Mesothelioma and Asbestos
Asbestos is a natural mineral that comes in long, thin fibres. Workers who are regularly exposed to asbestos may develop lung diseases, such as mesothelioma.
The symptoms of these diseases might not be evident for a long time after exposure to asbestos. Different asbestos types can cause different symptoms.
Pleural Mesothelioma
Pleural mesothelioma is a type of cancer that affects the outer lung the lining (pleura). It is the most common form of mesothelioma and is responsible for 70 to 79% of all diagnosed cases. People with this condition suffer from chest pain and breathlessness and may experience the sensation of weight in the chest.
This type of cancer usually caused by exposure to asbestos, which is a grouping of minerals that are comprised of microscopic fibres. Once inhaled, these fibers cling to the lung and cause irritation that results in scarring and DNA mutations. The pleura surrounds the lungs and chest cavity, so these irritations can affect both the lungs as well as the heart of a person. Mesothelioma symptoms typically don't show until 30 to 50 years after exposure.
Chest pain and shortness breath are the most frequent symptoms. Patients may also suffer from chest tightness and coughing, or breathing difficulties. People with this cancer often have a history of exposure to asbestos in the workplace. Manufacturing, construction, and shipbuilding are the most common jobs that put people at a high risk of developing pleural mesothelioma. People who were in the military are at a higher risk due to the widespread use of asbestos in Navy vessels and bunkers in the Army.
The TNM (tumors lymph nodes, tumors, and metastases staging system) is the most popular staging system used for pleural adenocarcinoma. The stage a patient is in when they are diagnosed will assist their doctor in determining the best treatment plan for them. Patients with pleural mesothelioma that is in stage three or stage four will have a less favorable prognosis than those who are in a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma may develop into the liver, heart, or diaphragm. This can make it more difficult to treat and increase the likelihood of complications for the patient.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
As opposed to pleural mesothelioma that is a lung-lining cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma is found in the peritoneum - a membrane that lines the abdominal cavity as well as organs such as the liver and intestines. Like pleural mesothelioma, asbestos exposure is the primary reason for peritoneal msothelioma. Only 300-500 cases are diagnosed annually, which is less than pleural asbestosis.
As with pleural mesothelioma symptoms can take years to show. The majority of patients are afflicted with abdominal pain as well as abdominal swelling. This kind of mesothelioma can cause nausea, weight loss, and fever. Many of these symptoms are similar to those experienced by digestive problems, which can result in incorrect diagnosis.
Generally speaking, doctors can detect mesothelioma through a thorough health history and physical exam. Imaging tests like X-rays or CT scans are a way to detect mesothelioma. These tests can reveal tumors and other symptoms of cancer that aren't visible on X-rays.
These test results allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and determine the stage of the disease and suggest treatment options. The stage is determined by the kind of cell and if the tumor has spread.
Asbestos exposure is the most important risk factor. People who have been exposed to asbestos in jobs, such as plumbing or electrical work, or in manufacturing and construction are more likely to develop the disease. However, even if individuals aren't employed in these fields, they can still be exposed to asbestos through relatives or other sources. For this reason, anyone who suspects they may be at risk should talk to a doctor. If they have an history of exposure to asbestos compensation, a mesothelioma specialist can assist them in finding out more about the risk.
Risk Factors
Asbestos is the primary risk factor for mesothelioma. It accounts for up to 80% of all cases. Exposure to asbestos can happen as a result of military service, work, or living with those who worked with asbestos. When exposed to asbestos lawyer legal; read this post from web.ece.ucsb.edu,, small particles can be breathed into the abdomen and lungs. These irritate the linings and trigger cancerous cells to form in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma can take anywhere between 15 and 60 years to develop following exposure to asbestos.
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 more senior. It takes mesothelioma 20-60 years before it manifests cancer symptoms after the first exposure. It is important to note that mesothelioma may occur in people who have been exposed to asbestos without having worked with it directly. This is referred to as secondary or indirect exposure to asbestos. It could be as hazardous as direct exposure.
Smoking increases the chance of mesothelioma as it damages the mesothelium. It also makes it more susceptible. Mesothelioma can also be aggravated by certain illnesses, including asbestosis and pneumonia. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma compared to women. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for longer periods of time and 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 fibers on their clothing. Women are less likely to come into exposure to asbestos and do not typically carry asbestos on their clothes.
Diagnosis
Mesothelioma is a difficult cancer to identify because the symptoms are often similar to other diseases. Due to this, patients are sometimes wrongly diagnosed.
The first step to diagnose mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform an examination of the body and take notes on the medical history of a patient, including asbestos exposure. Doctors can also order an X-ray of the chest or CT scan to detect lumps and other abnormalities, and also to look for evidence of past asbestos exposure like plaques in the pleura (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the formation of fluid between the lung and chest wall (known as pleural effusion).
Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance image 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 another method doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma. In a surgical biopsy doctors will remove a small part of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum to be tested further. A pathologist can then examine the tissue with a magnifying lens to determine whether it contains cancerous cell.
Mesothelioma can be classified based on the mesothelial type involved, whether these cells are malignant or benign and the location of the tumor, its type, and the stage of the tumor. Certain types of mesothelioma may be more likely to develop metastasis or spread, so it is important to establish a definitive diagnosis to ensure that doctors are able to treat the disease before it gets out of control.
Doctors may also conduct laboratory tests on tumors in order to determine specific genes, proteins or other elements that can aid in describing the characteristics of cancer and plan treatment. These results are known as staging.
Treatment
A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be frightening. It is important to remember that cancer can be treated particularly in its initial stages. Many patients with mesothelioma be afflicted for a long time without spreading.
Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma in a number of ways. Asbestos fibers, which are too small to be felt or viewed by naked eyes are able to become airborne, causing irritation to the lining of the lung (pleura). As time passes, the irritation causes the formation of scar tissue, which can cause changes in the cell structure that can eventually grow into tumors.
The pleura surrounds the lungs and the heart, as well as the abdomen. Mesothelium is composed of cells that react to asbestos and cause it to enflame and develop scar tissue. As time passes, these changes result in the growth of malignant mesothelioma cancers.
The symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are breathing problems and chest pain as well as a buildup of fluid in the lung (pleural effusion). In rare cases cancer can spread to the tissues that surround the reproductive organs as well as the heart.
A doctor may request a biopsy if imaging scans show the possibility of a tumor in the lungs or stomach. During the procedure doctors remove a small amount of fluid or tumor to allow for lab tests. The results will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and help determine the best treatment plan.
There are a variety of treatment for mesothelioma such as chemotherapy and surgery. Most doctors use a combination of these treatments. Enrolling in clinical trials of mesothelioma treatments may be beneficial for patients. To learn more about the trials, patients should speak with mesothelioma experts who have experience treating the condition.