Mesothelioma and Asbestos
Asbestos, a natural mineral, naturally occurs in the form of thin, long fibers. People who are regularly exposed to asbestos risk developing lung diseases such as mesothelioma.
It may take decades before symptoms begin to manifest after asbestos exposure. Different asbestos types may cause different symptoms.
Pleural Mesothelioma
Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer of the lung's outer lining, or pleura. It is the most prevalent mesothelioma type, accounting for up between 70 and 79% of all diagnosed cases. Patients suffering from this condition feel chest pain and shortness of breath, and they may feel the sensation of weight in the chest.
Exposure to asbestos, a class of minerals composed of microscopic fibers, typically causes this kind of cancer. When inhaled, these fibers cause irritation and DNA mutations. The pleura covers the lungs and chest cavity and therefore, these irritations could affect both the lungs and the heart of a person. Mesothelioma symptoms typically don't show until 30 to 50 years after exposure.
Shortness of breath and chest pain are the most common symptoms. Patients may have coughing problems, trouble breathing, or chest tightness. People with this cancer have a past that includes asbestos exposure at work. Construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding are among the most frequent jobs that put people at high risk of developing pleural mesothelioma. Individuals who have been in the military could be at risk due to the frequent asbestos use in Navy ships and army bunkers.
The TNM (tumors lymph nodes, tumors, and metastases staging system) is the most popular 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. Patients who have pleural mesothelioma which is in stage three or four will have a less favorable prognosis compared to those who are in a less advanced stage. Stage four mesothelioma often spreads to the diaphragm, liver or even the heart of a patient. 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 it develops in the membrane that covers the abdominal cavity, including organs such as the intestines and liver. Similar to pleural mesothelioma mesothelioma is caused by asbestos exposure. The disease is much less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma, with around 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.
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. sparks asbestos lawsuit of these symptoms can be mistaken for gastrointestinal problems, leading to a mistaken diagnosis.
Generally speaking, doctors can detect mesothelioma after an exhaustive medical history and physical exam. They may also employ imaging tests like X-rays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to help find mesothelioma. These tests can reveal tumors and other cancer signs that aren't evident on X-rays.
These test results allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma, determine the stage and suggest treatment options. The stage is determined by the type of cell as well as whether the tumor has spread.
The most significant mesothelioma risk factor is exposure to asbestos. People who have worked in professions that involve asbestos, like plumbing, manufacturing, electrical work, or construction, are at greater risk of developing the disease. Even if they do not work in these areas they may be exposed to asbestos through family members or through other sources. Anyone who suspects that they're at risk should speak with an expert. A mesothelioma specialist can assist those who have a history with asbestos to learn more about their risk.
Risk Factors
Asbestos exposure is the main risk factor for mesothelioma which accounts for as much as 80 percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos can occur due to work, military service, or living with those who worked with asbestos. Asbestos particles can be inhaled by people who are exposed to it. These particles can cause irritation to the linings and can cause cancerous cells to grow in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma can take anywhere between 15 and 60 years to develop after exposure to asbestos.
Other risk factors include genetics, smoking and aging. The people in their 40s or 50s are more at risk of developing mesothelioma compared to those younger or older. It takes mesothelioma between 20 and 60 years to show signs of cancer after the first exposure. It is also important to know that mesothelioma can develop in people who were exposed to asbestos but didn't deal with it directly. This is known as secondary or indirect asbestos exposure and can be as dangerous as direct asbestos exposure.
Smoking increases the risk of mesothelioma, as it damages the mesothelium. It also makes it more prone to. Furthermore, mesothelioma is exacerbated by certain illnesses like asbestosis and pneumonia. It is also important to note that mesothelioma is more common in men than women. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for a longer period of time and to have worked with asbestos for longer periods of time. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who worked with asbestos, and to have asbestos-containing fibers on their clothing. Women are less likely to be in contact with asbestos, and they are less likely to carry asbestos on their clothing.
Diagnosis
It is difficult to recognize mesothelioma due to its symptoms being often similar to other diseases. This can result in patients being misdiagnosed.
NYU Langone doctors will perform a physical examination and record the patient's medical background including asbestos exposure. Doctors may also order an X-ray of the chest or CT scan to detect lumps and other abnormalities as well as evidence of asbestos exposure in the past 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 an echocardiogram which examines the blood vessels and the heart as well as a magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI, test, which uses magnets and radio waves to create precise images of the inside of the body. Another way for doctors to detect mesothelioma is by performing the procedure of a surgical biopsy. During a surgery biopsy, doctors remove a tiny piece of tissue from pleura or the peritoneum, to be further examined. A pathologist can then examine the tissue with an magnifying glass to determine if it contains cancerous cells.
The mesothelial type involved, the malignant or benign nature of the cells as well as the location, type and stage of the tumor, are used to classify the disease. Certain types of mesothelioma are at a higher risk of spreading or metastasizing therefore it is essential to get a definitive diagnosis so that doctors can treat it prior to it becoming out-of-control.
Doctors can also perform tests in the laboratory on tumors to identify specific proteins, genes or other factors that will help them identify cancer characteristics and plan treatment. These results are known as staging.
Treatment
A mesothelioma diagnosis is an incredibly frightening prospect. But, it is crucial to remember that the cancer can be treated, particularly in its initial stages. Many people with mesothelioma live for many years with the disease without it spreading to other organs of their body.
Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma by various mechanisms. Asbestos fibers that are too small to be felt or observed through the naked eye are able to become airborne, irritating the lung's lining (pleura). Over time irritation leads to formation of scar tissue, which causes changes in the cell structure which eventually lead to tumors.
The Pleura is a covering that surrounds the abdomen, heart, and lungs. Mesothelium consists of cells that react when exposed to asbestos. They cause inflammation to the tissue and cause it to scar. These changes can eventually lead to malignant mesothelioma tumours.
Breathing problems, chest discomfort, or the accumulation of fluid on the lungs are all indications of the pleural Msothelioma. In rare cases cancer can spread to the tissues surrounding the reproductive organs and the heart.
A doctor will request biopsy if imaging scans show the possibility of a lung tumor or stomach. In the course of the procedure, doctors remove a small amount of fluid or tumor to allow for lab tests. The results can confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis, and determine the best treatment plan.
There are many types of treatment for mesothelioma, such as chemotherapy and surgery. Most doctors utilize combinations of these treatments. Patients may also benefit from participating in a clinical study of new mesothelioma therapies. Patients can find out more by consulting a mesothelioma specialist who has treated the disease.