Mesothelioma and Asbestos
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that is made up of long, thin fibres. People who are exposed to asbestos regularly are at risk of developing mesothelioma as well as other lung diseases.
It can take years for symptoms to show up after exposure to asbestos. Different asbestos types can cause different symptoms.
Pleural Mesothelioma
Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer of the lung's outer lining, or pleura. It is the most common type of mesothelioma, making up between 70 and 79% of diagnosed cases. Patients with this disease feel chest pain and breathlessness and may also feel a sensation of heaviness in the chest.
This kind of cancer is typically caused by exposure to asbestos which is a collection of minerals that are composed of microscopic fibers. The fibers, when inhaled can cause irritation and DNA mutations. The pleura covers the lungs and chest cavity and therefore, these irritations could affect both the lungs and the heart of a person. Mesothelioma symptoms are usually not apparent until 30 to 50 years after exposure.
The most commonly reported symptoms of pleural melanoma are chest pain and shortness of breath. Some patients may also suffer from chest tightness, coughing or difficulty breathing. People with this cancer have a history of disease that includes asbestos exposure at work. The most common jobs that expose people to the risk of developing pleural mesothelioma are manufacturing, construction, and shipbuilding. People who have served in the military may be at risk due to the widespread use of asbestos in Navy ships and army bunkers.
The most commonly used staging method for pleural mesothelioma is the TNM (tumor lymph nodes, lymph nodes and metastases) staging system. The stage that a patient is in at the moment of diagnosis will determine the treatment plan they will receive. Patients suffering from pleural mesothelioma who is in stage three or stage four will have a less favorable prognosis compared to those who are in a lower stage. Mesothelioma in stage four can be spread to the liver, heart, or diaphragm. This can make the cancer more difficult to treat and increase the risk of complications for the patient.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
In contrast to pleural cancer, that develops 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 the liver. Similar to pleural mesothelioma and peritoneal mesothelioma is caused by asbestos exposure. Only 300-500 cases are diagnosed each year which is lower than the pleural asbestosis.
Like pleural mesothelioma, symptoms may take years to appear. The majority of patients experience abdominal pain and abdominal swelling. This kind of mesothelioma can also cause nausea, weight loss and fever. A lot of these symptoms can be misinterpreted as digestive issues and can lead to a mistaken diagnosis.
Generally, doctors can find mesothelioma through an exhaustive health history and physical examination. Imaging tests like X-rays or CT scans are a way to identify mesothelioma. These tests can reveal tumors and other signs of cancer that are not evident on X-rays.
These tests enable doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and determine the stage. They can also suggest treatment options. Staging is determined based on the type of cells and whether or the cancer has spread to other parts of the body.
Asbestos exposure is the main risk factor. People who have been in occupations which require asbestos, such as plumbing, manufacturing, electrical work, or construction, are at a higher risk of developing the disease. However, even if people aren't employed in these areas, they can still be exposed to asbestos through relatives or other sources. Anyone who thinks they may be at risk should consult an expert. If they have an history of exposure to asbestos, a mesothelioma specialist can assist them in finding out more about their risk.
Risk Factors
asbestos case (
you could look here) exposure is the main risk factor for mesothelioma which accounts for as much as 80 percent of all cases. Exposure to asbestos can happen through military service, work or living with people who have worked with asbestos. When exposed to
asbestos legal, the particles can be inhaled into the lungs and abdomen. These particles can cause irritation to the linings and can cause cancerous cells to grow in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma can take anywhere between 15 and 60 years to develop after exposure to asbestos.
Other risk factors include genetics, smoking and age. The people in their 40s or 50s are more at risk of developing mesothelioma as compared to those younger or older. This is because mesothelioma usually takes 20 to 60 years after the initial time of exposure before the first signs of cancer appear. It is important to remember that mesothelioma can develop in people who were exposed to asbestos but didn't deal 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 developing, as it damages the mesothelium. It can also make it more vulnerable. Mesothelioma can also be aggravated by certain illnesses such as asbestosis and pneumonia. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than females. This is because men are more likely to work with asbestos and experience a more exposure than women. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who has worked with
asbestos attorney, and to have asbestos-containing fibers on their clothing. Women tend to be less in contact with asbestos, and don't typically bring asbestos home on their clothes.
Diagnosis
It is difficult to recognize mesothelioma because its symptoms are often similar to other conditions. This is why patients are often wrongly diagnosed.
NYU Langone doctors will perform physical examinations and document the patient's medical background including asbestos exposure. Doctors can also request an X-ray chest or CT scan to check for lumps and other abnormalities and also to look for 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 an echocardiogram which examines the blood vessels and the heart as well as a magnetic resonance imaging, or 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 part of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum to be tested further. A pathologist can then examine the tissue with microscopes to determine if it is contaminated with cancerous cells.
Mesothelioma can be classified based on the mesothelial type involved, whether the cells are malignant or benign and the location, type, and stage of the cancer. Certain types of mesothelioma are more likely to spread or metastasize and spread, therefore it is essential to get a definite diagnosis so that doctors can treat the disease before it goes out of control.
Doctors can also run tests in the laboratory on a tumor to find specific proteins, genes or other elements which can help them identify the cancer's characteristics and plan treatment. These results are called staging.
Treatment
A mesothelioma diagnosis is terrifying. It is crucial to remember that cancer can be treated, particularly in its early stages. A lot of people suffering from mesothelioma endure the disease for many years without it spreading.
Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma through a variety of mechanisms.