Mesothelioma and Asbestos
Asbestos is a natural mineral that comes in long, thin fibres. Workers who are exposed to asbestos regularly risk developing mesothelioma and other lung diseases.
It can take years for symptoms to appear after exposure to asbestos. Different asbestos types can cause different symptoms.
Pleural Mesothelioma
Pleural mesothelioma occurs in the outer lung lining, or pleura. It is the most common mesothelioma form and accounts for 70% to 79% of diagnosed cases. Patients suffering from this condition suffer from chest pain and breath shortness, and they may feel an ache or heaviness in the chest.
Exposure to asbestos, a group of minerals comprised of microscopic fibers causes this type of cancer. These fibers, when inhaled cause irritation and DNA mutations. The pleura surrounds the chest cavity and lungs and therefore, these irritations could affect both the lungs and the heart of a person. Mesothelioma typically doesn't manifest until 30 to 50 year after exposure.
The most commonly reported symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are chest discomfort and shortness of breath. Some patients may also suffer from chest tightness and coughing, or breathing difficulties. Patients with this type of cancer have a past that includes asbestos exposure at work. Manufacturing, construction and shipbuilding are among the most frequent occupations that put people at high risk of developing pleural mesothelioma. People who were in the military are at a greater risk due the frequent use of
asbestos compensation in Navy vessels and Army bunkers.
The most common staging system for pleural mysothelioma has been the TNM (tumor, lymph nodes and metastases) staging system. The stage that a patient is in at the time of diagnosis can help determine what treatment plan they should follow. Patients suffering from pleural mesothelioma who is in stage three or stage four will have a less favorable prognosis than those who are in a less advanced stage. Mesothelioma in stage four can develop into the heart, liver or diaphragm. This makes the cancer more difficult to treat, and increase the chance of complications for the patient.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
As opposed to pleural mesothelioma that is a lung-lining cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma forms in the peritoneum -- it is a membrane that lines the abdominal cavity and organs such as the intestines and the liver. Similar to pleural mesothelioma, asbestos exposure is the primary cause of peritoneal msothelioma. There are only 300-500 cases diagnosed each year which is lower than pleural asbestosis.
Like pleural mesothelioma, the symptoms may take years to appear. Patients usually suffer from abdominal pain and may also have a lump in their abdomen. This kind of mesothelioma can also cause nausea, weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms are similar to those of gastrointestinal issues, which can result in incorrect diagnosis.
Generally speaking, doctors can detect mesothelioma through an exhaustive health history and physical examination. They can also use imaging tests such as X-rays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to help find mesothelioma. These tests can detect tumors and other signs of cancer that are not visible on X-rays.
The results of these tests allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma, determine the stage of the disease and suggest treatment options. Staging is determined based on the type of cells and whether or not the cancer has spread to other parts of the body.
The most significant mesothelioma-related risk factor is exposure to asbestos. People who have worked in asbestos-containing professions, such as electrical or plumbing work, or in manufacturing and construction, are more likely to contract the disease. Even if someone does not work in any of these areas, he or she can still be exposed through family members or other sources. For this reason, anyone who is concerned that they might be at risk should speak to an experienced doctor. 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 the main risk factor for mesothelioma making up as much as 80 percent of all cases. Exposure to asbestos may occur as a result of work, military service or by living with a person who works with asbestos or was previously exposed to doing such.
asbestos legal particles can be inhaled by those who are exposed to asbestos. These particles can cause irritation to the linings of the abdomen, which causes cancerous cells to grow in the mesothelium. After asbestos exposure, mesothelioma may be diagnosed between 15 and 60 years old.
Other risk factors include genetics, smoking and age. The people in their 40s or 50s are more at risk of developing mesothelioma compared to people who are younger or more. Mesothelioma can take between 20 and 60 years to manifest cancer symptoms after the first exposure. It is important to note that mesothelioma may develop in people who have been exposed to asbestos without having worked with it directly. This is known as indirect or secondary exposure to asbestos. It can be just as dangerous as direct exposure.
Smoking increases the risk of mesothelioma, because it damages the mesothelium. It also makes it more susceptible. In addition, mesothelioma may be caused by certain illnesses, such as asbestosis and pneumonia. It is also important to note that mesothelioma is more common in males than females. This is due to men being more likely to work with asbestos and have more exposure than women. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who had worked with asbestos, and to have asbestos fibers on their clothing. Women are less likely to come exposed to asbestos and they don't usually carry
asbestos on their clothes.
Diagnosis
Mesothelioma is a difficult cancer to recognize because the symptoms often resemble other diseases. This is why patients are often mistakenly diagnosed.
NYU Langone doctors will perform physical examinations and document the patient's medical background, including asbestos exposure. Doctors can also order a chest X-ray or CT scan to detect lumps or other abnormalities, and also to look for evidence of previous
asbestos compensation exposure like plaques in the pleura (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the buildup of fluid between the lung and chest wall (known as pleural effusion).
Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance scan, or MRI test, which makes use of magnets and radio waves to create a series detailed images of inside the body. A surgical biopsy is a different method doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma. A surgical biopsy is when doctors remove a small amount of tissue from the peritoneum or pleura to conduct further tests. A pathologist is then able to look at the tissue under microscopes to determine if it has cancerous cells.
The type of mesothelial cell involved, the malignant or benign nature of these cells as well as the location the cancer, its type and the stage of the cancer are used to categorize the disease. Some types of mesothelioma are more likely to develop metastasis or spread and spread, therefore it is essential to get a definite diagnosis to ensure that doctors are able to treat the disease before it becomes out of control.
Doctors may also conduct tests in the lab on tumors to determine specific genes, proteins or other elements that can help them describe cancer characteristics and plan treatment. These results are known as staging.
Treatment
A diagnosis of mesothelioma may be terrifying. However, it's important to remember that the disease is treatable, especially in its early stages. Many people with mesothelioma can live with the disease for a long time, without spreading.
Exposure to asbestos may cause mesothelioma in a number of ways. Asbestos fibers that are small enough to not be felt or seen through the naked eye, can become airborne, causing irritation to the lining of the lung (pleura). Over time the irritation can lead to the formation of scar tissues and eventually tumors.
The pleura is a protective covering that surrounds the lungs, heart and abdomen. Mesothelium consists of cells that respond when exposed to asbestos. They inflame the tissue and cause it to scar. These changes can eventually cause mesothelioma cancers.
The signs of pleural mesothelioma can include breathlessness and chest pain, or an accumulation of fluid in the lungs (pleural effusion). In rare instances, the cancer can grow to the tissues surrounding the heart and reproductive organs.
If imaging scans show a possible mass in the stomach or lungs, a doctor will order biopsies. During the procedure doctors remove some of the liquid or tumor for tests in the laboratory. The results will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and determine the best treatment option.
There are many types of treatment for mesothelioma including chemotherapy and surgery. Most doctors utilize a combination of these treatments. Patients may also benefit from participating in a clinical study of new mesothelioma therapies. To learn more, patients should consult a mesothelioma specialist who has had experience treating the disease.
