but without having directly worked with it. This is referred to as secondary or indirect asbestos exposure, and is just as harmful as direct asbestos exposure.
Smoking can increase the likelihood of developing mesothelioma due to the fact that it causes mesothelium damage and makes it more prone to asbestos lawsuit. Mesothelioma can also be aggravated by certain illnesses, including 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 was exposed to asbestos and bring asbestos fibers that have escaped home on their clothing. Women tend to be less in contact with asbestos claim, and they are less likely to carry asbestos on their clothes.
Diagnosis
Mesothelioma is a difficult cancer to recognize because the symptoms are often similar to other conditions. This can result in patients being misdiagnosed.
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 can also request an X-ray of the chest or CT scan to detect lumps and other abnormalities, as well as evidence of past asbestos exposure such as plaques on the pleura (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 a magnetic resonance image or MRI test, which makes use of magnets and radio waves to produce a series of precise images of the inside of the body. Another way for doctors to detect mesothelioma is by performing a surgical biopsy. In a surgical biopsy doctors remove a small piece of tissue from the peritoneum or pleura for further analysis. A pathologist can look at the tissue under microscopes to determine whether it contains cancerous cells.
Mesothelioma is classified according to the type of mesothelial cell involved, whether the cells are malignant or benign and also the location of the tumor, its type, and the stage of the cancer. Certain types of mesothelioma may be more likely to develop metastasis or spread, so it is important to establish a definitive diagnosis so that doctors can treat the disease before it gets out of control.
Doctors may also conduct laboratory tests on tumors to identify specific proteins, genes, or other factors which can aid in describing cancer characteristics and determine the best treatment. These results are known as staging.
Treatment
A mesothelioma diagnosis can be an incredibly frightening prospect. However, it’s important to remember that the disease can be treated, particularly in its initial stages. Many patients with mesothelioma endure the disease for many years without it spreading.
Exposure to asbestos may cause mesothelioma through a variety of ways. Asbestos fibers, which are too small to detect or feel with the naked eye, can become airborne and cause irritation to the lung’s lining (pleura). In time the irritation causes the formation of scar tissue and eventually tumors.
The pleura is the area that surrounds the lungs and the heart and the abdomen. Mesothelium is made up of cells that respond when exposed to asbestos. They inflame the tissue and cause it to become scarred. Overtime, these changes result in the growth of malignant mesothelioma tumors.
The symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are breathing problems, chest pain or an accumulation of fluid on the lung (pleural effusion). In rare instances the cancer may spread to the tissues surrounding the heart and reproductive organs.
If imaging scans reveal an underlying mass in the lungs or stomach, a doctor will order a biopsies. During the procedure doctors remove a small amount of fluid or tumor for laboratory testing. The results will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and indicate the best treatment option.
There are many types of treatment for mesothelioma, such as chemotherapy and surgery. Most doctors use the combination of these treatments. Participating in clinical trials of new mesothelioma treatment may also be beneficial for patients. Patients can learn more about the trials by consulting a mesothelioma expert who has treated the disease.