Mesothelioma and Asbestos
Asbestos, a natural mineral, occurs naturally in the form of thin, long fibers. People who are exposed to asbestos risk developing lung diseases like mesothelioma.
It may take decades before symptoms begin to manifest after exposure to asbestos. Different types of asbestos may cause different symptoms.
Pleural Mesothelioma
Pleural mesothelioma is a type of cancer that develops in the outer lung liner (pleura). It is the most prevalent mesothelioma that accounts for up between 70 and 79% of all diagnosed cases. Patients with this disease suffer from chest pain and breath shortness, and they may feel a sensation of heaviness in the chest.
Exposure to asbestos, a group of minerals comprised of microscopic fibers, usually causes this type of cancer. The fibers, when inhaled, cause irritation and DNA mutations. Pleura surrounds both the chest cavity as well as the lungs, which means that irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma symptoms usually don't appear until 30 to 50 years after exposure.
Chest pain and shortness breath are the most common symptoms. Some patients may also feel tightness in their chest, coughing or difficulty breathing. Patients with this type of cancer typically have a history of exposure to asbestos in the workplace. The most prevalent jobs that put people at risk of pleural mesothelioma include manufacturing, construction, and shipbuilding. People who have worked in the military may be at a higher risk due to the widespread
asbestos litigation use in Navy ships and bunkers used by the army.
The TNM (tumors, lymph nodes, and metastases staging system) is the most commonly used staging system used to treat pleural adenocarcinoma. The stage that a patient is in at the time of diagnosis will help determine what treatment plan they should follow. For instance, patients who have mesothelioma that is pleural in stage three or four have a poorer prognosis than those in lower stages. Stage four mesothelioma may develop into the liver, heart, or diaphragm. This makes it more difficult to treat and raises the risk of complications for the patient.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
Contrary to pleural cancer that develops in the lining of the lung, peritoneal cancer develops in the membrane that covers the abdominal cavity, which includes organs such as the intestines and the liver. Like pleural mesothelioma, peritoneal mesothelioma is caused by asbestos exposure. There are only 300-500 cases diagnosed each year which is lower than pleural asbestosis.
As with pleural asbestosis symptoms can take a long time to show. Patients typically have abdominal pain, and may have a mass in their abdomen. The symptoms of this kind of mesothelioma can also include nausea as well as weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms can be misinterpreted as gastrointestinal issues and can lead to a mistaken diagnosis.
Doctors can detect mesothelioma by looking over the medical history of the patient and conducting a physical exam. They can also utilize imaging tests like X-rays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to identify mesothelioma. These tests can identify tumors and other signs of cancer which aren't evident on X-rays.
These test results enable doctors to identify mesothelioma, and determine the stage. They also offer treatments. Staging is determined based on the type of cells and whether or whether the tumor has spread to other areas of the body.
The most significant mesothelioma risk factor is asbestos exposure. People who have worked in asbestos-related jobs, such as plumbing or electrical work, or in construction and manufacturing, are more likely to contract the disease. However, even if people do not work in these areas they may be exposed to asbestos through relatives or other sources. Therefore, anyone who suspects they may be at risk should speak to an experienced doctor. If they have a history of asbestos exposure and mesothelioma is a concern, a specialist will assist them in finding out more about the risk.
Risk Factors
Asbestos is the most significant mesothelioma-related risk factor. It accounts for up to 80% of all cases. Exposure to asbestos can occur due to work, military service, or through living with a person who works with asbestos or was previously exposed to doing so. When exposed to asbestos, particles can be breathed into the abdomen and lungs. These particles can cause irritation to the linings of the abdomen, which causes cancerous cells to form in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma can take 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 who are younger or older. It is because mesothelioma generally takes 20 to 60 years after the initial exposure before symptoms of cancer begin to manifest. It is also important to note that mesothelioma may develop in those who were exposed to asbestos, but did not work 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 developing, as it damages the mesothelium. It also makes it more susceptible. Mesothelioma can also be aggravated by certain illnesses, including asbestosis and pneumonia. It is also important to remember that mesothelioma is more common in males than females. This is due to men being more likely to work with
asbestos compensation and experience a a longer period of exposure than women. Additionally, men are more likely to live with someone who has had asbestos exposure and bring asbestos fibers that have escaped home on their clothing. Women are less likely to be exposed to
asbestos settlement and don't typically carry asbestos on their clothes.
Diagnosis
Mesothelioma is a difficult cancer to recognize because the symptoms are often similar to other diseases. This could lead to patients being wrongly diagnosed.
NYU Langone doctors will perform a physical examination and record the patient's medical history, including
asbestos Case exposure. Doctors may also request an CT scan or chest X-ray to check for lumps, abnormalities, and evidence of
asbestos legal exposure. These include pleural plaques, thickened pleura and calcium deposits.
Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram, which examines the blood vessels and the heart as well as a magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI, test that uses radio waves and magnets to create detailed images of the inside of the body. A surgical biopsy is another way for doctors to diagnose mesothelioma. When a biopsy is performed, doctors remove a tiny piece of tissue from pleura or the peritoneum, to be examined further. A pathologist will then look at the tissue under a magnifying lens 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, type, and stage of the cancer. Some types of mesothelioma have a higher chance of metastasizing or spreading, so it's important to get a definitive diagnosis to ensure that the doctors can treat it before it becomes out-of-control.
Doctors may also conduct tests in the laboratory on a tumor to identify particular proteins, genes, or other factors which can help them identify the cancer's characteristics and plan treatment. These results are known as staging.
Treatment
A diagnosis of mesothelioma may be frightening. However, it's important to remember that the disease is treatable, particularly in its initial stages. A lot of people suffering from mesothelioma live with the disease for a long time without spreading.
Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma in a number of ways.