Mesothelioma and Asbestos
Asbestos is a natural mineral that is made up of thin, long fibres. Workers who are exposed asbestos on a regular basis are at risk of developing mesothelioma as well as other lung diseases.
The symptoms of these diseases might not show up for decades after exposure to asbestos. Different asbestos types may cause different symptoms.
Pleural Mesothelioma
Pleural mesothelioma can be found in the outer lung lining, or pleura. It is the most frequent mesothelioma that accounts for up 70% to 79% of all diagnosed cases. Patients with this disease experience pain in the chest and breath shortness and may also feel a sensation of heaviness in the chest.
Exposure to
asbestos compensation, a class of minerals composed of microscopic fibers, usually causes this kind of cancer. The fibers, when inhaled can cause irritation and DNA mutations. Pleura covers both the chest cavity as well as the lungs, which means that irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma symptoms typically don't show until 30 to 50 years after exposure.
The most commonly reported symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are chest pain and breath shortness. Patients may also feel tightness in their chest or coughing. They may also experience difficulty breathing. Patients with this type of cancer have a past that includes asbestos exposure at work. The most frequent jobs that put people at risk of pleural mesothelioma include construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding. Individuals who have been in the military may be at an especially high risk because of the extensive asbestos usage in Navy vessels and bunkers used by the army.
The most common staging system for pleural mesothelioma is the TNM (tumor lymph nodes, lymph nodes and metastases) staging system. The stage a patient is in at the time of diagnosis can help determine what treatment plan they should follow. For instance, patients who have a pleural mesothelioma in stage three or four have a worse prognosis than those with a lower stage. Mesothelioma in stage four is usually spread to the diaphragm, the liver or even a person's heart. This makes it more difficult to treat and increases the likelihood of complications for patients.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
Unlike pleural mesothelioma, which is a lung-lining cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma is found in the peritoneum -- it is a membrane that lines the abdominal cavity as well as organs like the intestines and the liver. Similar to pleural mesothelioma, asbestos exposure is the cause of peritoneal mesothelioma. It is estimated that only 300-500 cases are diagnosed each year, which is less than the pleural asbestosis.
Like pleural mesothelioma, symptoms can take a long time to manifest. Patients typically have abdominal pain, and may also have a lump in their abdomen. The symptoms of this kind of mesothelioma can also include nausea as well as weight loss and fever. A lot of these symptoms can be mistaken for gastrointestinal problems and can lead to a mistaken diagnosis.
Doctors can identify mesothelioma by examining the patient's medical history and performing a physical examination. Imaging tests like X-rays and CT scans can be used to identify mesothelioma. These tests can reveal tumors and other signs of cancer that aren't apparent on an X-ray.
The results of these tests allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and determine the stage. They can also recommend treatment options. The staging is determined by the cell type and whether or the tumor has spread to other parts of the body.
The most significant mesothelioma risk factor is exposure to asbestos. People who have been in occupations that require asbestos, such as plumbing electrical work, manufacturing or construction, are at greater risk of developing the disease. Even if they aren't employed in these areas, they can still be exposed to asbestos through family members or other sources. For this reason, anyone who believes they could be at risk should talk to an experienced doctor. If they have any history of exposure to asbestos or mesothelioma, a specialist can help them find out more about their risk.
Risk Factors
Asbestos exposure is a major risk factor for mesothelioma which accounts for as much as 80 percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos may occur due to work, military service or by living with someone who works with asbestos or used to do so. When exposed to asbestos, small particles can be inhaled into the lungs and abdomen. The particles cause irritation to the linings, causing cancerous cells to develop in the mesothelium. After asbestos exposure mesothelioma can develop between 15 and 60 year.
Other risk factors include genetics, smoking and aging. The people in their 40s or 50s are at a higher chance of developing mesothelioma to those younger or older. Mesothelioma can take between 20 and 60 years to show signs of cancer after the first exposure. It is important to note, too, that mesothelioma could occur in those who have been exposed to asbestos without having been directly exposed to it. This is referred to as secondary or indirect asbestos exposure, and is as dangerous as direct asbestos exposure.
Smoking increases the chance of mesothelioma as it damages the mesothelium. It can also make it more vulnerable. Mesothelioma is also aggravated by certain illnesses, including asbestosis and pneumonia. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma compared to women. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for a longer time and to have worked with
asbestos lawyer for longer durations and to work with it. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who has worked with asbestos and to have asbestos-containing fibers on their clothing. Women are less likely to come in contact with asbestos, and they are less likely to carry Asbestos case -
https://www.Samnetworkth.com/, on their clothes.
Diagnosis
It is difficult to diagnose mesothelioma because its symptoms are frequently similar to other illnesses. Due to this, patients are sometimes mistakenly 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 asbestos exposure in the past such as pleural plaques (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the buildup of fluid between the lung and chest wall (known as the pleural effusion).
Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance imaging or MRI test, which uses magnets and radio waves in order to create a series detailed images of the inside of the body. Another way doctors can diagnose mesothelioma is by performing the procedure of a surgical biopsy. In a surgical biopsy doctors remove a small piece of tissue from the peritoneum or pleura for further testing. A pathologist then examines the tissue with a magnifying glass to determine if it is a cancerous cells.
Mesothelioma is classified according to the mesothelial type involved, whether the cells are benign or malignant and also the location of the tumor, its type, and the stage of the tumor. Certain mesothelioma types have greater risk of spreading or metastasizing and it's crucial to determine the type of mesothelioma so that doctors can treat it before it becomes out-of-control.
Doctors may also conduct laboratory tests on a tumor to identify specific genes, proteins and other factors that can help them describe the characteristics of cancer and plan treatment. These results are called staging.
Treatment
A mesothelioma diagnosis is a frightening prospect. However, it is important to remember that the cancer is treatable, especially in its earlier stages. Many mesothelioma patients live for years with the disease, without spreading to other areas of their body.