Mesothelioma and Asbestos
Asbestos is a natural mineral that is found in long, thin fibres. Workers who are exposed asbestos on a regular basis are at risk of developing mesothelioma as well as other lung diseases of different types.
It can take years before symptoms begin to manifest after exposure to asbestos. Different asbestos types may cause different symptoms.
Pleural Mesothelioma
Pleural mesothelioma, a form of cancer, that occurs in the outer lung the lining (pleura). It is the most prevalent form of mesothelioma and accounts for 70% to 79% of all diagnosed cases. This condition causes chest pain, breath shortness and a feeling of weightiness.
Exposure to asbestos, a group of minerals comprised of microscopic fibers, usually causes this kind of cancer. When inhaled, these fibers cling to the lung and cause irritation that results in scarring and DNA mutations. Pleura is the lining of both the chest cavity as well as the lungs, and so irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma is usually not symptomatic until 30 to 50 years after exposure.
The most commonly reported symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include chest pain and shortness of breath. Patients may have coughing problems, trouble 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 put people at risk of pleural mesothelioma include construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding. People who have served in the military may be at a higher risk due to the widespread asbestos usage in Navy vessels and bunkers for the army.
The TNM (tumors lymph nodes and metastases staging system) is the most common staging system used to treat pleural adenocarcinoma. The stage that the patient is in at the time of diagnosis will help determine what treatment plan they will receive. For example, patients with mesothelioma that is pleural in stage three or four have a less favorable prognosis than those with lower stages. Stage four mesothelioma may spread to the liver, heart, or diaphragm. This can make the cancer more difficult to treat, and increase the risk of complications for the patient.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
In contrast to pleural mesothelioma which develops in the lung lining, peritoneal mesothelioma develops in the peritoneum, an elongated membrane that covers the abdominal cavity as well as organs like the liver and intestines. Like pleural mesothelioma, peritoneal mesothelioma is triggered by
modesto asbestos attorney exposure. The disease is less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma, and only about 300-500 cases diagnosed each year.
As with pleural asbestosis, symptoms can take a long time to show. Typically, patients experience abdominal pain and abdominal swelling. This kind of mesothelioma can also cause nausea, weight loss,
www.youtube.com and fever. Many of these symptoms could be mistaken for gastrointestinal problems which can lead to a misdiagnosis.
Generally speaking, doctors can detect mesothelioma after a thorough health history and physical exam. Imaging tests like X-rays and CT scans are a way to detect mesothelioma. These tests can reveal tumors, as well as other signs of cancer that aren't apparent on an X-ray.
These test results allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma, determine the stage of the disease and suggest treatment options. The staging is determined by the type of cell and whether or the tumor has spread to other parts of the body.
The most significant mesothelioma-related risk factor is exposure to asbestos. People who have been exposed to asbestos in occupations, like electrical or plumbing work or in construction, manufacturing and manufacturing, are more likely to develop the disease. However, even if individuals aren't employed in these fields they could 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 speak to a doctor. If they have any history of exposure to asbestos or mesothelioma, a specialist can help them find out more about the 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 can occur through work, military service or by living with a person who works with asbestos or used to do so. Asbestos particles are inhaled by people who are exposed to it. These particles can cause irritation to the linings and can cause cancerous cells to develop in the mesothelium. After exposure to asbestos mesothelioma can be diagnosed between 15 and 60 years.
Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and aging. People in their 40s or 50s are more at risk of developing mesothelioma as compared to those who are younger or older. It takes mesothelioma between 20 and 60 years to manifest cancer symptoms after the first exposure. It is also important to know that mesothelioma may develop in people who were exposed to asbestos, but did not engage directly with it. This is known as indirect or secondary exposure to asbestos, and it could be as hazardous as direct exposure.
Smoking increases the risk of getting mesothelioma because it damages the mesothelium and makes it more susceptible to asbestos. Additionally, mesothelioma can be caused by certain illnesses, such as pneumonia and asbestosis. It is also important to know that mesothelioma is more prevalent in males than females. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for a longer time and to work with it. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who has worked with asbestos and to have asbestos-containing fibers on their clothing. Women tend to be less exposed to asbestos and don't typically carry asbestos on their clothing.
Diagnosis
Mesothelioma is a difficult cancer to identify because the symptoms are often similar to other diseases. Due to this, patients are sometimes mistakenly diagnosed.
NYU Langone doctors will perform a physical examination and record the patient's medical background, including asbestos exposure. Doctors will also order an CT scan or chest X-ray in order to look for lumps, abnormalities, and evidence of exposure to asbestos. These include plaques on the pleura, pleura that are thickened and calcium deposits.
Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI test, that uses radio waves and magnets in order to produce a series of precise images of the inside of the body. Another way doctors can diagnose mesothelioma is by performing an operation called a biopsy. During a surgical biopsy, doctors remove a small piece of tissue from the pleura or peritoneum for further testing. A pathologist can then examine the tissue using a magnifying glass to determine whether it contains cancerous cell.
Mesothelioma is classified based on the mesothelial type involved, whether those cells are benign or malignant, and the location, type, and stage of the tumor. Certain mesothelioma types have an increased risk of metastasizing or spreading, so it's important to establish a clear diagnosis to ensure that the doctors can treat it prior to it becoming out of control.
Doctors may also conduct laboratory tests on tumors to identify specific genes, proteins or other elements that can aid in describing cancer characteristics and plan treatment. These results are referred to as staging.
Treatment
A diagnosis of mesothelioma may be frightening. However, it's important to remember that the cancer can be treated, particularly in its initial stages. Many people with mesothelioma live for a long time without the disease spreading to other areas of their body.
Exposure to asbestos may cause mesothelioma through a variety of ways. Asbestos fibers that are tiny enough to be felt or viewed by naked eyes, can become airborne, irritating the lining of the lung (pleura). Over time irritation can lead to formation of scar tissue, which leads to changes in the cell structure which eventually lead to tumors.
The pleura surrounds the lungs and heart,
Youtube.Com as well as the abdomen. Mesothelium is composed of cells that react to exposure to asbestos and cause it to enflame and form scar tissue. As time passes, these changes lead to the development of malignant mesothelioma tumors.
A shortness of breath, chest pain or fluid accumulation on the lungs are all signs of the pleural mesothelioma. In rare instances, the cancer can spread to the tissues surrounding the heart and reproductive organs.
A doctor will request a biopsy if imaging scans reveal a possible mass in the lungs or stomach. The procedure involves the removal of some of the liquid or tumor for tests in the laboratory. The results can confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis and provide the most effective treatment plan.
There are many types of treatment for mesothelioma including surgery and chemotherapy. The majority of doctors use the combination of these methods. Patients can also benefit by taking part in a clinical trial of new mesothelioma treatments. Patients can find out more by consulting a mesothelioma expert who has treated the disease.
