Mesothelioma and Asbestos
Asbestos is a natural mineral that is found in thin, long fibres. Workers who are exposed asbestos on a regular basis are at risk of developing mesothelioma as well as other types of lung diseases.
The 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 occurs in the outer lung lining, or pleura. It is the most frequent mesothelioma that accounts for up between 70 and 79% of diagnosed cases. People with this condition feel chest pain and breathlessness and may also feel an ache or heaviness in the chest.
This type of cancer is usually caused by exposure to asbestos which is a cluster of minerals comprised of microscopic fibres. Once inhaled, these fibers cling to the lung and cause irritation that results in scarring and DNA mutations. The pleura surrounds the chest cavity and lungs and therefore, these irritations could affect both the lungs as well as a person's heart. Mesothelioma symptoms typically don't show until 30 to 50 years after exposure.
The most common symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include chest pain and shortness of breath. Patients may also suffer from chest tightness, coughing or difficulty breathing. Patients with this type of cancer have a history that includes asbestos exposure at work. The most frequent jobs that expose workers to the risk of pleural mesothelioma include manufacturing, construction, and shipbuilding. People who were in the military are at greater risk due the widespread use of asbestos in Navy vessels and Army bunkers.
The TNM (tumors lymph nodes, tumors, and metastases staging system) is the most popular staging system used to treat pleural adenocarcinoma. The stage that the patient is in at the moment of diagnosis will determine what treatment plan they should receive. For example, patients with mesothelioma pleural stage three or four have a poorer prognosis than those in lower stages. Stage four mesothelioma often spreads to the diaphragm, liver or even the heart of a patient. This makes it more difficult to treat and increase the likelihood of complications for the patient.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
Unlike pleural cancer, which is found in the lung's lining the peritoneal cancer is a result of a membrane that surrounds the abdominal cavity, which includes organs such as the intestines and the liver. As with pleural mesothelioma exposure to asbestos is the cause of peritoneal msothelioma. The disease is less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma, and around 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.
As with pleural mesothelioma symptoms may take years to appear. Patients typically have abdominal pain, and may have a mass in their abdomen. This kind of mesothelioma can cause nausea, weight loss, and fever. A lot of these symptoms can be mistaken for gastrointestinal problems which can lead to a false diagnosis.
Doctors can identify mesothelioma by examining the patient's medical history and conducting a physical exam. They may also employ imaging tests such as X-rays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to identify mesothelioma. These tests can detect tumors as well as other signs of cancer that aren't evident on X-rays.
The results of these tests allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma, determine the stage and recommend treatment options. The staging is determined by the type of cell and whether or whether the tumor has spread to other parts of the body.
The most important mesothelioma-related risk factor is exposure to asbestos. People who have worked in asbestos-containing occupations, like electrical or plumbing work, or in construction, manufacturing and manufacturing are more likely to contract the disease. However, even if people do not work in these fields, they can still be exposed to asbestos through relatives or other sources. Anyone who thinks they are at risk should talk to a doctor. If they have a history of asbestos exposure, a mesothelioma specialist can assist them in learning more about their risk.
Risk Factors
Asbestos exposure is the main risk factor for mesothelioma making up as much as 80 percent of all cases. Exposure to asbestos can occur as a result of military service, work, or living with people who have worked with asbestos. When exposed to asbestos, particles are able to be inhaled into abdomen and lungs. These particles can cause irritation to the linings and cause cancerous cells to form in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma can take between 15 and 60 years to develop after exposure to asbestos.
Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and age. Corona asbestos lawsuits in their 40s and 50s are more likely develop mesothelioma than those who are younger or older. It is because mesothelioma generally occurs between 20 and 60 years from the first time of exposure before symptoms of cancer begin to manifest. It is important to keep in mind that mesothelioma could develop in those who have been exposed to asbestos without having directly worked with it. This is referred to as secondary or indirect asbestos exposure, and is just as harmful as direct asbestos exposure.
Smoking increases the chance of mesothelioma developing, because it damages the mesothelium. It also makes it more prone to. Mesothelioma can also be caused by certain illnesses such as 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 longer periods of time and work with it. Also, men are more likely to live with someone who was exposed to asbestos and bring asbestos fibers from their workplace on their clothing. Women are less likely to come into contact with asbestos and do not typically carry asbestos on their clothes.
Diagnosis
It is difficult to identify mesothelioma because its symptoms are often similar to other conditions. This can result in patients being incorrectly diagnosed.
NYU Langone doctors will perform an examination of the body and document the patient's medical history including asbestos exposure. Doctors will also order an CT scan or chest X-ray to look for abnormalities, lumps and evidence of exposure to asbestos. These include plaques in the pleura, thickened pleura and calcium deposits.
Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance image, or MRI test, which uses radio waves and magnets to create a series detailed images of inside the body. Another way for doctors to detect mesothelioma is through an operation called a biopsy. During a surgical biopsy, doctors remove a small amount of tissue from the pleura or peritoneum to conduct further tests. A pathologist can then examine the tissue with an magnifying glass to determine if it is a cancerous cell.
Mesothelioma is classified based on the type of mesothelial cells involved, whether the cells are benign or malignant and also the location of the tumor, the type, and the stage of the cancer. Certain mesothelioma types have a higher risk of spreading or metastasizing, so it's important to determine the type of mesothelioma to ensure that the doctors can treat it before it becomes out-of-control.
Doctors may also conduct tests in the laboratory on a tumor to identify specific genes, proteins and other factors which can help them identify the characteristics of cancer and plan treatment. These results are known as staging.
Treatment
A mesothelioma diagnosis can be an incredibly frightening prospect. It is important to keep in mind that cancer can be treated especially at its early stages. A lot of people suffering from mesothelioma live with the disease for a long time without spreading.
Exposure to asbestos can trigger mesothelioma in a number of ways. 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 irritation can lead to formation of scar tissue, which leads to changes in the cell structure that can eventually grow into tumors.
The pleura covers the heart and lungs and also the 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 can eventually lead to malignant mesothelioma tumours.
Breathing problems, chest discomfort, or the accumulation of fluid on the lungs are all symptoms of the pleural Msothelioma. In rare cases the cancer may spread to the tissues surrounding the heart and reproductive organs.
A doctor will request a biopsy if imaging scans reveal a possible tumor in the lungs or stomach. During the procedure doctors remove small amounts of liquid or tumor for tests in the laboratory. The results can confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma, and also determine the best treatment plan.
There are several types of mesothelioma treatment options, which include chemotherapy, surgery, and immunotherapy. The majority of doctors employ the combination of these treatments. Enrolling in clinical trials of mesothelioma treatments that are new could be beneficial to patients. To find out more, patients should consult a mesothelioma specialist who has had experience treating the disease.