Mesothelioma and Asbestos
Asbestos is a natural mineral that comes in thin, long fibres. Workers who are exposed to asbestos on a regular basis are at risk of developing mesothelioma as well as other lung diseases of different types.
Symptoms of these diseases may not manifest for years after exposure to asbestos. Different asbestos types can cause different symptoms.
Pleural Mesothelioma
Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer that affects the outer lung the lining (pleura). It is the most common mesothelioma form and is responsible for 70 to 79% of all diagnosed cases. This condition causes chest discomfort, shortness of breath and a feeling of weightiness.
This type of cancer usually caused through exposure to asbestos, which is a cluster of minerals composed of microscopic fibers. When inhaled, these fibers, cause irritation and DNA mutations. The pleura covers the lungs and chest cavity This means that these irritations can affect both the lungs and a person's heart. Mesothelioma symptoms are usually not apparent until 30 to 50 years after exposure.
The most common symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include chest pain and shortness of breath. Patients may have coughing problems, trouble breathing, or chest tightness. Patients with this cancer have a past that includes asbestos exposure at work. The most prevalent jobs that expose people to the risk of developing pleural cancer are construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding. 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 TNM (tumors lymph nodes and metastases staging system) is the most common staging system used to treat pleural adenocarcinoma. The stage a patient is in upon diagnosis will assist their doctor in determining the most appropriate treatment plan for them. For example, patients with a pleural mesothelioma in stage three or four have a less favorable prognosis than those with a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma is often spread to the diaphragm, the liver and/or a person's heart. This can make it more difficult to treat and raises the risk of complications for the patient.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
Unlike pleural mesothelioma, which develops in the lung lining, peritoneal mesothelioma forms in the peritoneum - it is a membrane that lines the abdominal cavity and organs such as the liver and intestines. As with pleural mesothelioma asbestos exposure is the primary reason for peritoneal msothelioma. It is estimated that only 300-500 cases are diagnosed each year, which is less than pleural asbestosis.
As with pleural asbestosis, symptoms can take several years to manifest. Typically, patients experience abdominal pain and a mass in the abdomen. Symptoms of this type of mesothelioma could also include nausea or weight loss, as well as fever. A lot of these symptoms are similar to those experienced by gastrointestinal issues, which can result in incorrect diagnosis.
The doctors can detect mesothelioma through examining the patient's medical history and performing a physical exam. They can also utilize imaging tests like Xrays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to help find mesothelioma. These tests can show cancerous tumors or other indications of cancer that aren't apparent on an X-ray.
These test results enable doctors to identify mesothelioma, and determine the stage. They also offer treatments. The stage is determined by the type of cell and whether the tumor has spread.
The most significant mesothelioma-related risk factor is asbestos exposure. People who have been in occupations that involve asbestos, such as plumbing or electrical work, manufacturing or construction, are at greater risk of developing the disease. However, even if people do not work in these fields they may be exposed to asbestos through relatives or other sources. This is why anyone who believes they could be at risk should speak to a doctor. A mesothelioma specialist can assist those who have a previous history of asbestos to find out more about their risk.
Risk Factors
Asbestos is the most significant risk factor for mesothelioma. It accounts for up to 80% of all cases. Exposure to asbestos may occur through military service, work, or living with someone who used to work with asbestos. Asbestos particles can be inhaled by those who are exposed to asbestos. They can cause irritation to the linings of the abdomen and can cause cancerous cells to form in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma may take between 15 and 60 years to develop following exposure to asbestos.
Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and age. People in their 40s or 50s are at greater risk of developing mesothelioma compared to those who are younger or older. This is because mesothelioma usually takes 20 to 60 years from the first exposure before symptoms of cancer begin to manifest. vancouver asbestos attorneys is also important to know that mesothelioma can develop in people who have been exposed to asbestos but didn't deal with it directly. This is known as secondary or indirect asbestos exposure and can be just as harmful as direct asbestos exposure.
Smoking increases a person's chances of developing mesothelioma due to the fact that it damages the mesothelium, which makes it more susceptible to asbestos. Furthermore, mesothelioma is worsened by certain diseases like asbestosis and pneumonia. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than women. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for a longer period of time and work with it. Additionally, men are more likely to live with someone who had asbestos exposure and bring stray asbestos fibers home on their clothing. Women tend to have less exposure to asbestos and don't typically carry asbestos home on their clothing.
Diagnosis
It is difficult to identify mesothelioma due to its symptoms being often similar to other conditions. This can lead to victims being misdiagnosed.
The first step in diagnosing mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform an examination and write down a patient's medical history including asbestos exposure. Doctors will also order a CT scan or chest X-ray in order to look for lumps, abnormalities, and evidence of asbestos exposure. These include plaques in the pleura, thickened pleura and calcium deposits.
Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram, which examines the heart and blood vessels, and a magnetic resonance imaging, also known as MRI test, which makes use of radio waves and magnets to make a series of detailed images of the interior of the body. Another way for doctors to detect mesothelioma is by performing a surgical biopsy. In a surgical biopsy doctors take a small amount of tissue from the pleura or peritoneum for further testing. A pathologist is then able to examine the tissue under microscopes to determine whether it has cancerous cells.
The type of mesothelial cells involved as well as the benign or malignant nature of the cells and the location and stage of the cancer are used to categorize the disease. Certain types of mesothelioma are more likely to spread or metastasize which is why it is crucial to establish a definitive diagnosis so that doctors can treat the disease before it gets out of control.
Doctors may also conduct laboratory tests on tumors in order to determine specific proteins, genes or other elements that will help them identify the characteristics of cancer and plan treatment. These results are called staging.
Treatment
A mesothelioma diagnose can be terrifying. However, it is important to remember that the cancer is treatable, particularly in its earlier stages. A lot of people suffering from mesothelioma live with the disease for many years without it spreading.
Exposure to asbestos can trigger mesothelioma through a variety 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). In time the irritation can lead to the formation of scar tissues, which eventually lead to tumors.
The pleura is a protective covering that surrounds the abdomen, heart, and lungs. Mesothelium is composed of cells that react when exposed to asbestos. They cause inflammation of the tissue and cause it to scar. These changes eventually cause mesothelioma cancers.
Shortness of breath, chest pain or fluid accumulation on the lungs are all signs of pleural Msothelioma. In rare cases, cancer can spread into 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 small amounts of the fluid or tumor for laboratory analysis. The results can confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis and determine the best treatment option.
There are a variety of mesothelioma treatment, including chemotherapy, surgery and immunotherapy. Most doctors use combinations of these treatments. Enrolling in clinical trials of new mesothelioma treatment may also be beneficial to patients. Patients can find out more by speaking with a mesothelioma doctor who has treated the disease.