Mesothelioma and Asbestos
Asbestos, a natural mineral, naturally forms in the form of long, thin fibers. People who are regularly exposed to asbestos risk developing lung diseases like mesothelioma.
The symptoms of these diseases might not be evident for a long time after exposure to asbestos. Different asbestos types can cause different symptoms.
Pleural Mesothelioma
Pleural mesothelioma, a form of cancer, that develops in the lung's outer lining (pleura). It is the most common mesothelioma form and accounts for 70% to 79% of diagnosed cases. People with this condition feel chest pain and shortness of breath and may experience a sensation of heaviness in the chest.
This kind of cancer is usually caused by exposure to asbestos, which is a grouping of minerals that are made up of microscopic fibres. These fibers, when inhaled can cause irritation and DNA mutations. Pleura surrounds both the chest cavity as well as the lungs, so irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma is usually not symptomatic until 30 to 50 year after exposure.
Shortness of breath and chest pain are the most frequent symptoms. Some patients also experience difficulty breathing or chest tightness. Patients with this type of cancer have a history of disease that includes asbestos exposure at work. The most common jobs that expose workers to the risk of developing pleural cancer are construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding. People who served in the military are at a greater risk due to the widespread use of asbestos in Navy vessels and bunkers in the Army.
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 at diagnosis will aid their doctor in determining the most appropriate treatment plan for them. Patients who have pleural mesothelioma which is in stage three or stage four will have a less favorable prognosis compared to those in a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma can spread to the heart, liver or diaphragm. This can make it more difficult to treat and increases the chance of complications for the patient.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
Unlike pleural mesothelioma, which develops in the lung lining, peritoneal mesothelioma is found in the peritoneum -- it is a membrane that lines the abdominal cavity as well as organs such as the intestines and the liver. Like pleural mesothelioma, peritoneal mesothelioma is caused by asbestos exposure. There are only 300-500 cases diagnosed annually this is less than pleural asbestosis.
As with pleural asbestosis, symptoms can take a long time to show. Typically, patients suffer from abdominal pain and abdominal swelling. The symptoms of this type of mesothelioma could also include nausea as well as weight loss and fever. A lot of these symptoms can be misinterpreted as digestive issues and can lead to a false diagnosis.
Doctors can detect mesothelioma by examining the patient's medical history and conducting a physical exam. Imaging tests like X-rays or CT scans are a way to detect mesothelioma. These tests can identify tumors and other signs of cancer that aren't evident on X-rays.
These tests enable doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and establish the stage. They also offer treatments. The stage is determined by the type of cell and whether the cancer has spread.
The most important risk factor for mesothelioma is asbestos exposure. People who have been in occupations which require asbestos, like plumbing or electrical work, manufacturing or construction, are at a higher risk of developing the disease. Even if they aren't employed in these areas, they can still be exposed to asbestos through family members or through other sources. This is why anyone who is concerned that they might be at risk should talk to an expert. If they have any history of exposure to asbestos and mesothelioma is a concern, a specialist will help them find out more about their risk.
Risk Factors
Asbestos exposure is a major mesothelioma risk factor, making up as much as 80 percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos can occur due to military service, work or living with people who have worked with asbestos. Asbestos particles can be inhaled by those who are exposed to it. These particles irritate the linings, causing cancerous cells to form in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma can take anywhere 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. This is because mesothelioma usually lasts between 20 and 60 years from the first exposure to asbestos before cancer symptoms appear. It is also important to note that mesothelioma may develop in people who were exposed to asbestos but didn't deal with it directly. This is referred to as indirect or secondary asbestos exposure. It can be just as harmful as direct asbestos exposure.
Smoking increases the chance of mesothelioma as it damages the mesothelium. It also makes it more prone to. Furthermore, mesothelioma is caused by certain illnesses, such as pneumonia and asbestosis. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than females. This is because men are more likely to work with asbestos and experience a more exposure than women. Also, men are more likely to live with someone who has had asbestos exposure and bring stray asbestos fibers home on their clothes. Women tend to be less in contact with asbestos, and they are less likely to carry asbestos on their clothing.
Diagnosis
Mesothelioma is difficult to diagnose because the symptoms can be similar to other diseases. Because of this, victims are sometimes wrongly diagnosed.
The first step in identifying mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform an examination and write note of the medical history of the patient including asbestos exposure. Doctors can also request an X-ray chest or CT scan to check for lumps and other abnormalities, as well as evidence of past asbestos exposure like plaques on the pleura (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the formation of fluid between the lung and the 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, or MRI test, which uses radio waves and magnets to make a series of detailed images of the inside of the body. A surgical biopsy is a different method for doctors to identify mesothelioma. In a surgical biopsy, doctors remove a tiny part of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum to be tested further. A pathologist can then examine the tissue under microscopes to determine whether it is contaminated with cancerous cells.
Mesothelioma can be classified based on the type of mesothelial cells involved, whether those cells are malignant or benign and the location of the tumor, the type, and the stage of the cancer. Certain types of mesothelioma are at an increased chance of metastasizing or spreading and it's crucial to determine the type of mesothelioma so doctors can treat it before it gets out of control.
Doctors can also perform laboratory tests on tumors to determine specific proteins, genes, or other factors which can aid in describing cancer characteristics and plan treatment. These results are known as staging.
Treatment
A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be frightening. It is important to remember that cancer can be treated particularly in its early stages. Many mesothelioma patients live for a long time with the disease without it spreading to other areas of their body.
Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma in a number of ways. Asbestos particles, which are too small to detect or feel with the naked eye, can become airborne and irritate the lining of the lungs (pleura). As time passes the irritation can lead to the formation of scar tissue and eventually tumors.
The pleura covers the heart and lungs and also the abdomen. Mesothelium is made up of cells that react when exposed to asbestos. Spokane Valley asbestos attorney inflame the tissue and cause it to become scarred. In time, these changes can lead to the development of malignant mesothelioma tumors.
The signs of pleural mesothelioma can include shortness of breath and chest pain as well as the accumulation of fluid in the lung (pleural effusion). In rare instances, the cancer can spread to the tissues surrounding the heart and reproductive organs.
A doctor may request biopsy if imaging scans reveal a possible mass in the lungs or stomach. During the procedure, doctors will remove tiny amounts of tumor or fluid for lab analysis. The results can confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma, and also determine the best treatment plan.
There are many types of treatment for mesothelioma including chemotherapy and surgery. Most doctors use combinations of these treatments. Participating in clinical trials for mesothelioma treatments may be beneficial to patients. To find out more, patients should consult mesothelioma experts who have had experience treating the disease.