Mesothelioma and asbestos case
Asbestos, a mineral that occurs naturally in the form of long, thin fibers. Workers who are regularly exposed to asbestos may develop lung diseases, such as mesothelioma.
It can take years before symptoms begin to manifest after asbestos exposure. Different types of asbestos can cause different symptoms.
Pleural Mesothelioma
Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer that affects the outer lung liner (pleura). It is the most common mesothelioma type and is responsible for 70 to 79% of diagnosed cases. Patients with this disease feel chest pain and breathlessness and may also feel a sensation of heaviness in the chest.
This type of cancer is typically caused through exposure to asbestos, which is a cluster of minerals composed of microscopic fibers. When inhaled, these fibers can cause irritation and DNA mutations. Pleura surrounds both the chest cavity as well as the lungs, which means that irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma symptoms are usually not apparent until 30 to 50 years after exposure.
Chest pain and shortness breath are the most frequent symptoms. Some patients may also experience chest tightness or coughing. They may also experience difficulty breathing. People with this cancer often have previous exposure to asbestos in the workplace. The most common jobs that expose people to the risk of developing pleural mesothelioma are manufacturing, construction, and shipbuilding. People who have worked in the military could be at risk due to the frequent use of asbestos case in Navy ships and bunkers for the army.
The most common staging system for pleural mesothelioma is the TNM (tumor lymph nodes, lymph nodes, and metastases) staging system. The stage a patient is in upon diagnosis will aid their doctor in determining the most appropriate treatment plan for them. Patients suffering from pleural mesothelioma who is in stage three or stage four will suffer a more negative prognosis compared to those in a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma often spreads to the diaphragm, the liver or even a person’s heart. This makes it more difficult to treat and increases the risk of complications for the patient.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
Unlike pleural cancer, which is found in the lung’s lining, peritoneal cancer develops in a membrane that surrounds the abdominal cavity, including organs such as the liver and intestines. Like pleural mesothelioma, peritoneal mesothelioma can be caused by asbestos exposure. The disease is much less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma, with just 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.
As with pleural asbestosis, symptoms can take several years to show. Typically, patients experience abdominal pain and abdominal swelling. This mesothelioma type can also cause nausea, weight loss, and fever. A lot of these symptoms can be misinterpreted as gastrointestinal issues which can lead to a false diagnosis.
Doctors can identify mesothelioma by looking over the medical history of the patient and performing a physical examination. They may also employ imaging tests like Xrays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to identify mesothelioma. These tests can reveal tumors, as well as other signs of cancer that aren’t visible on X-rays.
These test results allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and determine the stage and recommend treatment options. The staging is determined by the type of cell and whether or whether the cancer has spread to other parts of the body.
Asbestos exposure is the main risk factor. People who have worked in professions that involve asbestos, like plumbing or electrical work, manufacturing or construction, are at greater risk of developing the disease. Even if someone does not work in one of these areas they could still be exposed through family members and other sources. Anyone who suspects that they’re at risk should speak with an expert. A mesothelioma specialist can help those with a history with asbestos to learn more about their risk.
Risk Factors
Asbestos exposure is the primary risk factor for mesothelioma which accounts for as much as 80 percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos can occur through work, military service, or living with those who worked with asbestos. Asbestos particles can be breathed in by people who are exposed to it. The particles cause irritation to the linings of the lungs, causing cancerous cells to grow in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma can take anywhere between 15 and 60 years to develop following exposure to asbestos.
Other risk factors include genetics, smoking and aging. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely get mesothelioma than people younger or older. It takes mesothelioma between 20 and 60 years to manifest cancer symptoms after the first exposure. It is important to remember that mesothelioma is a possibility in those who were exposed to asbestos but did not engage directly with it. This is referred to as indirect or secondary exposure to asbestos and it is just as harmful as direct exposure.
Smoking increases the risk of getting mesothelioma because it damages the mesothelium and makes it more susceptible to asbestos. Mesothelioma is also aggravated by certain diseases, such as asbestosis and pneumonia. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than women. This is due to the fact that men are more likely to work with asbestos case and experience a an extended period of exposure than women. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who been exposed to asbestos, and to have asbestos-containing fibers on their clothing. Women tend to be less in contact with asbestos lawyer, and don’t typically bring asbestos home on their clothing.
Diagnosis
Mesothelioma is difficult to identify because the symptoms can be similar to other conditions. This can result in patients being wrongly diagnosed.
NYU Langone doctors will perform an examination of the body and document the patient’s medical history, 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 like pleural plaques (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the buildup of fluid between the lung and chest wall (known as the pleural effusion).
Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance imaging or MRI test, which uses magnets and radio waves to create a series detailed images of the inside of the body. Another method doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma is to perform an operation called a biopsy. In a surgical biopsy doctors remove a small amount of tissue from the peritoneum or pleura for further testing. A pathologist is then able to examine the tissue under a microscope to see if it is contaminated with cancerous cells.
The mesothelial type involved and the benign or malignant nature of those cells and the location and stage of the tumor, are used to categorize the disease. Some types of mesothelioma are more likely to develop metastasis or spread 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 lab on tumors to determine particular proteins, genes or other elements that can help them describe the characteristics of the cancer and determine a treatment. These results are referred to as staging.
Treatment
A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be a frightening prospect. It is crucial to remember, however, that cancer can be treated especially at its early stages. Many people with mesothelioma can live with the disease for many years without it spreading.
Asbestos exposure can cause mesothelioma through many mechanisms. Asbestos particles, which are too small to detect or feel by the naked eye can become airborne and cause irritation to the lung’s lining (pleura). In time irritation leads to formation of scar tissue which leads to changes in the structure of cells that can eventually grow into tumors.
The Pleura is a protective layer that covers the lungs, heart and abdomen. Mesothelium is made up of cells that react when exposed to asbestos. They inflame the tissue and cause it to scar. As time passes, these changes result in the growth of malignant mesothelioma tumors.
Shortness of breath, chest discomfort, or the accumulation of fluid on the lungs are all indications of pleural mesothelioma. In rare cases cancer may spread to the tissues that surround the reproductive organs as well as the heart.
A doctor will order biopsy if imaging scans show the possibility of a mass in the lungs or stomach. During the procedure doctors remove some of the fluid or tumor to allow for lab tests. The results can confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and indicate the most effective treatment plan.
There are many types of treatment for mesothelioma including surgery and chemotherapy. Most doctors utilize the combination of these methods. Participating in clinical trials for mesothelioma treatments may be beneficial for patients. Patients can learn more about the trials by speaking with a mesothelioma doctor who has treated mesothelioma.