Mesothelioma and Asbestos
Asbestos is a natural mineral that is found in thin, long fibres. Workers who are regularly exposed to asbestos risk developing lung diseases like mesothelioma.
It could take a long time for symptoms to show up after exposure to asbestos. Different asbestos types can cause different symptoms.
Pleural Mesothelioma
Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer of the outer lung lining, also known as pleura. It is the most common type of mesothelioma, making up 70 to 79% of diagnosed cases. This condition causes chest discomfort, shortness of breath and a feeling heavyness.
This kind of cancer is often caused by exposure to asbestos, which is a cluster of minerals made up of microscopic fibres. These fibers, when inhaled can cause irritation and DNA mutations. Pleura surrounds both the chest cavity as well as the lungs, so irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma usually doesn't show symptoms until 30 to 50 year after exposure.
Chest pain and shortness breath are the most frequent symptoms. Some patients also experience difficulty breathing or chest tightness. Patients with this type of cancer have a history of disease that includes asbestos exposure at work. The most frequent jobs that expose people to the risk of pleural mesothelioma include manufacturing, construction and shipbuilding. Individuals who have been in the military could be at an especially high risk due to the frequent asbestos usage in Navy vessels and bunkers for the army.
The most commonly used staging method for pleural mesothelioma is the TNM (tumor, lymph nodes and metastases) staging system. The stage a patient is in at diagnosis will help their doctor determine the most effective treatment plan for them. For instance, patients suffering from mesothelioma pleural stage three or four have a less favorable prognosis than those in lower stages. Mesothelioma in stage four can spread to the liver, heart, or diaphragm. This can make it more difficult to treat and increases the chance of complications for patients.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
As opposed to pleural mesothelioma that develops in the lung lining, peritoneal mesothelioma is found in the peritoneum, a membrane that lines the abdominal cavity as well as organs such as the liver and intestines. Similar to pleural mesothelioma, exposure to asbestos is the cause of peritoneal mesothelioma. There are only 300-500 cases diagnosed annually which is lower than the pleural asbestosis.
Like pleural mesothelioma, the symptoms can take a long time to manifest. Patients usually experience abdominal pain, and may also have a lump in their abdomen. The symptoms of this kind of mesothelioma may also include nausea as well as weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms can be mistaken for gastrointestinal problems, leading to a mistaken diagnosis.
Doctors can detect mesothelioma by looking over the medical history of the patient and performing a 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 indications of cancer that aren't apparent on an X-ray.
These tests enable doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and establish the stage. They also offer treatments. The stage is determined by the type of cell as well as whether the cancer has spread.
fayetteville asbestos law firm mesothelioma-related risk factor is asbestos exposure. People who have been exposed to asbestos in occupations, like 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. Anyone who thinks they're at risk should consult an expert. If they have a history of asbestos exposure and mesothelioma is a concern, a specialist will assist them in learning 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 can happen through work, military service, or through living with a person who works with asbestos or used to do so. When exposed to asbestos, small particles can be breathed into the lungs and abdomen. The particles cause irritation to the linings of the abdomen, which causes cancerous cells to grow in the mesothelium. Following exposure to asbestos mesothelioma can develop between 15 and 60 years old.
Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and aging. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely to be diagnosed with mesothelioma compared to those who are younger or more senior. This is because mesothelioma typically lasts between 20 and 60 years from the initial exposure before the first signs of cancer appear. It is also important to know that mesothelioma is a possibility in those who were exposed to asbestos, but did not deal with it directly. This is referred to as secondary or indirect asbestos exposure. It can be as dangerous as direct asbestos exposure.
Smoking increases the risk of developing mesothelioma due to the fact that it causes mesothelium damage and makes it more prone to asbestos. In addition, mesothelioma may be exacerbated by certain illnesses like asbestosis and pneumonia. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than females. This is due to men being more likely to work with asbestos and have an extended period of exposure than women. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who been exposed to asbestos, and to carry asbestos fibers on their clothing. Women tend to have less contact with asbestos and rarely carry asbestos on their clothing.
Diagnosis
Mesothelioma is difficult to diagnose because the symptoms often resemble other diseases. This can result in patients being wrongly diagnosed.
NYU Langone doctors will perform an examination of the body and document the patient's medical history, including asbestos exposure. Doctors can also order a chest X-ray or CT scan to check for lumps and other abnormalities, and also to look for evidence of previous asbestos exposure such as plaques on the pleura (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the buildup of fluid between the lung and the chest wall (known as pleural effusion).
Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance imaging or MRI test, that uses radio waves and magnets in order to produce a series of precise images of inside the body. Another method doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma is to perform a surgical biopsy. During a surgical biopsy, doctors remove a small amount of tissue from the pleura or peritoneum for further analysis. A pathologist can then examine the tissue under a magnifying glass to determine if it is a cancerous cells.
Mesothelioma is classified based on the mesothelial type involved, whether these cells are malignant or benign and the location of the tumor, the type, and the stage of the cancer. Certain types of mesothelioma may be more likely to develop metastasis or spread and spread, therefore it is essential to get a definite diagnosis so that doctors can treat the disease before it gets out of control.
Doctors may also conduct tests in the laboratory on tumors to determine specific genes, proteins, or other factors that help them understand 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, however, that cancer can be treated particularly in its initial stages. Many people with mesothelioma live for many years with the disease, without spreading to other parts of their body.
Exposure to asbestos can trigger mesothelioma via a variety of mechanisms. Asbestos fibers, which are too small to detect or feel through the naked eye, can be airborne and cause irritation to the lining of the lungs (pleura). As time passes, the irritation leads to the formation of scar tissues that eventually result in tumors.
The Pleura is a covering that protects the lungs, heart and abdomen. Mesothelium is made up of cells that react when exposed to asbestos. They cause inflammation of the tissue and cause it to become scarred. These changes eventually cause mesothelioma cancers.
The symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are breathing problems and chest pain as well as a buildup of fluid on the lungs (pleural effusion). In rare instances the cancer may grow to the tissues surrounding the heart and reproductive organs.
If scans of imaging reveal an area of concern in the stomach or lungs doctors will recommend biopsies. During the procedure, doctors take a small sample of the fluid or tumor for lab testing. The results will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and provide the best treatment option.
There are a variety of mesothelioma treatment, including chemotherapy, surgery and immunotherapy. Most doctors utilize a combination of these treatments. Patients can also benefit by enrolling in a clinical trial of new mesothelioma therapies. Patients can learn more about the trials by consulting a mesothelioma specialist who has treated the condition.