Mesothelioma and Asbestos
Asbestos, a mineral that naturally forms in the form of thin, long fibers. Workers who are exposed asbestos regularly risk developing mesothelioma and other lung diseases of different types.
It may take decades before symptoms begin to manifest after exposure to
asbestos compensation. Different types of asbestos may cause different symptoms.
Pleural Mesothelioma
Pleural mesothelioma occurs in the outer lung lining, or the pleura. It is the most prevalent mesothelioma type, accounting for up between 70 and 79% of all diagnosed cases. This condition causes chest pain, shortness of breathe and a feeling of weightiness.
Exposure to asbestos, a family of minerals comprised of microscopic fibers, typically causes this type of cancer. Once inhaled, the fibers are absorbed into 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 as well as a person's heart. Mesothelioma symptoms usually don't appear until 30 to 50 years after exposure.
Shortness of breath and chest pain are the most frequent symptoms. Some patients may also experience chest tightness and coughing, or breathing difficulties. Patients with this type of cancer typically have a history of exposure to asbestos in the workplace. The most frequent jobs that put people at risk of pleural mesothelioma include manufacturing, construction and shipbuilding. People who served in the military are at a greater risk due to the extensive use asbestos in Navy vessels and bunkers in the Army.
The most common staging system for pleural mesothelioma is the TNM (tumor lymph nodes, lymph nodes, and metastases) staging system. The stage the patient is in at the time of diagnosis can help determine the treatment plan they should follow. For instance, patients suffering from mesothelioma pleural stage three or four have a less favorable prognosis than those with a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma often spreads to the diaphragm, the liver and/or a person's heart. This could make the cancer more difficult to treat, and increase the risk of complications for patients.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
As opposed to pleural mesothelioma that develops in the lung lining, peritoneal mesothelioma develops in the peritoneum, a membrane that lines the abdominal cavity and organs like the intestines and liver. Similar to pleural mesothelioma, exposure to asbestos is the cause of peritoneal msothelioma. It is estimated that only 300-500 cases are diagnosed annually this is less than pleural asbestosis.
Like pleural mesothelioma, symptoms can take years to show. The majority of patients suffer from abdominal pain and an abdominal mass. This type of mesothelioma may also cause nausea, weight loss, and fever. A lot of these symptoms are similar to those experienced by digestive issues, which could lead to incorrect diagnosis.
Generally, doctors can find mesothelioma after an extensive health history and physical examination. They can also use imaging tests like Xrays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to identify mesothelioma. These tests can reveal tumors and other indications of cancer that aren't apparent on an X-ray.
These tests enable doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and determine the stage and recommend treatment options. The stage is determined by the kind of cell and if the cancer has spread.
Asbestos Case exposure is the main risk factor. People who have worked in jobs that require asbestos, such as plumbing or manufacturing, electrical work or construction, are at greater risk of developing the disease. However, even if people aren't employed in these fields they could be exposed to asbestos through relatives or other sources. Anyone who thinks they are at risk should talk to an expert. A mesothelioma specialist can assist those with a previous history of asbestos to find out more about their risk.
Risk Factors
Asbestos is the most significant risk factor for mesothelioma. It is responsible for as much as 80percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos can happen due to military service, work or living with people who have worked with asbestos. Asbestos particles can be inhaled by those who are exposed to it. These particles irritate the linings of the abdomen, which causes cancerous cells to form in the mesothelium. Following exposure to asbestos mesothelioma is likely to be diagnosed between 15 and 60 years.
Other risk factors include smoking, genetics, and age. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely to get mesothelioma than people younger or older. It takes mesothelioma 20-60 years to manifest cancer symptoms after the first exposure. It is important to remember that mesothelioma can develop in those who were exposed to asbestos but didn't deal with it directly. This is referred to as indirect or secondary exposure to asbestos. It could be as hazardous as direct exposure.
Smoking increases the chance of mesothelioma because it damages the mesothelium. It can also make it more vulnerable. Mesothelioma can also be caused by certain illnesses, including asbestosis and pneumonia. It is also important to know that mesothelioma is more prevalent for men than women. This is because men are more likely to work with asbestos and have an extended period of exposure than women. Men are also more likely to live with someone who worked with asbestos and carry asbestos fibers that have escaped home on their clothing. Women tend to have less contact with asbestos and rarely carry
asbestos on their clothing.
Diagnosis
It is difficult to recognize mesothelioma due to its symptoms being frequently similar to other illnesses. This can result in patients being 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 request a CT scan or chest X-ray to check for lumps, abnormalities, and evidence of asbestos exposure. These include pleural plaques, thickened pleura and calcium deposits.
Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram, which examines the heart and blood vessels and magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI, test, which makes use of magnets and radio waves to create precise images of the inside of the body. A surgical biopsy is a different method for doctors to identify mesothelioma. In a surgical biopsy doctors take a small amount of tissue from the peritoneum or pleura to conduct further tests. A pathologist can then examine the tissue with a magnifying lens to determine if it contains cancerous cell.
The mesothelial type involved and the benign or malignant nature of the cells as well as the location, type and stage of the tumor, 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 gets out of control.
Doctors can also run tests in the laboratory on tumors to determine specific proteins, genes, or other factors which can help them identify the characteristics of the cancer and determine a treatment. These results are known as staging.
Treatment
A mesothelioma diagnosis can be a frightening prospect. However, it's important to remember that the disease can be treated, particularly in its earlier stages. A lot of people suffering from mesothelioma endure the disease for many years without it spreading.
Exposure to asbestos may cause mesothelioma in a number of ways. Asbestos fibres, too small to be felt or viewed by naked eyes can be airborne, irritating the lung's lining (pleura). Over time the irritation can lead to the formation of scar tissue that eventually result in tumors.
The pleura covers the lungs and the heart, as well as the abdomen.