Mesothelioma and Asbestos
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that comes in long, thin fibres. People who are regularly exposed to asbestos may develop lung diseases like mesothelioma.
The symptoms of these diseases might 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 prevalent type of mesothelioma, making up 70 to 79% of all diagnosed cases. People with this condition experience pain in the chest and shortness of breath and may also feel the sensation of weight in the chest.
Exposure to asbestos lawsuit, a family of minerals made of microscopic fibers, usually causes this kind of cancer. When inhaled, these fibers stick inside the lung and cause irritation which results in scarring and DNA mutations. Pleura is the lining of both the chest cavity and the lungs, and so irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma usually doesn’t show symptoms until 30 to 50 year after exposure.
Chest pain and shortness breath are the most frequently reported symptoms. Patients may have coughing problems, trouble breathing or chest tightness. Patients with this cancer have a history that includes asbestos exposure at work. Construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding are the most common occupations that put people at high chance of developing pleural mesothelioma. People who were in the military are at a greater risk due to the widespread use of asbestos in Navy vessels and bunkers in the Army.
The TNM (tumors lymph nodes and metastases staging system) is the most popular staging system for the pleural cancer. The stage a patient is in when they are diagnosed will assist their doctor in determining the most effective treatment plan for them. For instance, patients suffering from a pleural mesothelioma in stage three or four have a less favorable prognosis than those with a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma can be spread to the heart, liver or diaphragm. This makes the cancer more difficult to treat and increase the risk of complications for the patient.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
In contrast to pleural cancer, which forms in the lung’s lining, peritoneal cancer develops in a membrane that covers the abdominal cavity, including organs such as the intestines and the liver. Like pleural mesothelioma, peritoneal mesothelioma is caused by asbestos settlement exposure. It is estimated that only 300-500 cases are diagnosed annually, which is less than pleural asbestosis.
As with pleural asbestosis symptoms can take years to show. Patients usually experience abdominal pain, and may also have a lump in their abdomen. This mesothelioma type can cause nausea, weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms could be mistaken for gastrointestinal problems, leading to a false diagnosis.
Doctors can detect mesothelioma by examining the patient’s medical history and conducting a physical exam. They may also employ imaging tests like X-rays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to identify mesothelioma. These tests can detect tumors and other cancer signs that are not visible on X-rays.
These tests enable doctors to diagnose mesothelioma, identify the stage of the disease and suggest treatment options. The stage of the disease is determined based on the cell type and whether or the cancer has spread to other regions of the body.
Asbestos exposure is the biggest risk factor. People who have worked in professions which require asbestos, such as plumbing or manufacturing, electrical work or construction, are at greater risk of developing the disease. However, even if people do not work in these areas they could be exposed to asbestos through family members or through other sources. For this reason, anyone who suspects they may be at risk should speak to an expert. If they have an history of exposure to asbestos or mesothelioma, a specialist can help them find out more about the 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 happen through military service, work, or living with someone who used to work with asbestos. When exposed to asbestos, small particles are able to be inhaled into abdomen and lungs. These particles can cause irritation to the linings and cause cancerous cells to form in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma can take anywhere between 15 and 60 years to develop following exposure to asbestos settlement.
Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and age. People in their 40s or 50s are at greater chance of developing mesothelioma to those younger or older. This is because mesothelioma usually occurs between 20 and 60 years after the initial exposure before the first signs of cancer appear. It is also important to know that mesothelioma can develop in people who were exposed to asbestos, but did not deal with it directly. This is called secondary or indirect exposure to asbestos law. It could be as hazardous as direct exposure.
Smoking can increase the likelihood of developing mesothelioma since it causes mesothelium damage and makes it more vulnerable to asbestos. Additionally, mesothelioma can be caused by certain illnesses, such as asbestosis and pneumonia. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than women. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for a longer time and to have worked with asbestos for longer periods of time. Additionally, 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 be less exposed to asbestos, and don’t typically carry asbestos on their clothes.
Diagnosis
Mesothelioma is difficult to identify because the symptoms are often similar to other diseases. This could lead to patients being incorrectly diagnosed.
The first step in diagnosing mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform an examination of the body and take note of the medical history of the patient which includes asbestos exposure. Doctors may also order a chest X-ray or CT scan to check for lumps and other abnormalities as well as evidence of previous asbestos case (Woodhyun noted) exposure like plaques in 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 an echocardiogram which examines the heart and blood vessels as well as a magnetic resonance imaging, also known as MRI test that uses magnets and radio waves to make a series of detailed images of the inside of the body. Another way doctors can diagnose mesothelioma is to perform the procedure of a surgical biopsy. During a surgery biopsy doctors will remove a small piece of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum, to be further examined. A pathologist is then able to examine the tissue with a microscope to see if it has cancerous cells.
Mesothelioma is classified according to the type of mesothelial cells involved, whether those cells are malignant or benign and also the location of the tumor, the type, and the stage of the tumor. Some types of mesothelioma have greater chance of metastasizing or spreading therefore it is essential to determine the type of mesothelioma so that doctors can treat it before it becomes out of control.
Doctors can also run tests in the lab on a tumor to find specific proteins, genes or other elements which can help them identify the cancer’s characteristics and plan treatment. These results are known as staging.
Treatment
A mesothelioma diagnosis is a frightening prospect. But, it is crucial to remember that the disease is treatable, particularly in its initial stages. Many patients with mesothelioma survive for years with the disease without it spreading to other areas of their body.
Exposure to asbestos may cause mesothelioma in a number of ways. Asbestos fibers, too small to detect or feel with the naked eye, can become airborne and irritate the lining of the lungs (pleura). In time, the irritation causes the formation of scar tissue which leads to changes in the cell structure that can eventually grow into tumors.
The pleura surrounds the heart and lungs and also the abdomen. Mesothelium consists of cells that respond when exposed to asbestos. They inflame the tissue and cause it to scar. As time passes, these changes lead to the development of malignant mesothelioma tumors.
A shortness of breath, chest pain or fluid accumulation on the lungs are all indications of the pleural msothelioma. In rare instances the cancer may be spread to the tissues around the heart and reproductive organs.
If imaging scans show an area of concern in the lungs or stomach the doctor will request biopsies. During the procedure, doctors take small amounts of the fluid or tumor for laboratory analysis. The results will confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis, and determine the best treatment plan.
There are many types of mesothelioma treatments, which include chemotherapy, surgery, and immunotherapy. The majority of doctors use a combination of these methods. Enrolling in clinical trials of mesothelioma treatments may be beneficial to patients. Patients can find out more by speaking with a mesothelioma doctor who has treated the condition.