Mesothelioma and Asbestos
Asbestos is a natural mineral that comes in long, thin fibres. Workers who are regularly exposed to asbestos are at risk of developing lung diseases, such as mesothelioma.
It could take a long time for symptoms to show up after exposure to asbestos. Different asbestos types may cause different symptoms.
Pleural Mesothelioma
Pleural mesothelioma occurs in the lung's outer lining also known as pleura. It is the most common form of mesothelioma and is responsible for 70 to 79% all diagnosed cases. People with this condition suffer from chest pain and breath shortness and may experience an ache or heaviness in the chest.
This type of cancer often caused by exposure to asbestos which is a grouping of minerals that are composed of microscopic fibers. When inhaled, these fibers cause irritation and DNA mutations. Pleura surrounds both the chest cavity and the lungs, which means that irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma usually doesn't show symptoms until 30 to 50 year after exposure.
The most commonly reported symptoms of pleural melanoma are chest discomfort and shortness of breath. Some patients may also feel tightness in their chest, coughing or difficulty breathing. People with this cancer have a history that includes asbestos exposure at work. Construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding are among the most frequent occupations that put people at high chance of developing pleural mesothelioma. People who have worked in the military could be at a higher risk because of the extensive use of
asbestos law in Navy vessels and bunkers used by the army.
The most commonly used staging system for pleural mysothelioma has been the TNM (tumor lymph nodes, lymph nodes and metastases) staging system. The stage that a patient is in at the time of diagnosis will help determine the treatment plan they should receive. Patients suffering from pleural mesothelioma who is in stage three or four will have a worse outlook than those who are in a less advanced stage. Stage four mesothelioma may spread to the heart, liver or diaphragm. This makes the cancer more difficult to treat, and increase the chance of complications for the patient.
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 as well as organs such as the intestines and the liver. As with pleural mesothelioma asbestos exposure is the primary cause of peritoneal mesothelioma. It is estimated that only 300-500 cases are diagnosed annually which is lower than pleural asbestosis.
Like pleural mesothelioma, the symptoms can take years to show. Patients typically suffer from abdominal pain and may also have a lump in their abdomen. The symptoms of this type of mesothelioma may also include nausea as well as weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms could be mistaken for gastrointestinal problems which can lead to a misdiagnosis.
Typically, doctors can identify mesothelioma through an extensive health history and physical exam. Imaging tests like X-rays or CT scans are a way to detect mesothelioma. These tests can reveal cancerous tumors or other signs of cancer that aren't apparent on an X-ray.
The results of these tests allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma, identify the stage of the disease and suggest treatment options. The staging is determined by the type of cells and whether or not the cancer has spread to other parts of the body.
The most significant risk factor for mesothelioma is asbestos exposure. People who have worked in professions that require asbestos, like plumbing or electrical work, manufacturing or construction, are at greater risk of developing the disease. Even if someone does not work in any of these areas they could be exposed to asbestos to asbestos through family members and other sources. This is why anyone who is concerned that they might be at risk should talk to a doctor. A mesothelioma expert can help those who have a previous history of asbestos to find out more about their risk.
Risk Factors
Asbestos exposure is the main mesothelioma risk factor, accounting for up to 80 percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos can happen through military service, work or living with someone who used to work with asbestos. Asbestos particles are inhaled by those who are exposed to it. These particles irritate the linings of the abdomen, which causes cancerous cells to develop in the mesothelium. Following 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 more at risk of developing mesothelioma as compared to those who are younger or older. It is because mesothelioma generally lasts between 20 and 60 years after the initial exposure to asbestos before symptoms of cancer begin to manifest. It is important to remember that mesothelioma may develop in those who were exposed to asbestos but did not engage directly with it. This is known as indirect or secondary asbestos exposure, and is as hazardous as direct asbestos exposure.
Smoking increases the risk of mesothelioma, since it damages mesothelium. It also makes it more prone to. Mesothelioma can also be aggravated by certain diseases, such as asbestosis and pneumonia. It is also important to note that mesothelioma occurs more frequently in men than women. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for a longer period of time and to have worked with asbestos for longer durations and to work with it. Men are also more likely to live with someone who had asbestos exposure and bring
asbestos fibers that have escaped home on their clothing. Women are less likely to be exposed to asbestos and they don't usually carry asbestos on their clothes.
Diagnosis
It is difficult to identify mesothelioma since its symptoms are often similar to other diseases. Because of this, victims 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 detect lumps and other abnormalities, as well as evidence of previous
asbestos attorney exposure such as plaques in the pleura (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the accumulation of fluid between the lung and 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, or MRI test, which uses radio waves and magnets to make a series of precise images of the inside of the body. Another method doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma is to perform the procedure of a surgical biopsy. A surgical biopsy is when doctors remove a small amount of tissue from the peritoneum or pleura for further testing. A pathologist will then look at the tissue using an magnifying glass to determine if it is a cancerous cells.
The type of mesothelial cell involved as well as the benign or malignant nature of these cells as well as the location, type and stage of the tumour, are used to categorize the disease. Some types of mesothelioma are more likely to spread or metastasize and spread, therefore it is essential to establish a definitive diagnosis so doctors can treat the disease before it goes out of control.
Doctors may also conduct tests in the laboratory on tumors to determine specific proteins, genes or other elements that can aid in describing the characteristics of cancer and plan treatment. These results are referred to as staging.
Treatment
A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be terrifying. But, it is crucial to remember that the cancer can be treated, particularly in its initial stages.