Mesothelioma and Asbestos
Asbestos, a mineral that naturally forms in the form of thin, long fibers. Workers who are exposed asbestos on a regular basis are at risk of developing mesothelioma as well as other types of lung diseases.
It may take decades for symptoms to show up after exposure to asbestos. Different types of asbestos can cause different symptoms.
Pleural Mesothelioma
Pleural mesothelioma, a form of cancer, that affects the outer lung lining (pleura). It is the most prevalent form of mesothelioma and accounts for 70% to 79% of diagnosed cases. This condition causes chest pain, shortness of breathe and a feeling of heavyness.
Exposure to asbestos, a group of minerals composed of microscopic fibers, typically causes this kind of cancer. The fibers, when inhaled, cause irritation and DNA mutations. The pleura is the area that surrounds the chest cavity and lungs and therefore, these irritations could affect both the lungs and a person's heart. Mesothelioma usually doesn't show symptoms until 30 to 50 year after exposure.
Chest pain and shortness breath are the most common symptoms. Patients may have coughing problems, trouble breathing or chest tightness. Patients with this type of cancer have a history that includes asbestos exposure at work. The most frequent jobs that expose workers to the risk of developing pleural cancer are manufacturing, construction and shipbuilding. People who have worked in the military could be at risk because of the extensive asbestos use in Navy ships and bunkers used by the army.
The most common staging method for pleural mesothelioma is the TNM (tumor, lymph nodes and metastases) staging system. The stage a patient has upon diagnosis will aid their doctor in determining the most effective treatment plan for them. For instance, patients suffering from a pleural mesothelioma in stage three or four have a worse prognosis than patients with a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma may develop into the liver, heart, or diaphragm. This can make it more difficult to treat and increases the risk of complications for patients.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
Unlike pleural mesothelioma, which develops in the lung lining, peritoneal mesothelioma develops in the peritoneum - an elongated membrane that covers the abdominal cavity as well as organs such as the intestines and liver. Similar to pleural mesothelioma mesothelioma is triggered by asbestos exposure. There are only 300-500 cases diagnosed annually this is less than pleural asbestosis.
As with pleural asbestosis, symptoms can take years to show. Patients typically experience abdominal pain, and could also experience a mass in their abdomen. This type of mesothelioma may also cause nausea, weight loss, and fever. A lot of these symptoms can be misinterpreted as gastrointestinal issues, leading to a false diagnosis.
Generally speaking, doctors can detect mesothelioma after a thorough health history and physical examination. They can also use imaging tests like Xrays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to detect mesothelioma. These tests can detect tumors and other cancer signs that aren't visible on X-rays.
The results of these tests allow doctors to identify mesothelioma, and determine the stage. They can also recommend treatment options. The staging is determined by the type of cell and whether or whether the tumor has spread to other areas of the body.
Asbestos exposure is the main risk factor. People who have worked in asbestos-containing jobs, such as electrical or plumbing work or in construction, manufacturing and manufacturing are more likely to develop the disease. Even if they do not work in these areas they may be exposed to asbestos through relatives or other sources. Therefore, anyone who believes they could be at risk should speak to an expert. If they have an history of exposure to asbestos compensation or mesothelioma, a specialist can help them find out more about the risk.
Risk Factors
Asbestos exposure is the main risk factor for mesothelioma accounting for up to 80 percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos lawsuit can happen as a result of military service, work or living with those who worked with asbestos. Asbestos particles can be inhaled by those who are exposed to asbestos. The particles cause irritation to the linings of the lungs, causing cancerous cells to develop in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma may take between 15 and 60 years to develop after exposure to asbestos.
Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and aging. People in their 40s or 50s are more at risk of developing mesothelioma as compared to people who are younger or more. This is because mesothelioma usually lasts between 20 and 60 years from the first exposure to asbestos before the first signs of cancer appear. It is important to remember that mesothelioma could develop in those who have been exposed to asbestos without having worked with it directly. This is known as secondary or indirect asbestos exposure. It can be just as harmful as direct asbestos exposure.
Smoking increases the risk of developing mesothelioma since it causes mesothelium damage and makes it more prone to asbestos. Additionally, mesothelioma can be worsened by certain diseases like pneumonia and asbestosis. It is also important to note that mesothelioma occurs more frequently in men than women. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for longer periods of time and to work with asbestos for longer durations and to work with it. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who has worked with asbestos and to carry asbestos case fibers on their clothing. Women tend to have less exposure to asbestos law and don't typically carry asbestos home on their clothing.
Diagnosis
It is difficult to recognize mesothelioma due to its symptoms being frequently similar to other illnesses. Because of this, victims are often wrongly diagnosed.
The first step in diagnosing mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform a physical exam and take notes on the medical history of a patient, including asbestos exposure. Doctors may also request a CT scan or chest X-ray in order to look for lumps, abnormalities and evidence of asbestos litigation exposure. These include plaques on the pleura, pleura that are thickened and calcium deposits.
Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram which examines the blood vessels and the heart, and a magnetic resonance imaging, also known as MRI, test that uses magnets and radio waves to create detailed images of the interior of the body. Another way for doctors to detect mesothelioma is to perform a surgical biopsy. In a surgical biopsy doctors take a tiny part of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum, to be tested further. A pathologist can examine the tissue under microscopes to determine whether it has cancerous cells.
The type of mesothelial cell involved and the benign or malignant nature of these cells, as well as the location the cancer, its type and the stage of the tumor, are used to categorize the disease. Certain types of mesothelioma are at a higher risk of metastasizing or spreading and it's crucial to get a definitive diagnosis to ensure that the doctors can treat it prior to it becoming out-of-control.
Doctors can also perform tests in the lab on tumors in order to determine specific proteins, genes, or other factors which will help them identify the characteristics of cancer and plan treatment. These results are referred to as staging.
Treatment
A mesothelioma diagnosis can be terrifying. However, it is important to remember that the cancer is treatable, especially in its early stages. A lot of people suffering from mesothelioma endure the disease for many years without it expanding.
Exposure to asbestos may cause mesothelioma in many ways. Asbestos fibers, which are tiny enough to be felt or observed through the naked eye, can become airborne, causing irritation to the lung's lining (pleura). In time irritation leads to formation of scar tissue which can cause changes in the cell structure that can eventually grow into tumors.
The pleura is a protective covering that surrounds the abdomen, heart, and lungs. Mesothelium consists of cells that react to exposure to asbestos and cause it to enflame and form scar tissue. These changes eventually result in malignant mesothelioma tumors.
A shortness of breath, chest pain or fluid accumulation on the lungs are all signs of the pleural msothelioma. In rare cases cancer can spread to the tissues around the reproductive organs and heart.
If scans of imaging reveal an area of concern in the stomach or lungs, a doctor will order biopsies. During the procedure, doctors remove tiny amounts of tumor or fluid for lab testing. The results can confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and determine the best treatment plan.
There are a variety of mesothelioma treatment options, including surgery, chemotherapy and immunotherapy. The majority of doctors use an amalgamation of these techniques. Patients may also benefit from participating in a clinical study of new mesothelioma treatment. To learn more about the trials, patients should speak with mesothelioma specialists who have had experience treating the disease.