Mesothelioma and Asbestos
Asbestos is a mineral that naturally forms in the form of thin, long fibers. Workers who are exposed asbestos case on a regular basis are at risk of developing mesothelioma or other lung diseases of different types.
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 occurs in the lung’s outer lining, also known as the pleura. It is the most frequent type of mesothelioma, making up 70% to 79% of all diagnosed cases. People with this condition suffer from chest pain and shortness of breath, 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 type of cancer. Once inhaled, these fibers cling to the lung and cause irritation that results in scarring and DNA mutations. Pleura surrounds both the chest cavity as well as the lungs, and so irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma symptoms usually don’t appear until 30 to 50 years after exposure.
The most common symptoms of pleural melanoma are chest discomfort and shortness of breath. Some patients also experience difficulty breathing or chest tightness. People with this cancer have a past that includes asbestos exposure at work. The most prevalent jobs that expose people to the risk of developing pleural mesothelioma are construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding. Individuals who have served in the military are at higher risk due to the extensive use asbestos in Navy vessels and Army bunkers.
The most commonly used staging method for pleural mesothelioma is the TNM (tumor, lymph nodes and metastases) staging system. The stage that the patient is in at the time of diagnosis can help determine what treatment plan they should receive. Patients who have pleural mesothelioma which is in stage three or four will have a less favorable outlook than those in a lower stage. Mesothelioma in stage four can be spread to the liver, heart, or diaphragm. This could make the cancer more difficult to treat and increase the risk of complications for the patient.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
Contrary to pleural cancer which is found in the lung’s lining, peritoneal cancer develops in a membrane that surrounds the abdominal cavity, which includes organs like the intestines and liver. As with pleural mesothelioma exposure to asbestos is the cause of peritoneal msothelioma. The disease is less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma. There are just 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.
Like pleural mesothelioma, the symptoms can take a long time to manifest. The majority of patients suffer from abdominal pain and an abdominal mass. The symptoms of this kind of mesothelioma may also include nausea, weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms could be misinterpreted as gastrointestinal issues, leading to a misdiagnosis.
Doctors can identify mesothelioma by reviewing the medical history of the patient and conducting a physical exam. They can also utilize imaging tests such as X-rays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to identify mesothelioma. These tests can reveal tumors and other indications of cancer that aren’t visible on an X-ray.
These tests enable doctors to identify mesothelioma, and determine the stage. They can also recommend treatments. The stage is determined by the type of cell as well as whether the tumor has spread.
The most important mesothelioma risk factor is exposure to asbestos. People who have worked in asbestos-containing jobs, such as plumbing or electrical work, or in manufacturing and construction are more likely to contract the disease. Even if someone does not work in any of these areas however, they may be exposed to asbestos through family members or other sources. Anyone who thinks they are at risk should consult a doctor. If they have any history of exposure to asbestos and mesothelioma is a concern, a specialist will assist them in finding out more about their risk.
Risk Factors
Asbestos is the most significant risk factor in mesothelioma. It accounts for as much as the 80% of cases. Exposure to asbestos can happen due to work, military service or through living with a person who is exposed to asbestos or has previously done such. When exposed to asbestos, the particles can be inhaled into the abdomen and lungs. These irritate the linings and can cause cancerous cells to grow in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma can take anywhere between 15 and 60 years to develop after exposure to asbestos claim.
Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and age. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely develop mesothelioma than those who are younger or older. It takes mesothelioma between 20 and 60 years to show signs of cancer after the first exposure. 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 known as indirect or secondary exposure to asbestos and it can be just as dangerous as direct exposure.
Smoking increases the risk of mesothelioma, because it damages the mesothelium. It also makes it more prone to. Furthermore, mesothelioma is caused by certain illnesses, such as pneumonia and asbestosis. It is also important to remember that mesothelioma occurs more frequently in males than females. This is due to men being more likely to work with asbestos and experience 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 be in contact with asbestos, and they don’t usually carry asbestos on their clothing.
Diagnosis
Mesothelioma is a difficult cancer to recognize because the symptoms are often similar to other conditions. Because of this, victims are sometimes wrongly diagnosed.
The first step in identifying mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform a physical exam and take note of the medical history of the patient which includes asbestos case (the original source) exposure. Doctors may also request a CT scan or chest X-ray to look for abnormalities, lumps and evidence of exposure to asbestos. These include pleural plaques, thickened pleura and calcium deposits.
Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram which examines the heart and blood vessels, and a magnetic resonance imaging, also known as MRI test that uses magnets and radio waves to make a series of detailed images of the interior of the body. Another way for doctors to detect mesothelioma is to perform an operation called a biopsy. During a surgery biopsy, doctors remove a tiny part of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum, to be tested further. A pathologist can then examine the tissue under microscopes to determine whether it has cancerous cells.
The type of mesothelial cell involved and the benign or malignant nature of these cells, as well as the location, type and stage of the cancer are used to classify the disease. Certain types of mesothelioma are at greater chance of metastasizing or spreading and it’s crucial to determine the type of mesothelioma so that doctors can treat it prior to it becoming out of control.
Doctors can also run tests in the laboratory on a tumor to identify specific proteins, genes or other elements which can help them identify the characteristics of cancer and plan treatment. These results are known as staging.
Treatment
A mesothelioma diagnose can be frightening. It is crucial to remember, however, that cancer can be treated, especially at its early stages. Many mesothelioma patients live for a long time with the disease, without spreading to other parts of their body.
Exposure to asbestos compensation may cause mesothelioma in a number of ways. Asbestos particles, which are too small to be able to see or feel through the naked eye, can become airborne and irritate the lung’s lining (pleura). Over time the irritation causes the formation of scar tissue and eventually tumors.
The pleura covers the lungs and heart, as well as the abdomen. Mesothelium consists of cells that react to exposure to asbestos and cause it to enflame and form scar tissue. These changes can result in malignant mesothelioma tumors.
Breathing problems, chest discomfort or fluid buildup on the lungs are all signs of pleural mesothelioma. In rare instances cancer may spread to the tissues that surround the reproductive organs as well as the heart.
If scans of imaging reveal an area of concern in the stomach or lungs doctors will recommend biopsies. During the procedure, doctors will remove small amounts of the fluid or tumor for laboratory testing. The results can confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and determine the best treatment plan.
There are a variety of mesothelioma treatment options, including surgery, chemotherapy and immunotherapy. Most doctors utilize a combination of these treatments. Enrolling in clinical trials of mesothelioma treatments that are new could be beneficial to patients. Patients can learn more about the trials by consulting a mesothelioma expert who has treated the condition.