Mesothelioma and Asbestos
Asbestos is a natural mineral that comes in thin, long fibres. Workers who are exposed asbestos on a regular basis risk developing mesothelioma and other lung diseases of different types.
It may take decades for symptoms to appear after asbestos exposure. Different asbestos types may cause different symptoms.
Pleural Mesothelioma
Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer of the outer lung lining, also known as pleura. It is the most prevalent mesothelioma that accounts for up between 70 and 79% of all diagnosed cases. Patients suffering from this condition suffer from chest pain and breathlessness and may also feel a sensation of heaviness in the chest.
Exposure to asbestos, a family of minerals made of microscopic fibers causes this type of cancer. When inhaled, these fibers are absorbed into the lung and cause irritation which causes scarring and DNA mutations. Pleura covers both the chest cavity and the lungs, which means that irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma symptoms typically don't show until 30 to 50 years after exposure.
Shortness of breath and chest pain are the most frequently reported symptoms. Patients may also experience chest tightness and coughing, or breathing difficulties. Patients with this type of cancer have a past that includes asbestos exposure at work. Manufacturing, construction and shipbuilding are the most common occupations which put people at risk chance of developing pleural mesothelioma. People who were in the military are at greater risk due the frequent use of asbestos in Navy vessels and bunkers for the Army.
The most common staging system for pleural mysothelioma has been the TNM (tumor lymph nodes, lymph nodes, and metastases) staging system. The stage the patient is in at the moment of diagnosis will determine what treatment plan they should receive. For example, patients with mesothelioma pleural stage three or four have a poorer prognosis than patients with a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma often spreads to the diaphragm, liver or even a person's heart. This can make it more difficult to treat and raises the likelihood of complications for the patient.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
In contrast to pleural mesothelioma which is a lung-lining cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma forms in the peritoneum, an elongated membrane that covers the abdominal cavity as well as organs such as the intestines and liver. Similar to pleural mesothelioma mesothelioma can be caused by asbestos exposure. Only 300-500 cases are diagnosed each year this is less than pleural asbestosis.
As with pleural asbestosis symptoms can take years to show. Patients typically experience abdominal pain, and may also have a lump in their abdomen. This kind of mesothelioma can cause nausea, weight loss, and fever. Many of these symptoms could be mistaken for gastrointestinal problems, leading to a mistaken diagnosis.
Generally, doctors can find mesothelioma by conducting an exhaustive medical history and physical exam. Imaging tests like X-rays or CT scans can be used to identify mesothelioma. These tests can reveal tumors and other cancer signs that aren't evident on X-rays.
The results of these tests allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and establish the stage. They can also recommend treatments. The stage is determined by the kind of cell and if the tumor has spread.
The most significant mesothelioma risk factor is asbestos exposure. People who have been in occupations which require asbestos, such as 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. For this reason, anyone who believes they could be at risk should talk to 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 their risk.
Risk Factors
Asbestos exposure is the primary mesothelioma risk factor, which accounts for as much as 80 percent 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 such. Asbestos particles are inhaled by those who are exposed to it. The particles cause irritation to the linings of the abdomen, which causes cancerous cells to grow in the mesothelium. Following exposure to asbestos, mesothelioma may develop between 15 and 60 years old.
Other risk factors include smoking, genetics, and age. People in their 40s and 50s are at a higher risk of developing mesothelioma compared to those younger or older. This is because mesothelioma usually occurs between 20 and 60 years after the initial time of exposure before cancer symptoms appear. It is also important to note that mesothelioma can develop in people who have been exposed to asbestos but did not deal with it directly. This is known as indirect or secondary asbestos exposure, and is as hazardous as direct asbestos exposure.
Smoking increases a person's chances of developing mesothelioma since it damages the mesothelium, which makes it more susceptible to asbestos. Additionally, mesothelioma can be worsened by certain diseases like asbestosis and pneumonia. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than women. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for a longer time and work with it. Men are also more likely to live with someone who was exposed to asbestos and bring asbestos fibers that have escaped home on their clothing. Women are less likely to come exposed to asbestos and they are less likely to bring asbestos home on their clothes.
Diagnosis
Mesothelioma is difficult to identify because the symptoms often resemble other conditions. This can result in patients being misdiagnosed.
NYU Langone doctors will perform physical examinations and document the patient's medical background, including asbestos exposure. Doctors will also order an CT scan or chest X-ray in order to look for lumps, abnormalities, and evidence of asbestos exposure. These include plaques on the pleura, pleura that are thickened and calcium deposits.
arlington heights asbestos lawsuit include an echocardiogram, which examines the heart and blood vessels, and a magnetic resonance imaging, also known as MRI, test that uses radio waves and magnets to create detailed images of the inside of the body. Another way doctors can diagnose mesothelioma is through a surgical biopsy. A surgical biopsy is when doctors remove a small piece of tissue from the peritoneum or pleura to conduct further tests. A pathologist can examine the tissue with microscopes to determine whether it contains cancerous cells.
The mesothelial type involved and the benign or malignant nature of those cells and the location and stage of the tumor, are used to classify the disease. Certain mesothelioma types have greater chance of metastasizing or spreading 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 lab on tumors in order to determine specific genes, proteins or other factors that will help them identify the characteristics of cancer and plan treatment. These results are referred to as staging.
Treatment
A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be frightening. It is important to remember that cancer can be treated, particularly in its early stages. Many patients with mesothelioma survive for years with the disease without it spreading to other organs of their body.
Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma by a variety of mechanisms. Asbestos fibers, which are too small to detect or feel through the naked eye, can be airborne and cause irritation to 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 surrounds the lungs and heart and the abdomen. Mesothelium consists of cells that react to exposure to asbestos which causes it to become inflamed and create scar tissue. Overtime, these changes result in the growth of malignant mesothelioma cancers.
Shortness of breath, chest discomfort or fluid buildup on the lungs are all signs of the pleural mesothelioma. In rare instances the cancer may be spread to the tissues around the heart and reproductive organs.
A doctor may request biopsy if scans show a potential mass in the lungs or stomach. During the procedure, doctors take small amounts of the tumor or fluid for lab analysis. The results will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and indicate the most effective treatment plan.
There are many types of mesothelioma treatment, including surgery, chemotherapy and immunotherapy. Most doctors utilize the combination of these treatments. Enrolling in clinical trials of mesothelioma treatments that are new could be beneficial for patients. Patients can find out more by speaking with a mesothelioma doctor who has treated the disease.