Mesothelioma and Asbestos
Asbestos is a mineral that naturally occurs in the form of thin, long fibers. People who are exposed to asbestos regularly risk developing mesothelioma and other types of lung diseases.
Symptoms of these diseases may not show up for decades after exposure to asbestos. Different types of asbestos can cause different symptoms.
Pleural Mesothelioma
Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer that occurs in the lung's outer lining (pleura). It is the most frequent form of mesothelioma and is responsible for 70 to 79% of all diagnosed cases. The condition can cause chest pain, breath shortness and a feeling of heavyness.
Exposure to
asbestos, a class of minerals made of microscopic fibers, typically causes this kind of cancer. Once inhaled, the fibers are absorbed into the lungs and cause irritation that results in scarring and DNA mutations. Pleura is the lining of both the chest cavity and the lungs, so irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma symptoms usually don't appear until 30 to 50 years after exposure.
The most frequent symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are chest pain and breath shortness. Patients may also experience chest tightness or coughing. They may also experience difficulty breathing. Patients with this type of cancer typically have previous exposure to
asbestos settlement case [
he has a good point] in the workplace. The most common jobs that expose workers to the risk of developing pleural mesothelioma are construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding. Individuals who have served in the military are at a greater risk due the widespread use of asbestos in Navy vessels 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 the patient is in at the time of diagnosis can help determine what treatment plan they will receive. For instance, patients suffering from mesothelioma pleural stage three or four have a poorer prognosis than patients with a lower stage. Mesothelioma in stage four is usually spread to the liver, diaphragm or even a person's heart. This makes it more difficult to treat and raises the likelihood of complications for the patient.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
Unlike pleural cancer, which is found in the lung's lining the peritoneal cancer is a result of the membrane that covers the abdominal cavity, which includes organs like the liver and intestines. Like pleural mesothelioma, peritoneal mesothelioma can be caused by asbestos exposure. Only 300-500 cases are diagnosed annually, which is less than pleural asbestosis.
As with pleural mesothelioma symptoms may take years to appear. Typically, patients experience abdominal pain and a mass in the abdomen. Symptoms of this type of mesothelioma may also include nausea as well as weight loss and fever. A lot of these symptoms are similar to those of digestive problems, which can result in misdiagnosis.
Doctors can detect mesothelioma by reviewing the medical history of the patient and performing a physical examination. Imaging tests like X-rays or CT scans are a way to identify mesothelioma. These tests can detect tumors as well as other signs of cancer that aren't evident on X-rays.
These tests enable doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and establish the stage. They can also recommend treatments. The stage is determined by the type of cell and whether the tumor has spread.
Asbestos exposure is the main risk factor. People who have worked in asbestos-related professions, such as electrical or plumbing work or in manufacturing and construction, are more likely to contract the disease. Even if an individual isn't employed in any of these areas however, they may still be exposed to
asbestos compensation through family members and other sources. Therefore, anyone who suspects they may be at risk should talk to an expert. 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 primary mesothelioma risk factor, making up as much as 80 percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos can occur due to military service, work or living with those who worked with asbestos. Asbestos particles are inhaled by people who are exposed to it. These particles can cause irritation to the linings and can cause cancerous cells to develop in the mesothelium. After exposure to asbestos mesothelioma can be diagnosed between 15 and 60 years.
Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and the advancing age. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely get mesothelioma than people younger or older. This is because mesothelioma typically occurs between 20 and 60 years from the first time of exposure before cancer symptoms appear. It is also important to know that mesothelioma can develop in people who were exposed to asbestos but didn't work with it directly. This is called indirect or secondary exposure to asbestos. It can be just as dangerous as direct exposure.
Smoking increases the risk of mesothelioma, because it damages the mesothelium. It also makes it more susceptible. In addition, mesothelioma may be worsened by certain diseases like asbestosis and pneumonia. It is also important to know that mesothelioma is more prevalent in males than females. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for a longer time and to work with asbestos for longer periods of time. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who has been exposed to
asbestos settlement, and to carry asbestos fibers on their clothing. Women are less likely to be exposed to asbestos, and they don't usually bring asbestos home on their clothes.
Diagnosis
It is difficult to diagnose mesothelioma due to its symptoms being often similar to other diseases. Because of this, victims are often mistakenly diagnosed.
The first step to diagnose mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform a physical exam and take down a patient's medical history which includes asbestos exposure. Doctors may also request an CT scan or chest X-ray to look for abnormalities, lumps and evidence of asbestos exposure. These include plaques in the pleura, thickened pleura and calcium deposits.
Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram which examines the blood vessels and the heart, and a magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI, test that uses radio waves and magnets to make a series of precise images of the inside of the body. Another way doctors can diagnose mesothelioma is by performing the procedure of a surgical biopsy. During a surgery biopsy, doctors remove a tiny piece of tissue from pleura or the peritoneum to be examined further. A pathologist will then look at the tissue using an magnifying glass to determine if it contains cancerous cells.
The mesothelial type involved and the benign or malignant nature of the cells as well as the location the cancer, its type and the stage of the tumour, are used to categorize the disease. Some types of mesothelioma have a higher risk of spreading or metastasizing, so it's important to establish a clear diagnosis so doctors can treat it prior to it becoming out of control.
Doctors may also conduct tests in the lab on tumors to determine specific proteins, genes or other factors that can aid in describing cancer characteristics and determine the best treatment. These results are known as staging.
Treatment
A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be a frightening prospect. It is important to keep in mind that cancer can be treated, particularly in its early stages. Many people with mesothelioma can be afflicted for a long time, without spreading.
Exposure to asbestos may cause mesothelioma in a number of ways. Asbestos fibers, which are too small to see or feel through the naked eye, can become airborne and irritate the lining of the lungs (pleura).