Mesothelioma and Asbestos
Asbestos, a natural mineral, naturally forms in the form of long, thin fibers. People who are exposed to asbestos regularly are at risk of developing mesothelioma or other lung diseases.
It can take years for symptoms to appear after asbestos exposure. Different asbestos types may cause different symptoms.
Pleural Mesothelioma
Pleural mesothelioma, a form of cancer, that occurs in the outer lung lining (pleura). It is the most frequent type of mesothelioma, making up 70 to 79% of all diagnosed cases. The condition can cause chest pain, shortness of breathe and a feeling of heaviness.
Exposure to asbestos, a class of minerals made of microscopic fibers causes this type of cancer. Once inhaled, these fibers stick inside the lung and cause irritation which results in scarring and DNA mutations. The pleura covers the chest cavity and lungs This means that these irritations can affect both the lungs and the heart of a person. Mesothelioma is usually not symptomatic until 30 to 50 year after exposure.
Chest pain and shortness breath are the most frequent symptoms. Boynton Beach asbestos lawyers may also suffer from chest tightness and coughing, or breathing difficulties. People with this cancer have a past that includes asbestos exposure at work. The most frequent jobs that expose workers to the risk of pleural mesothelioma include manufacturing, construction, and shipbuilding. Individuals who have served in the military are at higher risk due to the extensive use asbestos in Navy vessels and bunkers in the Army.
The most popular staging system for pleural mesothelioma is the TNM (tumor lymph nodes, lymph nodes and metastases) staging system. The stage a patient is in at diagnosis will help their doctor determine the best treatment plan for them. For example, patients with a pleural mesothelioma in stage three or four have a worse prognosis than those with lower stages. Stage four mesothelioma can spread to the heart, liver or diaphragm. This makes the cancer more difficult to treat and increase the risk of complications for patients.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
As opposed to pleural mesothelioma that develops in the lung lining, peritoneal mesothelioma develops in the peritoneum, it is a membrane that lines the abdominal cavity and organs such as the intestines and liver. Like pleural mesothelioma, exposure to asbestos is the cause of peritoneal mesothelioma. There are only 300-500 cases diagnosed each year this is less than the pleural asbestosis.
As with pleural asbestosis, symptoms can take years to show. Typically, patients suffer from abdominal pain and a mass in the abdomen. This type of mesothelioma may also cause nausea, weight loss, and fever. A lot of these symptoms can be misinterpreted as gastrointestinal issues and can lead to a false diagnosis.
The doctors can detect mesothelioma through reviewing the medical history of the patient and performing a physical exam. They may also employ imaging tests like X-rays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to detect mesothelioma. These tests can identify tumors and other cancer signs which aren't evident on X-rays.
These tests enable doctors to diagnose mesothelioma, identify the stage and recommend treatment options. The stage of the disease is determined based on the cell type and whether or whether the cancer has spread to other areas of the body.
The most significant risk factor for mesothelioma is asbestos exposure. People who have worked in professions that require asbestos, like plumbing or manufacturing, electrical work, or construction, are at a higher risk of developing the disease. However, even if individuals aren't employed in these areas, they can still be exposed to asbestos through family members or other sources. Anyone who thinks they may be at risk should speak with an expert. A mesothelioma expert can help those who have had a history with asbestos to learn more about their risk.
Risk Factors
Asbestos is the most significant risk factor for mesothelioma. It is responsible for up to 80percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos may occur through work, military service, or living with those who worked with asbestos. Asbestos particles are inhaled by people who are exposed to it. The particles cause irritation to the linings, causing cancerous cells to develop in the mesothelium. After asbestos exposure mesothelioma can be diagnosed between 15 and 60 year.
Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and age. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely to be diagnosed with mesothelioma compared to those who are younger or older. Mesothelioma can take between 20 and 60 years before it manifests cancer symptoms after the first exposure. It is important to remember that mesothelioma can develop in people who have been exposed to asbestos but did not deal with it directly. This is known as secondary or indirect asbestos exposure and can be as hazardous as direct asbestos exposure.
Smoking increases the chance of mesothelioma developing, as it damages the mesothelium. It can also make it more vulnerable. Additionally, mesothelioma can be caused by certain illnesses, such as pneumonia and asbestosis. 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 work with asbestos for longer periods of time. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who has worked with asbestos and to have asbestos-containing fibers on their clothing. Women are less likely to be exposed to asbestos and they don't usually carry asbestos on their clothes.
Diagnosis
Mesothelioma is a difficult cancer to identify because the symptoms are often similar to other conditions. This is why patients are often misdiagnosed.
The first step to diagnose mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform an examination and write notes on the medical history of a patient which includes asbestos exposure. Doctors can also request a chest X-ray or CT scan to check for lumps or other abnormalities, and also to look for evidence of previous asbestos exposure like plaques on the pleura (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the formation 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, and a magnetic resonance imaging, also known as MRI test, which makes use of radio waves and magnets to create detailed images of the inside of the body. A surgical biopsy is a different way for doctors to diagnose mesothelioma. In a surgical biopsy doctors will remove a small piece of tissue from pleura or the peritoneum to be further examined. A pathologist can then examine the tissue with an magnifying glass to determine if it is a cancerous cells.
Mesothelioma is classified according to the mesothelial type involved, whether these cells are benign or malignant, and the location of the tumor, the type, and the stage of the tumor. Certain types of mesothelioma may be more likely to grow or spread, so it is important to establish a definitive diagnosis so that doctors can treat the disease before it gets out of control.
Doctors can also run laboratory tests on a tumor to find specific proteins, genes and other factors that help them understand the characteristics of the cancer and determine a treatment. These results are referred to as staging.
Treatment
A diagnosis of mesothelioma may be terrifying. It is important to keep in mind, however, that cancer can be treated, especially at its early stages. Many patients with mesothelioma live with the disease for many years without it expanding.
Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma in a number of ways. Asbestos particles, which are too small to be able to see or feel through the naked eye, can become airborne and cause irritation to the lung's lining (pleura). As time passes irritation can lead to formation of scar tissue, which leads to changes in the cell structure that can eventually grow into tumors.
The pleura is a protective covering that protects the abdomen, heart, and lungs. Mesothelium consists of cells that respond when exposed to asbestos. They inflame the tissue and cause it to become scarred. These changes eventually lead to malignant mesothelioma tumours.
Shortness of breath, chest discomfort, or the accumulation of fluid on the lungs are all symptoms of the pleural mesothelioma. In rare instances, the cancer can spread to the tissues surrounding the heart and reproductive organs.
If scans of imaging reveal a possible mass in the lungs or stomach doctors will recommend biopsies. During the procedure doctors remove a small amount of liquid or tumor for laboratory testing. The results can confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma, and also determine the best treatment option.
There are many types of mesothelioma treatment options, including chemotherapy, surgery and immunotherapy. The majority of doctors use a combination of these methods. Participating in clinical trials for mesothelioma treatments may be beneficial for patients. To find out more, patients should speak to a mesothelioma specialist who has experience treating the condition.