Mesothelioma and Asbestos
Asbestos is a mineral that naturally forms in the form of long, thin fibers. Workers who are regularly exposed to asbestos risk developing lung diseases like mesothelioma.
The symptoms of these diseases may not manifest for years after exposure to asbestos. Different types of asbestos may cause different symptoms.
Pleural Mesothelioma
Pleural mesothelioma occurs in the outer lung lining, or the pleura. It is the most prevalent form of mesothelioma and is responsible for 70 to 79% of all diagnosed cases. People with this condition feel chest pain and breath shortness and may also feel an ache or heaviness in the chest.
Exposure to asbestos, a class of minerals comprised of microscopic fibers, typically causes this type of cancer. These fibers, when inhaled can cause irritation and DNA mutations. Pleura is the lining of both the chest cavity as well as the lungs, which means that irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma is usually not symptomatic until 30 to 50 years after exposure.
The most commonly reported symptoms of pleural melanoma are chest pain and breath shortness. Some patients also experience coughing, difficulty breathing, or chest tightness. People who suffer from this cancer usually have a history of exposure to asbestos in the workplace. Construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding are the most prevalent jobs that put people at a high danger of developing pleural melanoma. People who have worked in the military may be at an especially high risk due to the widespread asbestos use in Navy ships and bunkers for the army.
The most popular staging system for pleural mesothelioma is the TNM (tumor lymph nodes, lymph nodes and metastases) staging system. The stage that the patient is in at the time of diagnosis can help determine what treatment plan they should receive. For instance, patients suffering from a pleural mesothelioma in stage three or four have a poorer prognosis than patients with lower stages. Mesothelioma in stage four can be 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
Unlike pleural cancer, which forms in the lining of the lung, peritoneal cancer develops in the membrane that covers the abdominal cavity, which includes organs such as the intestines and liver. As with pleural mesothelioma exposure to asbestos is the cause of peritoneal msothelioma. The disease is much less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma, with only about 300-500 cases diagnosed each year.
As with pleural asbestosis symptoms can take several years to show. Most patients are afflicted with abdominal pain as well as an abdominal mass. This type of mesothelioma may also cause nausea, weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms can be misinterpreted as gastrointestinal issues, leading to a false diagnosis.
Generally, doctors can find mesothelioma through an extensive health history and physical exam. Imaging tests like X-rays and CT scans can be used to identify mesothelioma. These tests can reveal tumors, as well as other symptoms of cancer that aren't apparent on an X-ray.
The results of these tests allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma, identify the stage of the disease and suggest treatment options. The stage of the disease is determined based on the cell type and whether or the cancer has spread to other regions of the body.
The most significant mesothelioma-related risk factor is exposure to asbestos. People who have worked in professions which require asbestos, like plumbing or electrical work, manufacturing or construction, are at greater risk of developing the disease. Even if an individual isn't employed in any of these areas, he or she can be exposed to asbestos to asbestos through family members and other sources. Anyone who suspects that they're at risk should talk to a doctor. If they have any history of exposure to asbestos and mesothelioma is a concern, a specialist will assist them in learning more about the risk.
Risk Factors
Asbestos is the most significant risk factor for mesothelioma. It is responsible for as much as 80% of all cases. Exposure to asbestos can occur due to work, military service, or by living with a person who works with asbestos or was previously exposed to doing such. When exposed to asbestos, particles are able to be inhaled into abdomen and lungs. These particles irritate the linings, causing cancerous cells to grow in the mesothelium. After exposure to asbestos, mesothelioma may develop between 15 and 60 year.
Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and aging. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely be diagnosed with mesothelioma compared to those who are younger or more senior. It takes mesothelioma 20-60 years to show signs of cancer after the first exposure. It is important to remember, too, that mesothelioma could occur in people who have been exposed to asbestos, but without having worked with it directly. This is referred to as secondary or indirect exposure to asbestos and it can be just as dangerous as direct exposure.
Smoking increases the chance of mesothelioma as it damages the mesothelium. It also makes it more susceptible. Mesothelioma is also aggravated by certain illnesses such as 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 a longer time and to 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 stray asbestos fibers home on their clothes. Women are less likely to come into exposure to asbestos and don't typically carry asbestos on their clothes.
Diagnosis
It is difficult to recognize mesothelioma because its symptoms are frequently similar to other illnesses. This could lead to patients being wrongly diagnosed.
NYU Langone doctors will perform physical examinations and document the patient's medical background including asbestos exposure. Doctors will also recommend a CT scan or chest X-ray to check for lumps, abnormalities and evidence of asbestos exposure. These include pleural plaques, thickened pleura and calcium deposits.
Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram, which examines the heart and blood vessels, and a magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI test that uses magnets and radio waves to make a series of detailed images of the inside of the body. Another way for doctors to detect mesothelioma is to perform a surgical biopsy. During a surgical biopsy, doctors take a small amount of tissue from the pleura or peritoneum for further testing. milwaukee asbestos attorneys can then examine the tissue under microscopes to determine whether it has cancerous cells.
Mesothelioma can be classified based on the type of mesothelial cells involved, whether those cells are benign or malignant, and the location of the tumor, the type, and the stage of the cancer. Some types of mesothelioma are more likely to develop metastasis or spread, so it is important to have a clear diagnosis so doctors can treat the disease before it gets out of control.
Doctors can also perform laboratory tests on tumors to determine specific genes, proteins or other factors that can aid in describing cancer characteristics and plan treatment. These results are called staging.
Treatment
A diagnosis of mesothelioma may be terrifying. It is important to remember, however, that cancer can be treated particularly in its early stages. Many people with mesothelioma can be afflicted for a long time without spreading.
Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma in many ways. Asbestos fibers, which are too small to see or feel through the naked eye, can become airborne and cause irritation to the lining of the lungs (pleura). As time passes, the irritation leads to the formation of scar tissue and eventually tumors.
The Pleura is a protective layer that covers the abdomen, heart, and lungs. Mesothelium consists of cells that respond when exposed to asbestos. They cause inflammation to the tissue and cause it to become scarred. Overtime, these changes lead to the development of malignant mesothelioma tumors.
A shortness of breath, chest discomfort or fluid buildup on the lungs are all symptoms of pleural Msothelioma. In rare instances, cancer can spread into the tissues around the reproductive organs as well as the heart.
A doctor will request a biopsy if imaging scans reveal a possible tumor in the lungs or stomach. During the procedure, doctors will remove small amounts of the tumor or fluid for lab tests. The results can confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and help determine the most effective treatment plan.
There are many types of treatment for mesothelioma including surgery and chemotherapy. Most doctors rely on an amalgamation of these techniques. Enrolling in clinical trials of mesothelioma treatments that are new could be beneficial to patients. To learn more, patients should speak to mesothelioma specialists who have had experience treating the disease.