Mesothelioma and Asbestos
Asbestos is a mineral that naturally forms in the form of thin, long fibers. People who are exposed to asbestos may develop lung diseases like mesothelioma.
It can take years for symptoms to show up 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 the pleura. It is the most frequent mesothelioma type and is responsible for 70 to 79% of all diagnosed cases. The condition can cause chest discomfort, shortness of breath and a feeling of heavyness.
This type of cancer typically caused by exposure to asbestos which is a cluster of minerals made up of microscopic fibres. Once inhaled, the fibers cling to the lung and cause irritation which causes scarring and DNA mutations. The pleura is the area that surrounds the chest cavity and lungs and therefore, these irritations could affect both the lungs and a person’s heart. Mesothelioma usually doesn’t show symptoms until 30 to 50 years after exposure.
Chest pain and shortness breath are the most common symptoms. Patients may also suffer from chest tightness, coughing or difficulty breathing. Patients with this cancer have a past that includes asbestos exposure at work. The most frequent jobs that put people at risk of pleural mesothelioma include manufacturing, construction and shipbuilding. Individuals who have been in the military are at risk due to the widespread use of asbestos lawsuit in Navy ships and bunkers for the army.
The most commonly used staging method for pleural mesothelioma is the TNM (tumor lymph nodes, lymph nodes and metastases) staging system. The stage a patient is in when they are diagnosed will help their doctor determine the most effective treatment plan for them. Patients suffering from pleural mesothelioma who is in stage three or stage four will have a worse prognosis than those in a less advanced stage. Mesothelioma in stage four can be spread to the liver, heart, or diaphragm. This makes the cancer more difficult to treat, and increase the risk of complications for the patient.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
Unlike pleural cancer, which is found in the lining of the lung the peritoneal cancer is a result of a membrane that covers the abdominal cavity, which includes organs such as the intestines and the liver. Similar to pleural mesothelioma and peritoneal mesothelioma can be caused by asbestos exposure. The disease is much less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma, and around 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.
Like pleural mesothelioma, symptoms can take a long time to manifest. Patients generally experience abdominal pain, and may have a mass in their abdomen. This type of mesothelioma may also cause nausea, weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms are similar to symptoms of digestive problems, which can lead to misdiagnosis.
Doctors can identify mesothelioma by examining the patient’s medical history and performing a physical exam. Imaging tests like X-rays or CT scans are a way to identify mesothelioma. These tests can detect tumors and other signs of cancer that are not evident on X-rays.
The results of these tests allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and establish the stage. They can also recommend treatment options. The stage of the disease is determined based on the cell type and whether or not the tumor has spread to other regions of the body.
The most important risk factor for mesothelioma is asbestos exposure. People who have been in occupations which require asbestos, like plumbing manufacturing, electrical work, or construction, are at greater risk of developing the disease. Even if they aren’t employed in these areas, they can still be exposed to asbestos through family members or other sources. Anyone who believes they’re at risk should speak with a doctor. If they have any history of exposure to asbestos, a mesothelioma specialist can help them find out more about their risk.
Risk Factors
Asbestos is the primary risk factor in mesothelioma. It is responsible for as much as 80% of all cases. Exposure to asbestos can occur through military service, work, or living with someone who used to work with asbestos. asbestos settlement particles can be breathed in by people who are exposed to asbestos lawyer case (Recommended Reading). These irritate the linings and can cause cancerous cells to develop in the mesothelium. Following exposure to asbestos mesothelioma can occur between 15 and 60 years.
Other risk factors include genetics, smoking and age. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely to develop mesothelioma than those who are younger or older. It is because mesothelioma generally takes 20 to 60 years after the initial exposure to asbestos before the first signs of cancer appear. It is also important to note that mesothelioma is a possibility in people who have been exposed to asbestos but didn’t engage directly with it. This is referred to as indirect or secondary asbestos exposure. It can be as hazardous as direct asbestos exposure.
Smoking increases a person’s chances of getting mesothelioma because it damages the mesothelium and makes it more vulnerable to asbestos. Mesothelioma can also be aggravated by certain illnesses, including asbestosis and pneumonia. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than females. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for longer periods of time and to have worked with it. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who had worked with asbestos and to carry asbestos fibers on their clothing. Women tend to have less exposure to asbestos and don’t typically carry asbestos home on their clothing.
Diagnosis
Mesothelioma is a difficult cancer to identify because the symptoms often resemble other conditions. This can lead to victims 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 which includes asbestos exposure. Doctors can also order an X-ray chest or CT scan to detect lumps and other abnormalities as well as evidence of past asbestos exposure such as plaques on 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, which makes use of radio waves and magnets to create precise images of the inside of the body. Another method doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma is by performing an operation called a biopsy. A surgical biopsy is when doctors take a small amount of tissue from the pleura or peritoneum for further testing. A pathologist will then look at the tissue with a magnifying lens to determine whether it contains cancerous cell.
The mesothelial type involved, the malignant or benign nature of those cells as well as the location the cancer, its type and the stage of the tumour, are used to categorize the disease. Certain types of mesothelioma are at greater risk of metastasizing or spreading therefore it is essential to establish a clear diagnosis so doctors can treat it before it becomes out of control.
Doctors may also conduct laboratory tests on tumors to determine specific genes, proteins or other elements that can help them describe the characteristics of cancer and plan treatment. These results are referred to as staging.
Treatment
A mesothelioma diagnose can be terrifying. However, it’s important to remember that the cancer is treatable, particularly in its early stages. A lot of people suffering from mesothelioma live with the disease for a long time, without expanding.
Asbestos exposure can trigger mesothelioma via a variety of mechanisms. Asbestos fibres, too small to be felt or seen through the naked eye, can become airborne and irritate the lining of the lung (pleura). Over time, the irritation causes the formation of scar tissue, which causes changes in the structure of cells which eventually lead to tumors.
The pleura covers the lungs and the heart and the abdomen. Mesothelium is made up of cells that react when exposed to asbestos. They inflame the tissue and cause it to become scarred. Overtime, these changes result in the growth of malignant mesothelioma tumors.
The signs of pleural mesothelioma can include shortness of breath, chest pain or an accumulation of fluid in the lung (pleural effusion). In rare instances cancer may spread to the tissues around the reproductive organs and the heart.
A doctor will request biopsy if imaging scans show a potential lung tumor or stomach. During the procedure doctors remove small amounts of fluid or tumor for lab tests. The results will confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis, and provide the best treatment option.
There are a variety of mesothelioma treatment options, which include chemotherapy, surgery, and immunotherapy. The majority of doctors employ combinations of these treatments. Enrolling in clinical trials of new mesothelioma treatment may also be beneficial for patients. To find out more, patients should speak with mesothelioma specialists who have expertise in treating the condition.