Mesothelioma and Asbestos
Asbestos is a natural mineral that is found in thin, long fibres. Workers who are regularly exposed to asbestos may develop lung diseases such as mesothelioma.
It can take years before symptoms begin to manifest after exposure to asbestos. Different types of asbestos can cause different symptoms.
Pleural Mesothelioma
Pleural mesothelioma, a form of cancer, that affects the lung's outer liner (pleura). It is the most prevalent mesothelioma that accounts for up between 70 and 79% of all diagnosed cases. This condition causes chest discomfort, shortness of breath, and a feeling of heaviness.
This type of cancer often caused through exposure to asbestos, which is a grouping of minerals made up of microscopic fibres. When inhaled, these fibers can cause irritation and DNA mutations. The pleura is the area that surrounds the lungs and chest cavity, so these irritations can affect both the lungs and a person's heart. Mesothelioma typically doesn't manifest until 30 to 50 years after exposure.
The most common symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are chest discomfort and shortness of breath. Some patients also experience coughing, difficulty breathing, or chest tightness. People who suffer from this cancer usually have previous exposure to asbestos in the workplace. The most frequent jobs that expose people to the risk of developing pleural cancer are manufacturing, construction, and shipbuilding. Individuals who have been in the military are at a higher risk because of the extensive asbestos use in Navy vessels and bunkers used by the army.
The most commonly used staging system for pleural mysothelioma has been the TNM (tumor, lymph nodes and metastases) staging system. The stage that a patient is in at the time of diagnosis can help determine what treatment plan they should follow. Patients with pleural mesothelioma that is in stage three or four will suffer a more negative prognosis than those in a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma can be spread to the liver, heart, or diaphragm. This can make it more difficult to treat and raises the likelihood of complications for patients.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
Contrary to pleural cancer which forms in the lining of the lung it develops in a membrane that surrounds the abdominal cavity, which includes organs like the intestines and the liver. Similar to pleural mesothelioma mesothelioma can be caused by asbestos exposure. There are only 300-500 cases diagnosed each year which is lower than the pleural asbestosis.
As with pleural asbestosis, symptoms can take a long time to manifest. The majority of patients experience abdominal pain and a mass in the abdomen. This kind of mesothelioma can cause nausea, weight loss, and fever. A lot of these symptoms are similar to those experienced by digestive issues, which could cause confusion in diagnosis.
Generally, doctors can find mesothelioma through an extensive health history and physical exam. They may also employ imaging tests like Xrays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to help find mesothelioma. These tests can detect tumors and other cancer signs that aren't visible on X-rays.
These test results enable doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and determine the stage. They can also recommend treatments. The staging is determined by the type of cells and whether or whether the tumor has spread to other regions of the body.
Asbestos exposure is the main risk factor. People who have been in occupations which require asbestos, like plumbing, manufacturing, electrical work or construction, are at a higher risk of developing the disease. However, even if people aren't employed in these areas they could be exposed to asbestos through relatives or other sources. Anyone who believes they may be at risk should speak with an expert. If they have an history of exposure to asbestos, a mesothelioma specialist can help them find out more about the risk.
Risk Factors
Asbestos is the primary mesothelioma-related risk factor. It is responsible for as much as the 80% of cases. Exposure to asbestos can occur due to work, military service or by living with someone who works with asbestos or used to do so. Asbestos particles are inhaled by people who are exposed to asbestos. These particles can cause irritation to the linings of the abdomen, which causes cancerous cells to grow in the mesothelium. After asbestos exposure mesothelioma is likely to develop between 15 and 60 years old.
Other risk factors include smoking, genetics, and age. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely get mesothelioma than people younger or more senior. Mesothelioma can take between 20 and 60 years to show signs of cancer after the first exposure. It is important to keep in mind that mesothelioma may develop in those who have been exposed to asbestos, but without having worked with it directly. This is referred to as secondary or indirect exposure to asbestos. It is just as harmful as direct exposure.
Smoking increases the risk of developing mesothelioma due to the fact that it causes mesothelium damage and makes it more susceptible to asbestos. Mesothelioma can also be caused by certain illnesses, including asbestosis and pneumonia. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than females. This is due to men being more likely to be exposed to asbestos and endure a a longer period of exposure than women. Men are also more likely to live with someone who was exposed to asbestos and bring stray asbestos fibers home on their clothes. Women are less likely to come exposed to asbestos and they don't usually bring asbestos home on their clothes.
Diagnosis
It is difficult to identify mesothelioma since its symptoms are frequently similar to other illnesses. Because of this, victims are often mistakenly diagnosed.
The first step to diagnose mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform a physical exam and take down a patient's medical history, including asbestos exposure. Doctors can also order an X-ray of the chest or CT scan to detect lumps or other abnormalities, and also to look for evidence of past asbestos exposure like plaques on the pleura (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the buildup of fluid between the lung and chest wall (known as pleural effusion).
Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram which examines the blood vessels and the heart as well as a magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI, test, which makes use of magnets and radio waves to make a series of detailed images of the interior of the body. A surgical biopsy is yet another method doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma. A surgical biopsy is when doctors remove a small piece of tissue from the pleura or peritoneum to conduct further tests. A pathologist then examines the tissue with a magnifying glass to determine if it is a cancerous cell.
Mesothelioma is classified according to the type of mesothelial cells involved, whether these cells are malignant or benign and also the location of the tumor, the type, and the stage of the tumor. Certain mesothelioma types have an increased risk of spreading or metastasizing, so it's important to determine the type of mesothelioma so that doctors can treat it before it gets out-of-control.
Doctors can also run tests in the lab on a tumor to find specific genes, proteins, 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 can be terrifying. It is important to keep in mind, however, that cancer can be treated, particularly in its early stages. Many patients with mesothelioma endure the disease for a long time without expanding.
Asbestos exposure can trigger mesothelioma via a variety of mechanisms. Asbestos fibers that are too small to be felt or seen with the naked eyes can be airborne, causing irritation to the lining of the lung (pleura). As time passes, the irritation causes the formation of scar tissue which causes changes in the structure of cells that eventually develop into tumors.
The pleura is a protective covering that surrounds the lungs, heart and abdomen. livermore asbestos law firm consists of cells that respond when exposed to asbestos. They inflame the tissue and cause it to scar. These changes eventually result in malignant mesothelioma tumors.
Symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include shortness of breath, chest pain or a buildup of fluid in the lungs (pleural effusion). In rare cases, cancer can spread into the tissues around the reproductive organs and heart.
A doctor may request biopsy if imaging scans show a potential mass in the lungs or stomach. During the procedure doctors remove a small amount of fluid or tumor to allow for tests in the laboratory. The results will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and help determine the best treatment plan.
There are several types of mesothelioma treatment options, including surgery, chemotherapy and immunotherapy. The majority of doctors use an amalgamation of these techniques. Enrolling in clinical trials of mesothelioma treatments that are new could be beneficial to patients. Patients can learn more about the trials by consulting a mesothelioma specialist who has treated mesothelioma.