Mesothelioma and Asbestos
Asbestos is a mineral that naturally occurs in the form of thin, long fibers. People who are exposed to asbestos regularly risk developing mesothelioma and other lung diseases.
The symptoms of these diseases may not show up for decades after exposure to asbestos. Different asbestos types can cause different symptoms.
Pleural Mesothelioma
Pleural mesothelioma occurs in the lung’s outer lining also known as the pleura. It is the most prevalent type of mesothelioma, making up 70 to 79% of diagnosed cases. This condition causes chest discomfort, shortness of breath and a feeling heaviness.
This kind of cancer is often caused by exposure to asbestos, which is a collection of minerals comprised of microscopic fibres. Once inhaled, these fibers are absorbed into the lung and cause irritation which leads to scarring and DNA mutations. Pleura covers both the chest cavity as well as the lungs, which means that irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma symptoms typically don’t show until 30 to 50 years after exposure.
The most commonly reported symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are chest pain and breath shortness. Patients may have coughing problems, trouble breathing, or chest tightness. Patients with this type of cancer have a history that includes asbestos exposure at work. The most common jobs that expose people to the risk of pleural mesothelioma include manufacturing, construction, and shipbuilding. Individuals who have been in the military could be at a higher risk due to the frequent asbestos use in Navy vessels and army bunkers.
The most commonly used staging system for pleural mesothelioma is the TNM (tumor, lymph nodes and metastases) staging system. The stage the patient is in at the time of diagnosis can help determine what treatment plan they will receive. For instance, patients suffering from a pleural mesothelioma in stage three or four have a less favorable prognosis than patients with lower stages. Stage four mesothelioma often spreads to the diaphragm, liver 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 mesothelioma, which develops in the lung lining, peritoneal mesothelioma forms in the peritoneum — a membrane that lines the abdominal cavity and organs such as the intestines and the liver. Like pleural mesothelioma, peritoneal mesothelioma is triggered by asbestos exposure. The disease is less common than pleural mesothelioma, with around 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.
Like pleural mesothelioma, symptoms can take a long time to manifest. Patients typically suffer from abdominal pain and may also have a lump in their abdomen. The symptoms of this kind of mesothelioma may also include nausea as well as weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms are similar to those of gastrointestinal issues, which can lead to misdiagnosis.
Generally speaking, doctors can detect mesothelioma through an exhaustive health history and physical examination. They can also use imaging tests like X-rays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to detect mesothelioma. These tests can reveal tumors and other symptoms of cancer that aren’t apparent on an X-ray.
These tests enable doctors to diagnose mesothelioma, determine the stage and suggest treatment options. Staging is determined based on the type of cells and whether or not the tumor has spread to other parts of the body.
The most important risk factor for mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos. People who have been exposed to asbestos in jobs, such as plumbing or electrical work, or in construction and manufacturing are more likely to contract the disease. Even if a person is not employed in any of these areas however, they may still be exposed 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, a mesothelioma specialist can assist them in finding out more about their risk.
Risk Factors
Asbestos exposure is the main risk factor for mesothelioma, accounting for up to 80 percent of all cases. Exposure to asbestos can occur due to work, military service, or living with those who worked with asbestos. When exposed to asbestos, the particles can be breathed into the abdomen and lungs. These irritate the linings and trigger cancerous cells to form in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma may take between 15 and 60 years to develop following exposure to asbestos.
Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and age. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely get mesothelioma than people younger or more senior. This is because mesothelioma usually takes 20 to 60 years from the initial exposure to asbestos before symptoms of cancer begin to manifest. It is also important to know that mesothelioma may develop in people who were exposed to asbestos compensation but did not deal with it directly. This is called indirect or secondary exposure to asbestos and it can be just as dangerous as direct exposure.
Smoking can increase the likelihood of getting mesothelioma because it causes mesothelium damage and makes it more vulnerable to asbestos. Additionally, mesothelioma can be caused by certain illnesses, such as asbestosis and pneumonia. It is also important to know that mesothelioma is more prevalent for men than women. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for a longer period of time and to work with asbestos for longer durations and to work with it. Additionally, men are more likely to live with someone who worked with asbestos and carry stray asbestos fibers home on their clothes. Women tend to be less in contact with asbestos, and they are less likely to bring asbestos home on their clothing.
Diagnosis
Mesothelioma is difficult to recognize because the symptoms are often similar to other conditions. Because of this, victims are sometimes wrongly diagnosed.
The first step to diagnose mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform an examination and write notes on the medical history of a patient which includes asbestos exposure. Doctors may also request a CT scan or chest X-ray to look for lumps, abnormalities and evidence of asbestos exposure. These include plaques on the pleura, pleura that are thickened and calcium deposits.
Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram, which examines the blood vessels and the heart and magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI, test that uses magnets and radio waves to create precise images of the inside of the body. A surgical biopsy is yet another method doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma. When a biopsy is performed doctors will remove a small part of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum to be examined further. A pathologist can then examine the tissue under microscopes to determine whether it has cancerous cells.
Mesothelioma is classified based on the type of mesothelial cells involved, whether those cells are malignant or benign, and the location of the tumor, its type, and the stage of the cancer. Some types of mesothelioma are more likely to spread or metastasize and spread, therefore it is essential to get a definite diagnosis so doctors can treat the disease before it becomes out of control.
Doctors may also conduct tests in the laboratory on tumors in order to determine specific genes, proteins or other elements that can aid in describing cancer characteristics and plan treatment. These results are referred to as staging.
Treatment
A mesothelioma diagnosis can be terrifying. It is crucial to remember that cancer can be treated, especially at its early stages. Many people with mesothelioma live for years with the disease, without spreading to other areas of their body.
Exposure to asbestos legal can trigger mesothelioma through a variety of ways. Asbestos fibers, which are too small to be able to see or feel with the naked eye, can be airborne and cause irritation to the lung’s lining (pleura). Over time, the irritation causes the formation of scar tissue which leads to changes in the structure of cells which eventually lead to tumors.
The Pleura is a covering that covers the lungs, heart and abdomen. Mesothelium consists of cells that respond when exposed to asbestos. They cause inflammation of the tissue and cause it to scar. As time passes, these changes cause the development of malignant mesothelioma tumors.
Symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include breathing problems and chest pain, or the accumulation of fluid in the lungs (pleural effusion). In rare instances cancer can spread to the tissues around the reproductive organs as well as the heart.
A doctor will order biopsy if scans reveal a possible tumor in the lungs or stomach. During the procedure, doctors take small amounts of the fluid or tumor for lab tests. The results can confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis and indicate the most effective treatment plan.
There are many types of mesothelioma treatment options, including chemotherapy, surgery and immunotherapy. Most doctors use a combination of these treatments. Patients can also benefit by participating in a clinical study of new mesothelioma therapies. To learn more about the trials, patients should speak to a mesothelioma specialist who has had experience treating the disease.