Mesothelioma and Asbestos
Asbestos, a mineral that naturally occurs in the form of long, thin fibers. Workers who are regularly exposed to asbestos are at risk of developing lung diseases such as mesothelioma.
The symptoms of these diseases may not show up for decades after exposure to asbestos. Different asbestos types can cause different symptoms.
Pleural Mesothelioma
Pleural mesothelioma occurs in the lung's outer lining, also known as the pleura. It is the most common mesothelioma type, accounting for up 70 to 79% of diagnosed cases. This condition causes chest discomfort, shortness of breath and a feeling heavyness.
Exposure to asbestos, a class of minerals composed of microscopic fibers causes this kind of cancer. Once inhaled, the fibers are absorbed into the lungs and cause irritation that causes scarring and DNA mutations. The pleura covers the chest cavity and lungs This means that these irritations can affect both the lungs and the heart of a person. Mesothelioma is usually not symptomatic until 30 to 50 years after exposure.
The most common symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include chest pain and shortness of breath. Some patients may also suffer from chest tightness, coughing or difficulty breathing. Patients with this type of cancer have a past that includes asbestos exposure at work. The most prevalent jobs that put people at risk of pleural mesothelioma include manufacturing, construction and shipbuilding. People who served in the military are at greater risk due to the widespread use of asbestos in Navy vessels and bunkers for the Army.
The most commonly used staging system for pleural mysothelioma has been the TNM (tumor lymph nodes, lymph nodes and metastases) staging system. The stage the patient is in at the time of diagnosis will help determine what treatment plan they will receive. Patients suffering from pleural mesothelioma who is in stage three or stage four will have a worse outlook than those in a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma can develop into the heart, liver or diaphragm. This makes it more difficult to treat and increase the risk of complications for patients.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
Contrary to pleural cancer that develops in the lung's lining it develops in a membrane that covers the abdominal cavity, which includes organs such as the intestines and the liver. Like pleural mesothelioma, asbestos exposure is the cause of peritoneal msothelioma. The disease is much less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma, with just 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.
As with lees summit asbestos attorney , symptoms can take a long time to show. The majority of patients suffer from abdominal pain and an abdominal mass. Symptoms of this type of mesothelioma may also include nausea, weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms could be misinterpreted as digestive issues, leading to a misdiagnosis.
Typically, doctors can identify mesothelioma after an exhaustive medical history and physical exam. They can also use imaging tests like X-rays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to detect mesothelioma. These tests can identify tumors and other cancer signs which aren't evident on X-rays.
These test results enable doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and determine the stage. They also offer treatments. The staging is determined by the cell type and whether or whether the tumor has spread to other regions of the body.
The most important risk factor for mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos. People who have been exposed to asbestos in occupations, like electrical or plumbing work or in construction and manufacturing, are more likely to contract the disease. Even if an individual isn't employed in one of these areas, he or she can be exposed to asbestos through family members and other sources. This is why anyone who is concerned that they might be at risk should talk to a doctor. If they have an history of exposure to asbestos and mesothelioma is a concern, a specialist will help them find out more about their risk.
Risk Factors
Asbestos is the main risk factor in mesothelioma. It is responsible for up to 80% of all cases. Exposure to asbestos can occur as a result of work, military service or by living with someone who is exposed to asbestos or used to do such. Asbestos particles can be inhaled by those who are exposed to asbestos. These particles can cause irritation to the linings and trigger cancerous cells to form in the mesothelium. Following exposure to asbestos mesothelioma is likely to be diagnosed between 15 and 60 year.
Other risk factors include genetics, smoking and aging. People in their 40s or 50s are more at chance of developing mesothelioma to those who are younger or older. Mesothelioma can take between 20 and 60 years before it manifests cancer symptoms after the first exposure. It is important to keep in mind that mesothelioma can be present in people who have been exposed to asbestos, but without having been directly exposed to it. This is known as indirect or secondary asbestos exposure. It can be just as harmful as direct asbestos exposure.
Smoking can increase the likelihood of getting mesothelioma because it causes mesothelium damage and makes it more prone to asbestos. Mesothelioma can also be aggravated by certain illnesses, including asbestosis and pneumonia. It is also important to note that mesothelioma occurs more frequently for men than women. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for a longer period of time and to work with it. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who has been exposed to asbestos, and to have asbestos fibers on their clothing. Women are less likely to come into exposure to asbestos and do not typically carry asbestos around on their clothes.
Diagnosis
Mesothelioma is difficult to identify because the symptoms can be similar to other diseases. This could lead to patients being misdiagnosed.
NYU Langone doctors will perform physical examinations and document the patient's medical background, including asbestos exposure. Doctors will also recommend a CT scan or chest X-ray to check for abnormalities, lumps and evidence of asbestos exposure. These include plaques in the pleura, thickened pleura and calcium deposits.
Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram which examines the heart and blood vessels and magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI, test, which makes use of radio waves and magnets to make a series of detailed images of the inside of the body. Another way doctors can diagnose mesothelioma is to perform an operation called a biopsy. In a surgical biopsy doctors remove a small amount of tissue from the pleura or peritoneum for further analysis. A pathologist will then look at the tissue using a magnifying glass to determine if it contains cancerous cells.
The mesothelial type involved as well as the benign or malignant nature of those cells, as well as the location the cancer, its type and the stage of the tumor, are used to categorize the disease. Certain mesothelioma types have greater risk of spreading or metastasizing therefore it is essential to establish a clear diagnosis so doctors can treat it before it gets out of control.
Doctors may also conduct tests in the laboratory on tumors to determine particular proteins, genes, or other factors that can help them describe the characteristics of cancer and plan treatment. These results are known as staging.
Treatment
A mesothelioma diagnose can be terrifying. It is crucial to remember, however, that cancer can be treated particularly in its initial stages. A lot of people suffering from mesothelioma endure the disease for many years without it spreading.
Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma in many ways. Asbestos fibers, which are small enough to not be felt or viewed with the naked eyes are able to become airborne and irritate the lining of the lung (pleura). In time irritation can lead to formation of scar tissue, which can cause changes in the cell structure that can eventually grow into tumors.
The pleura is the area that surrounds the heart and lungs and the abdomen. Mesothelium is made up of cells that react to exposure to asbestos and cause it to enflame and create scar tissue. These changes can eventually result in malignant mesothelioma tumors.
Breathing problems, chest pain or fluid accumulation on the lungs are all signs of the pleural Msothelioma. In rare instances the cancer may grow to the tissues surrounding the heart and reproductive organs.
A doctor will order biopsy if scans show a potential mass in the lungs or stomach. In the course of the procedure, doctors remove a small amount of fluid or tumor to allow for laboratory testing. The results can confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis, and determine the most effective treatment plan.
There are many types of treatment for mesothelioma, including surgery and chemotherapy. Most doctors use the combination of these treatments. Patients could also benefit from taking part in a clinical trial of new mesothelioma therapies. To learn more, patients should consult a mesothelioma specialist who has experience treating the condition.