Mesothelioma and Asbestos
Asbestos is a natural mineral that is found in thin, long fibres. People who are exposed to asbestos risk developing lung diseases such as mesothelioma.
It could take a long time for symptoms to appear after asbestos exposure. Different asbestos types may cause different symptoms.
Pleural Mesothelioma
Pleural mesothelioma occurs in the outer lung lining, also known as pleura. It is the most common mesothelioma form and accounts for 70% to 79% of all diagnosed cases. Patients with this disease experience pain in the chest and breath shortness, and they may feel a sensation of heaviness in the chest.
Exposure to asbestos, a group of minerals comprised of microscopic fibers, typically causes this type of cancer. Once inhaled, these fibers are absorbed into the lung and cause irritation that leads to scarring and DNA mutations. The pleura is the area that surrounds the chest cavity and lungs, so these irritations can affect both the lungs as well as a person's heart. Mesothelioma symptoms usually don't appear until 30 to 50 years after exposure.
Shortness of breath and chest pain are the most common symptoms. Patients may also suffer from chest tightness or coughing. They may also experience difficulty breathing. People with this cancer often have previous exposure to asbestos in the workplace. The most prevalent jobs that expose people to the risk of developing pleural mesothelioma are manufacturing, construction, and shipbuilding. People who have served in the military are at risk due to the frequent asbestos usage in Navy ships and bunkers used by the army.
The TNM (tumors lymph nodes, tumors, and metastases staging system) is the most common staging system used to treat pleural adenocarcinoma. The stage a patient is in at diagnosis will assist their doctor in determining the best treatment plan for them. For instance, patients suffering from mesothelioma that is pleural in stage three or four have a worse prognosis than those with a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma may be spread to the liver, heart, or diaphragm. This could make 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, peritoneal cancer develops in a membrane that surrounds the abdominal cavity, including organs such as the liver and intestines. Like pleural mesothelioma, asbestos exposure is the cause of peritoneal msothelioma. Only 300-500 cases are diagnosed each year, which is less than pleural asbestosis.
As with pleural asbestosis, symptoms can take years to manifest. Patients generally experience abdominal pain, and may have a mass in their abdomen. Symptoms of this type of mesothelioma can also include nausea, weight loss and fever. A lot of these symptoms can be misinterpreted as gastrointestinal issues which can lead to a mistaken diagnosis.
The doctors can detect mesothelioma through looking over the medical history of the patient and performing a physical exam. Imaging tests like X-rays or CT scans are a way to detect mesothelioma. These tests can show cancerous tumors or other signs of cancer that aren't apparent on an X-ray.
The results of these tests allow doctors to identify mesothelioma, and determine the stage. They also offer treatments. Staging is determined based on the type of cell and whether or not the tumor has spread to other areas of the body.
The most important risk factor for mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos. People who have been in occupations that require asbestos, such as plumbing manufacturing, electrical work or construction, are at a higher risk of developing the disease. However, even if individuals do not work in these areas, they can still be exposed to asbestos through relatives or other sources. Anyone who suspects that they may be at risk should speak with a doctor. If they have any history of exposure to asbestos, a mesothelioma specialist can assist them in finding out more about their risk.
Risk Factors
Asbestos is the most significant risk factor in mesothelioma. It accounts for as much as the 80% of cases. victorville asbestos law firm to asbestos can happen due to work, military service, or living with those who worked with asbestos. Asbestos particles can be breathed in by those who are exposed to it. These particles can cause irritation to the linings and cause cancerous cells to grow in the mesothelium. After exposure to asbestos, mesothelioma may be diagnosed between 15 and 60 years.
Other risk factors include genetics, smoking and age. People in their 40s or 50s are at greater risk of developing mesothelioma compared to people who are younger or more. It takes mesothelioma between 20 and 60 years to show signs of cancer after the first exposure. It is also important to know that mesothelioma can develop in people who have been exposed to asbestos, but did not work with it directly. This is referred to as indirect or secondary asbestos exposure and can be as dangerous as direct asbestos exposure.
Smoking increases the chance of mesothelioma as it damages the mesothelium. It also makes it more susceptible. Mesothelioma can also be aggravated by certain illnesses such as asbestosis and pneumonia. It is also important to know that mesothelioma is more common for men than women. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for a longer time and to work with asbestos for longer durations and to work with it. Men are also more likely to live with someone who was exposed to asbestos and bring stray asbestos fibers home on their clothing. Women are less likely to come exposed to asbestos and they don't usually bring asbestos home on their clothes.
Diagnosis
It is difficult to diagnose mesothelioma because its symptoms are often similar to other diseases. This is why patients are often wrongly diagnosed.
NYU Langone doctors will perform a physical examination and record the patient's medical history including asbestos exposure. Doctors can also order an X-ray chest or CT scan to detect lumps or other abnormalities, as well as evidence of asbestos exposure in the past like pleural plaques (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the buildup of fluid between the lung and chest wall (known as the pleural effusion).
Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI test, which uses magnets and radio waves in order to create a series detailed images of the inside of the body. A surgical biopsy is yet another method for doctors to identify mesothelioma. In a surgical biopsy doctors remove a small piece of tissue from the peritoneum or pleura to conduct further tests. A pathologist will then look at the tissue under a magnifying glass to determine if it is a cancerous cells.
The type of mesothelial cell involved, the malignant or benign nature of these cells, as well as the location the cancer, its type and the stage of the tumor, are used to classify the disease. Some types of mesothelioma have greater chance of metastasizing or spreading and it's crucial to get a definitive diagnosis so that doctors can treat it before it becomes out of control.
Doctors can also perform tests in the lab on tumors to determine specific proteins, genes or other elements that will help them identify cancer characteristics and determine the best treatment. These results are referred to as staging.
Treatment
A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be terrifying. It is crucial to remember, however, that cancer can be treated especially at its early stages. Many patients with mesothelioma survive for a long time with the disease without it spreading to other organs of their body.
Exposure to asbestos can trigger mesothelioma via various mechanisms. Asbestos particles, which are too small to see or feel with the naked eye, can become airborne and cause irritation to the lung's lining (pleura). In time irritation leads to formation of scar tissue which can cause changes in the cell structure which eventually lead to tumors.
The pleura covers the lungs and heart, as well as the abdomen. Mesothelium consists of cells that react when exposed to asbestos. They inflame the tissue and cause it to become scarred. In time, these changes can result in the growth of malignant mesothelioma cancers.
The signs of pleural mesothelioma can include shortness of breath and chest pain, or the accumulation of fluid on the lung (pleural effusion). In rare cases, the cancer can spread to the tissues surrounding the heart and reproductive organs.
A doctor will request biopsy if scans show a potential lung tumor or stomach. During the procedure doctors remove small amounts of fluid or tumor for tests in the laboratory. The results will confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis, and indicate the best treatment plan.
There are several types of mesothelioma treatments, including chemotherapy, surgery and immunotherapy. Most doctors utilize an amalgamation of these techniques. Participating in clinical trials of mesothelioma treatments may be beneficial for patients. To learn more, patients should speak to a mesothelioma specialist who has had experience treating the disease.