Mesothelioma and Asbestos
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that is found in long, thin fibres. Workers who are exposed to asbestos regularly risk developing mesothelioma and other lung diseases.
It can take years for symptoms to appear after asbestos exposure. Different types of asbestos may cause different symptoms.
Pleural Mesothelioma
Pleural mesothelioma is a type of cancer that develops in the lung's outer lining (pleura). It is the most prevalent mesothelioma form and is responsible for 70 to 79% of diagnosed cases. The condition can cause chest discomfort, shortness of breath, and a feeling of heavyness.
This type of cancer is typically caused through exposure to asbestos, which is a cluster of minerals made up of microscopic fibres. Once inhaled, the fibers cling to the lung and cause irritation that results in scarring and DNA mutations. The pleura is the area that surrounds the lungs and chest cavity, so these irritations can affect both the lungs and a person's heart. Mesothelioma symptoms are usually not apparent until 30 to 50 years after exposure.
Chest pain and shortness breath are the most common symptoms. Patients may also experience difficulty breathing, or chest tightness. Patients with this type of cancer have a past that includes asbestos exposure at work. Manufacturing, construction and shipbuilding are the most prevalent occupations that put people at a high risk of developing pleural mesothelioma. Individuals who have served in the military are at a greater risk due the frequent use of asbestos in Navy vessels and bunkers in the Army.
The TNM (tumors, lymph nodes, and metastases staging system) is the most common staging system used for pleural adenocarcinoma. The stage the patient is in at the moment of diagnosis will determine what treatment plan they should follow. Patients suffering from pleural mesothelioma who is in stage three or four will suffer a more negative prognosis compared to those who are in a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma may develop into the liver, heart or diaphragm. This makes the cancer more difficult to treat and increase the chance of complications for the patient.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
As opposed to pleural mesothelioma that develops in the lung lining, peritoneal mesothelioma develops in the peritoneum - an elongated membrane that covers the abdominal cavity as well as organs such as the liver and intestines. Like pleural mesothelioma, peritoneal mesothelioma is caused by asbestos exposure. Only 300-500 cases are diagnosed each year which is lower than pleural asbestosis.
As with pleural asbestosis symptoms can take several years to manifest. Typically, patients are afflicted with abdominal pain as well as abdominal swelling. This type of mesothelioma may cause nausea, weight loss, and fever. Many of these symptoms could be misinterpreted as digestive issues which can lead to a false diagnosis.
Doctors can detect mesothelioma by reviewing the medical history of the patient and conducting a physical exam. They can also utilize imaging tests like X-rays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to identify mesothelioma. These tests can reveal tumors as well as other signs of cancer that are not evident on X-rays.
These test results enable doctors to identify mesothelioma, and determine the stage. They can also suggest treatments. Staging is determined based on the type of cells and whether or the cancer has spread to other regions of the body.
Asbestos exposure is the most important risk factor. People who have worked in jobs that involve asbestos, like plumbing, manufacturing, electrical work or construction, are at increased risk of developing the disease. Even if they do not work in these fields they could be exposed to asbestos through family members or other sources. Anyone who suspects that they are at risk should consult an expert. If they have an history of exposure to asbestos and mesothelioma is a concern, a specialist will assist them in learning more about the risk.
Risk Factors
Asbestos is the most significant risk factor in mesothelioma. It accounts for as much as 80% of all cases. Exposure to asbestos can happen as a result of work, military service or by living with a person who is exposed to asbestos or was previously exposed to doing the same. Asbestos particles can be inhaled by people who are exposed to it. These particles can cause irritation to the linings and cause cancerous cells to grow in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma may take between 15 and 60 years to develop following exposure to asbestos.
Other risk factors include genetics, smoking and age. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely to be diagnosed with mesothelioma compared to those who are younger or more senior. Mesothelioma can take between 20 and 60 years before it manifests cancer symptoms after the first exposure. It is important to remember that mesothelioma can develop in those who were exposed to asbestos but did not work with it directly. This is known as indirect or secondary asbestos exposure and can be just as harmful as direct asbestos exposure.
Smoking increases a person's chances of developing mesothelioma due to the fact that 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 females. This is due to men being more likely to work with asbestos and experience a an extended period of exposure than women. Also, men are more likely to live with someone who has worked with asbestos and carry stray asbestos fibers home on their clothes. Women are less likely to come in contact with asbestos, and they are less likely to bring asbestos home on their clothes.
Diagnosis
It is difficult to diagnose mesothelioma because its symptoms are often similar to other conditions. This can result in patients being incorrectly diagnosed.
NYU Langone doctors will perform an examination of the body and document the patient's medical background including asbestos exposure. Doctors may also order an X-ray of the chest or CT scan to check 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 buildup of fluid between the lung and chest wall (known as the pleural effusion).
Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance scan or MRI test, that uses radio waves and magnets to produce a series of precise images of the inside of the body. A surgical biopsy is another method for doctors to identify mesothelioma. During a surgery biopsy doctors take a tiny piece of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum, to be further examined. A pathologist can then examine the tissue under a microscope to see if it contains cancerous cells.
Mesothelioma can be classified based on the mesothelial type involved, whether these cells are benign or malignant, and the location of the tumor, the type, and the stage of the tumor. Some types of mesothelioma have a higher risk of spreading or metastasizing, so it's important to determine the type of mesothelioma so that doctors can treat it prior to it becoming out of control.
Doctors may also conduct tests in the laboratory on tumors to determine specific genes, proteins or other elements that help them understand 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. It is important to keep in mind that cancer can be treated, particularly in its early stages. Many people with mesothelioma can live with the disease for a long time without spreading.
Exposure to asbestos can trigger mesothelioma through a variety of ways. Asbestos fibers, too small to see or feel with the naked eye, can become airborne and irritate the lining of the lungs (pleura). As time passes irritation can lead to formation of scar tissue, which leads to changes in the cell structure which eventually lead to tumors.
The Pleura is a covering that surrounds the lungs, heart and abdomen. Mesothelium is made up of cells that react to exposure to asbestos, causing it to inflame and form scar tissue. Overtime, these changes lead to the development of malignant mesothelioma tumors.
Shortness of breath, chest discomfort or fluid buildup on the lungs are all indications of the pleural mesothelioma. In rare cases the cancer may be spread to the tissues around the heart and reproductive organs.
If turlock asbestos lawyer reveal an area of concern in the lungs or stomach, a doctor will order a biopsies. During the procedure, doctors will remove a small sample of the tumor or fluid for lab testing. The results will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma, and also determine the best treatment plan.
There are many types of treatment for mesothelioma such as chemotherapy and surgery. The majority of doctors employ the combination of these treatments. Participating in clinical trials of mesothelioma treatments may be beneficial to patients. Patients can learn more by consulting a mesothelioma specialist who has treated the condition.