Mesothelioma and Asbestos
Asbestos is a mineral that occurs naturally in the form of thin, long fibers. People who are exposed to asbestos regularly risk developing mesothelioma and other lung diseases of different types.
Symptoms of these diseases may not be evident for a long time after exposure to asbestos. 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 prevalent form of mesothelioma and is responsible for 70 to 79% all diagnosed cases. Patients suffering from this condition experience pain in the chest and shortness of breath, and they may feel the sensation of weight in the chest.
Exposure to asbestos, a group of minerals comprised of microscopic fibers causes this type of cancer. When inhaled, these fibers are absorbed into the lungs and cause irritation that causes scarring and DNA mutations. Pleura surrounds both the chest cavity as well as the lungs, which means that irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma typically doesn't manifest until 30 to 50 year after exposure.
Shortness of breath and chest pain are the most frequently reported symptoms. Some patients may also feel tightness in their chest, coughing or difficulty breathing. Patients with this type of cancer typically have a history of exposure to asbestos in the workplace. Manufacturing, construction, and shipbuilding are the most common occupations which put people at risk risk of developing pleural mesothelioma. Individuals who have been in the military may be at risk due to the widespread asbestos usage in Navy ships and army bunkers.
The most popular staging system for pleural mesothelioma is the TNM (tumor lymph nodes, lymph nodes and metastases) staging system. The stage that a patient is in at the time of diagnosis will help determine what treatment plan they should follow. For instance, patients who have mesothelioma that is pleural in stage three or four have a less favorable prognosis than those with a lower stage. Mesothelioma in stage four is usually spread to the liver, diaphragm or even a person's heart. This makes the cancer more difficult to treat, and increase the risk of complications for the patient.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
Unlike pleural cancer, which is found in the lining of the lung it develops in a membrane that surrounds the abdominal cavity, which includes organs such as the intestines and the liver. Similar to pleural mesothelioma mesothelioma can be caused by asbestos exposure. The disease is less common than pleural mesothelioma, and only about 300-500 cases diagnosed each year.
As with pleural asbestosis symptoms can take several years to manifest. Patients generally suffer from abdominal pain and may have a mass in their abdomen. This kind of mesothelioma can also cause nausea, weight loss, and fever. A lot of these symptoms are similar to symptoms of digestive problems, which can lead to incorrect diagnosis.
Generally speaking, doctors can detect mesothelioma by conducting a thorough health history and physical examination. Imaging tests such as X-rays or CT scans are a way to detect mesothelioma. These tests can show tumors, as well as other indications of cancer that aren't visible on an X-ray.
These test results allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma, determine the stage of the disease and suggest treatment options. The staging is determined by the cell type and whether or whether the tumor has spread to other parts of the body.
Asbestos exposure is the biggest risk factor. People who have worked in asbestos-containing jobs, such as electrical or plumbing work or in construction, manufacturing and manufacturing are more likely to contract the disease. However, even if individuals aren't employed in these areas they could be exposed to asbestos through family members or through other sources. Anyone who thinks they are at risk should consult an expert. A mesothelioma specialist can assist those who have had a history with asbestos to learn more about their risk.
Risk Factors
Asbestos exposure is the main risk factor for mesothelioma, making up as much as 80 percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos can occur due to military service, work, or living with those who worked with asbestos. Asbestos particles can be inhaled by those who are exposed to asbestos. The particles cause irritation to the linings, causing cancerous cells to grow in the mesothelium. After asbestos exposure, mesothelioma may develop between 15 and 60 year.
Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and age. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely to be diagnosed with mesothelioma compared to those who are younger or more senior. Mesothelioma can take between 20 and 60 years to manifest cancer symptoms after the first exposure. It is important to note that mesothelioma can be present in people who have been exposed to asbestos, but without having been directly exposed to it. tennessee asbestos lawyer is referred to as secondary or indirect asbestos exposure and can be as dangerous as direct asbestos exposure.
Smoking increases a person's chances of developing mesothelioma since it damages the mesothelium, which makes it more vulnerable to asbestos. Mesothelioma can also be aggravated by certain illnesses such as asbestosis and pneumonia. It is also important to know that mesothelioma is more common in males than females. 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 worked with asbestos and to have asbestos-containing fibers on their clothing. Women tend to be less in contact with asbestos, and they don't usually bring asbestos home on their clothing.
Diagnosis
Mesothelioma is a difficult disease to identify because the symptoms often resemble other diseases. 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 note of the medical history of the patient including asbestos exposure. Doctors may also request an CT scan or chest X-ray in order to look for abnormalities, lumps and evidence of asbestos exposure. These include pleural plaques, thickened pleura and calcium deposits.
Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance scan, or MRI test, that uses radio waves and magnets to produce a series of precise images of the insides of the body. Another method doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma is to perform an operation called a biopsy. During a surgical biopsy, doctors remove a small amount of tissue from the peritoneum or pleura for further testing. A pathologist will then look at the tissue with an magnifying glass to determine whether it contains cancerous cells.
The type of mesothelial cells involved as well as the benign or malignant nature of these cells, as well as the location the cancer, its type and the stage of the cancer are used to categorize the disease. Certain types of mesothelioma are more likely to spread or metastasize, so it is important to have a clear diagnosis so that doctors can treat the disease before it becomes out of control.
Doctors can also run tests in the laboratory 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 called staging.
Treatment
A mesothelioma diagnosis can be a frightening prospect. It is important to keep in mind that cancer can be treated especially at its early stages. Many mesothelioma patients live for a long time with the disease without it spreading to other organs of their body.
Exposure to asbestos may cause mesothelioma through a variety of ways. Asbestos fibers, too small to be able to see or feel through the naked eye, can become airborne and cause irritation to the lining of the lungs (pleura). In time the irritation causes the formation of scar tissues and eventually tumors.
The Pleura is a covering that covers the lungs, heart and abdomen. Mesothelium is made up of cells that respond when exposed to asbestos. They cause inflammation to the tissue and cause it to become scarred. These changes eventually lead to malignant mesothelioma tumours.
Symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include breathlessness and chest pain, or a buildup of fluid on the lungs (pleural effusion). In rare cases cancer may spread to the tissues surrounding the reproductive organs as well as the heart.
If scans of imaging reveal an underlying mass in the lungs or stomach the doctor will request a biopsies. During the procedure doctors remove some of the liquid or tumor for tests in the laboratory. The results will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma, and also determine the best treatment option.
There are a variety of treatment for mesothelioma, such as chemotherapy and surgery. Most doctors utilize combinations of these treatments. Patients can also benefit by participating in a clinical study of new mesothelioma treatments. To learn more, patients should speak to mesothelioma specialists who have had experience treating the disease.