Mesothelioma and Asbestos
Asbestos, a natural mineral, naturally forms in the form of long, thin fibers. Workers who are exposed to asbestos on a regular basis are at risk of developing mesothelioma or other lung diseases.
It can take years for symptoms to appear after exposure to asbestos. Different asbestos types can cause different symptoms.
Pleural Mesothelioma
Pleural mesothelioma is a type of cancer that occurs in the outer lung lining (pleura). It is the most common mesothelioma type and accounts for 70% to 79% of diagnosed cases. Patients suffering from this condition suffer from chest pain and breathlessness and may also feel a sensation of heaviness in the chest.
Exposure to asbestos, a class of minerals comprised of microscopic fibers causes this kind of cancer. The fibers, when inhaled, cause irritation and DNA mutations. Pleura surrounds both the chest cavity as well as the lungs, and so irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma symptoms usually don't appear until 30 to 50 years after exposure.
The most commonly reported symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include chest pain and breath shortness. Some patients also experience difficulty breathing, or chest tightness. People with this cancer often have an history of exposure to
asbestos claim in the workplace. Construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding are the most common occupations which put people at risk danger of developing pleural melanoma. People who have served in the military could be at a higher risk due to the frequent asbestos use in Navy ships and army bunkers.
The TNM (tumors, lymph nodes, and metastases staging system) is the most commonly used staging system used for pleural adenocarcinoma. The stage that the patient is in at the time of diagnosis can help determine what treatment plan they should receive. Patients who have pleural mesothelioma which is in stage three or stage four will have a worse outlook than those in a lower stage. Mesothelioma in stage four is usually spread to the liver, diaphragm or even the heart of a patient. This can make the cancer more difficult to treat and increase the chances of complications for patients.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
In contrast to pleural cancer, that develops in the lining of the lung it develops in a membrane that covers the abdominal cavity, which includes organs such as the intestines and the liver. Similar to pleural mesothelioma and peritoneal mesothelioma can be caused by asbestos exposure. The disease is less common than pleural mesothelioma. There are just 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.
As with pleural mesothelioma symptoms may take years to appear. Typically, patients suffer from abdominal pain and abdominal swelling. The symptoms of this kind of mesothelioma could also include nausea as well as weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms can be mistaken for gastrointestinal problems which can lead to a false diagnosis.
The doctors can detect mesothelioma through examining the patient's medical history and performing a physical examination. They may also employ imaging tests such as X-rays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to detect mesothelioma. These tests can detect tumors and other signs of cancer that aren't visible on X-rays.
The results of these tests allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma, determine the stage and suggest treatment options. Staging is determined based on the cell type and whether or whether the tumor has spread to other parts of the body.
Asbestos exposure is the biggest risk factor. People who have worked in jobs that require
asbestos case [
bagger-dowd-2.Technetbloggers.de], such as plumbing or manufacturing, electrical work or construction, are at a higher risk of developing the disease. Even if they aren't employed in these areas, they can still be exposed to asbestos through relatives or other sources. This is why anyone who is concerned that they might be at risk should speak to a doctor. If they have a history of asbestos exposure or mesothelioma, a specialist can assist them in finding out more about the risk.
Risk Factors
Asbestos is the primary risk factor in mesothelioma. It is responsible for up to the 80% of cases. Exposure to asbestos may occur as a result of military service, work or living with someone who used to work with asbestos. When exposed to asbestos, small particles are able to be inhaled into abdomen and lungs. These particles can cause irritation to the linings and can cause cancerous cells to form 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 more senior. It is because mesothelioma generally occurs between 20 and 60 years from the initial exposure before cancer symptoms appear. It is important to remember that mesothelioma could occur in people who have been exposed to asbestos without having directly worked with it. This is known as indirect or secondary exposure to asbestos. It is just as harmful as direct exposure.
Smoking increases the chance of mesothelioma since it damages mesothelium. It also makes it more susceptible. Mesothelioma is also aggravated by certain illnesses, including asbestosis and pneumonia. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than females. This is due to men being more likely to work with asbestos and experience a an extended period of exposure than women. Men are also more likely to live with someone who had asbestos exposure and bring asbestos fibers that have escaped home on their clothing. Women are less likely to come into contact with asbestos and don't typically carry asbestos around on their clothes.
Diagnosis
It is difficult to identify mesothelioma because its symptoms are often similar to other conditions. Because of this, victims are often misdiagnosed.
NYU Langone doctors will perform physical examinations and document the patient's medical history, including asbestos exposure. Doctors will also order a CT scan or chest X-ray in order to look for lumps, abnormalities and evidence of asbestos exposure. These include plaques in the pleura, thickened pleura and calcium deposits.
Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance scan, or MRI test, that uses radio waves and magnets in order to create a series of detailed images of inside the body. A surgical biopsy is a different way for doctors to diagnose mesothelioma. During a surgical biopsy, doctors remove a small piece of tissue from the peritoneum or pleura for further analysis. A pathologist then examines the tissue using a magnifying glass to determine if it contains cancerous cell.
Mesothelioma is classified based on the type of mesothelial cell involved, whether these cells are benign or malignant, and the location, type, and stage of the cancer. Certain types of mesothelioma are more likely to grow or spread which is why it is crucial to have a clear diagnosis to ensure that doctors are able to treat the disease before it gets out of control.
Doctors can also run laboratory tests on tumors to determine specific proteins, genes or other elements which can help them identify the characteristics of cancer and plan treatment. These results are referred to as staging.
Treatment
A mesothelioma diagnosis can be a frightening prospect. It is crucial to remember, however, that cancer can be treated particularly in its initial stages. Many people with mesothelioma can endure the disease for many years without it expanding.
Exposure to
asbestos claim can trigger mesothelioma via a variety of mechanisms. Asbestos fibers, too small to be able to see or feel through the naked eye, can become airborne and cause irritation to the lining of the lungs (pleura).