Mesothelioma and Asbestos
Asbestos is a mineral that occurs naturally in the form of thin, long fibers. Workers who are regularly exposed to asbestos may develop lung diseases, such as mesothelioma.
Symptoms of these diseases may not manifest for years after exposure to asbestos. Different types of asbestos can cause different symptoms.
Pleural Mesothelioma
Pleural mesothelioma can be found in the lung's outer lining also known as pleura. It is the most frequent mesothelioma type and accounts for 70% to 79% all diagnosed cases. People with this condition suffer from chest pain and shortness of breath and may also feel an ache or heaviness in the chest.
This type of cancer is typically caused by exposure to asbestos, which is a collection of minerals composed of microscopic fibers. Once inhaled, the fibers stick inside the lungs and cause irritation that causes scarring and DNA mutations. The pleura surrounds the lungs and chest cavity, so these irritations can affect both the lungs and the heart of a person. Mesothelioma symptoms usually don't appear until 30 to 50 years after exposure.
Chest pain and shortness breath are the most frequently reported symptoms. Some patients may also suffer from chest tightness and coughing, or breathing difficulties. Patients with this type of cancer have a past that includes asbestos exposure at work. Construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding are the most frequent jobs that put people at a high danger of developing pleural melanoma. People who served in the military are at greater risk due the widespread use of asbestos in Navy vessels and bunkers for the Army.
The TNM (tumors lymph nodes, tumors, and metastases staging system) is the most common staging system used for the pleural cancer. The stage a patient is in at the moment of diagnosis will determine the treatment plan they should receive. For instance, patients who have mesothelioma pleural stage three or four have a poorer prognosis than those in lower stages. Mesothelioma in stage four can spread to the heart, liver or diaphragm. This could make the cancer more difficult to treat, and increase the chances of complications for the patient.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
Unlike pleural mesothelioma, which is a lung-lining cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma forms in the peritoneum -- an elongated membrane that covers the abdominal cavity as well as organs like the liver and intestines. Similar to pleural mesothelioma, asbestos exposure is the primary cause of peritoneal msothelioma. The disease is much less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma. There are just 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.
As with pleural asbestosis, symptoms can take a long time to manifest. The majority of patients are afflicted with abdominal pain as well as abdominal swelling. This mesothelioma type can also cause nausea, weight loss and fever. A lot of these symptoms are similar to those of digestive issues, which could cause misdiagnosis.
Typically, doctors can identify mesothelioma by conducting an extensive health history and physical examination. They can also utilize imaging tests like Xrays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to detect mesothelioma. These tests can identify tumors and other signs of cancer which aren't evident on X-rays.
The results of these tests allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and determine the stage and suggest treatment options. The stage of the disease is determined based on the type of cell and whether or whether the cancer has spread to other regions of the body.
The most significant mesothelioma-related risk factor is asbestos exposure. People who have worked in jobs that involve asbestos, like plumbing or manufacturing, electrical work, or construction, are at increased risk of developing the disease. Even if a person does not work in one of these areas however, they may still be exposed to asbestos through family members and other sources. Anyone who believes they're at risk should speak with an expert. A mesothelioma expert can help those with a experience with asbestos to understand 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 as a result of work, military service or by living with a person who works with asbestos or was previously exposed to doing so. Asbestos particles can be inhaled by those who are exposed to asbestos. These particles irritate the linings of the abdomen, which causes cancerous cells to grow in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma may take between 15 and 60 years to develop after exposure to asbestos.
Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and the advancing age. The people in their 40s or 50s are at greater risk of developing mesothelioma compared to those younger or older. It takes mesothelioma between 20 and 60 years to manifest cancer symptoms after the first exposure. It is important to remember that mesothelioma is a possibility in people who have been exposed to asbestos but didn't work with it directly. This is known as indirect or secondary asbestos exposure, and is just as harmful as direct asbestos exposure.
Smoking increases the chance of mesothelioma because it damages the mesothelium. It also makes it more susceptible. Mesothelioma is also aggravated by certain diseases, such as asbestosis and pneumonia. It is also important to remember that mesothelioma is more prevalent in men than women. This is because men are more likely to work with asbestos and experience 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 carry asbestos fibers on their clothing. Women are less likely to come into exposure to asbestos and don't typically carry asbestos around on their clothing.
Diagnosis
Mesothelioma is a difficult disease to diagnose because the symptoms are often similar to other conditions. This can result in patients being misdiagnosed.
The first step in identifying mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform a physical exam and take down a patient's medical history which includes asbestos exposure. Doctors will also order an CT scan or chest X-ray to look for lumps, abnormalities and evidence of exposure to asbestos. These include plaques on the pleura, pleura that are thickened and calcium deposits.
Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI test, which uses radio waves and magnets in order to create a series detailed images of inside the body. Another method doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma is to perform an operation called a biopsy. In a surgical biopsy doctors will remove a small piece of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum, to be further examined. A pathologist is then able to examine the tissue under a microscope to see if it contains cancerous cells.
The type of mesothelial cells involved and the benign or malignant nature of the cells, as well as the location the cancer, its type and the stage of the cancer are used to classify the disease. Certain mesothelioma types have greater risk of metastasizing or spreading, so it's important to get a definitive diagnosis so doctors can treat it before it becomes out of control.
Doctors can also run tests in the lab on a tumor to find specific genes, proteins or other elements that can help them describe the characteristics of cancer and plan treatment. These results are known as staging.
Treatment
A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be a frightening prospect. It is important to remember that cancer can be treated especially at its early stages. A lot of people suffering from mesothelioma be afflicted for a long time without expanding.
Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma through many mechanisms. Asbestos fibers, which are tiny enough to be felt or seen with the naked eyes are able to become airborne and irritate the lining of the lung (pleura). In time, the irritation causes the formation of scar tissue which causes changes in the structure of cells that eventually develop into tumors.
The pleura surrounds the lungs and the heart and the abdomen. Mesothelium is composed of cells that react to asbestos, causing it to inflame and create scar tissue. As time passes, these changes lead to the development of malignant mesothelioma tumors.
Symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include breathing problems and chest pain as well as an accumulation of fluid in the lungs (pleural effusion). In st louis asbestos lawyer may be spread to the tissues around the heart and reproductive organs.
A doctor will order biopsy if imaging scans show the possibility of a mass in the lungs or stomach. During the procedure, doctors will remove small amounts of the tumor or fluid for lab testing. The results will confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis, and determine the best treatment plan.
There are many types of mesothelioma treatments, which include chemotherapy, surgery, and immunotherapy. Most doctors utilize an amalgamation of these techniques. Participating in clinical trials for new mesothelioma treatment may also be beneficial for patients. To learn more about the trials, patients should speak to a mesothelioma specialist who has experience treating the condition.