Mesothelioma and Asbestos
Asbestos, a mineral that naturally forms in the form of thin, long fibers. People who are exposed to asbestos on a regular basis are at risk of developing mesothelioma as well as other lung diseases.
Symptoms of these diseases may not be evident for a long time after exposure to asbestos. Different asbestos types can cause different symptoms.
Pleural Mesothelioma
Pleural mesothelioma occurs in the lung's outer lining or pleura. It is the most prevalent type of mesothelioma, making up between 70 and 79% of diagnosed cases. This condition causes chest discomfort, shortness of breath, and a feeling of heaviness.
This type of cancer usually caused by exposure to asbestos which is a cluster of minerals that are made up of microscopic fibres. When inhaled, these fibers 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 the heart of a person. Mesothelioma usually doesn't show symptoms until 30 to 50 year after exposure.
Shortness of breath and chest pain are the most frequent symptoms. Patients may have coughing problems, trouble breathing or chest tightness. Patients with this type of cancer have a history of disease that includes asbestos exposure at work. The most prevalent jobs that expose people to the risk of pleural mesothelioma include manufacturing, construction and shipbuilding. People who served in the military are at a greater risk due to the widespread use of asbestos in Navy vessels and Army bunkers.
The TNM (tumors, lymph nodes, and metastases staging system) is the most common staging system used for the pleural adenocarcinoma. The stage a patient is in at the moment of diagnosis will determine the treatment plan they should follow. For instance, patients suffering from a pleural mesothelioma in stage three or four have a poorer prognosis than patients with a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma can develop into the heart, liver or diaphragm. This makes it more difficult to treat and increase the likelihood of complications for patients.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
In contrast to pleural cancer, which is found in the lung's lining, peritoneal cancer develops in a membrane that covers the abdominal cavity, including organs like the intestines and liver. Similar to pleural mesothelioma, asbestos exposure is the cause of peritoneal msothelioma. The disease is less common than pleural mesothelioma, and only about 300-500 cases diagnosed each year.
Like pleural mesothelioma, the symptoms may take years to appear. Patients generally have abdominal pain, and could also experience a mass in their abdomen. The symptoms of this type of mesothelioma may also include nausea as well as weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms are similar to symptoms of digestive problems, which can lead to misdiagnosis.
Doctors can detect mesothelioma by examining the patient's medical history and performing a physical exam. Imaging tests like X-rays or CT scans are a way to identify mesothelioma. These tests can detect tumors and other cancer signs that are not evident on X-rays.
The results of these tests allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and determine the stage. They can also suggest treatment options. The stage is determined by the type of cell as well as whether the cancer has spread.
The most important mesothelioma risk factor is asbestos exposure. People who have worked in asbestos-containing professions, such as electrical or plumbing work or in manufacturing and construction, are more likely to develop the disease. However, even if individuals aren't employed in these fields they may be exposed to asbestos through relatives or other sources. This is why anyone who suspects they may be at risk should talk to an experienced doctor. If they have an history of exposure to asbestos, a mesothelioma specialist can assist them in learning more about the risk.
Risk Factors
Asbestos is the most significant risk factor in mesothelioma. It accounts for up to 80percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos can occur through military service, work or living with someone who used to work with asbestos. When exposed to asbestos, small particles are able to be inhaled into lungs and abdomen. These particles can cause irritation to the linings of the abdomen, which causes cancerous cells to develop in the mesothelium. After asbestos exposure mesothelioma can develop between 15 and 60 year.
Other risk factors include smoking, genetics, and age. 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 manifest cancer symptoms after the first exposure. It is important to keep in mind that mesothelioma could occur in people who have been exposed to asbestos without having directly worked with it. This is known as indirect or secondary asbestos exposure, and is as dangerous as direct asbestos exposure.
Smoking increases the chance of mesothelioma because it damages the mesothelium. It also makes it more susceptible. Furthermore, mesothelioma is worsened by certain diseases like pneumonia and asbestosis. It is also important to know that mesothelioma occurs more frequently for men than women. This is due to men being more likely to be exposed to asbestos and endure a an extended period of exposure than women. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who had been exposed to asbestos, and to have asbestos-containing fibers on their clothing. Women are less likely to be exposed to asbestos, and they are less likely to carry asbestos on their clothes.
Diagnosis
Mesothelioma is a difficult cancer to recognize because the symptoms often resemble other diseases. This can lead to victims being misdiagnosed.
NYU Langone doctors will perform a physical examination and record the patient's medical background, including asbestos exposure. Doctors can also request a chest X-ray or CT scan to detect lumps and other abnormalities as well as evidence of previous asbestos exposure such as plaques on the pleura (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the formation of fluid between the lung and the chest wall (known as pleural effusion).
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 radio waves and magnets to create precise images of the inside of the body. A surgical biopsy is a different method for doctors to identify mesothelioma. A surgical biopsy is when doctors remove a small amount of tissue from the pleura or peritoneum for further analysis. A pathologist is then able to look at the tissue under microscopes to determine if it contains cancerous cells.
Mesothelioma is classified according to the mesothelial type involved, whether those cells are benign or malignant and the location of the tumor, the type, and the stage of the cancer. Certain mesothelioma types have an increased risk of spreading or metastasizing therefore it is essential to establish a clear diagnosis so doctors can treat it before it gets out-of-control.
Doctors may also conduct tests in the laboratory on tumors to determine specific genes, proteins or other elements that will help them identify cancer characteristics and plan treatment. These results are called staging.
Treatment
A mesothelioma diagnosis is an incredibly frightening prospect. It is crucial to remember that cancer can be treated particularly in its early stages. Many mesothelioma patients live for many years with the disease, without spreading to other parts of their body.
Asbestos exposure can trigger mesothelioma via various mechanisms. Asbestos fibres, tiny enough to be felt or observed by naked eyes are able to become airborne, irritating the lining of the lung (pleura). Over time the irritation causes the formation of scar tissues, which eventually lead to tumors.
The pleura is a protective covering that covers the abdomen, heart, and lungs. Mesothelium is composed of cells that react to asbestos which causes it to become inflamed and create scar tissue. These changes can eventually result in malignant mesothelioma tumors.
A shortness of breath, chest pain or fluid accumulation on the lungs are all signs of the pleural mesothelioma. In rare cases, cancer can spread into the tissues that surround the reproductive organs and heart.
If imaging scans show an area of concern in the lungs or stomach the doctor will request a biopsies. During the procedure, doctors will remove a small sample of the fluid or tumor for laboratory tests. The results will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and determine the best treatment option.
There are a variety of treatment for mesothelioma including chemotherapy and surgery. bloomington asbestos lawyer on an amalgamation of these techniques. Enrolling in clinical trials of mesothelioma treatments that are new could be beneficial for patients. Patients can find out more by consulting a mesothelioma expert who has treated the disease.