Mesothelioma and Asbestos
Asbestos case is a natural mineral that comes in long, thin fibres. Workers who are exposed to asbestos on a regular basis are at risk of developing mesothelioma or other types of lung diseases.
Symptoms of these diseases may not be evident for a long time after exposure to asbestos. Different asbestos types may cause different symptoms.
Pleural Mesothelioma
Pleural mesothelioma, a form of cancer, that affects the outer lung the lining (pleura). It is the most prevalent mesothelioma type and is responsible for 70 to 79% of diagnosed cases. Patients with this disease experience pain in the chest and breath shortness, and they may feel an ache or heaviness in the chest.
Exposure to asbestos, a group of minerals composed of microscopic fibers, usually causes this kind of cancer. Once inhaled, these fibers cling to the lung and cause irritation which causes scarring and DNA mutations. Pleura covers 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.
The most common symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are chest discomfort and shortness of breath. Patients may also experience chest tightness and coughing, or breathing difficulties. Patients with this type of cancer typically have an history of exposure to asbestos in the workplace. Manufacturing, construction, and shipbuilding are the most prevalent occupations that put people at a high chance of developing pleural mesothelioma. People who were in the military are at higher risk due to the extensive use asbestos in Navy vessels and Army bunkers.
The most common staging system for pleural mesothelioma is the TNM (tumor lymph nodes, lymph nodes and metastases) staging system. The stage a patient is in at the time of diagnosis can help determine the treatment plan they will receive. For example, patients with mesothelioma that is pleural in stage three or four have a poorer prognosis than patients with a lower stage. Mesothelioma in stage four is usually spread to the liver, diaphragm or even the heart of a patient. This makes it more difficult to treat and increases the risk of complications for the patient.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
In contrast to pleural cancer, which forms in the lung's lining the peritoneal cancer is a result of a membrane that covers the abdominal cavity, which includes organs such as the intestines and liver. Similar to pleural mesothelioma, asbestos exposure is the reason for peritoneal msothelioma. The disease is much less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma, and just 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.
Like pleural mesothelioma, the symptoms can take years to show. Patients generally suffer from abdominal pain and may also have a lump in their abdomen. This mesothelioma type can also cause nausea, weight loss, and fever. Many of these symptoms are similar to symptoms of digestive problems, which can result in misdiagnosis.
The doctors can detect mesothelioma through reviewing the medical history of the patient and conducting a physical exam. They can also utilize imaging tests like X-rays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to identify mesothelioma. These tests can detect tumors as well as other signs of cancer which aren't evident on X-rays.
These test results enable doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and determine the stage. They can also recommend treatments. The staging is determined by the cell type and whether or the tumor has spread to other parts of the body.
The most significant risk factor for mesothelioma is asbestos exposure. People who have worked in professions that require asbestos, such as plumbing or manufacturing, electrical work or construction, are at increased risk of developing the disease. Even if an individual does not work in any of these areas however, they may still be exposed through family members or other sources. Anyone who suspects that they're at risk should talk to an expert. A mesothelioma specialist can assist those who have a history with asbestos to learn more about their risk.
Risk Factors
Asbestos is the primary risk factor for mesothelioma. It is responsible for up to 80percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos may occur due to work, military service, or by living with someone who is exposed to
asbestos compensation or was previously exposed to doing the same. Asbestos particles can be breathed in by people who are exposed to it. These irritate the linings and cause cancerous cells to form in the mesothelium. After asbestos exposure mesothelioma can be diagnosed between 15 and 60 years.
Other risk factors include genetics, smoking and aging. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely get mesothelioma than people younger or older. This is because mesothelioma usually occurs between 20 and 60 years from the first exposure to
asbestos litigation before symptoms of cancer begin to manifest. It is also important to note that mesothelioma may develop in people who were exposed to asbestos but did not deal with it directly. This is referred to as secondary or indirect asbestos exposure. It can be as hazardous as direct asbestos exposure.
Smoking increases the chance of mesothelioma because it damages the mesothelium. It also makes it more susceptible. Mesothelioma is also aggravated by certain illnesses, including asbestosis and pneumonia. It is also important to remember that mesothelioma is more common for men than women. This is due to the fact that men are more likely to be exposed to asbestos and endure a more exposure than women. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who had worked with asbestos and to have asbestos-containing fibers on their clothing. Women are less likely to be exposed to
asbestos lawsuit, and they are less likely to carry asbestos on their clothing.
Diagnosis
Mesothelioma is a difficult disease to recognize because the symptoms can be similar to other conditions. This could lead to patients being wrongly 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 look for lumps and other abnormalities, as well as evidence of asbestos exposure in the past such as plaques on the pleura (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the buildup of fluid between the lung and the 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 in order to create a series detailed images of inside the body. Another way for doctors to detect mesothelioma is by performing a surgical biopsy. 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 then examines the tissue with a magnifying glass to determine whether it contains cancerous cells.
The type of mesothelial cell involved, the malignant or benign nature of the cells, as well as the location the cancer, its type and the stage of the tumor, are used to categorize the disease. Some types of mesothelioma have an increased chance of metastasizing or spreading, so it's important to establish a clear diagnosis so that doctors can treat it before it gets out-of-control.
Doctors may also conduct laboratory tests on a tumor to find specific genes, proteins and other factors which can help them identify the characteristics of the cancer and determine a treatment. These results are referred to as staging.
Treatment
A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be a frightening prospect. However, it's important to remember that the cancer can be treated, particularly in its early stages. Many patients with mesothelioma endure the disease for many years without it spreading.
Exposure to asbestos can trigger mesothelioma via a variety of mechanisms.
asbestos attorney fibers, too small to be able to see or feel with the naked eye, can become airborne and cause irritation to the lining of the lungs (pleura). Over time, the irritation causes the formation of scar tissue, which causes changes in the structure of cells that eventually develop into tumors.
The Pleura is a covering that surrounds the lungs, heart and abdomen. Mesothelium is composed of cells that react to asbestos, causing it to inflame and form scar tissue. These changes can eventually cause mesothelioma cancers.
The symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are breathlessness, chest pain or the accumulation of fluid on the lung (pleural effusion). In rare instances, the cancer can grow to the tissues surrounding the heart and reproductive organs.
A doctor will request biopsy if imaging scans show a potential tumor in the lungs or stomach. During the procedure doctors remove a small amount of fluid or tumor for lab tests. The results can confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and help determine the best treatment option.
There are a variety of mesothelioma treatments, including surgery, chemotherapy and immunotherapy. The majority of doctors employ the combination of these treatments. Participating in clinical trials for mesothelioma treatments that are new could be beneficial to patients. Patients can learn more about the trials by speaking with a mesothelioma doctor who has treated the disease.
