Mesothelioma and Asbestos
Asbestos is a natural mineral that is found in thin, long fibres. People who are exposed to asbestos regularly are at risk of developing mesothelioma or other lung diseases.
It may take decades before symptoms begin to manifest after asbestos exposure. 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 form of mesothelioma and is responsible for 70 to 79% of all diagnosed cases. This condition causes chest pain, shortness of breathe and a feeling heaviness.
Exposure to asbestos, a group of minerals made of microscopic fibers causes this kind of cancer. The fibers, when inhaled can cause irritation and DNA mutations. The pleura covers the chest cavity and lungs, so these irritations can affect both the lungs as well as the heart of a person. Mesothelioma symptoms usually don’t appear until 30 to 50 years after exposure.
The most frequent symptoms of pleural melanoma are chest discomfort and shortness of breath. Patients may also experience coughing, difficulty breathing, or chest tightness. Patients with this type of cancer typically have an history of exposure to asbestos in the workplace. The most common jobs that expose people to the risk of pleural mesothelioma include construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding. Individuals who have been in the military are at risk due to the widespread use of asbestos in Navy ships and army bunkers.
The TNM (tumors, lymph nodes, and metastases staging system) is the most popular staging system for pleural adenocarcinoma. The stage a patient is in upon diagnosis will aid their doctor in determining the most appropriate treatment plan for them. For instance, patients who have mesothelioma pleural stage three or four have a less favorable prognosis than those in lower stages. Mesothelioma in stage four is usually spread to the liver, diaphragm or even the heart of a patient. This makes it more difficult to treat and increase the chance of complications for patients.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
As opposed to pleural mesothelioma that is a lung-lining cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma is found in the peritoneum — it is a membrane that lines the abdominal cavity and organs such as the intestines and liver. Like pleural mesothelioma, exposure to asbestos is the cause of peritoneal msothelioma. There are only 300-500 cases diagnosed each year which is lower than pleural asbestosis.
Like pleural mesothelioma, the symptoms can take years to show. Patients usually suffer from abdominal pain and may have 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 of digestive issues, which could cause incorrect diagnosis.
Doctors can detect mesothelioma by reviewing the medical history of the patient and performing a physical examination. They can also utilize imaging tests like X-rays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to help find mesothelioma. These tests can reveal tumors and other symptoms of cancer that aren’t visible on X-rays.
The results of these tests allow doctors to identify mesothelioma, and determine the stage. They can also recommend treatments. The stage is determined by the type of cell and whether the tumor has spread.
The most important mesothelioma risk factor is exposure to asbestos. People who have worked in jobs which require asbestos, like plumbing manufacturing, electrical work, or construction, are at greater risk of developing the disease. Even if an individual does not work in one of these fields, he or she can be exposed to asbestos through family members and other sources. Therefore, anyone who is concerned that they might be at risk should speak to an expert. A mesothelioma specialist can assist those who have had a history with asbestos to learn more about their risk.
Risk Factors
Asbestos is the main risk factor in mesothelioma. It accounts for up to 80percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos can occur due to work, military service, or through living with a person who is exposed to asbestos lawsuit or used to do such. When exposed to asbestos compensation, particles are able to be inhaled into abdomen and lungs. They can cause irritation to the linings of the abdomen and trigger 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 as compared to those who are younger or older. Mesothelioma can take between 20 and 60 years before it manifests cancer symptoms after the first exposure. It is also important to know that mesothelioma can develop in people who were exposed to asbestos but did not work with it directly. This is known as secondary or indirect asbestos exposure and can be just as harmful as direct asbestos exposure.
Smoking increases the risk of getting mesothelioma because it damages the mesothelium, which makes it more vulnerable to asbestos. In addition, mesothelioma may be exacerbated by certain illnesses like asbestosis and pneumonia. It is also important to note that mesothelioma occurs more frequently in men than women. This is because men are more likely to work with asbestos and have more exposure than women. Also, men are more likely to live with someone who was exposed to asbestos and bring asbestos fibers from their workplace on their clothes. Women tend to have less exposure to asbestos and do not typically carry asbestos compensation home on their clothes.
Diagnosis
It is difficult to diagnose mesothelioma due to its symptoms being often similar to other conditions. This is why patients are sometimes wrongly diagnosed.
The first step to diagnose mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform an examination and write note of the medical history of the patient, including asbestos exposure. Doctors will also order an CT scan or chest X-ray to check for abnormalities, lumps and evidence of asbestos exposure. These include plaques in the pleura, thickened pleura and calcium deposits.
Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance image or MRI test, which uses magnets and radio waves in order to produce a series of precise images of the inside of the body. A surgical biopsy is a different way for doctors to diagnose mesothelioma. In a surgical biopsy doctors remove a small piece of tissue from the peritoneum or pleura to conduct further tests. A pathologist can examine the tissue under a microscope to see if it is contaminated with cancerous cells.
The type of mesothelial cell involved as well as the benign or malignant nature of these cells and the location and stage of the cancer are used to categorize the disease. Some types of mesothelioma are more likely to grow or spread and spread, therefore it is essential to establish a definitive diagnosis to ensure that doctors are able to treat the disease before it becomes out of control.
Doctors can also perform laboratory tests on tumors in order to determine specific genes, proteins or other elements that will help them identify cancer characteristics and plan treatment. These results are referred to as staging.
Treatment
A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be terrifying. It is important to remember, however, that cancer can be treated, particularly in its initial stages. Many mesothelioma patients live for a long time without the disease spreading to other organs of their body.
Exposure to asbestos can trigger mesothelioma in many ways. Asbestos fibers that are tiny enough to be felt or viewed through the naked eye are able to become airborne and irritate the lung’s lining (pleura). As time passes the irritation causes the formation of scar tissue, which eventually lead to tumors.
The Pleura is a covering that protects the abdomen, heart, and lungs. Mesothelium is made up of cells that react when exposed to asbestos. They cause inflammation to the tissue and cause it to become scarred. These changes eventually result in malignant mesothelioma tumors.
The signs of pleural mesothelioma can include breathlessness, chest pain or a buildup of fluid on the lung (pleural effusion). In rare cases, the cancer can grow to the tissues surrounding the heart and reproductive organs.
If scans of imaging reveal an area of concern in the lungs or stomach doctors will recommend a biopsies. The procedure involves the removal of a small amount of liquid or tumor for laboratory testing. The results will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma, and also determine the best treatment plan.
There are many types of mesothelioma treatment options, which include chemotherapy, surgery, and immunotherapy. The majority of doctors use an amalgamation of these techniques. Patients may also benefit from enrolling in a clinical trial of new mesothelioma treatments. Patients can learn more by speaking with a mesothelioma doctor who has treated mesothelioma.