Mesothelioma and Asbestos
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that is made up of thin, long fibres. People who are regularly exposed to asbestos risk developing lung diseases, such as mesothelioma.
It can take years for symptoms to appear after asbestos exposure. Different
asbestos settlement types can cause different symptoms.
Pleural Mesothelioma
Pleural mesothelioma occurs in the outer lung lining, also known as the pleura. It is the most frequent mesothelioma form and is responsible for 70 to 79% of diagnosed cases. The condition can cause chest pain, breath shortness and a feeling heavyness.
This type of cancer is often caused through exposure to asbestos, which is a collection of minerals made up of microscopic fibres. Once inhaled, the fibers stick inside the lung and cause irritation that results in scarring and DNA mutations. Pleura surrounds both the chest cavity and the lungs, so irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma is usually not symptomatic until 30 to 50 year after exposure.
The most common symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are chest pain and shortness of breath. Some patients also experience difficulty breathing, or chest tightness. People with this cancer often have an history of exposure to asbestos in the workplace. Construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding are among the most prevalent jobs which put people at risk chance of developing pleural mesothelioma. People who were in the military are at a greater risk due to the widespread use of asbestos in Navy vessels and bunkers for the Army.
The most popular staging system for pleural mysothelioma has been the TNM (tumor, lymph nodes and metastases) staging system. The stage a patient has at diagnosis will aid their doctor in determining the most appropriate treatment plan for them. 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 lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma may spread to the liver, heart 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 forms in the peritoneum - an elongated membrane that covers the abdominal cavity as well as organs such as the intestines and liver. Like pleural mesothelioma, exposure to asbestos is the cause of peritoneal mesothelioma. The disease is less common 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 experience abdominal pain, and may have a mass in their abdomen. This kind of mesothelioma can cause nausea, weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms could be misinterpreted as gastrointestinal issues which can lead to a mistaken diagnosis.
Generally, doctors can find mesothelioma through an extensive medical history and physical exam. They can also utilize imaging tests like X-rays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to help find mesothelioma. These tests can reveal cancerous tumors or other symptoms of cancer that aren't visible on X-rays.
These test results enable doctors to identify mesothelioma, and determine the stage. They can also recommend treatments. The staging is determined by the type of cells and whether or not the cancer has spread to other parts of the body.
Asbestos exposure is the biggest risk factor. People who have worked in jobs that require asbestos, such as plumbing, manufacturing, electrical work, or construction, are at a higher risk of developing the disease. However, even if individuals aren't employed in these areas they may be exposed to asbestos through relatives or other sources. For this reason, anyone who suspects they may be at risk should speak to a doctor. If they have a history of asbestos exposure or mesothelioma, a specialist can assist them in finding out more about their risk.
Risk Factors
Asbestos is the main risk factor in mesothelioma. It accounts for up to 80percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos can happen through work, military service or by living with a person who is exposed to
Asbestos Case or was previously exposed to doing the same. Asbestos particles can be breathed in by people who are exposed to
asbestos legal. The particles cause irritation to the linings of the abdomen, which causes cancerous cells to develop 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 be diagnosed with mesothelioma compared to those who are younger or older. This is because mesothelioma usually occurs between 20 and 60 years from the first time of exposure before cancer symptoms appear. It is also important to note that mesothelioma is a possibility in people who were exposed to
asbestos but didn't deal with it directly. This is known as indirect or secondary exposure to asbestos. It is just as harmful as direct exposure.
Smoking increases the chance of mesothelioma since it damages mesothelium. It also makes it more susceptible. Mesothelioma is also aggravated by certain illnesses such as asbestosis and pneumonia. It is also important to remember that mesothelioma is more prevalent in men than women. This is due to men being more likely to work with asbestos and experience a more exposure than women. Men are also more likely to live with someone who had asbestos exposure and bring asbestos fibers from their workplace on their clothing. Women tend to be less exposed to asbestos and they are less likely to carry asbestos on their clothes.
Diagnosis
Mesothelioma is a difficult disease to identify because the symptoms often resemble other diseases. This could lead to patients being incorrectly diagnosed.
NYU Langone doctors will perform physical examinations and document the patient's medical background including asbestos exposure. Doctors may also order a chest X-ray or CT scan to detect lumps and other abnormalities and also to look for evidence of past
asbestos legal exposure like pleural plaques (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the accumulation of fluid between the lung and the chest wall (known as pleural effusion).
Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI test, which uses radio waves and magnets in order to create a series detailed images of the inside of the body. Another way doctors can diagnose mesothelioma is by performing a surgical biopsy. A surgical biopsy is when doctors take a small amount of tissue from the pleura or peritoneum for further analysis. A pathologist then examines the tissue under an magnifying glass to determine if it is a cancerous cell.
The type of mesothelial cell involved as well as the benign or malignant nature of these cells and the location the cancer, its type and the stage of the cancer are used to classify the disease. Some types of mesothelioma are more likely to spread or metastasize which is why it is crucial to have a clear diagnosis to ensure that doctors are able to treat the disease before it goes out of control.
Doctors may also conduct tests in the lab on tumors in order to determine specific proteins, genes, or other factors which can aid in describing the characteristics of cancer and plan treatment. These results are known as staging.
Treatment
A mesothelioma diagnosis can be terrifying. However, it's important to remember that the cancer is treatable, especially in its early stages. Many patients with mesothelioma survive for many years without the disease spreading to other parts of their body.
Exposure to
asbestos settlement can cause mesothelioma by many mechanisms. Asbestos fibers, which are small enough to not be felt or observed with the naked eyes, can become airborne and irritate the lung's lining (pleura). Over time the irritation causes the formation of scar tissues and eventually tumors.
The Pleura is a protective layer that covers the abdomen, heart, and lungs. Mesothelium consists of cells that respond when exposed to asbestos. They inflame the tissue and cause it to become scarred. These changes can eventually result in malignant mesothelioma tumors.
Shortness of breath, chest discomfort, or the accumulation of fluid on the lungs are all indications of pleural msothelioma. In rare cases, the cancer can be spread to the tissues around the heart and reproductive organs.
A doctor may request biopsy if imaging scans show the possibility of a tumor in the lungs or stomach. During the procedure, doctors take tiny amounts of fluid or tumor for lab testing. The results will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and determine the best treatment option.
There are a variety of mesothelioma treatment, including chemotherapy, surgery and immunotherapy. Most doctors use a combination of these treatments. Participating in clinical trials for mesothelioma treatments that are new could be beneficial to patients. To find out more, patients should consult mesothelioma specialists who have experience treating the condition.
