Mesothelioma and Asbestos
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that comes in thin, long fibres. Workers who are exposed to asbestos regularly risk developing mesothelioma and other types of lung diseases.
It can take years for symptoms to show up after asbestos exposure. Different asbestos types can cause different symptoms.
Pleural Mesothelioma
Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer of the lung's outer lining, or pleura. It is the most prevalent mesothelioma type, accounting for up 70 to 79% of diagnosed cases. Patients with this disease experience pain in the chest and shortness of breath, and they may feel a sensation of heaviness in the chest.
Exposure to asbestos, a class of minerals comprised of microscopic fibers causes this type of cancer. When inhaled, these fibers, cause irritation and DNA mutations. Pleura covers both the chest cavity as well as the lungs, which means that irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma usually doesn't show symptoms until 30 to 50 year after exposure.
The most common symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include chest pain and shortness of breath. Some patients may also experience chest tightness or coughing. They may also experience difficulty breathing. Patients with this type of cancer have a history that includes asbestos exposure at work. Manufacturing, construction and shipbuilding are among the most prevalent jobs that put people at a high risk of developing pleural mesothelioma. Individuals who have been in the military are at an especially high risk due to the widespread asbestos use in Navy vessels and bunkers used by the army.
The TNM (tumors lymph nodes and metastases staging system) is the most common staging system used for pleural adenocarcinoma. The stage a patient is in upon diagnosis will aid their doctor in determining the most effective treatment plan for them. Patients with pleural mesothelioma that is in stage three or four will have a worse outlook than those who are in a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma may be spread to the liver, heart, or diaphragm. This can make it more difficult to treat and increases the risk of complications for patients.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
Unlike pleural mesothelioma, which is a lung-lining cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma develops in the peritoneum - it is a membrane that lines the abdominal cavity as well as organs like the intestines and liver. Similar to pleural mesothelioma mesothelioma is caused by asbestos exposure. It is estimated that only 300-500 cases are diagnosed annually, which is less than pleural asbestosis.
As with pleural asbestosis symptoms can take several years to show. Patients typically experience abdominal pain, and may have a mass in their abdomen. This kind of mesothelioma can also cause nausea, weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms could be mistaken for gastrointestinal problems and can lead to a misdiagnosis.
Generally speaking, doctors can detect mesothelioma by conducting an extensive medical history and physical exam. They can also utilize imaging tests such as X-rays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to identify mesothelioma. These tests can reveal tumors and other symptoms of cancer that aren't visible on X-rays.
These test results allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma, identify the stage of the disease and suggest treatment options. The stage is determined by the type of cell and whether the cancer has spread.
The most important mesothelioma-related risk factor is exposure to asbestos. People who have been exposed to asbestos in jobs, such as plumbing or electrical work, or in construction, manufacturing and manufacturing are more likely to contract the disease. Even if someone does not work in one of these fields they could still be exposed through family members and other sources. Therefore, anyone who believes they could be at risk should speak to an experienced doctor. If they have any history of exposure to asbestos or mesothelioma, a specialist can help them find out more about the risk.
Risk Factors
Asbestos exposure is the primary risk factor for mesothelioma, accounting for up to 80 percent of all cases. Exposure to asbestos may occur due to work, military service, or through living with a person who is exposed to asbestos or has previously done so. When exposed to asbestos, particles are able to be inhaled into abdomen and lungs. The particles cause irritation to the linings of the lungs, causing cancerous cells to develop in the mesothelium. Following exposure to asbestos mesothelioma is likely to occur between 15 and 60 years old.
Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and the advancing age. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely be diagnosed with mesothelioma compared to those who are younger or older. This is because mesothelioma typically occurs between 20 and 60 years after the initial time of exposure before symptoms of cancer begin to manifest. It is important to note, too, that mesothelioma can be present in people who have been exposed to asbestos, but without having worked with it directly. This is referred to as indirect or secondary asbestos exposure, and is just as harmful as direct asbestos exposure.
Smoking increases a person's chances of getting mesothelioma because it damages the mesothelium and makes it more vulnerable to asbestos. Mesothelioma can also be aggravated by certain illnesses such as asbestosis and pneumonia. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than women. This is due to men being more likely to work with asbestos and have more 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 are less likely to be exposed to asbestos, and they don't usually carry asbestos on their clothing.
Diagnosis
It is difficult to diagnose mesothelioma since its symptoms are often similar to other conditions. This can lead to victims being incorrectly diagnosed.
NYU Langone doctors will perform an examination of the body and document the patient's medical history including asbestos exposure. Doctors can also request an X-ray of the chest or CT scan to check for lumps and other abnormalities as well as evidence of past asbestos exposure such as pleural plaques (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the accumulation of fluid between the lung and chest wall (known as the pleural effusion).
Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance scan or MRI test, which uses magnets and radio waves to produce a series of precise images of the insides of the body. A surgical biopsy is another method for doctors to identify mesothelioma. A surgical biopsy is when doctors remove a small piece of tissue from the pleura or peritoneum for further testing. A pathologist is then able to examine the tissue with microscopes to determine whether it is contaminated with cancerous cells.
The mesothelial type involved as well as the benign or malignant nature of the cells as well as the location and stage of the tumor, are used to classify the disease. Certain types of mesothelioma may be more likely to grow or spread and spread, therefore it is essential to get a definite diagnosis so that doctors can treat the disease before it gets out of control.
Doctors may also conduct tests in the lab on a tumor to identify particular proteins, genes, or other factors which can help them identify the characteristics of cancer and plan treatment. These results are referred to as staging.
Treatment
A mesothelioma diagnosis is a frightening prospect. It is important to keep in mind that cancer can be treated, particularly in its initial stages. Many mesothelioma patients live for many years without the disease spreading to other organs of their body.
Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma by various mechanisms. Asbestos fibers, too small to be able to see or feel by the naked eye can become airborne and irritate the lining of the lungs (pleura). Over time, the irritation leads to the formation of scar tissues and eventually tumors.
The pleura covers the heart and lungs, as well as the abdomen. Mesothelium is made up of cells that respond when exposed to asbestos. They cause inflammation of the tissue and cause it to scar. These changes can eventually cause mesothelioma cancers.
The signs of pleural mesothelioma can include shortness of breath and chest pain as well as an accumulation of fluid in the lung (pleural effusion). In moreno valley asbestos lawyer can spread to the tissues around the reproductive organs and the heart.
A doctor will request biopsy if scans show the possibility of a mass in the lungs or stomach. During the procedure doctors remove some of the fluid or tumor for lab tests. The results will confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis, and determine the best treatment plan.
There are a variety of treatment for mesothelioma such as chemotherapy and surgery. The majority of doctors employ a combination of these treatments. Participating in clinical trials of mesothelioma treatments may be beneficial to patients. Patients can find out more by consulting a mesothelioma expert who has treated the disease.