Mesothelioma and Asbestos
Asbestos is a natural mineral that comes in thin, long fibres. People who are exposed to asbestos risk developing lung diseases, such as mesothelioma.
It can take years for symptoms to appear after exposure to asbestos. Different types of asbestos can cause different symptoms.
Pleural Mesothelioma
Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer of the outer lung lining, or pleura. It is the most common mesothelioma form and is responsible for 70 to 79% of all diagnosed cases. The condition can cause chest discomfort, shortness of breath and a feeling heavyness.
Exposure to asbestos, a family of minerals composed of microscopic fibers, usually causes this type of cancer. When inhaled, these fibers cling to the lungs and cause irritation that causes scarring and DNA mutations. Pleura surrounds both the chest cavity as well as the lungs, and so irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma usually doesn't show symptoms until 30 to 50 years after exposure.
The most commonly reported symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include chest pain and breath shortness. Patients may have coughing problems, trouble 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 among the most prevalent occupations that put people at high danger of developing pleural melanoma. People who served in the military are at greater risk due the widespread use of asbestos in Navy vessels and Army bunkers.
The TNM (tumors, lymph nodes, and metastases staging system) is the most popular staging system used to treat the pleural cancer. The stage a patient is in upon diagnosis will aid their doctor in determining the best treatment plan for them. Patients suffering from pleural mesothelioma who is in stage three or stage four will suffer a more negative prognosis compared to those who are in a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma can be spread to the liver, heart, or diaphragm. This can make the cancer more difficult to treat, and increase the chance of complications for the patient.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
As opposed to pleural mesothelioma that develops in the lung lining, peritoneal mesothelioma develops in the peritoneum -- it is a membrane that lines the abdominal cavity and organs like the liver and intestines. Like pleural mesothelioma, asbestos exposure is the reason for peritoneal msothelioma. The disease is less common than pleural mesothelioma, and around 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.
As with pleural asbestosis symptoms can take years to show. Patients usually have abdominal pain, and could also experience a mass in their abdomen. The symptoms of this kind of mesothelioma may also include nausea or weight loss, as well as fever. Many of these symptoms can be misinterpreted as digestive issues which can lead to a false diagnosis.
Doctors can identify mesothelioma by examining the patient's medical history and conducting a physical exam. They can also utilize imaging tests like Xrays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to identify mesothelioma. These tests can show tumors, as well as other symptoms of cancer that aren't visible on X-rays.
These tests enable doctors to identify mesothelioma, and determine the stage. They also offer treatment options. The staging is determined by the type of cells and whether or the cancer has spread to other regions of the body.
Asbestos exposure is the most important risk factor. People who have been in occupations which require asbestos, such as plumbing or manufacturing, electrical work or construction, are at greater risk of developing the disease. Even if an individual isn't employed in any of these areas they could be exposed to asbestos to asbestos through family members and other sources. Therefore, anyone who suspects they may be at risk should talk to an experienced doctor. A mesothelioma specialist can assist those who have a previous history of asbestos to find out more about their risk.
Risk Factors
Asbestos is the main risk factor for mesothelioma. It accounts for up to 80% of all cases. Exposure to asbestos can occur due to military service, work or living with those who worked 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 trigger cancerous cells to develop in the mesothelium. After exposure to asbestos mesothelioma can occur between 15 and 60 years.
Other risk factors include smoking, genetics, and the advancing age. The people in their 40s or 50s are at greater risk of developing mesothelioma as compared to people who are younger or more. This is because mesothelioma typically lasts between 20 and 60 years from the initial exposure before symptoms of cancer begin to manifest. It is important to note, too, that mesothelioma could be present in people who have been exposed to asbestos, but without having been directly exposed to it. This is known as secondary or indirect asbestos exposure, and is just as harmful as direct asbestos exposure.
Smoking can increase the likelihood of developing mesothelioma due to the fact that it damages the mesothelium, which makes it more vulnerable to asbestos. Additionally, mesothelioma can be caused by certain illnesses, such as asbestosis and pneumonia. It is also important to remember that mesothelioma is more prevalent in men than women. This is due to the fact that men are more likely to work with asbestos and have a longer period of exposure than women. Also, men are more likely to live with someone who worked with asbestos and carry asbestos fibers that have escaped home on their clothing. Women are less likely to come into contact with asbestos and do not typically carry asbestos on their clothes.
Sioux City asbestos lawsuit is a difficult cancer to identify because the symptoms can be similar to other conditions. This is why patients are sometimes misdiagnosed.
The first step in diagnosing 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 to check for abnormalities, lumps and evidence of exposure to asbestos. These include plaques on the pleura, pleura that are thickened and calcium deposits.
Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance imaging or MRI test, which uses radio waves and magnets in order to create a series of detailed images of the inside of the body. A surgical biopsy is another method doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma. When a biopsy is performed doctors take a tiny part of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum to be tested further. A pathologist then examines the tissue using a magnifying glass to determine if it is a cancerous cell.
The mesothelial type involved, the malignant or benign nature of those cells, as well as the location and stage of the tumour, are used to classify the disease. Certain mesothelioma types have greater chance of metastasizing or spreading therefore it is essential to determine the type of mesothelioma so that doctors can treat it before it gets out of control.
Doctors may also conduct laboratory tests on tumors to determine specific proteins, genes, or other factors which can help them identify the characteristics of the cancer and determine a treatment. These results are known as staging.
Treatment
A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be an incredibly frightening prospect. It is important to keep in mind, however, that cancer can be treated, particularly in its initial stages. Many people with mesothelioma live for a long time without the disease spreading to other organs of their body.
Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma by many mechanisms. Asbestos fibers, which are too small to detect or feel by the naked eye can become airborne and irritate the lining of the lungs (pleura). Over time irritation leads to formation of scar tissue which causes changes in the cell structure that eventually develop into tumors.
The pleura covers the heart and lungs and the abdomen. Mesothelium consists of cells that react when exposed to asbestos. They cause inflammation to the tissue and cause it to become scarred. As time passes, these changes lead to the development of malignant mesothelioma tumors.
A shortness of breath, chest discomfort or fluid buildup on the lungs are all symptoms of the pleural mesothelioma. In rare cases, cancer can spread into the tissues that surround the reproductive organs and the heart.
If imaging scans reveal an area of concern in the stomach or lungs, a doctor will order a biopsies. During the procedure doctors remove small amounts of fluid or tumor for lab tests. The results will confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis, and provide the best treatment option.
There are several types of mesothelioma treatment, including surgery, chemotherapy and immunotherapy. Most doctors use combinations of these treatments. Patients can also benefit by enrolling in a clinical trial of new mesothelioma therapies. To learn more, patients should speak with mesothelioma experts who have had experience treating the disease.