Mesothelioma and Asbestos
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that is made up of long, thin fibres. People who are exposed to asbestos are at risk of developing lung diseases like mesothelioma.
The symptoms of these diseases might not be evident for a long time after exposure to asbestos. Different types of asbestos may cause different symptoms.
Pleural Mesothelioma
Pleural mesothelioma can be found in the outer lung lining, or pleura. It is the most common form of mesothelioma and is responsible for 70 to 79% of all diagnosed cases. The condition can cause chest discomfort, shortness of breath and a feeling heaviness.
Exposure to asbestos, a group of minerals composed of microscopic fibers, usually causes this type of cancer. When inhaled, these fibers stick inside the lung and cause irritation that causes scarring and DNA mutations. Pleura is the lining of both the chest cavity and the lungs, and so irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma usually doesn't show symptoms until 30 to 50 years after exposure.
The most common symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are chest pain and breath shortness. Patients may have coughing problems, trouble breathing, or chest tightness. People with this cancer often have an history of exposure to asbestos in the workplace. Construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding are the most frequent occupations which put people at risk chance of developing pleural mesothelioma. People who have worked in the military may be at risk because of the extensive asbestos usage in Navy ships and bunkers used by the army.
The most popular staging method for pleural mesothelioma is the TNM (tumor lymph nodes, lymph nodes, and metastases) staging system. The stage that a patient is in at the time of diagnosis will help determine what treatment plan they should follow. Patients with pleural mesothelioma that is in stage three or four will have a worse outlook than those who are in a less advanced stage. Mesothelioma in stage four is usually spread to the diaphragm, the liver and/or a person's heart. This makes it more difficult to treat and raises the chance of complications for the patient.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
Unlike pleural cancer, that develops in the lung's lining the peritoneal cancer is a result of a membrane that surrounds the abdominal cavity, including organs like the intestines and liver. Similar to pleural mesothelioma mesothelioma is caused by asbestos exposure. Only 300-500 cases are diagnosed annually which is lower than the pleural asbestosis.
As with pleural asbestosis, symptoms can take several years to show. Typically, patients suffer from abdominal pain and an abdominal mass. The symptoms of this kind of mesothelioma can also include nausea or weight loss, as well as fever. Many of these symptoms can be mistaken for gastrointestinal problems which can lead to a mistaken diagnosis.
Generally, doctors can find mesothelioma after an extensive medical history and physical exam. Imaging tests like X-rays and CT scans are a way to identify mesothelioma. These tests can reveal tumors and other cancer signs which aren't evident on X-rays.
These test results allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma, determine the stage and suggest treatment options. Staging is determined based on the type of cell and whether or the tumor has spread to other parts of the body.
Asbestos exposure is the main risk factor. People who have been exposed to asbestos in jobs, such as plumbing or electrical work, or in construction and manufacturing, are more likely to contract the disease. Even if they aren't employed in these areas, they can still be exposed to asbestos through family members or other sources. This is why anyone who is concerned that they might be at risk should talk to an experienced doctor. A mesothelioma specialist can assist those with a history with asbestos to learn more about their risk.
Risk Factors
Asbestos exposure is the main risk factor for mesothelioma, making up as much as 80 percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos can occur due to work, military service, or living with people who have worked with asbestos. When exposed to asbestos, particles can be breathed into the lungs and abdomen. These particles irritate the linings of the abdomen, which causes cancerous cells to develop in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma can take between 15 and 60 years to develop after exposure to asbestos.
Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and aging. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely to get mesothelioma than people younger or older. Mesothelioma can take between 20 and 60 years before it manifests cancer symptoms after the first exposure. It is important to note that mesothelioma can develop in people who have been exposed to asbestos, but without having directly worked with it. This is referred to as secondary or indirect asbestos exposure, and is as hazardous as direct asbestos exposure.
Smoking increases a person's chances of developing mesothelioma due to the fact that it damages the mesothelium and makes it more vulnerable to asbestos. Mesothelioma can also be caused by certain illnesses such as asbestosis and pneumonia. It is also important to remember that mesothelioma is more prevalent in men than women. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for a longer time and work with asbestos for longer periods of time. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who has been exposed to asbestos, and to carry asbestos fibers on their clothing. Women are less likely to be exposed to asbestos and they don't usually carry asbestos on their clothes.
Diagnosis
Mesothelioma is a difficult cancer to identify because the symptoms can be similar to other diseases. Because of this, victims are often wrongly diagnosed.
NYU Langone doctors will perform an examination of the body and document the patient's medical history, including asbestos exposure. Doctors may also order an X-ray of the chest or CT scan to detect lumps or other abnormalities, as well as evidence of asbestos exposure in the past such as plaques on the pleura (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 an echocardiogram which examines the blood vessels and the heart as well as a magnetic resonance imaging, also known as MRI, test, which uses radio waves and magnets to make a series of precise images of the inside of the body. Another way doctors can diagnose mesothelioma is by performing the procedure of a surgical biopsy. In a surgical biopsy doctors remove a small piece of tissue from the pleura or peritoneum for further testing. A pathologist is then able to examine the tissue under a microscope to see if it contains cancerous cells.
The type of mesothelial cells involved and the benign or malignant nature of those cells, as well as the location and stage of the cancer are used to categorize the disease. Certain mesothelioma types have an increased risk of metastasizing or spreading therefore it is essential to get a definitive diagnosis so that doctors can treat it prior to it becoming out-of-control.
Doctors may also conduct laboratory tests on a tumor to find particular proteins, genes and other factors that can help them describe the characteristics of cancer and plan treatment. These results are known as staging.
Treatment
A mesothelioma diagnosis can be a frightening prospect. It is important to remember, however, that cancer can be treated especially at its early stages. antioch asbestos law firm of people suffering from mesothelioma endure the disease for many years without it spreading.
Asbestos exposure can cause mesothelioma by a variety of mechanisms. Asbestos fibers that are tiny enough to be felt or seen through the naked eye are able to become airborne and irritate the lung's lining (pleura). Over time the irritation causes the formation of scar tissues, which eventually lead to 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 when exposed to asbestos. They inflame the tissue and cause it to become scarred. As time passes, these changes cause the development of malignant mesothelioma cancers.
Breathing problems, chest discomfort or fluid buildup on the lungs are all indications of pleural msothelioma. In rare instances, the cancer can grow to the tissues surrounding the heart and reproductive organs.
A doctor will order biopsy if scans reveal a possible mass in the lungs or stomach. During the procedure, doctors take small amounts of the fluid or tumor for lab tests. The results will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and provide the most effective treatment plan.
There are several types of mesothelioma treatment options, which include chemotherapy, surgery, and immunotherapy. Most doctors rely on a combination of these methods. Patients can also benefit by participating in a clinical study of new mesothelioma treatment. Patients can learn more about the trials by consulting a mesothelioma specialist who has treated the disease.