Mesothelioma and Asbestos
Asbestos is a mineral that occurs naturally in the form of thin, long fibers. People who are regularly exposed to asbestos risk developing lung diseases, such as mesothelioma.
The symptoms of these diseases may not show up for decades after exposure to
asbestos case. Different types of
asbestos case may cause different symptoms.
Pleural Mesothelioma
Pleural mesothelioma, a form of cancer, that develops in the outer lung lining (pleura). It is the most common type of mesothelioma, making up between 70 and 79% of diagnosed cases. Patients with this disease suffer from chest pain and shortness of breath, and they may feel an ache or heaviness in the chest.
This type of cancer typically caused by exposure to asbestos which is a grouping of minerals that are composed of microscopic fibers. These fibers, when inhaled, cause irritation and DNA mutations. The pleura covers the lungs and chest cavity and therefore, these irritations could affect both the lungs as well as the heart of a person. Mesothelioma is usually not symptomatic until 30 to 50 year after exposure.
The most commonly reported symptoms of pleural melanoma are chest discomfort and shortness of breath. Patients may also experience difficulty breathing or chest tightness. Patients with this type of cancer typically have a history of exposure to asbestos in the workplace. Manufacturing, construction and shipbuilding are the most common occupations that put people at high danger of developing pleural melanoma. Individuals who have been in the military could be at a higher risk because of the extensive use of asbestos in Navy vessels and army bunkers.
The most popular staging system for pleural mysothelioma has been the TNM (tumor lymph nodes, lymph nodes and metastases) staging system. The stage that the patient is in at the moment of diagnosis will determine what treatment plan they will receive. For instance, patients who have mesothelioma that is pleural in stage three or four have a poorer prognosis than patients with lower stages. Stage four mesothelioma may develop into the heart, liver or diaphragm. This makes it more difficult to treat and raises the risk of complications for the patient.
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 mesothelioma is triggered by asbestos exposure. The disease is less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma. There are only about 300-500 cases diagnosed each year.
Like pleural mesothelioma, the symptoms can take a long time to manifest. Most patients suffer from abdominal pain and a mass in the abdomen. This type of mesothelioma may cause nausea, weight loss and fever. A lot of these symptoms are similar to those of digestive issues, which could cause confusion in diagnosis.
Generally, doctors can find mesothelioma after an extensive medical history and physical exam. Imaging tests like X-rays or CT scans are a way to identify mesothelioma. These tests can identify tumors and other cancer signs that aren't visible on X-rays.
The results of these tests allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma, determine the stage and recommend treatment options. The stage of the disease is determined based on the type of cells and whether or whether the tumor has spread to other regions of the body.
Asbestos exposure is the biggest risk factor. People who have worked in asbestos-related jobs, such as electrical or plumbing work or in construction and manufacturing are more likely to develop the disease. Even if someone isn't employed in any of these areas they could be exposed to asbestos to asbestos through family members and other sources. Anyone who thinks they may be at risk should speak with a doctor. If they have any history of exposure to asbestos, a mesothelioma specialist can assist them in finding out more about the risk.
Risk Factors
Asbestos exposure is the primary risk factor for mesothelioma, accounting for up to 80 percent of all cases. Exposure to asbestos can occur as a result of work, military service, or by living with a person who works with asbestos or has previously done such. Asbestos particles can be inhaled by those who are exposed to asbestos. These particles irritate 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. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely to get mesothelioma than people younger or more senior. This is because mesothelioma typically lasts between 20 and 60 years after the initial exposure to asbestos before cancer symptoms appear. It is important to note that mesothelioma could be present in people who have been exposed to asbestos without having been directly exposed to it. This is referred to as secondary or indirect exposure to
asbestos attorney and it can be just as dangerous as direct exposure.
Smoking can increase the likelihood of getting mesothelioma because it damages the mesothelium and makes it more susceptible to
asbestos law. Mesothelioma is also aggravated by certain illnesses, including asbestosis and pneumonia. It is also important to know that mesothelioma occurs more frequently for men than women. This is because men are more likely to be exposed to asbestos and endure a more exposure than women. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who had worked with asbestos, and to carry asbestos fibers on their clothing. Women tend to be less in contact with asbestos, and they are less likely to carry asbestos on their clothing.
Diagnosis
Mesothelioma is a difficult cancer to identify because the symptoms often resemble other conditions. Due to this, patients are often mistakenly diagnosed.
The first step in identifying mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform an examination and write down a patient's medical history including asbestos exposure. Doctors may also request an CT scan or chest X-ray in order to look for lumps, abnormalities, and evidence of exposure to asbestos. These include plaques in the pleura, thickened pleura and calcium deposits.
Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance scan, or MRI test, which makes use of magnets and radio waves to create a series of detailed images of the insides of the body. A surgical biopsy is another method for doctors to identify mesothelioma. In a surgical biopsy doctors remove a small amount of tissue from the pleura or peritoneum for further testing. A pathologist can examine the tissue under a microscope to see if it is contaminated with cancerous cells.
The type of mesothelial cells involved as well as the benign or malignant nature of the cells and the location the cancer, its type and the stage of the cancer are used to classify the disease. Certain types of mesothelioma may be more likely to grow or spread which is why it is crucial to have a clear diagnosis so that doctors can treat the disease before it goes out of control.
Doctors may also conduct tests in the lab on tumors to determine specific proteins, genes, or other factors which can help them describe cancer characteristics and determine the best treatment. These results are called staging.
Treatment
A diagnosis of mesothelioma may be frightening. However, it is important to remember that the cancer is treatable, especially in its early stages. Many people with mesothelioma live for years with the disease without it spreading to other areas of their body.
Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma through a variety of ways.