Mesothelioma and Asbestos
Asbestos is a mineral that occurs naturally in the form of thin, long fibers. Workers who are regularly exposed to asbestos risk developing lung diseases like mesothelioma.
It could take a long time before symptoms begin to manifest after asbestos exposure. Different types of asbestos may 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 type of mesothelioma, making up between 70 and 79% of all diagnosed cases. Patients with this disease feel chest pain and shortness of breath and may experience the sensation of weight in the chest.
This kind of cancer is typically caused through exposure to asbestos, which is a cluster of minerals comprised of microscopic fibres. Once inhaled, the fibers stick inside the lung and cause irritation which causes scarring and DNA mutations. Pleura is the lining of both the chest cavity as well as the lungs, so irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma symptoms are usually not apparent until 30 to 50 years after exposure.
Chest pain and shortness breath are the most common symptoms. Some patients also experience coughing, difficulty breathing, or chest tightness. Patients with this type of cancer have a history of disease that includes asbestos exposure at work. Construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding are among the most frequent jobs that put people at high chance of developing pleural mesothelioma. People who were in the military are at a greater risk due the frequent use of asbestos in Navy vessels and Army bunkers.
The most commonly used staging system for pleural mysothelioma has been the TNM (tumor lymph nodes, lymph nodes and metastases) staging system. The stage that the patient is in at the time of diagnosis can help determine the treatment plan they will receive. Patients who have pleural mesothelioma which is in stage three or stage four will have a less favorable prognosis compared to those in a less advanced stage. Mesothelioma in stage four can be spread to the liver, heart or diaphragm. This can make it more difficult to treat and raises the risk of complications for the patient.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
As opposed to pleural mesothelioma that is a lung-lining cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma develops in the peritoneum, it is a membrane that lines the abdominal cavity and organs such as the intestines and liver. Like pleural mesothelioma, asbestos exposure is the reason for peritoneal msothelioma. It is estimated that only 300-500 cases are diagnosed annually, which is less than pleural asbestosis.
Like pleural mesothelioma, symptoms can take a long time to manifest. Typically, patients experience abdominal pain and an abdominal mass. Symptoms of this type of mesothelioma can also include nausea as well as weight loss and fever. A lot of these symptoms are similar to those of gastrointestinal issues, which can result in misdiagnosis.
Generally speaking, doctors can detect mesothelioma through an exhaustive medical history and physical exam. They may also employ imaging tests like Xrays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to identify mesothelioma. These tests can identify tumors and other cancer signs which aren't visible on X-rays.
These test results enable doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and establish the stage. They can also suggest treatments. The stage is determined by the type of cell and whether the cancer has spread.
Asbestos exposure is the main risk factor. People who have worked in asbestos-related professions, such as plumbing or electrical work, or in construction, manufacturing and manufacturing are more likely to develop the disease. Even if someone does not work in one of these areas they could be exposed to asbestos through family members and other sources. For this reason, anyone who is concerned that they might be at risk should talk to a doctor. A mesothelioma expert can help those who have a history with asbestos to learn more about their risk.
Risk Factors
Asbestos is the main mesothelioma-related risk factor. It is responsible for as much as 80percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos can occur due to work, military service, or living with those who worked with asbestos. When exposed to asbestos, small particles can be inhaled into the abdomen and lungs. These irritate the linings and can cause cancerous cells to form in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma can take between 15 and 60 years to develop following exposure to asbestos.
Other risk factors include smoking, genetics, and the advancing age. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely be diagnosed with mesothelioma compared to those who are younger or more senior. It takes mesothelioma between 20 and 60 years to manifest cancer symptoms after the first exposure. It is important to remember that mesothelioma could be present in those who have been exposed to asbestos, but without having directly worked with it. Spokane Valley asbestos lawyer is referred to as indirect or secondary exposure to asbestos and it could be as hazardous as direct exposure.
Smoking can increase the likelihood of developing mesothelioma since it causes mesothelium damage and makes it more susceptible to asbestos. Mesothelioma can also be aggravated by certain diseases, such as asbestosis and pneumonia. It is also important to know that mesothelioma is more prevalent for men than women. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for a longer time and to have worked with it. Men are also more likely to live with someone who worked with asbestos and carry asbestos fibers from their workplace on their clothing. Women are less likely to come into exposure to asbestos and do not typically carry asbestos home on their clothing.
Diagnosis
Mesothelioma is difficult to identify because the symptoms often resemble other conditions. This can lead to victims being wrongly diagnosed.
The first step to diagnose mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform an examination of the body and take down a patient's medical history which includes asbestos exposure. Doctors may also order an X-ray of the chest or CT scan to detect lumps or other abnormalities, as well as evidence of previous asbestos exposure like plaques on the pleura (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the accumulation of fluid between the lung and the chest wall (known as the pleural effusion).
Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI test, that uses radio waves and magnets in order to create a series of detailed images of the insides of the body. Another way for doctors to detect 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 examined further. A pathologist is then able to examine the tissue under microscopes to determine whether it contains cancerous cells.
Mesothelioma is classified according to the type of mesothelial cell involved, whether those cells are benign or malignant and the location of the tumor, its type, and the stage of the cancer. Some types of mesothelioma are more likely to develop metastasis or spread and spread, therefore it is essential to have a clear diagnosis to ensure that doctors are able to treat the disease before it gets out of control.
Doctors may also conduct laboratory tests on tumors to determine particular proteins, genes and other factors which can help them identify the characteristics of the cancer and determine a treatment. These results are known as staging.
Treatment
A mesothelioma diagnosis can be a frightening prospect. However, it's important to remember that the cancer is treatable, especially in its earlier stages. Many patients with mesothelioma survive for a long time without the disease spreading to other organs of their body.
Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma in a number of ways. Asbestos fibres, small enough to not be felt or observed through the naked eye can be airborne and irritate the lung's lining (pleura). As time passes the irritation causes the formation of scar tissue, which eventually lead to tumors.
The Pleura is a protective layer that surrounds the lungs, heart and abdomen. Mesothelium is composed of cells that react to exposure to asbestos which causes it to become inflamed and create scar tissue. Overtime, these changes result in the growth of malignant mesothelioma cancers.
The signs of pleural mesothelioma can include breathlessness, chest pain or a buildup of fluid in the lung (pleural effusion). In rare instances cancer can spread to the tissues that surround the reproductive organs as well as the heart.
If imaging scans show a possible mass in the stomach or lungs the doctor will request biopsies. During the procedure, doctors remove small amounts of the fluid or tumor for lab testing. The results can confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma, and also determine the best treatment plan.
There are a variety of mesothelioma treatments, including surgery, chemotherapy and immunotherapy. Most doctors utilize the combination of these treatments. Patients may also benefit from participating in a clinical study of new mesothelioma treatments. Patients can learn more by consulting a mesothelioma specialist who has treated mesothelioma.