Mesothelioma and Asbestos
Asbestos is a natural mineral that is found in long, thin fibres. People who are regularly exposed to asbestos may develop lung diseases such as mesothelioma.
It could take a long time before symptoms begin to manifest after exposure to asbestos. Different types of asbestos may cause different symptoms.
Pleural Mesothelioma
Pleural mesothelioma, a form of cancer, that occurs in the lung's outer the lining (pleura). It is the most common form of mesothelioma and is responsible for 70 to 79% of diagnosed cases. The condition can cause chest pain, breath shortness and a feeling heaviness.
This type of cancer is usually caused through exposure to asbestos, which is a collection of minerals composed of microscopic fibers. These fibers, when inhaled, cause irritation and DNA mutations. The pleura covers the lungs and chest cavity, so these irritations can affect both the lungs and a person's heart. Mesothelioma usually doesn't show symptoms until 30 to 50 year after exposure.
Chest pain and shortness breath are the most frequent symptoms. Patients may also suffer from chest tightness, coughing or difficulty breathing. Patients with this cancer have a history of disease that includes asbestos exposure at work. The most common jobs that expose people to the risk of pleural mesothelioma include construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding. People who have served in the military are at a higher risk due to the frequent use of asbestos in Navy ships and bunkers used by the army.
The most common staging method for pleural mesothelioma is the TNM (tumor, lymph nodes and metastases) staging system. The stage that a patient is in at the time of diagnosis will help determine the treatment plan they will receive. For instance, patients who have a pleural mesothelioma in stage three or four have a less favorable prognosis than those with a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma may spread to the liver, heart or diaphragm. This makes it more difficult to treat and increase the likelihood of complications for the patient.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
Contrary to pleural cancer which forms in the lining of the lung the peritoneal cancer is a result of a membrane that covers the abdominal cavity, including organs such as the intestines and liver. Similar to pleural mesothelioma mesothelioma is caused by asbestos exposure. It is estimated that only 300-500 cases are diagnosed each year, which is less than pleural asbestosis.
As with pleural asbestosis symptoms can take a long time to show. Typically, patients are afflicted with abdominal pain as well as a mass in the abdomen. Symptoms of this type of mesothelioma may also include nausea as well as weight loss and fever. A lot of these symptoms are similar to symptoms of gastrointestinal issues, which can lead to incorrect diagnosis.
Generally speaking, doctors can detect mesothelioma through a thorough health history and physical exam. They can also use imaging tests like X-rays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to identify mesothelioma. These tests can detect tumors and other cancer signs that aren't evident on X-rays.
These test results enable doctors to identify mesothelioma, and determine the stage. They can also suggest treatment options. The stage is determined by the type of cell and whether the tumor has spread.
The most significant risk factor for mesothelioma is asbestos exposure. People who have been exposed to asbestos legal in professions, such as electrical or plumbing work or in construction and manufacturing are more likely to contract the disease. Even if an individual isn't employed in any of these areas they could still be exposed through family members or other sources. Anyone who thinks they're at risk should speak with an expert. If they have any history of exposure to asbestos, a mesothelioma specialist can assist them in finding out more about their risk.
Risk Factors
asbestos attorney exposure is the main mesothelioma risk factor, which accounts for as much as 80 percent of all cases. Exposure to asbestos can occur through military service, work, or living with those who worked with asbestos case. When exposed to asbestos, the particles can be breathed into the lungs and abdomen. The particles cause irritation to the linings of the abdomen, which causes cancerous cells to form in the mesothelium. Following exposure to asbestos mesothelioma is likely to occur between 15 and 60 years old.
Other risk factors include genetics, smoking and aging. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely to develop mesothelioma than those who are younger or more senior. This is because mesothelioma usually lasts between 20 and 60 years after the initial time of exposure before cancer symptoms appear. It is important to keep in mind, too, that mesothelioma may occur in those who have been exposed to asbestos, but without having been directly exposed to it. This is called indirect or secondary exposure to asbestos and it is just as harmful as direct exposure.
Smoking increases the chance of mesothelioma developing, as it damages the mesothelium. It can also make it more vulnerable. Additionally, mesothelioma can be exacerbated by certain illnesses like asbestosis and pneumonia. It is also important to note that mesothelioma occurs more frequently in men than women. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for longer periods of time and work with Asbestos Case for longer periods of time. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who had worked with asbestos legal and to have asbestos-containing fibers on their clothing. Women tend to have less contact with asbestos and rarely carry asbestos on their clothing.
Diagnosis
It is difficult to diagnose mesothelioma since its symptoms are often similar to other conditions. Due to this, patients are often wrongly diagnosed.
The first step to diagnose mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform an examination and write down a patient's medical history, including asbestos claim exposure. Doctors may also order an X-ray chest or CT scan to look for lumps and other abnormalities and also to look for evidence of past asbestos exposure such as plaques on the pleura (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 scan, or MRI test, which uses radio waves and magnets to create a series of detailed images of inside the body. Another way for doctors to detect mesothelioma is through a surgical biopsy. When a biopsy is performed doctors take a tiny piece of tissue from pleura or the peritoneum to be further examined. A pathologist will then look at the tissue using an magnifying glass to determine if it contains cancerous cell.
Mesothelioma can be classified based on the type of mesothelial cells involved, whether the cells are benign or malignant and the location, type, and stage of the cancer. Certain mesothelioma types 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 tests in the lab on tumors in order to determine specific proteins, genes or other elements that can help them describe the characteristics of cancer and plan treatment. These results are known as staging.
Treatment
A mesothelioma diagnosis can be terrifying. It is important to remember, however, that cancer can be treated, particularly in its early stages. Many patients with mesothelioma survive for many years with the disease, without spreading to other areas of their body.
Exposure to asbestos can trigger mesothelioma through a variety of ways. Asbestos fibers, which are small enough to not be felt or viewed by naked eyes can be airborne, irritating the lining of the lung (pleura). As time passes the irritation causes the formation of scar tissue, which eventually lead to 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 form scar tissue. As time passes, these changes result in the growth of malignant mesothelioma tumors.
The signs of pleural mesothelioma can include shortness of breath and chest pain, or a buildup of fluid on the lung (pleural effusion). In rare cases cancer can spread to the tissues that surround the reproductive organs and heart.
A doctor will request a biopsy if imaging scans show a potential lung tumor or stomach. During the procedure, doctors take tiny amounts of tumor or fluid for lab testing. The results will confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis, and determine the best treatment option.
There are a variety of mesothelioma treatment options, which include chemotherapy, surgery, and immunotherapy. The majority of doctors use the combination of these methods. Patients could also benefit from participating in a clinical study of new mesothelioma treatment. Patients can learn more by consulting a mesothelioma specialist who has treated the condition.