Mesothelioma and Asbestos
Asbestos is a mineral that occurs naturally in the form of long, thin fibers. Workers who are regularly exposed to asbestos risk developing lung diseases like mesothelioma.
It may take decades for symptoms to show up after asbestos exposure. Different asbestos types can cause different symptoms.
Pleural Mesothelioma
Pleural mesothelioma can be found in the lung's outer lining or the pleura. It is the most frequent mesothelioma type and is responsible 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.
This type of cancer often caused through exposure to asbestos, which is a cluster of minerals made up of microscopic fibres. When inhaled, these fibers cause irritation and DNA mutations. Pleura is the lining of both the chest cavity as well as the lungs, which means that irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma symptoms typically don't show until 30 to 50 years after exposure.
Chest pain and shortness breath are the most common symptoms. Patients may also experience chest tightness and coughing, or breathing difficulties. People with this cancer have a past that includes asbestos exposure at work. The most frequent jobs that put people at risk of pleural mesothelioma include manufacturing, construction, and shipbuilding. Individuals who have served in the military are at higher risk due to the extensive use asbestos in Navy vessels and Army bunkers.
The most commonly used staging method for pleural mesothelioma is the TNM (tumor lymph nodes, lymph nodes and metastases) staging system. The stage that a patient is at when they are diagnosed will help their doctor determine the most appropriate treatment plan for them. For instance, patients suffering from a pleural mesothelioma in stage three or four have a worse prognosis than those with a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma may spread to the heart, liver or diaphragm. This makes the cancer more difficult to treat and increase the chances of complications for the patient.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
Unlike pleural mesothelioma, which develops in the lung lining, peritoneal mesothelioma develops in the peritoneum - an elongated membrane that covers the abdominal cavity and organs like the intestines and liver. As with pleural mesothelioma exposure to asbestos is the cause of peritoneal mesothelioma. The disease is less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma. There are only about 300-500 cases diagnosed each year.
As with pleural mesothelioma symptoms may take years to appear. Patients generally have abdominal pain, and may also have a lump in their abdomen. This kind of mesothelioma can also cause nausea, weight loss, and fever. A lot of these symptoms are similar to symptoms of digestive issues, which could result in incorrect diagnosis.
Doctors can detect mesothelioma by reviewing the medical history of the patient and performing a physical exam. Imaging tests like X-rays and CT scans can be used to identify mesothelioma. These tests can identify tumors and other signs of cancer which aren't evident on X-rays.
The results of these tests allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and establish the stage. They can also suggest treatments. The staging is determined by the type of cells and whether or not the tumor has spread to other areas of the body.
The most important mesothelioma-related risk factor is asbestos exposure. People who have been exposed to asbestos in jobs, such as electrical or plumbing work or in manufacturing and construction, are more likely to contract the disease. Even if a person is not employed in any of these areas, he or she can still be exposed through family members or other sources. Anyone who thinks they may be at risk should talk to an expert. A mesothelioma expert can help those who have had a experience with asbestos to understand more about their risk.
Risk Factors
Asbestos exposure is the main risk factor for mesothelioma, accounting for up to 80 percent of all cases. Exposure to asbestos may occur as a result of military service, work or living with people who have worked with asbestos. Asbestos particles are inhaled by those who are exposed to asbestos. The particles cause irritation to the linings, causing cancerous cells to form in the mesothelium. After exposure to asbestos mesothelioma can be diagnosed between 15 and 60 years old.
Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and the advancing age. The people in their 40s or 50s are at a higher risk of developing mesothelioma compared to those younger or older. This is because mesothelioma usually occurs between 20 and 60 years from the first time of exposure before symptoms of cancer begin to manifest. It is important to note, too, that mesothelioma could develop in those who have been exposed to asbestos without having been directly exposed to it. This is referred to as indirect or secondary asbestos exposure, and is as hazardous as direct asbestos exposure.
Smoking increases the risk of mesothelioma, because it damages the mesothelium. It also makes it more prone to. Additionally, mesothelioma can be worsened by certain diseases like 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 period of time and work with asbestos for longer periods of time. Men are also more likely to live with someone who has had asbestos exposure and bring stray asbestos fibers home on their clothes. Women are less likely to be exposed to asbestos and don't typically bring asbestos home on their clothes.
Diagnosis
Mesothelioma is a difficult disease to identify because the symptoms can be similar to other diseases. Due to this, patients are sometimes wrongly diagnosed.
The first step in diagnosing mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform an examination and write note of the medical history of the patient, including asbestos exposure. Doctors will also order an CT scan or chest X-ray in order to look for abnormalities, lumps and evidence of exposure to asbestos. sterling heights asbestos attorneys include plaques on the pleura, pleura that are thickened and calcium deposits.
Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance scan, or MRI test, which uses magnets and radio waves in order to create a series of detailed images of inside the body. Another method doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma is through a surgical biopsy. In a surgical biopsy doctors take a tiny part of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum, to be examined further. A pathologist then examines the tissue under a magnifying lens to determine whether it contains cancerous cell.
The type of mesothelial cell involved and the benign or malignant nature of the cells, as well as the location, type and stage of the tumor, are used to categorize the disease. Certain types of mesothelioma are more likely to spread or metastasize, so it is important to have a clear diagnosis to ensure that doctors are able to treat the disease before it goes out of control.
Doctors can also perform tests in the lab on tumors to identify specific proteins, genes or other elements that can aid in describing the characteristics of cancer and plan treatment. These results are known as staging.
Treatment
A mesothelioma diagnose can be frightening. It is important to remember that cancer can be treated particularly in its initial stages. A lot of people suffering from mesothelioma be afflicted for a long time, without expanding.
Exposure to asbestos can trigger mesothelioma in many ways. Asbestos particles, which are too small to detect or feel with the naked eye, can be airborne and cause irritation to the lining of the lungs (pleura). Over time irritation leads to formation of scar tissue which causes changes in the structure of cells which eventually lead to tumors.
The Pleura is a protective layer that protects the lungs, heart and abdomen. Mesothelium consists of cells that react to asbestos which causes it to become inflamed and develop scar tissue. These changes eventually cause mesothelioma cancers.
A shortness of breath, chest discomfort, or the accumulation of fluid on the lungs are all signs of pleural Msothelioma. In rare instances, cancer can spread into the tissues that surround the reproductive organs and heart.
A doctor will order biopsy if imaging scans reveal a possible tumor in the lungs or stomach. In the course of the procedure, doctors remove small amounts of fluid or tumor for lab tests. The results will confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis and indicate the best treatment option.
There are many types of mesothelioma treatment options, which include chemotherapy, surgery, and immunotherapy. Most doctors rely on an amalgamation of these techniques. Enrolling in clinical trials of mesothelioma treatments that are new could be beneficial for patients. To find out more, patients should speak with mesothelioma experts who have experience treating the condition.