Mesothelioma and Asbestos
Asbestos is a natural mineral that is found in long, thin fibres. People who are exposed to asbestos on a regular basis are at risk of developing mesothelioma or other lung diseases.
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 is a type of cancer that develops in the lung's outer liner (pleura). It is the most common form of mesothelioma and is responsible for 70 to 79% of diagnosed cases. The condition can cause chest discomfort, shortness of breath, and a feeling of weightiness.
Exposure to asbestos, a family of minerals composed of microscopic fibers causes this type of cancer. These fibers, when inhaled cause irritation and DNA mutations. Pleura is the lining of both the chest cavity and the lungs, and so irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma usually doesn't show symptoms until 30 to 50 year after exposure.
The most common symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are chest discomfort and shortness of breath. Patients may also experience chest tightness or coughing. They may also experience difficulty breathing. People who suffer from this cancer usually have a history of exposure to asbestos in the workplace. The most frequent jobs that put people at risk of pleural mesothelioma include manufacturing, construction, and shipbuilding. People who have served in the military are at a higher risk due to the widespread use of asbestos in Navy vessels and bunkers used by the army.
The TNM (tumors lymph nodes and metastases staging system) is the most popular staging system used to treat the pleural cancer. The stage a patient is in at diagnosis will aid their doctor in determining the best treatment plan for them. Patients suffering from pleural mesothelioma who is in stage three or stage four will have a worse outlook than those who are in a lower stage. Mesothelioma in stage four is usually spread to the diaphragm, liver and/or a person's heart. This can make the cancer more difficult to treat and increase the chance of complications for the patient.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
In contrast to pleural cancer, which forms in the lung's lining, peritoneal cancer develops in the membrane that covers the abdominal cavity, including organs such as the intestines and liver. As with pleural mesothelioma asbestos exposure is the cause of peritoneal mesothelioma. jersey city asbestos law firm is estimated that only 300-500 cases are diagnosed annually, which is less than the pleural asbestosis.
As with pleural mesothelioma symptoms can take years to show. Most patients are afflicted with abdominal pain as well as abdominal swelling. This kind of mesothelioma can cause nausea, weight loss and fever. A lot of these symptoms are similar to symptoms of gastrointestinal issues, which can result in confusion in diagnosis.
Doctors can detect mesothelioma by examining the patient's medical history and performing a physical examination. Imaging tests like X-rays or CT scans are a way to detect mesothelioma. These tests can show cancerous tumors or other indications of cancer that aren't apparent on an X-ray.
These test results allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma, determine the stage and recommend treatment options. The stage of the disease is determined based on the cell type and whether or not the cancer has spread to other regions of the body.
Asbestos exposure is the biggest risk factor. People who have been in occupations that involve asbestos, such as plumbing, electrical work, manufacturing or construction, are at greater risk of developing the disease. Even if an individual isn't employed in one of these fields however, they may be exposed to asbestos through family members and other sources. Anyone who thinks they're at risk should speak with an expert. A mesothelioma specialist can help those who have had a experience with asbestos to understand more about their risk.
Risk Factors
Asbestos is the most significant risk factor for mesothelioma. It accounts for as much as 80% of all cases. Exposure to asbestos may occur due to work, military service, or living with someone who used to work with asbestos. When exposed to asbestos, the particles can be inhaled into the abdomen and lungs. These particles can cause irritation to the linings of the lungs, 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 age. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely develop mesothelioma than those who are younger or older. It takes mesothelioma between 20 and 60 years before it manifests cancer symptoms after the first exposure. It is important to note, too, that mesothelioma can develop in those who have been exposed to asbestos, but without having worked with it directly. This is referred to as secondary or indirect asbestos exposure. It can be just as harmful as direct asbestos exposure.
Smoking increases the risk of getting mesothelioma because it damages the mesothelium and makes it more prone to asbestos. Furthermore, mesothelioma is exacerbated by certain illnesses like pneumonia and asbestosis. It is also important to note that mesothelioma is more prevalent in men than women. This is due to the fact that men are more likely to work with asbestos and experience a more exposure than women. Men are also more likely to live with someone who had asbestos exposure and bring asbestos fibers from their workplace on their clothing. Women are less likely to come exposed to asbestos, and they are less likely to carry asbestos on their clothes.
Diagnosis
It is difficult to diagnose mesothelioma because its symptoms are often similar to other conditions. This can lead to victims being wrongly diagnosed.
The first step in identifying 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 order an X-ray chest or CT scan to check for lumps and other abnormalities, and also to look for evidence of previous asbestos exposure such as pleural plaques (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the buildup of fluid between the lung and chest wall (known as pleural effusion).
Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI test, which makes use of magnets and radio waves in order to create a series of detailed images of the inside of the body. Another way doctors can diagnose mesothelioma is through a surgical biopsy. In a surgical biopsy doctors will remove a small piece of tissue from pleura or the peritoneum, to be tested further. A pathologist can then examine the tissue with an magnifying glass to determine if it is a cancerous cells.
Mesothelioma can be classified based on the mesothelial type involved, whether those cells are benign or malignant and also the location of the tumor, the type, and the stage of the cancer. Certain mesothelioma types have greater risk of metastasizing or spreading therefore it is essential to get a definitive diagnosis to ensure that the doctors can treat it before it becomes out-of-control.
Doctors can also perform laboratory tests on tumors in order to determine specific genes, proteins or other factors that can help them describe cancer characteristics and plan treatment. These results are called staging.
Treatment
A mesothelioma diagnosis is a frightening prospect. However, it is important to remember that the cancer is treatable, particularly in its initial stages. Many mesothelioma patients live for many years with the disease without it spreading to other parts of their body.
Exposure to asbestos can trigger mesothelioma in many ways. Asbestos particles, which are too small to be able to see or feel by the naked eye can be airborne and cause irritation to the lung's lining (pleura). As time passes irritation leads to formation of scar tissue, which causes changes in the structure of cells that can eventually grow into tumors.
The Pleura is a protective layer that covers the abdomen, heart, and lungs. Mesothelium is composed of cells that react when exposed to asbestos. They cause inflammation of the tissue and cause it to become scarred. These changes eventually result in malignant mesothelioma tumors.
Breathing problems, chest discomfort or fluid buildup on the lungs are all signs of the pleural mesothelioma. In rare instances, the cancer can grow to the tissues surrounding the heart and reproductive organs.
If scans of imaging reveal an area of concern in the lungs or stomach doctors will recommend biopsies. The procedure involves the removal of some of the fluid or tumor for laboratory testing. The results will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and indicate the best treatment plan.
There are a variety of mesothelioma treatment, which include chemotherapy, surgery, and immunotherapy. 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 about the trials, patients should consult mesothelioma specialists who have had experience treating the disease.