Mesothelioma and Asbestos
Asbestos, a natural mineral, occurs naturally in the form of long, thin fibers. People who are exposed to asbestos regularly are at risk of developing mesothelioma or other lung diseases of different types.
It could take a long time before symptoms begin to manifest after asbestos exposure. Different types of asbestos can cause different symptoms.
Pleural Mesothelioma
Pleural mesothelioma occurs in the lung's outer lining, also known as the pleura. It is the most frequent mesothelioma type, accounting for up between 70 and 79% of diagnosed cases. Patients suffering from this condition suffer from chest pain and breath shortness, and they may feel the sensation of weight in the chest.
This kind of cancer is usually caused by exposure to asbestos, which is a cluster of minerals that are comprised of microscopic fibres. When inhaled, these fibers cause irritation and DNA mutations. Pleura surrounds both the chest cavity and the lungs, and so irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma symptoms usually don't appear until 30 to 50 years after exposure.
Chest pain and shortness breath are the most frequent symptoms. Some patients have coughing problems, trouble breathing, or chest tightness. Patients with this cancer have a history of disease that includes asbestos exposure at work. Construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding are among the most frequent jobs that put people at high risk of developing pleural mesothelioma. People who have served in the military are at risk due to the widespread asbestos usage in Navy ships and bunkers used by the army.
The TNM (tumors lymph nodes and metastases staging system) is the most common staging system used for the pleural cancer. The stage a patient is in at diagnosis will help their doctor determine the most appropriate treatment plan for them. For instance, patients suffering from mesothelioma pleural stage three or four have a less favorable prognosis than those with a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma can be spread to the liver, heart, or diaphragm. This can make the cancer more difficult to treat, and increase the risk of complications for patients.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
Unlike pleural mesothelioma, which is a lung-lining cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma forms in the peritoneum - a membrane that lines the abdominal cavity and organs such as the intestines and liver. Like pleural mesothelioma, asbestos exposure is the primary reason for peritoneal msothelioma. The disease is less common than pleural mesothelioma, with around 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.
As with pleural mesothelioma symptoms can take a long time to manifest. Patients generally have abdominal pain, and may have a mass in their abdomen. This mesothelioma type can cause nausea, weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms could be misinterpreted as gastrointestinal issues, leading to a mistaken diagnosis.
Generally speaking, doctors can detect mesothelioma after a thorough health history and physical examination. They may also employ imaging tests such as X-rays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to detect mesothelioma. These tests can reveal tumors and other cancer signs that aren't visible on X-rays.
The results of these tests allow doctors to identify mesothelioma, and determine the stage. They can also suggest treatment options. The stage of the disease is determined based on the cell type and whether or not the tumor has spread to other parts of the body.
The most significant mesothelioma-related risk factor is exposure to asbestos. People who have worked in professions that involve asbestos, such as plumbing manufacturing, electrical work, or construction, are at a higher risk of developing the disease. Even if an individual does not work in one of these areas they could still be exposed through family members and 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, a mesothelioma specialist can assist them in learning more about the risk.
Risk Factors
Asbestos exposure is a major mesothelioma risk factor, making up as much as 80 percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos may occur through work, military service, or by living with a person who works with asbestos or has previously done such. When exposed to asbestos, particles can be breathed into the abdomen and lungs. The particles cause irritation to the linings of the abdomen, which causes cancerous cells to grow in the mesothelium. After exposure to asbestos mesothelioma can develop between 15 and 60 year.
Other risk factors include smoking, genetics, and age. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely to get mesothelioma than people younger or more senior. Mesothelioma can take between 20 and 60 years to show signs of cancer after the first exposure. It is important to keep in mind that mesothelioma could be present in people who have been exposed to asbestos without having worked with it directly. This is referred to as secondary or indirect exposure to asbestos. It can be just as dangerous as direct exposure.
Smoking can increase the likelihood of developing mesothelioma due to the fact that it damages the mesothelium and makes it more prone to asbestos. Mesothelioma can also be aggravated by certain illnesses such as asbestosis and pneumonia. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than females. This is due to men being more likely to be exposed to asbestos and endure a a longer period of exposure than women. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who had worked with asbestos, and to have asbestos fibers on their clothing. Women tend to have less contact with asbestos and do not typically carry asbestos around on their clothing.
Diagnosis
It is difficult to identify mesothelioma because its symptoms are frequently similar to other illnesses. This could lead to patients being wrongly diagnosed.
The first step in identifying mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform a physical exam and take note of the medical history of the patient, including asbestos exposure. Doctors may also request an CT scan or chest X-ray to check for lumps, abnormalities and evidence of asbestos exposure. These include plaques on the pleura, pleura that are thickened and calcium deposits.
Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance scan, or MRI test, that uses radio waves and magnets in order to create a series of detailed images of the inside of the body. Another way for doctors to detect mesothelioma is by performing an operation called a biopsy. When a biopsy is performed doctors take a tiny piece of tissue from pleura or the peritoneum to be tested further. A pathologist can then examine the tissue under a magnifying lens to determine whether it contains cancerous cells.
Mesothelioma is classified according to the type of mesothelial cell involved, whether those cells are malignant or benign and also the location of the tumor, its type, and the stage of the cancer. Certain types of mesothelioma are at greater chance of metastasizing or spreading, so it's important to determine the type of mesothelioma so that doctors can treat it before it becomes out-of-control.
Doctors may also conduct laboratory tests on a tumor to identify specific genes, proteins and other factors that can help them describe the characteristics of the cancer and determine a treatment. These results are referred to as staging.
Treatment
A mesothelioma diagnosis can be a frightening prospect. However, it is important to keep in mind that the cancer is treatable, particularly in its initial stages. Many mesothelioma patients live for many years with the disease without it spreading to other parts of their body.
Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma by various mechanisms. oxnard asbestos law firm that are tiny enough to be felt or observed with the naked eyes are able to become airborne, causing irritation to the lung's lining (pleura). In time the irritation can lead to the formation of scar tissues, which eventually lead to tumors.
The Pleura is a covering that covers the abdomen, heart, and lungs. Mesothelium consists of cells that react to exposure to asbestos, causing it to inflame and develop scar tissue. As time passes, these changes lead to the development of malignant mesothelioma tumors.
A shortness of breath, chest discomfort, or the accumulation of fluid on the lungs are all signs of pleural msothelioma. In rare cases the cancer may spread to the tissues surrounding the heart and reproductive organs.
If scans of imaging reveal an area of concern in the stomach or lungs doctors will recommend biopsies. In the course of the procedure, doctors remove small amounts of fluid or tumor for lab tests. The results will confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis, and determine the best treatment plan.
There are several types of mesothelioma treatment, including chemotherapy, surgery and immunotherapy. Most doctors utilize combinations of these treatments. Patients could also benefit from enrolling in a clinical trial of new mesothelioma treatment. Patients can learn more by consulting a mesothelioma expert who has treated the disease.