Mesothelioma and Asbestos
Asbestos is a natural mineral that is made up of long, thin fibres. Workers who are exposed to asbestos on a regular basis are at risk of developing mesothelioma as well as other lung diseases.
It may take decades for symptoms to appear after exposure to asbestos. Different asbestos types may cause different symptoms.
Pleural Mesothelioma
Pleural mesothelioma can be found in the lung's outer lining also known as pleura. It is the most prevalent mesothelioma that accounts for up 70% to 79% of diagnosed cases. Patients suffering from this condition feel chest pain and shortness of breath, and they may feel an ache or heaviness in the chest.
This type of cancer typically caused by exposure to asbestos which is a grouping of minerals made up of microscopic fibres. Once inhaled, the fibers cling to the lungs and cause irritation that results in scarring and DNA mutations. Pleura surrounds both the chest cavity and the lungs, and so irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma symptoms are usually not apparent until 30 to 50 years after exposure.
Shortness of breath and chest pain are the most common symptoms. Some patients may also feel tightness in their chest and coughing, or breathing difficulties. People with this cancer often have previous exposure to asbestos in the workplace. The most frequent jobs that put people at risk of developing pleural mesothelioma are manufacturing, construction and shipbuilding. Individuals who have been in the military could be at a higher risk due to the frequent asbestos use in Navy vessels and bunkers for the army.
The TNM (tumors lymph nodes and metastases staging system) is the most common staging system used to treat the pleural cancer. The stage that the patient is in at the time of diagnosis will help determine the treatment plan they should receive. For instance, patients suffering from mesothelioma pleural stage three or four have a poorer prognosis than those in lower stages. Stage four mesothelioma is often spread to the diaphragm, the liver or even the heart of a patient. This could make the cancer more difficult to treat and increase the risk of complications for the patient.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
Contrary to pleural cancer which is found in the lung's lining the peritoneal cancer is a result of a membrane that surrounds the abdominal cavity, which includes organs such as the intestines and liver. Similar to pleural mesothelioma, asbestos exposure is the cause of peritoneal msothelioma. The disease is less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma. There are around 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.
Like pleural mesothelioma, symptoms may take years to appear. Patients usually suffer from abdominal pain and may also have a lump in their abdomen. This kind of mesothelioma can also cause nausea, weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms could be misinterpreted as digestive issues, leading to a false diagnosis.
Generally, doctors can find mesothelioma by conducting an extensive medical history and physical exam. Imaging tests like X-rays and CT scans can be used to detect mesothelioma. These tests can show cancerous tumors or other symptoms of cancer that aren't visible on X-rays.
The results of these tests allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and establish the stage. They can also recommend treatment options. Staging is determined based on waterloo asbestos lawyer and whether or whether the tumor has spread to other areas of the body.
Asbestos exposure is the most important risk factor. People who have worked in professions which require asbestos, such as plumbing or manufacturing, electrical work or construction, are at increased risk of developing the disease. However, even if individuals aren't employed in these areas they may be exposed to asbestos through family members or through other sources. Anyone who thinks they may be at risk should speak with an expert. If they have an history of exposure to asbestos and mesothelioma is a concern, a specialist will assist them in finding out more about their risk.
Risk Factors
Asbestos exposure is a major risk factor for mesothelioma, accounting for up to 80 percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos may occur due to work, military service, or living with people who have worked with asbestos. When exposed to asbestos, particles are able to be inhaled into lungs and abdomen. They can cause irritation to the linings of the abdomen and cause cancerous cells to develop in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma can take between 15 and 60 years to develop following exposure to asbestos.
Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and aging. The people in their 40s or 50s are at greater risk of developing mesothelioma compared to those who are younger or older. Mesothelioma can take between 20 and 60 years to show signs of cancer after the first exposure. It is also important to know that mesothelioma can develop in people who were exposed to asbestos but didn't deal with it directly. This is known as indirect or secondary asbestos exposure, and is as hazardous as direct asbestos exposure.
Smoking can increase the likelihood of developing mesothelioma since it damages the mesothelium, which makes it more vulnerable to asbestos. Mesothelioma is also aggravated by certain illnesses, including asbestosis and pneumonia. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than women. This is because men are more likely to work with asbestos and have more exposure than women. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who worked with asbestos and to carry asbestos fibers on their clothing. Women are less likely to come into contact with asbestos and rarely carry asbestos home on their clothing.
Diagnosis
It is difficult to recognize mesothelioma due to its symptoms being often similar to other conditions. This could lead to patients being wrongly diagnosed.
The first step in identifying mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform a physical exam and take note of the medical history of the patient including asbestos exposure. Doctors will also order an 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 a magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI test, which makes use of radio waves and magnets to produce a series of precise images of inside the body. A surgical biopsy is yet another method doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma. During a surgery biopsy doctors take a tiny piece of tissue from pleura or the peritoneum, to be examined further. A pathologist can then examine the tissue with a magnifying lens to determine if it is a cancerous cells.
Mesothelioma is classified according to the type of mesothelial cell involved, whether those 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 doctors can treat the disease before it gets out of control.
Doctors may also conduct tests in the laboratory on a tumor to identify specific proteins, genes, or other factors that help them understand the characteristics of the cancer and determine a treatment. These results are called staging.
Treatment
A mesothelioma diagnosis can be terrifying. However, it's important to remember that the disease is treatable, especially in its earlier stages. Many mesothelioma patients live for a long time without the disease spreading to other organs of their body.
Exposure to asbestos can trigger mesothelioma in a number of ways. Asbestos fibers, which are too small to be felt or viewed through the naked eye can be airborne and irritate the lung's lining (pleura). As time passes, the irritation causes the formation of scar tissue which can cause changes in the structure of cells that eventually develop into tumors.
The pleura surrounds the lungs and the heart, as well as the abdomen. Mesothelium consists of cells that react to asbestos and cause it to enflame and develop scar tissue. These changes can eventually result in malignant mesothelioma tumors.
A shortness of breath, chest discomfort or fluid buildup on the lungs are all signs of pleural mesothelioma. In rare instances cancer can spread to the tissues around the reproductive organs and heart.
A doctor may request biopsy if scans reveal a possible mass in the lungs or stomach. During the procedure, doctors will remove small amounts of the fluid or tumor for laboratory tests. The results will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and help determine the most effective treatment plan.
There are a variety of treatment for mesothelioma including chemotherapy and surgery. Most doctors rely on an amalgamation of these techniques. Enrolling in clinical trials of new mesothelioma treatment may also be beneficial for patients. To learn more, patients should consult a mesothelioma specialist who has expertise in treating the condition.