Mesothelioma and Asbestos
Asbestos is a mineral that naturally occurs in the form of long, thin fibers. People who are exposed to asbestos may develop lung diseases, such as mesothelioma.
It may take decades before symptoms begin to manifest after exposure to asbestos. Different types of asbestos may cause different symptoms.
Pleural Mesothelioma
Pleural mesothelioma can be found in the lung’s outer lining, also known as pleura. It is the most prevalent form of mesothelioma and is responsible for 70 to 79% of all diagnosed cases. This condition causes chest pain, breath shortness and a feeling of weightiness.
This type of cancer typically caused by exposure to asbestos case (try these guys out), which is a collection of minerals that are composed of microscopic fibers. When inhaled, these fibers, cause irritation and DNA mutations. The pleura is the area that surrounds the chest cavity and lungs, so these irritations can affect both the lungs as well as the heart of a person. Mesothelioma is usually not symptomatic until 30 to 50 year after exposure.
Shortness of breath and chest pain are the most frequently reported symptoms. Some patients also experience difficulty breathing, or chest tightness. People who suffer from this cancer usually have an history of 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 served in the military are at greater risk due to the extensive use asbestos in Navy vessels and Army bunkers.
The TNM (tumors, lymph nodes, and metastases staging system) is the most commonly used staging system used for pleural adenocarcinoma. The stage a patient has upon diagnosis will help their doctor determine the most effective treatment plan for them. Patients who have pleural mesothelioma which is in stage three or four will have a worse outlook than those who are in a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma may be spread to the liver, heart or diaphragm. This makes it more difficult to treat and raises the likelihood of complications for the patient.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
In contrast to pleural mesothelioma which is a lung-lining cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma forms in the peritoneum — a membrane that lines the abdominal cavity as well as organs like the intestines and the liver. Similar to pleural mesothelioma mesothelioma is triggered by asbestos exposure. The disease is much less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma, with around 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.
As with pleural asbestosis, symptoms can take a long time to show. The majority of patients are afflicted with abdominal pain as well as a mass in the abdomen. This kind of mesothelioma can cause nausea, weight loss and fever. A lot of these symptoms can be misinterpreted as gastrointestinal issues, leading to a misdiagnosis.
Doctors can identify mesothelioma by reviewing the medical history of the patient and performing a physical examination. They may also employ imaging tests like X-rays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to identify mesothelioma. These tests can show cancerous tumors or other signs of cancer that aren’t apparent on an X-ray.
The results of these tests allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma, determine the stage of the disease and suggest treatment options. The stage is determined by the type of cell as well as whether the cancer has spread.
Asbestos exposure is the main risk factor. People who have worked in professions that require asbestos, like plumbing or electrical work, manufacturing or construction, are at greater risk of developing the disease. However, even if individuals do not work in these areas, they can still be exposed to asbestos through family members or through other sources. Anyone who believes they may be at risk should consult an expert. A mesothelioma specialist can assist those with a previous history of asbestos to find out more about their risk.
Risk Factors
Asbestos is the main risk factor in mesothelioma. It is responsible for as much as 80percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos can happen through work, military service, or living with people who have worked with asbestos. When exposed to asbestos, small particles are able to be inhaled into abdomen and lungs. The particles cause irritation to the linings of the abdomen, which causes cancerous cells to develop in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma can take 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 at risk of developing mesothelioma compared to people who are younger or more. This is because mesothelioma usually occurs between 20 and 60 years from the first time of exposure before cancer symptoms appear. It is important to note that mesothelioma can be present in people who have been exposed to asbestos, but without having worked with it directly. This is referred to as indirect or secondary exposure to asbestos and it can be just as dangerous as direct exposure.
Smoking increases a person’s chances of developing mesothelioma since it damages the mesothelium and makes it more vulnerable to asbestos. In addition, mesothelioma may be caused by certain illnesses, such as asbestosis and pneumonia. It is also important to remember that mesothelioma is more prevalent in males than females. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos settlement for longer periods of time and to work with asbestos for longer periods of time. Additionally, men are more likely to live with someone who was exposed to asbestos settlement and bring asbestos fibers from their workplace on their clothes. Women are less likely to come exposed to asbestos, and don’t typically carry asbestos on their clothing.
Diagnosis
It is difficult to identify mesothelioma because its symptoms are often similar to other diseases. This can result in patients being 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 can also request a chest X-ray or CT scan to detect lumps and other abnormalities, as well as evidence of past asbestos lawsuit exposure such as plaques in the pleura (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the formation of fluid between the lung and 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, or MRI test that uses radio waves and magnets to make a series of detailed images of the interior of the body. Another way doctors can diagnose mesothelioma is to perform the procedure of a surgical biopsy. In a surgical biopsy doctors remove a small piece of tissue from the pleura or peritoneum for further testing. A pathologist can then examine the tissue under microscopes to determine if it contains cancerous cells.
Mesothelioma is classified based on the mesothelial type involved, whether those cells are benign or malignant, and the location of the tumor, the type, and the stage of the tumor. Some types of mesothelioma are more likely to develop metastasis or spread which is why it is crucial to have a clear diagnosis so doctors can treat the disease before it gets out of control.
Doctors can also perform tests in the lab on tumors to identify specific proteins, genes or other factors that can help them describe the characteristics of cancer and plan treatment. These results are known as staging.
Treatment
A diagnosis of mesothelioma may be frightening. But, it is crucial to remember that the disease is treatable, especially in its early stages. A lot of people suffering from mesothelioma endure the disease for a long time, without spreading.
Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma through a variety of ways. Asbestos particles, which are too small to detect or feel by the naked eye can become airborne and cause irritation to the lining of the lungs (pleura). Over time irritation can lead to formation of scar tissue which can cause changes in the cell structure which eventually lead to tumors.
The pleura surrounds the lungs and the heart and the abdomen. Mesothelium is made up of cells that react to asbestos which causes it to become inflamed and form scar tissue. In time, these changes can cause the development of malignant mesothelioma tumors.
The signs of pleural mesothelioma can include breathlessness, chest pain or a buildup of fluid on the lungs (pleural effusion). In rare cases the cancer may spread to the tissues surrounding the heart and reproductive organs.
A doctor will order biopsy if scans show a potential lung tumor or stomach. During the procedure, doctors remove small amounts of the fluid or tumor for lab testing. The results can confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and help determine the best treatment option.
There are many types of mesothelioma treatments, including surgery, chemotherapy and immunotherapy. Most doctors rely on an amalgamation of these techniques. Participating in clinical trials for mesothelioma treatments that are new could be beneficial for patients. To find out more, patients should consult mesothelioma specialists who have had experience treating the disease.