Mesothelioma and Asbestos
Asbestos, a natural mineral, naturally forms in the form of thin, long fibers. People who are regularly exposed to asbestos may develop lung diseases like mesothelioma.
It could take a long time for symptoms to show up after exposure to asbestos. Different asbestos types may cause different symptoms.
Pleural Mesothelioma
Pleural mesothelioma can be found in the lung's outer lining, also known as the pleura. It is the most common type of mesothelioma, making 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 an ache or heaviness in the chest.
Exposure to asbestos, a family of minerals made of microscopic fibers, usually causes this kind of cancer. When inhaled, these fibers cling to the lungs and cause irritation that causes scarring and DNA mutations. The pleura is the area that surrounds the chest cavity and lungs This means that these irritations can affect both the lungs and a person's heart. Mesothelioma symptoms usually don't appear until 30 to 50 years after exposure.
The most common symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are chest discomfort and shortness of breath. Patients may also feel tightness in their chest, coughing or difficulty breathing. People with this cancer have a history that includes asbestos exposure at work. Construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding are among the most frequent occupations that put people at high danger of developing pleural melanoma. Individuals who have served in the military are at a higher risk due to the widespread use of asbestos in Navy vessels and bunkers in the Army.
The most common staging system for pleural mesothelioma is the TNM (tumor lymph nodes, lymph nodes, and metastases) staging system. The stage a patient is in at the time of diagnosis can help determine the treatment plan they will receive. For instance, patients who have a pleural mesothelioma in stage three or four have a less favorable prognosis than those in a lower stage. Mesothelioma in stage four can spread to the liver, heart or diaphragm. This can make it more difficult to treat and raises the likelihood of complications for the patient.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
As opposed to pleural mesothelioma that develops in the lung lining, peritoneal mesothelioma is found in the peritoneum, it is a membrane that lines the abdominal cavity and organs like the intestines and the liver. Similar to pleural mesothelioma and peritoneal mesothelioma is caused by asbestos exposure. The disease is less common than pleural mesothelioma, and around 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.
Like pleural mesothelioma, symptoms may take years to appear. The majority of patients suffer from abdominal pain and abdominal swelling. Symptoms of this type of mesothelioma may also include nausea as well as weight loss and fever. boise city asbestos attorneys of these symptoms could be misinterpreted as gastrointestinal issues, leading to a false diagnosis.
Doctors can identify mesothelioma by reviewing the medical history of the patient and performing a physical exam. Imaging tests like X-rays and CT scans can be used to detect mesothelioma. These tests can identify tumors and other cancer signs that are not evident on X-rays.
These test results enable doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and determine the stage. They can also recommend treatments. Staging is determined based on the type of cells and whether or the tumor has spread to other areas of the body.
The most significant mesothelioma risk factor is exposure to asbestos. People who have worked in asbestos-related occupations, like electrical or plumbing work or in manufacturing and construction are more likely to develop the disease. Even if someone does not work in one of these fields however, they may be exposed to asbestos through family members and other sources. Anyone who believes they are at risk should talk to an expert. A mesothelioma specialist can help those who have a history with asbestos to learn more about their risk.
Risk Factors
Asbestos is the main risk factor for mesothelioma. It is responsible for as much as 80percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos may occur through work, military service or by living with someone who works with asbestos or was previously exposed to doing such. Asbestos particles can be breathed in by those who are exposed to it. These irritate the linings and can cause cancerous cells to develop in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma can take anywhere between 15 and 60 years to develop after exposure to asbestos.
Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and the advancing age. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely to get mesothelioma than people younger or older. It is because mesothelioma generally occurs between 20 and 60 years from the first exposure before cancer symptoms appear. It is important to remember that mesothelioma may develop in people who have been exposed to asbestos but didn't work with it directly. This is known as indirect or secondary exposure to asbestos and it could be as hazardous as direct exposure.
Smoking increases the chance of mesothelioma because it damages the mesothelium. It also makes it more prone to. Mesothelioma is also aggravated by certain illnesses, including asbestosis and pneumonia. It is also important to know that mesothelioma is more common in males than females. This is because men are more likely to work with asbestos and have more exposure than women. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who has been exposed to asbestos, and to have asbestos fibers on their clothing. Women are less likely to come into exposure to asbestos and rarely carry asbestos on their clothes.
Diagnosis
Mesothelioma is a difficult disease to identify because the symptoms are often similar to other diseases. Due to this, patients are sometimes mistakenly diagnosed.
NYU Langone doctors will perform physical examinations and document the patient's medical history including asbestos exposure. Doctors will also order an CT scan or chest X-ray to check for abnormalities, lumps and evidence of asbestos exposure. These include plaques on the pleura, pleura that are thickened and calcium deposits.
Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance scan or MRI test, which uses radio waves and magnets to create a series of detailed images of the insides of the body. A surgical biopsy is yet another method doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma. During a surgery biopsy doctors will remove a small part of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum, to be examined further. A pathologist then examines the tissue with a magnifying glass to determine if it is a cancerous cell.
Mesothelioma is classified based on the mesothelial type involved, whether these cells are benign or malignant, and the location of the tumor, its type, and the stage of the tumor. Certain types of mesothelioma are more likely to develop metastasis or spread, so it is important to have a clear diagnosis so doctors can treat the disease before it goes out of control.
Doctors may also conduct laboratory tests on tumors in order to determine specific proteins, genes or other elements that can help them describe cancer characteristics and determine the best treatment. These results are known as staging.
Treatment
A mesothelioma diagnosis is terrifying. However, it's important to remember that the cancer is treatable, especially in its early stages. A lot of people suffering from mesothelioma be afflicted for a long time, without spreading.
Asbestos exposure can trigger mesothelioma via a variety of mechanisms. Asbestos fibers, too small to see or feel through the naked eye, can become airborne and cause irritation to the lining of the lungs (pleura). Over time the irritation causes the formation of scar tissue and eventually tumors.
The Pleura is a protective layer that protects the abdomen, heart, and lungs. Mesothelium consists of cells that react to asbestos, causing it to inflame and form scar tissue. As time passes, these changes result in the growth of malignant mesothelioma cancers.
The symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are breathing problems and chest pain, or an accumulation of fluid on the lungs (pleural effusion). In rare instances the cancer may be spread to the tissues around the heart and reproductive organs.
A doctor will order biopsy if scans show a potential mass in the lungs or stomach. During the procedure, doctors take tiny amounts of fluid or tumor for lab analysis. The results will confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis and provide the most effective treatment plan.
There are a variety of mesothelioma treatments, including surgery, chemotherapy and immunotherapy. The majority of doctors employ combinations of these treatments. Patients may also benefit from enrolling in a clinical trial of new mesothelioma treatments. To find out more, patients should speak to a mesothelioma specialist who has had experience treating the disease.