Mesothelioma and Asbestos
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that is found in long, thin fibres. Workers who are exposed to asbestos regularly are at risk of developing mesothelioma as well as other lung diseases of different types.
The symptoms of these diseases might not show up for decades after exposure to asbestos. Different types of asbestos can cause different symptoms.
Pleural Mesothelioma
Pleural mesothelioma can be found in the lung's outer lining also known as the pleura. It is the most prevalent type of mesothelioma, making up 70% to 79% of all diagnosed cases. Patients with this disease suffer from chest pain and breath shortness and may also feel an ache or heaviness in the chest.
This kind of cancer is often caused by exposure to asbestos which is a grouping of minerals that are comprised of microscopic fibres. Once inhaled, the fibers stick inside the lung and cause irritation that results in scarring and DNA mutations. Pleura surrounds both the chest cavity as well as the lungs, and so irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma symptoms typically don't show until 30 to 50 years after exposure.
Chest pain and shortness breath are the most frequently reported symptoms. Some patients may also suffer from chest tightness or coughing. They may also experience difficulty breathing. Patients with this cancer have a history of disease that includes asbestos exposure at work. Construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding are the most frequent occupations that put people at a high danger of developing pleural melanoma. People who were in the military are at a higher risk due to the widespread use of asbestos in Navy vessels and bunkers for the Army.
The most common staging method for pleural mesothelioma is the TNM (tumor, lymph nodes and metastases) staging system. The stage a patient is in when they are diagnosed will aid their doctor in determining the best treatment plan for them. Patients with pleural mesothelioma that is in stage three or stage four will suffer a more negative prognosis than those who are in a lower stage. Mesothelioma in stage four can 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
In contrast to pleural mesothelioma which is a lung-lining cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma develops in the peritoneum - a membrane that lines the abdominal cavity as well as organs such as the liver and intestines. As with pleural mesothelioma exposure to asbestos is the reason for peritoneal msothelioma. The disease is less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma, with around 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.
Like pleural mesothelioma, the symptoms may take years to appear. Typically, patients experience abdominal pain and a mass in the abdomen. This mesothelioma type can cause nausea, weight loss, and fever. A lot of these symptoms can be mistaken for gastrointestinal problems, leading to a misdiagnosis.
Generally speaking, doctors can detect mesothelioma through an exhaustive medical history and physical exam. Imaging tests like X-rays or CT scans can be used to detect mesothelioma. These tests can detect tumors and other cancer signs that are not visible on X-rays.
The results of these tests allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and establish the stage. They can also suggest treatments. The staging is determined by the type of cells and whether or whether the cancer has spread to other regions of the body.
The most significant mesothelioma-related risk factor is asbestos exposure. People who have worked in jobs that involve asbestos, such as plumbing manufacturing, electrical work, or construction, are at greater risk of developing the disease. Even if someone is not employed in one of these areas, he or she can be exposed to asbestos through family members and other sources. Therefore, anyone who suspects they may be at risk should speak to an experienced doctor. A mesothelioma expert can help those who have had a previous history of asbestos to find out more about their risk.
Risk Factors
Asbestos exposure is a major risk factor for mesothelioma making up as much as 80 percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos can occur through work, military service, or through living with a person who works with asbestos or was previously exposed to doing such. Asbestos particles are inhaled by those who are exposed to asbestos. These particles can cause irritation to the linings of the lungs, causing cancerous cells to form in the mesothelium. Following exposure to asbestos, mesothelioma may develop between 15 and 60 years.
Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and aging. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely be diagnosed with mesothelioma compared to those who are younger or older. It takes mesothelioma 20-60 years to show signs of cancer after the first exposure. It is important to remember that mesothelioma is a possibility in people who have been exposed to asbestos but did not deal with it directly. This is called indirect or secondary exposure to asbestos and it can be just as dangerous as direct exposure.
Smoking increases the risk of mesothelioma, since it damages mesothelium. It also makes it more prone to. Mesothelioma is also aggravated by certain illnesses such as asbestosis and pneumonia. It is also important to know that mesothelioma occurs more frequently in males than females. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for a longer time and work with asbestos for longer periods of time. Men are also more likely to live with someone who was exposed to asbestos and bring asbestos fibers from their workplace on their clothing. Women are less likely to be in contact with asbestos, and don't typically carry asbestos on their clothes.
Diagnosis
It is difficult to diagnose mesothelioma because its symptoms are frequently similar to other illnesses. This can result in patients being incorrectly diagnosed.
NYU Langone doctors will perform a physical examination and record the patient's medical background, including asbestos exposure. Doctors can also request an X-ray of the chest or CT scan to detect lumps or other abnormalities, and also to look for evidence of past asbestos exposure like pleural plaques (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the accumulation of fluid between the lung and the chest wall (known as the pleural effusion).
Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI test, which makes use of magnets and radio waves in order to create a series detailed images of inside the body. A surgical biopsy is a different method doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma. When a biopsy is performed doctors take a tiny piece of tissue from pleura or the peritoneum to be further examined. A pathologist can then examine the tissue under a magnifying lens to determine if it is a cancerous cell.
The type of mesothelial cells involved as well as the benign or malignant nature of the cells and the location, type and stage of the tumor, are used to categorize the disease. Certain mesothelioma types have a higher risk 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 a tumor to find specific genes, proteins, or other factors that help them understand the characteristics of cancer and plan treatment. These results are referred to as staging.
Treatment
A mesothelioma diagnose can be frightening. It is important to remember that cancer can be treated particularly in its initial stages. Many patients with mesothelioma be afflicted for many years without it spreading.
Asbestos exposure can cause mesothelioma through many mechanisms. Asbestos fibers, which are too small to be felt or observed through the naked eye are able to become airborne and irritate the lung's lining (pleura). Over time the irritation causes the formation of scar tissue and eventually tumors.
The Pleura is a protective layer that surrounds the abdomen, heart, and lungs. Mesothelium is made up of cells that react to exposure to asbestos which causes it to become inflamed and create scar tissue. These changes can result in malignant mesothelioma tumors.
A shortness of breath, chest discomfort or fluid buildup on the lungs are all indications of pleural msothelioma. In rare cases the cancer may be spread to the tissues around the heart and reproductive organs.
If scans of imaging reveal a possible mass in the lungs or stomach doctors will recommend a biopsies. During the procedure, doctors take small amounts of the tumor or fluid for lab analysis. The results can confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and help determine the best treatment option.
There are many types of mesothelioma treatment, which include chemotherapy, surgery, and immunotherapy. Most doctors utilize the combination of these methods. yakima asbestos attorneys may also benefit from participating in a clinical study of new mesothelioma treatment. Patients can learn more about the trials by speaking with a mesothelioma doctor who has treated mesothelioma.