Mesothelioma and Asbestos
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that comes in long, thin fibres. People who are regularly exposed to asbestos are at risk of developing lung diseases such as mesothelioma.
It can take years for symptoms to show up after asbestos exposure. Different asbestos types may cause different symptoms.
Pleural Mesothelioma
Pleural mesothelioma can be found in the lung's outer lining also known as the pleura. It is the most common form of mesothelioma and is responsible for 70 to 79% of diagnosed cases. Patients with this disease feel chest pain and breath shortness, and they may feel the sensation of weight in the chest.
This type of cancer is often caused through exposure to asbestos, which is a grouping of minerals comprised of microscopic fibres. Once inhaled, the fibers cling to the lung and cause irritation which results in scarring 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 years after exposure.
The most commonly reported symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are chest discomfort and shortness of breath. Patients may also experience difficulty breathing, or chest tightness. People with this cancer have a history that includes asbestos exposure at work. Manufacturing, construction and shipbuilding are among the most frequent occupations that put people at a high risk of developing pleural mesothelioma. Individuals who have served in the military are at higher risk due to the widespread use of asbestos in Navy vessels and Army bunkers.
The most popular staging system for pleural mysothelioma has been the TNM (tumor, lymph nodes and metastases) staging system. The stage that a patient is at at diagnosis will help their doctor determine the best treatment plan for them. Patients with pleural mesothelioma that is in stage three or stage four will suffer a more negative outlook than those who are in a lower stage. Mesothelioma in stage four is usually spread to the diaphragm, liver and/or a person's heart. This can make it more difficult to treat and raises the likelihood of complications for the patient.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
As opposed to pleural mesothelioma that develops in the lung lining, peritoneal mesothelioma develops in the peritoneum -- an elongated membrane that covers the abdominal cavity and organs like the liver and intestines. Like pleural mesothelioma, peritoneal mesothelioma can be caused by
asbestos lawyer exposure. The disease is much less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma. There are around 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.
As with pleural mesothelioma symptoms may take years to appear. The majority of patients experience abdominal pain and an abdominal mass. The symptoms of this type of mesothelioma can also include nausea, weight loss and fever. A lot of these symptoms can be mistaken for gastrointestinal problems which can lead to a misdiagnosis.
The doctors can detect mesothelioma through looking over the medical history of the patient and conducting a physical exam. Imaging tests like X-rays or CT scans are a way to detect mesothelioma. These tests can show cancerous tumors or other indications of cancer that aren't apparent on an X-ray.
These test results allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma, identify the stage and recommend treatment options. The staging is determined by the type of cell and whether or not the cancer has spread to other parts of the body.
The most significant risk factor for mesothelioma is asbestos exposure. People who have been in occupations that involve asbestos, like plumbing electrical work, manufacturing or construction, are at a higher risk of developing the disease. However, even if individuals aren't employed in these areas, they can still be exposed to asbestos through relatives or other sources. Therefore, anyone who suspects they may be at risk should talk to a doctor. A mesothelioma expert can help those who have a previous history of
asbestos attorney to find out more about their risk.
Risk Factors
Asbestos is the most significant mesothelioma-related risk factor. It accounts for as much as 80% of all cases. Exposure to asbestos can happen through military service, work or living with people who have worked with
asbestos settlement. Asbestos particles can be inhaled by people who are exposed to asbestos. These irritate the linings and cause cancerous cells to form in the mesothelium. Following exposure to asbestos, mesothelioma may develop between 15 and 60 years.
Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and age. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely get mesothelioma than people younger or older. This is because mesothelioma usually takes 20 to 60 years from the first time of exposure before cancer symptoms appear. It is important to keep in mind that mesothelioma can develop in those who have been exposed to asbestos without having directly worked with it. This is referred to as indirect or secondary exposure to asbestos, and it could be as hazardous as direct exposure.
Smoking can increase the likelihood of developing mesothelioma since it damages the mesothelium and makes it more prone to asbestos. Mesothelioma can also be caused by certain illnesses such as asbestosis and pneumonia. It is also important to note that mesothelioma occurs more frequently in males than females. This is because men are more likely to be exposed to asbestos and endure a an extended period of exposure than women. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who had worked with asbestos, and to carry asbestos fibers on their clothing. Women are less likely to be exposed to
asbestos settlement, and don't typically carry asbestos on their clothes.
Diagnosis
Mesothelioma is a difficult cancer to identify because the symptoms can be similar to other diseases. Due to this, patients are sometimes wrongly diagnosed.
NYU Langone doctors will perform physical examinations and document the patient's medical history, including
Asbestos Legal exposure. Doctors may also request an CT scan or chest X-ray in order to look for lumps, abnormalities, and evidence of asbestos exposure. These include plaques in the pleura, thickened pleura and calcium deposits.
Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance scan, or MRI test, that uses radio waves and magnets to create a series of detailed images of the inside of the body. A surgical biopsy is another method for doctors to identify mesothelioma. When a biopsy is performed doctors will remove a small part of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum, to be examined further. A pathologist will then look at the tissue with a magnifying lens to determine if it is a cancerous cell.
The mesothelial type involved as well as the benign or malignant nature of these cells as well as the location and stage of the tumor, are used to categorize the disease. Some types of mesothelioma are more likely to grow or spread, so it is important to have a clear diagnosis so that doctors can treat the disease before it gets out of control.
Doctors may also conduct tests in the lab on tumors in order to determine specific proteins, genes or other elements that can help them describe cancer characteristics and determine the best treatment. These results are called staging.
Treatment
A mesothelioma diagnosis is an incredibly frightening prospect. It is important to remember, however, that cancer can be treated particularly in its early stages. Many patients with mesothelioma survive for years with the disease, without spreading to other parts of their body.
Asbestos exposure can trigger mesothelioma via various mechanisms. Asbestos fibers, which are too small to be felt or seen through the naked eye are able to become airborne and irritate the lung's lining (pleura). In time irritation leads to formation of scar tissue, which can cause changes in the cell structure that can eventually grow into tumors.
The Pleura is a covering that surrounds the lungs, heart and abdomen. Mesothelium is composed of cells that react to exposure to asbestos which causes it to become inflamed and develop scar tissue. These changes can eventually lead to malignant mesothelioma tumours.
The signs of pleural mesothelioma can include shortness of breath, chest pain or a buildup of fluid in the lung (pleural effusion). In rare cases, cancer can spread into the tissues that surround the reproductive organs and heart.
A doctor may request biopsy if imaging scans show the possibility of a tumor in the lungs or stomach. In the course of the procedure, doctors remove some of the fluid or tumor to allow for laboratory testing. The results will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and help determine the best treatment option.
There are several types of mesothelioma treatments, including surgery, chemotherapy and immunotherapy. Most doctors rely on the combination of these methods. Participating in clinical trials for mesothelioma treatments that are new could be beneficial for patients. To find out more, patients should speak to mesothelioma specialists who have experience treating the condition.
