Mesothelioma and
asbestos claimAsbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that comes in thin, long fibres. Workers who are regularly exposed to asbestos may develop lung diseases, such as mesothelioma.
It may take decades for symptoms to appear after asbestos exposure. Different asbestos types can cause different symptoms.
Pleural Mesothelioma
Pleural mesothelioma occurs in the outer lung lining, or pleura. It is the most frequent mesothelioma type and is responsible for 70 to 79% all diagnosed cases. This condition causes chest pain, shortness of breathe and a feeling of heaviness.
This type of cancer typically caused by exposure to asbestos which is a cluster of minerals that are comprised of microscopic fibres. The fibers, when inhaled cause irritation and DNA mutations. The pleura surrounds the lungs and chest cavity, so these irritations can affect both the lungs and the heart of a person. Mesothelioma typically doesn't manifest until 30 to 50 year after exposure.
The most commonly reported symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include chest pain and breath shortness. Some patients may also suffer from chest tightness and coughing, or breathing difficulties. People who suffer from this cancer usually have previous exposure to asbestos in the workplace. Manufacturing, construction, and shipbuilding are the most common jobs which put people at risk danger of developing pleural melanoma. People who have worked in the military may be at a higher risk due to the frequent use of asbestos in Navy ships and bunkers for the army.
The TNM (tumors, lymph nodes, and metastases staging system) is the most popular staging system used for pleural adenocarcinoma. The stage a patient is in at the time of diagnosis will help determine what treatment plan they will receive. For instance, patients suffering from a pleural mesothelioma in stage three or four have a poorer prognosis than those in a lower stage. Mesothelioma in stage four is usually spread to the diaphragm, the liver or even a person's heart. This can make it more difficult to treat and increase the chance of complications for patients.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
Contrary to pleural cancer which forms in the lung's lining the peritoneal cancer is a result of the membrane that covers the abdominal cavity, which includes organs such as the intestines and liver. Like pleural mesothelioma, asbestos exposure is the primary cause of peritoneal mesothelioma. The disease is much less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma. There are only about 300-500 cases diagnosed each year.
As with pleural asbestosis symptoms can take a long time to manifest. Most patients suffer from abdominal pain and abdominal swelling. This type of mesothelioma may cause nausea, weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms are similar to those experienced by digestive issues, which could result in misdiagnosis.
Generally, doctors can find mesothelioma by conducting an exhaustive health history and physical exam. They may also employ imaging tests like X-rays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to detect mesothelioma. These tests can reveal tumors, as well as other indications of cancer that aren't visible on X-rays.
The results of these tests allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and establish the stage. They can also recommend treatment options. The staging is determined by the type of cell and whether or the tumor has spread to other areas of the body.
Asbestos exposure is the most important risk factor. People who have worked in jobs which require asbestos, like plumbing or manufacturing, electrical work, or construction, are at increased risk of developing the disease. However, even if individuals aren't employed in these areas, they can still be exposed to asbestos through relatives or other sources. This is why anyone who suspects they may be at risk should talk to an experienced doctor. If they have a history of asbestos exposure, a mesothelioma specialist can assist them in learning more about the risk.
Risk Factors
Asbestos exposure is the primary mesothelioma risk factor, making up as much as 80 percent of all cases. Exposure to asbestos can happen through work, military service, or living with someone who used to work with asbestos. When exposed to asbestos, small particles can be breathed into the lungs and abdomen. These particles irritate the linings of the lungs, causing cancerous cells to form in the mesothelium. After asbestos exposure mesothelioma is likely to develop between 15 and 60 years.
Other risk factors include genetics, smoking and age. The people in their 40s or 50s are at a higher risk of developing mesothelioma as compared to those who are younger or older. It takes mesothelioma 20-60 years before it manifests cancer symptoms after the first exposure. It is also important to know that mesothelioma is a possibility in people who have been exposed to asbestos but did not work 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 chance of mesothelioma as it damages the mesothelium. It also makes it more susceptible. In addition, mesothelioma may be exacerbated by certain illnesses like asbestosis and pneumonia. It is also important to note that mesothelioma is more prevalent 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. Also, men are more likely to live with someone who has worked with asbestos and carry asbestos fibers that have escaped home on their clothing. Women tend to be less exposed to asbestos and they are less likely to bring asbestos home on their clothes.
Diagnosis
It is difficult to recognize mesothelioma due to its symptoms being often similar to other diseases. Due to this, patients are often wrongly diagnosed.
NYU Langone doctors will perform an examination of the body and document the patient's medical history including asbestos exposure. Doctors can also request a chest X-ray or CT scan to check for lumps and other abnormalities and also to look for evidence of asbestos exposure in the past like plaques in the pleura (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 an echocardiogram which examines the heart and blood vessels and magnetic resonance imaging, also known as MRI, test, which makes use of radio waves and magnets to make a series of detailed images of the inside of the body. A surgical biopsy is a different way for doctors to diagnose mesothelioma. In a surgical biopsy, doctors remove a tiny piece of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum, to be further examined. A pathologist can look at the tissue under a microscope to see if it is contaminated with cancerous cells.
The type of mesothelial cells involved and the benign or malignant nature of those cells and the location and stage of the cancer are used to classify the disease. Certain types of mesothelioma are at an increased risk of metastasizing or spreading, so it's important to establish a clear diagnosis so doctors can treat it before it gets out-of-control.
Doctors can also perform tests in the lab on tumors to determine specific genes, proteins, or other factors which can aid in describing cancer characteristics and plan treatment. These results are called staging.
Treatment
A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be terrifying. It is crucial to remember that cancer can be treated especially at its early stages. A lot of people suffering from mesothelioma be afflicted for a long time, without spreading.
Exposure to asbestos may cause mesothelioma through a variety of ways.