Mesothelioma and Asbestos
Asbestos is a mineral that naturally forms in the form of thin, long fibers. People who are exposed to asbestos on a regular basis are at risk of developing mesothelioma as well as other lung diseases of different types.
The symptoms of these diseases may not be evident for a long time after exposure to asbestos. Different asbestos types can cause different symptoms.
Pleural Mesothelioma
Pleural mesothelioma, a form of cancer, that develops in the lung's outer liner (pleura). paterson asbestos attorney is the most prevalent mesothelioma type, accounting for up between 70 and 79% of all diagnosed cases. People with this condition feel chest pain and shortness of breath, and they may feel an ache or heaviness in the chest.
Exposure to asbestos, a family of minerals comprised of microscopic fibers causes this kind of cancer. The fibers, when inhaled, cause irritation and DNA mutations. The pleura surrounds the chest cavity and lungs and therefore, these irritations could affect both the lungs and a person's heart. Mesothelioma symptoms usually don't appear until 30 to 50 years after exposure.
Shortness of breath and chest pain are the most common symptoms. Patients may also suffer from chest tightness or coughing. They may also experience difficulty breathing. Patients with this type of cancer have a history that includes asbestos exposure at work. Manufacturing, construction and shipbuilding are the most common occupations that put people at a high danger of developing pleural melanoma. People who served in the military are at a greater risk due the widespread use of asbestos in Navy vessels and Army bunkers.
The most common staging system for pleural mesothelioma is the TNM (tumor, lymph nodes and metastases) staging system. The stage a patient has when they are diagnosed will aid their doctor in determining the most appropriate treatment plan for them. For example, patients with mesothelioma that is pleural in stage three or four have a poorer prognosis than those with a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma may be spread to the liver, heart, or diaphragm. This makes the cancer more difficult to treat and increase the risk of complications for patients.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
Contrary to pleural cancer that develops in the lung's lining, peritoneal cancer develops in the membrane that covers the abdominal cavity, which includes organs like the intestines and liver. Similar to pleural mesothelioma, exposure to asbestos is the reason for peritoneal msothelioma. The disease is much less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma, and around 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.
Like pleural mesothelioma, symptoms can take years to show. Most patients suffer from abdominal pain and an abdominal mass. The symptoms of this kind of mesothelioma may also include nausea, weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms could be misinterpreted as gastrointestinal issues which can lead to a false diagnosis.
The doctors can detect mesothelioma through looking over the medical history of the patient and performing a physical exam. Imaging tests such as X-rays or CT scans are a way to detect mesothelioma. These tests can show tumors and other signs of cancer that aren't apparent on an X-ray.
These tests enable doctors to identify mesothelioma, and determine the stage. They can also recommend treatments. The staging is determined by the type of cell and whether or not the tumor has spread to other parts of the body.
The most important mesothelioma-related risk factor is exposure to asbestos. People who have worked in asbestos-containing jobs, such as electrical or plumbing work, or in manufacturing and construction are more likely to contract the disease. Even if a person is not employed in one of these fields however, they may be exposed to asbestos through family members and other sources. Anyone who suspects that they are at risk should consult an expert. A mesothelioma specialist can assist those with a history with asbestos to learn more about their risk.
Risk Factors
Asbestos is the main risk factor for mesothelioma. It is responsible for as much as the 80% of cases. Exposure to asbestos can occur due to military service, work, or living with someone who used to work with asbestos. When exposed to asbestos, small particles can be breathed into the lungs and abdomen. The particles cause irritation to the linings of the abdomen, which causes cancerous cells to develop in the mesothelium. Following exposure to asbestos mesothelioma is likely to develop between 15 and 60 years.
Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and aging. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely to develop mesothelioma than those who are younger or older. It takes mesothelioma 20-60 years to manifest cancer symptoms after the first exposure. It is important to note that mesothelioma could develop in those who have been exposed to asbestos without having worked with it directly. This is called indirect or secondary exposure to asbestos, and it could be as hazardous as direct exposure.
Smoking increases the chance of mesothelioma developing, because it damages the mesothelium. It also makes it more susceptible. Mesothelioma can also be caused by certain diseases, such as asbestosis and pneumonia. It is also important to note that mesothelioma is more prevalent in males than females. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for a longer time and work with asbestos for longer periods of time. Also, men are more likely to live with someone who has was exposed to asbestos and bring asbestos fibers from their workplace on their clothing. Women are less likely to be in contact with asbestos, and don't typically bring asbestos home on their clothes.
Diagnosis
Mesothelioma is difficult to recognize because the symptoms often resemble other diseases. Because of this, victims are often wrongly diagnosed.
NYU Langone doctors will perform an examination of the body and document the patient's medical background, including asbestos exposure. Doctors may also request a CT scan or chest X-ray to look for lumps, abnormalities, and evidence of asbestos exposure. These include pleural plaques, thickened pleura and calcium deposits.
Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance imaging or MRI test, which uses magnets and radio waves in order to produce a series of precise images of inside the body. A surgical biopsy is a different way for doctors to diagnose mesothelioma. In a surgical biopsy doctors remove a small amount of tissue from the peritoneum or pleura for further analysis. A pathologist can examine the tissue under microscopes to determine if it contains cancerous cells.
Mesothelioma can be classified based on the type of mesothelial cell involved, whether the cells are malignant or benign, and the location, type, and stage of the cancer. Certain types of mesothelioma are more likely to spread or metastasize, so it is important to establish a definitive diagnosis so doctors can treat the disease before it gets out of control.
Doctors can also run tests in the laboratory on a tumor to identify specific proteins, genes and other factors that can help them describe the characteristics of cancer and plan treatment. These results are referred to as staging.
Treatment
A diagnosis of mesothelioma may be frightening. It is important to keep in mind, however, that cancer can be treated particularly in its early stages. Many people with mesothelioma live for a long time without the disease spreading to other organs of their body.
Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma by various mechanisms. Asbestos fibers that are too small to be felt or viewed by naked eyes can be airborne, irritating the lung's lining (pleura). As time passes the irritation causes the formation of scar tissues that eventually result in tumors.
The pleura is a protective covering that covers the abdomen, heart, and lungs. Mesothelium is made up of cells that respond when exposed to asbestos. They cause inflammation to the tissue and cause it to scar. These changes can eventually result in malignant mesothelioma tumors.
A shortness of breath, chest discomfort, or the accumulation of fluid on the lungs are all symptoms of the pleural msothelioma. In rare cases, the cancer can grow to the tissues surrounding the heart and reproductive organs.
A doctor may request biopsy if imaging scans show a potential lung tumor or stomach. The procedure involves the removal of a small amount of fluid or tumor to allow for lab tests. The results can confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and help determine the best treatment option.
There are many types of mesothelioma treatment, including chemotherapy, surgery and immunotherapy. Most doctors use a combination of these treatments. Patients can also benefit by participating in a clinical study of new mesothelioma treatments. To find out more, patients should speak with a mesothelioma specialist who has had experience treating the disease.