Mesothelioma and Asbestos
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that is made up of long, thin fibres. Workers who are regularly exposed to asbestos may develop lung diseases, such as mesothelioma.
The symptoms of these diseases may not be evident for a long time after exposure to asbestos. Different asbestos types may cause different symptoms.
Pleural Mesothelioma
Pleural mesothelioma can be found in the lung's outer lining, also known as pleura. It is the most frequent mesothelioma that accounts for up 70 to 79% of diagnosed cases. The condition can cause chest pain, breath shortness and a feeling heaviness.
This type of cancer typically caused through exposure to asbestos, which is a collection of minerals that are made up of microscopic fibres. When inhaled, these fibers stick inside the lung and cause irritation that leads to scarring and DNA mutations. The pleura surrounds the lungs and chest cavity This means that these irritations can 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 frequent symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are chest pain and breath shortness. Some patients also experience coughing, difficulty breathing, or chest tightness. Patients with this cancer have a past that includes asbestos exposure at work. Manufacturing, construction and shipbuilding are among the most frequent occupations that put people at high danger of developing pleural melanoma. Individuals who have been in the military may be at a higher risk due to the widespread asbestos usage in Navy vessels and bunkers used by the army.
The most popular staging system for pleural mysothelioma has been the TNM (tumor lymph nodes, lymph nodes and metastases) staging system. The stage a patient is in at the time of diagnosis will help determine the treatment plan they should receive. For instance, patients who have mesothelioma that is pleural in stage three or four have a less favorable prognosis than patients with lower stages. Stage four mesothelioma often spreads to the diaphragm, liver and/or a person's heart. This makes it more difficult to treat and increases the risk of complications for the patient.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
Contrary to pleural cancer that develops in the lining of the lung the peritoneal cancer is a result of the membrane that covers the abdominal cavity, including organs such as the intestines and liver. Similar to pleural mesothelioma mesothelioma is triggered by asbestos exposure. It is estimated that only 300-500 cases are diagnosed each year this is less than the pleural asbestosis.
As with pleural asbestosis, symptoms can take years to manifest. Patients generally have abdominal pain, and could also experience a mass in their abdomen. The symptoms of this kind of mesothelioma could also include nausea as well as weight loss and fever. A lot of these symptoms are similar to those experienced by digestive issues, which could result in misdiagnosis.
Typically, doctors can identify mesothelioma through an exhaustive health history and physical exam. They can also use imaging tests like Xrays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to identify mesothelioma. These tests can reveal tumors and other cancer signs which aren't visible on X-rays.
These test results enable doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and establish the stage. They also offer treatment options. The staging is determined by the type of cells and whether or not the cancer has spread to other regions of the body.
Asbestos exposure is the main risk factor. People who have been exposed to asbestos in professions, such as plumbing or electrical work, or in manufacturing and construction are more likely to develop the disease. However, even if individuals aren't employed in these fields, they can still be exposed to asbestos through family members or through other sources. Therefore, sunnyvale asbestos attorney who believes they could be at risk should speak to a doctor. If they have a history of asbestos exposure or mesothelioma, a specialist can assist them in finding out more about the risk.
Risk Factors
Asbestos is the primary risk factor in mesothelioma. It accounts for as much as 80% of all cases. Exposure to asbestos may occur due to work, military service, or by living with someone who works with asbestos or has previously done the same. Asbestos particles can be inhaled by people who are exposed to it. These irritate the linings and can cause cancerous cells to form in the mesothelium. After exposure to asbestos, mesothelioma may be diagnosed between 15 and 60 years old.
Other risk factors include genetics, smoking and age. People in their 40s and 50s are at a higher chance of developing mesothelioma to those younger or older. It takes mesothelioma 20-60 years to manifest cancer symptoms after the first exposure. It is important to note that mesothelioma could develop in those who have been exposed to asbestos, but without having been directly exposed to it. This is known as indirect or secondary exposure to asbestos. It can be just as dangerous as direct exposure.
Smoking can increase the likelihood of getting mesothelioma because it damages the mesothelium and makes it more susceptible to asbestos. Furthermore, mesothelioma is caused by certain illnesses, such as asbestosis and pneumonia. It is also important to remember that mesothelioma is more common for men than women. This is because men are 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 carry asbestos fibers on their clothing. Women tend to be less in contact with asbestos, and don't typically bring asbestos home on their clothing.
Diagnosis
It is difficult to identify mesothelioma due to its symptoms being often similar to other diseases. This is why patients are often wrongly 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 look for lumps and other abnormalities and also to look for evidence of past asbestos exposure such as pleural plaques (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the formation of fluid between the lung and the chest wall (known as the pleural effusion).
Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram, which examines the blood vessels and the heart, and a magnetic resonance imaging, also known as MRI, test, which uses magnets and radio waves to make a series of detailed images of the interior of the body. Another method doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma is by performing a surgical biopsy. During a surgery biopsy, doctors remove a tiny piece of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum to be further examined. A pathologist can then examine the tissue with an magnifying glass to determine if it contains cancerous cell.
The mesothelial type involved, the malignant or benign nature of those cells as well as the location the cancer, its type and the stage of the cancer are used to categorize the disease. Some types of mesothelioma are more likely to grow or spread which is why it is crucial to get a definite diagnosis to ensure that doctors are able to treat the disease before it becomes out of control.
Doctors may also conduct tests in the lab on tumors in order to determine specific proteins, genes or other elements that can aid in describing cancer characteristics and determine the best treatment. These results are referred to as staging.
Treatment
A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be frightening. It is important to remember, however, that cancer can be treated particularly in its initial stages. A lot of people suffering from mesothelioma live with the disease for a long time without spreading.
Exposure to asbestos may cause mesothelioma in a number of ways. Asbestos fibers, too small to see or feel through the naked eye, can become airborne and irritate the lung's lining (pleura). Over time the irritation can lead to the formation of scar tissues that eventually result in tumors.
The Pleura is a covering that protects the lungs, heart and abdomen. Mesothelium is made up of cells that respond when exposed to asbestos. They cause inflammation to the tissue and cause it to scar. These changes eventually cause mesothelioma cancers.
The signs of pleural mesothelioma can include breathing problems and chest pain as well as a buildup of fluid in the lung (pleural effusion). In rare cases cancer can spread to the tissues surrounding the reproductive organs as well as the heart.
If imaging scans reveal an underlying mass in the stomach or lungs the doctor will request biopsies. During the procedure, doctors take a small sample of the tumor or fluid for lab tests. The results will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and determine the most effective treatment plan.
There are several types of mesothelioma treatments, which include chemotherapy, surgery, and immunotherapy. Most doctors use combinations of these treatments. Patients could also benefit from taking part in a clinical trial of new mesothelioma treatments. To learn more about the trials, patients should speak to mesothelioma experts who have had experience treating the disease.