Mesothelioma and Asbestos
Asbestos, a natural mineral, naturally forms in the form of long, thin fibers. People who are regularly exposed to asbestos risk developing lung diseases such as mesothelioma.
It could take a long time before symptoms begin to manifest after asbestos litigation exposure. Different asbestos types can cause different symptoms.
Pleural Mesothelioma
Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer that affects the outer lung the lining (pleura). It is the most common mesothelioma form and is responsible for 70 to 79% of all diagnosed cases. This condition causes chest discomfort, shortness of breath and a feeling heaviness.
This kind of cancer is typically caused by exposure to asbestos which is a collection of minerals that are made up of microscopic fibres. When inhaled, these fibers cling to the lung and cause irritation which results in scarring and DNA mutations. Pleura covers both the chest cavity as well as the lungs, so irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma symptoms are usually not apparent until 30 to 50 years after exposure.
The most common symptoms of pleural melanoma 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 the most prevalent jobs that put people at high danger of developing pleural melanoma. People who have worked in the military may be at an especially high risk due to the widespread asbestos use in Navy ships and bunkers for the army.
The TNM (tumors lymph nodes, tumors, and metastases staging system) is the most common staging system for the pleural cancer. The stage a patient is in when they are diagnosed 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 compared to those who are in a less advanced stage. Mesothelioma in stage four is usually spread to the diaphragm, the liver or even a person's heart. This can make the cancer more difficult to treat, and increase the chances of complications for the patient.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
Contrary to pleural cancer which forms in the lining of the lung it develops in a membrane that surrounds the abdominal cavity, which includes organs like the intestines and liver. As with pleural mesothelioma asbestos exposure is the cause of peritoneal mesothelioma. The disease is much less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma, with only about 300-500 cases diagnosed each year.
Like pleural mesothelioma, symptoms can take a long time to manifest. Patients typically experience abdominal pain, and could also experience a mass in their abdomen. This mesothelioma type can cause nausea, weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms can be misinterpreted as gastrointestinal issues and can lead to a false diagnosis.
Generally speaking, doctors can detect mesothelioma through an exhaustive medical history and physical exam. They can also use imaging tests like Xrays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to identify mesothelioma. These tests can detect tumors as well as other signs of cancer which 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 cell type and whether or whether the tumor has spread to other areas of the body.
Asbestos exposure is the most important risk factor. People who have worked in jobs which require asbestos, like plumbing or manufacturing, electrical work or construction, are at increased risk of developing the disease. However, even if individuals do not work in these fields they may be exposed to asbestos through family members or other sources. Anyone who believes they may be at risk should speak with a doctor. A mesothelioma specialist can assist those with a experience with asbestos to understand more about their risk.
Risk Factors
Asbestos is the primary risk factor for mesothelioma. It is responsible for as much as the 80% of cases. Exposure to asbestos may occur as a result of work, military service or through living with a person who is exposed to asbestos or used to do the same. When exposed to asbestos, particles can be inhaled into the lungs and abdomen. The particles cause irritation to the linings, causing cancerous cells to form in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma can take between 15 and 60 years to develop following exposure to asbestos.
Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and age. People in their 40s or 50s are at a higher chance of developing mesothelioma to those younger or older. This is because mesothelioma usually lasts between 20 and 60 years from the first exposure to asbestos before cancer symptoms appear. It is important to remember that mesothelioma can occur in people who have been exposed to asbestos, but without having directly worked with it. This is referred to as secondary or indirect asbestos exposure, and is just as harmful as direct Asbestos case exposure.
Smoking increases the chance of mesothelioma as it damages the mesothelium. It can also make it more vulnerable. Additionally, mesothelioma can be exacerbated by certain illnesses like pneumonia and asbestosis. It is also important to remember that mesothelioma is more prevalent in males than females. This is because men are more likely to work with asbestos and experience a more exposure than women. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who had been exposed to asbestos settlement, and to carry asbestos fibers on their clothing. Women tend to have less exposure to asbestos lawsuit and do not typically carry asbestos home on their clothing.
Diagnosis
It is difficult to identify mesothelioma due to its symptoms being frequently similar to other illnesses. This can lead to victims being misdiagnosed.
NYU Langone doctors will perform a physical examination and record the patient's medical history including asbestos exposure. Doctors may also order an X-ray of the chest or CT scan to check for lumps or other abnormalities, as well as evidence of past asbestos exposure such as pleural plaques (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the formation of fluid between the lung and the chest wall (known as the pleural effusion).
Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance image or MRI test, that uses radio waves and magnets in order to produce a series of precise images of inside the body. Another method doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma is by performing the procedure of a surgical biopsy. When a biopsy is performed, doctors remove a tiny piece of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum to be examined further. A pathologist will then look at the tissue with a magnifying lens to determine if it is a cancerous cell.
Mesothelioma can be classified based on the mesothelial type involved, whether those cells are benign or malignant and also the location of the tumor, its type, and the stage of the tumor. Certain types of mesothelioma are at greater risk of spreading or metastasizing therefore it is essential to determine the type of mesothelioma so that doctors can treat it before it becomes out-of-control.
Doctors can also perform tests in the laboratory on tumors to determine specific genes, proteins or other elements that can help them describe cancer characteristics and determine the best treatment. These results are known as staging.
Treatment
A mesothelioma diagnose can be terrifying. However, it's important to keep in mind that the cancer is treatable, particularly in its earlier stages. Many patients with mesothelioma live with the disease for many years without it spreading.
Exposure to asbestos can trigger mesothelioma in many ways. Asbestos fibres, too small to be felt or viewed through the naked eye are able to become airborne and irritate the lining of the lung (pleura). Over time, the irritation causes the formation of scar tissue which can cause changes in the cell structure that can eventually grow into tumors.
The pleura covers the lungs and heart and the abdomen. Mesothelium is made up of cells that react when exposed to asbestos. They cause inflammation to the tissue and cause it to become scarred. These changes eventually cause mesothelioma cancers.
Symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include breathing problems, chest pain or a buildup of fluid in the lung (pleural effusion). In rare instances cancer can spread to the tissues that surround the reproductive organs as well as the heart.
A doctor may request biopsy if scans reveal a possible mass in the lungs or stomach. During the procedure, doctors remove tiny amounts of fluid or tumor for lab tests. The results will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and help determine the best treatment plan.
There are many types of mesothelioma treatments, including chemotherapy, surgery and immunotherapy. Most doctors use combinations of these treatments. Patients could also benefit from enrolling in a clinical trial of new mesothelioma treatments. To learn more about the trials, patients should speak to a mesothelioma specialist who has expertise in treating the condition.