Mesothelioma and Asbestos
Asbestos is a mineral that naturally occurs in the form of thin, long fibers. Workers who are regularly exposed to asbestos are at risk of developing lung diseases like mesothelioma.
It can take years for symptoms to show up after exposure to asbestos. 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 frequent type of mesothelioma, making up 70 to 79% of diagnosed cases. People with this condition suffer from chest pain and breathlessness and may experience an ache or heaviness in the chest.
Exposure to asbestos, a group of minerals comprised of microscopic fibers, usually causes this kind of cancer. The fibers, when inhaled can cause irritation and DNA mutations. Pleura surrounds both the chest cavity as well as the lungs, which means that irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma is usually not symptomatic until 30 to 50 year after exposure.
Chest pain and shortness breath are the most frequently reported symptoms. Some patients may also experience chest tightness or coughing. They may also experience difficulty breathing. Patients with this type of cancer have a past that includes asbestos exposure at work. The most prevalent jobs that expose workers to the risk of developing pleural cancer are construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding. Individuals who have served in the military are at a greater risk due to the widespread use of asbestos in Navy vessels and bunkers in the Army.
The TNM (tumors lymph nodes and metastases staging system) is the most common staging system for pleural adenocarcinoma. The stage a patient has upon diagnosis will aid their doctor in determining the most appropriate treatment plan for them. For instance, patients suffering from mesothelioma pleural stage three or four have a worse prognosis than patients with lower stages. Mesothelioma in stage four can develop into the liver, heart, or diaphragm. This makes the cancer more difficult to treat and increase the risk of complications for the patient.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
Contrary to pleural cancer which is found in the lung's lining, peritoneal cancer develops in a membrane that covers the abdominal cavity, including organs like the intestines and liver. As with pleural mesothelioma asbestos exposure is the primary reason for peritoneal msothelioma. The disease is less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma, and only about 300-500 cases diagnosed each year.
Like pleural mesothelioma, symptoms can take a long time to manifest. Patients usually have abdominal pain, and may have a mass in their abdomen. This kind of mesothelioma can also cause nausea, weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms could be misinterpreted as digestive issues, leading to a misdiagnosis.
Generally, doctors can find mesothelioma by conducting a thorough health history and physical exam. They can also use imaging tests such as X-rays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to detect mesothelioma. These tests can reveal tumors and other signs of cancer that aren't visible on an X-ray.
The results of these tests allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and determine the stage. They can also suggest treatment options. The staging is determined by the type of cell and whether or whether the cancer has spread to other regions of the body.
Asbestos exposure is the most important risk factor. People who have been in occupations that require asbestos, such as plumbing or electrical work, manufacturing or construction, are at greater risk of developing the disease. Even if a person does not work in any of these areas however, they may still be exposed through family members or other sources. Anyone who suspects that they're at risk should consult an expert. If they have an history of exposure to asbestos, a mesothelioma specialist can assist them in learning more about the risk.
Risk Factors
Asbestos is the most significant mesothelioma-related risk factor. It accounts for as much as 80percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos may occur due to military service, work, or living with those who worked with asbestos. When exposed to asbestos, particles can be breathed into the lungs and abdomen. The particles cause irritation to the linings, causing cancerous cells to develop in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma can take anywhere between 15 and 60 years to develop following exposure to asbestos.
St. George asbestos lawsuits include smoking, genetics and the advancing age. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely develop mesothelioma than those who are younger or older. It is because mesothelioma generally takes 20 to 60 years from the initial exposure to asbestos before symptoms of cancer begin to manifest. It is also important to know that mesothelioma may develop in people who were exposed to asbestos, but did not work with it directly. This is called secondary or indirect exposure to asbestos and it can be just as dangerous as direct exposure.
Smoking increases the chance of mesothelioma developing, since it damages mesothelium. It can also make it more vulnerable. In addition, mesothelioma may be worsened by certain diseases like pneumonia and asbestosis. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma compared to women. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for a longer time and to work with it. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who had worked with asbestos, and to have asbestos fibers on their clothing. Women are less likely to come exposed to asbestos, and they are less likely to carry asbestos on their clothing.
Diagnosis
Mesothelioma is difficult to identify because the symptoms can be similar to other diseases. Due to this, patients are sometimes wrongly diagnosed.
NYU Langone doctors will perform an examination of the body and document the patient's medical background, including asbestos exposure. Doctors will also recommend 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 an echocardiogram, which examines the blood vessels and the heart as well as a magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI, test that uses radio waves and magnets to make a series of detailed images of the interior of the body. A surgical biopsy is yet another way for doctors to diagnose mesothelioma. A surgical biopsy is when doctors take a small amount of tissue from the peritoneum or pleura for further testing. A pathologist can then examine the tissue with microscopes to determine whether it is contaminated with cancerous cells.
Mesothelioma can be classified based on the type of mesothelial cell involved, whether those cells are benign or malignant and also the location, type, and stage of the tumor. Some types of mesothelioma have a higher chance of metastasizing or spreading and it's crucial to determine the type of mesothelioma so that doctors can treat it before it gets out-of-control.
Doctors may also conduct laboratory tests on a tumor to identify particular proteins, genes, or other factors which can help them identify the cancer's characteristics and plan treatment. These results are referred to as staging.
Treatment
A mesothelioma diagnose can be terrifying. But, it is crucial to remember that the disease is treatable, especially in its early stages. Many patients with mesothelioma endure the disease for a long time, without spreading.
Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma through many mechanisms. Asbestos fibers, which are too small to see or feel with the naked eye, can become airborne and cause irritation to the lining of the lungs (pleura). Over time, the irritation leads to the formation of scar tissues that eventually result in tumors.
The pleura is the area that surrounds the lungs and the heart and also the abdomen. Mesothelium is made up of cells that react to asbestos, causing it to inflame and develop scar tissue. These changes eventually result in malignant mesothelioma tumors.
Symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include breathlessness and chest pain as well as a buildup of fluid in the lungs (pleural effusion). In rare cases, the cancer can grow to the tissues surrounding the heart and reproductive organs.
If imaging scans show an underlying mass in the stomach or lungs the doctor will request biopsies. In the course of the procedure, doctors remove some of the liquid or tumor for lab tests. The results will confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis, and provide the best treatment plan.
There are many types of treatment for mesothelioma including chemotherapy and surgery. Most doctors rely on a combination of these methods. Participating in clinical trials of new mesothelioma treatment may also be beneficial for patients. Patients can learn more by speaking with a mesothelioma doctor who has treated the disease.