Mesothelioma and Asbestos
Asbestos is a natural mineral that is made up of thin, long fibres. Workers who are exposed to asbestos on a regular basis risk developing mesothelioma and other types of lung diseases.
The symptoms of these diseases might not show up for decades after exposure to asbestos. Different asbestos types can cause different symptoms.
Pleural Mesothelioma
Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer that occurs in the lung's outer the lining (pleura). It is the most frequent mesothelioma type and is responsible for 70 to 79% of all diagnosed cases. Patients with this disease feel chest pain and breath shortness and may also feel an ache or heaviness in the chest.
Exposure to asbestos, a group of minerals made of microscopic fibers, usually causes this type of cancer. When inhaled, these fibers stick inside the lung and cause irritation which leads to scarring and DNA mutations. The pleura covers the chest cavity and lungs and therefore, these irritations could affect both the lungs and the heart of a person. Mesothelioma symptoms usually don't appear until 30 to 50 years after exposure.
The most common symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include chest discomfort and shortness of breath. Patients may also suffer from chest tightness and coughing, or breathing difficulties. Patients with this type of cancer have a past that includes asbestos exposure at work. The most frequent jobs that expose people to the risk of developing pleural cancer are manufacturing, construction, and shipbuilding. Individuals who have been in the military are at an especially high risk because of the extensive asbestos usage in Navy ships and bunkers for the army.
The TNM (tumors lymph nodes, tumors, and metastases staging system) is the most popular staging system for the pleural cancer. The stage that the patient is in at the time of diagnosis will help determine what treatment plan they should follow. Patients with pleural mesothelioma that is in stage three or stage four will have a less favorable prognosis compared to those who are in a less advanced stage. Stage four mesothelioma may spread to the liver, heart, or diaphragm. This makes it more difficult to treat and increases the chance of complications for the patient.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
In contrast to pleural cancer, which forms in the lung's lining the peritoneal cancer is a result of a membrane that surrounds the abdominal cavity, which includes organs such as the intestines and liver. As with pleural mesothelioma exposure to asbestos is the cause of peritoneal mesothelioma. The disease is less common than pleural mesothelioma. There are only about 300-500 cases diagnosed each year.
As with pleural mesothelioma symptoms may take years to appear. Typically, patients suffer from abdominal pain and a mass in the abdomen. This mesothelioma type can also cause nausea, weight loss, and fever. A lot of these symptoms are similar to symptoms of gastrointestinal issues, which can cause confusion in diagnosis.
Doctors can detect mesothelioma by examining the patient's medical history and performing a physical examination. Imaging tests like X-rays and CT scans are a way to identify mesothelioma. These tests can show cancerous tumors or other symptoms of cancer that aren't apparent on an X-ray.
These tests enable doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and establish the stage. They can also recommend treatment options. virginia asbestos lawsuit is determined by the type of cell as well as whether the cancer has spread.
The most significant mesothelioma-related risk factor is exposure to asbestos. People who have been in occupations that require asbestos, like plumbing manufacturing, electrical work or construction, are at a higher risk of developing the disease. Even if a person isn't employed in any of these areas however, they may be exposed to asbestos through family members or other sources. Anyone who thinks they're at risk should speak with an expert. A mesothelioma specialist can assist those who have had a history with asbestos to learn more about their risk.
Risk Factors
Asbestos is the most significant risk factor in mesothelioma. It accounts for up to the 80% of cases. Exposure to asbestos can occur due to work, military service or by living with a person who works with asbestos or used to do so. When exposed to asbestos, the particles are able to be inhaled into abdomen and lungs. The particles cause irritation to the linings, causing cancerous cells to grow in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma can take anywhere between 15 and 60 years to develop after exposure to asbestos.
Other risk factors include smoking, genetics, and the advancing age. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely to get mesothelioma than people younger or more senior. It is because mesothelioma generally occurs between 20 and 60 years from the initial time of exposure before cancer symptoms appear. It is important to note that mesothelioma could develop in people who have been exposed to asbestos without having been directly exposed to it. This is known as secondary or indirect exposure to asbestos. It can be just as dangerous as direct exposure.
Smoking can increase the likelihood of developing mesothelioma since it damages the mesothelium, which makes it more susceptible to asbestos. Mesothelioma is also aggravated by certain diseases, such as asbestosis and pneumonia. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than females. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for longer periods of time and to have worked with asbestos for longer durations and to work with it. Additionally, men are more likely to live with someone who had asbestos exposure and bring asbestos fibers that have escaped home on their clothes. Women are less likely to be exposed to asbestos and they don't usually carry asbestos on their clothing.
Diagnosis
Mesothelioma is a difficult cancer to identify because the symptoms are often similar to other diseases. Because of this, victims are sometimes mistakenly 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 chest or CT scan to check for lumps and other abnormalities, and also to look for evidence of past asbestos exposure like plaques on the pleura (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the buildup of fluid between the lung and the chest wall (known as pleural effusion).
Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram which examines the heart and blood vessels and magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI, test that uses radio waves and magnets to create detailed images of the interior of the body. Another way for doctors to detect mesothelioma is by performing the procedure of a surgical biopsy. When a biopsy is performed doctors will remove a small piece of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum, to be further examined. A pathologist can then look at the tissue under a microscope to see if it has cancerous cells.
The type of mesothelial cell involved and the benign or malignant nature of the cells as well as the location the cancer, its type and the stage of the cancer are used to classify the disease. Certain types of mesothelioma are at a higher risk of metastasizing or spreading, so it's important to get a definitive diagnosis so that doctors can treat it before it becomes out of control.
Doctors may also conduct tests in the laboratory on tumors in order to determine specific proteins, genes or other elements that will help them identify the characteristics of cancer and plan treatment. These results are referred to as staging.
Treatment
A diagnosis of mesothelioma may be terrifying. However, it's important to remember that the cancer is treatable, particularly in its early stages. Many people with mesothelioma can be afflicted for a long time, without spreading.
Exposure to asbestos may cause mesothelioma through a variety of ways. Asbestos fibers that are small enough to not be felt or viewed by naked eyes are able to become airborne, causing irritation to the lung's lining (pleura). As time passes irritation can lead to formation of scar tissue which causes changes in the cell structure that can eventually grow into tumors.
The pleura covers the lungs and the heart and the abdomen. Mesothelium consists of cells that react when exposed to asbestos. They cause inflammation of the tissue and cause it to scar. These changes can result in malignant mesothelioma tumors.
The signs of pleural mesothelioma can include shortness of breath and chest pain as well as the accumulation of fluid on the lung (pleural effusion). In rare instances cancer can spread to the tissues surrounding the reproductive organs and heart.
A doctor will request biopsy if imaging scans reveal a possible lung tumor or stomach. During the procedure, doctors remove a small sample of the tumor or fluid for lab analysis. The results will confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis, and provide the best treatment option.
There are a variety of treatment for mesothelioma, such as chemotherapy and surgery. Most doctors utilize a combination of these treatments. Patients could also benefit from participating in a clinical study of new mesothelioma treatments. To learn more about the trials, patients should consult mesothelioma experts who have expertise in treating the condition.