Mesothelioma and Asbestos
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that is found in thin, long fibres. Workers who are exposed asbestos regularly are at risk of developing mesothelioma or other lung diseases of different types.
It could take a long time for symptoms to appear after exposure to asbestos. Different types of asbestos can cause different symptoms.
Pleural Mesothelioma
Pleural mesothelioma can be found in the outer lung lining, also known as pleura. It is the most common mesothelioma type and is responsible for 70 to 79% all diagnosed cases. This condition causes chest pain, shortness of breathe and a feeling of heaviness.
Exposure to asbestos, a group of minerals made of microscopic fibers, usually causes this kind of cancer. These fibers, when inhaled cause irritation and DNA mutations. Pleura surrounds both the chest cavity as well as the lungs, and so irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma symptoms usually don't appear until 30 to 50 years after exposure.
The most common symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include chest pain and breath shortness. Some patients may also experience chest tightness and coughing, or breathing difficulties. People who suffer from this cancer usually have an history of exposure to asbestos in the workplace. Manufacturing, construction and shipbuilding are the most frequent jobs that put people at a high risk of developing pleural mesothelioma. People who have worked in the military could be at risk due to the widespread use of asbestos in Navy ships and bunkers for the army.
The TNM (tumors lymph nodes, tumors, and metastases staging system) is the most popular staging system used to treat the pleural cancer. The stage a patient has at diagnosis will aid their doctor in determining the most effective treatment plan for them. Patients with pleural mesothelioma that is in stage three or stage four will have a worse outlook than those in a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma is often spread to the diaphragm, the liver or even a person's heart. This makes it more difficult to treat and increase the chance of complications for patients.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
Contrary to pleural cancer which forms in the lung's lining the peritoneal cancer is a result of a membrane that surrounds the abdominal cavity, including organs like the liver and intestines. Like pleural mesothelioma, exposure to asbestos is the cause of peritoneal mesothelioma. The disease is much less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma, with around 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.
Like pleural mesothelioma, the symptoms may take years to appear. Patients typically have abdominal pain, and may also have a lump in their abdomen. Symptoms of this type of mesothelioma can also include nausea or weight loss, as well as fever. Many of these symptoms could be mistaken for gastrointestinal problems, leading to a misdiagnosis.
Doctors can identify mesothelioma by examining the patient's medical history and performing a physical exam. Imaging tests like X-rays and CT scans are a way to detect mesothelioma. These tests can detect tumors and other cancer signs that aren't visible on X-rays.
These tests enable doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and determine the stage of the disease and suggest treatment options. Staging is determined based on minnesota asbestos attorneys and whether or not the tumor has spread to other parts of the body.
The most significant risk factor for mesothelioma is asbestos exposure. People who have worked in asbestos-related professions, such as electrical or plumbing work, or in manufacturing and construction are more likely to develop the disease. However, even if individuals do not work in these areas they could be exposed to asbestos through family members or through other sources. Anyone who suspects that they may be at risk should talk to a doctor. A mesothelioma specialist can help those who have a previous history of asbestos to find out more about their risk.
Risk Factors
Asbestos exposure is the primary risk factor for mesothelioma, accounting for up to 80 percent of all cases. Exposure to asbestos can happen due to work, military service, or living with people who have worked with asbestos. When exposed to asbestos, small particles can be breathed into the abdomen and lungs. These irritate the linings and cause cancerous cells to grow in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma can take between 15 and 60 years to develop after exposure to asbestos.
Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and the advancing age. People in their 40s or 50s are at greater risk of developing mesothelioma as compared to people who are younger or more. It takes mesothelioma 20-60 years before it manifests cancer symptoms after the first exposure. It is important to keep in mind, too, that mesothelioma may develop in those who have been exposed to asbestos, but without having been directly exposed to it. This is referred to as secondary or indirect asbestos exposure and can be as dangerous as direct asbestos exposure.
Smoking increases the chance of mesothelioma as it damages the mesothelium. It can also make it more vulnerable. Mesothelioma can also be caused by certain illnesses such as asbestosis and pneumonia. It is also important to remember that mesothelioma occurs more frequently for men than women. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for a longer period of time and work with asbestos for longer durations and to work with it. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who been exposed to asbestos, and to have asbestos fibers on their clothing. Women are less likely to come into exposure to asbestos and do not typically carry asbestos on their clothing.
Diagnosis
It is difficult to identify mesothelioma due to its symptoms being often similar to other conditions. This is why patients are sometimes misdiagnosed.
NYU Langone doctors will perform a physical examination and record 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 asbestos exposure. These include plaques in the pleura, thickened pleura and calcium deposits.
Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance scan, or MRI test, which uses magnets and radio waves to produce a series of precise images of inside the body. Another way doctors can diagnose mesothelioma is to perform an operation called a biopsy. When a biopsy is performed doctors take a tiny part of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum to be examined further. A pathologist is then able to examine the tissue with microscopes to determine whether it has cancerous cells.
Mesothelioma can be classified based on the mesothelial type involved, whether the cells are malignant or benign, and the location of the tumor, the type, and the stage of the cancer. Certain mesothelioma types have an increased risk of spreading or metastasizing and it's crucial to establish a clear diagnosis so that doctors can treat it before it gets out of control.
Doctors can also perform tests in the laboratory on tumors to identify specific proteins, genes or other elements that will help them identify the characteristics of cancer and plan treatment. These results are referred to as staging.
Treatment
A diagnosis of mesothelioma may be frightening. It is important to remember that cancer can be treated especially at its early stages. A lot of people suffering from mesothelioma endure 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 with the naked eyes can be airborne and irritate the lining of the lung (pleura). In time irritation can lead to formation of scar tissue, which causes changes in the cell structure which eventually lead to tumors.
The pleura is a protective covering that covers the lungs, heart and abdomen. Mesothelium consists of cells that respond when exposed to asbestos. They cause inflammation of the tissue and cause it to become scarred. These changes can eventually cause mesothelioma cancers.
Symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include shortness of breath and chest pain as well as an accumulation of fluid on the lungs (pleural effusion). In rare instances, the cancer can spread to the tissues surrounding the heart and reproductive organs.
If imaging scans show an area of concern in the stomach or lungs the doctor will request biopsies. The procedure involves the removal of small amounts of fluid or tumor for laboratory testing. The results will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma, and also determine the best treatment plan.
There are many types of treatment for mesothelioma, such as chemotherapy and surgery. Most doctors utilize a combination of these methods. Enrolling in clinical trials of mesothelioma treatments may be beneficial to patients. To learn more about the trials, patients should speak to a mesothelioma specialist who has experience treating the condition.