Mesothelioma and Asbestos
Asbestos, a mineral that naturally occurs in the form of thin, long fibers. Workers who are exposed asbestos on a regular basis are at risk of developing mesothelioma or other lung diseases.
It could take a long time before symptoms begin to manifest after exposure to asbestos. Different asbestos types can cause different symptoms.
Pleural Mesothelioma
Pleural mesothelioma occurs in the lung's outer lining, also known as the pleura. It is the most common mesothelioma type and is responsible for 70 to 79% of diagnosed cases. Patients suffering from this condition suffer from chest pain and breath shortness and may also feel the sensation of weight in the chest.
This type of cancer is typically caused by exposure to asbestos, which is a collection of minerals composed of microscopic fibers. Once inhaled, these fibers cling to the lung and cause irritation which leads to scarring and DNA mutations. The pleura surrounds the chest cavity and lungs and therefore, these irritations could affect both the lungs as well as a person's heart. Mesothelioma symptoms are usually not apparent until 30 to 50 years after exposure.
Chest pain and shortness breath are the most frequently reported symptoms. Patients may also experience chest tightness or coughing. They may also experience difficulty breathing. Patients with this cancer have a history that includes asbestos exposure at work. The most frequent jobs that expose workers to the risk of pleural mesothelioma include manufacturing, construction, and shipbuilding. People who have served in the military are at risk because of the extensive use of asbestos in Navy vessels and bunkers for the army.
The most common staging system for pleural mesothelioma is the TNM (tumor lymph nodes, lymph nodes, and metastases) staging system. The stage that a patient is in at the time of diagnosis will help determine what treatment plan they should follow. Patients suffering from pleural mesothelioma who is in stage three or stage four will have a less favorable outlook than those who are in a less advanced stage. Stage four mesothelioma can develop into the liver, heart or diaphragm. This makes the cancer more difficult to treat and increase the chances of complications for patients.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
Unlike pleural mesothelioma, which is a lung-lining cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma develops in the peritoneum -- it is a membrane that lines the abdominal cavity as well as organs such as the intestines and the liver. Like pleural mesothelioma, peritoneal mesothelioma is caused by asbestos exposure. The disease is less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma. There are around 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.
As with pleural asbestosis symptoms can take a long time to show. Patients generally have abdominal pain, and could also experience a mass in their abdomen. The symptoms of this kind of mesothelioma could also include nausea as well as weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms can be misinterpreted as digestive issues, leading to a mistaken diagnosis.
Doctors can detect mesothelioma by looking over the medical history of the patient and performing a physical exam. Imaging tests like X-rays and CT scans can be used to detect mesothelioma. These tests can show cancerous tumors or other symptoms of cancer that aren't visible on X-rays.
These test results allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma, determine the stage and recommend treatment options. The stage is determined by the type of cell and whether the tumor has spread.
Asbestos exposure is the biggest risk factor. People who have worked in jobs that involve asbestos, such as plumbing or manufacturing, electrical work or construction, are at greater risk of developing the disease. However, even if individuals aren't employed in these fields they may be exposed to asbestos through relatives or other sources. Anyone who believes they may be at risk should talk to an expert. A mesothelioma specialist can help those who have had 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 all cases. Exposure to asbestos may occur through work, military service, or through living with a person who is exposed to asbestos or used to do the same. Asbestos particles can be inhaled by people who are exposed to asbestos. These particles can cause irritation to the linings of the lungs, causing cancerous cells to grow in the mesothelium. After exposure to asbestos mesothelioma can develop between 15 and 60 years old.
Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and age. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely get mesothelioma than people younger or older. It is because mesothelioma generally lasts between 20 and 60 years from the first exposure to asbestos before the first signs of cancer appear. It is important to remember, too, that mesothelioma could occur in those who have been exposed to asbestos without having directly worked with it. This is called secondary or indirect exposure to asbestos, and it is just as harmful as direct exposure.
Smoking increases the risk of getting mesothelioma because it damages the mesothelium and makes it more susceptible to asbestos. Mesothelioma can also be aggravated by certain illnesses such as asbestosis and pneumonia. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma compared to women. This is due to the fact that men are more likely to work with asbestos and have an extended period of exposure than women. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who had worked with asbestos, and to have asbestos fibers on their clothing. Women are less likely to be exposed to asbestos, and they don't usually carry asbestos on their clothing.
Diagnosis
It is difficult to recognize mesothelioma because its symptoms are often similar to other conditions. This could lead to patients being incorrectly diagnosed.
california asbestos lawsuit in diagnosing mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform an examination of the body and take note of the medical history of the patient which includes asbestos exposure. Doctors can also order an X-ray of the chest or CT scan to detect lumps and other abnormalities as well as evidence of asbestos exposure in the past like plaques in the pleura (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the buildup of fluid between the lung and chest wall (known as the pleural effusion).
Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance imaging or MRI test, which uses magnets and radio waves in order to create a series of detailed images of the inside of the body. Another method doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma is to perform an operation called a biopsy. A surgical biopsy is when doctors take a small amount of tissue from the peritoneum or pleura for further testing. A pathologist then examines the tissue with a magnifying lens to determine if it is a cancerous cell.
The type of mesothelial cell involved and the benign or malignant nature of the cells, as well as the location the cancer, its type and the stage of the cancer are used to classify the disease. Certain mesothelioma types have greater risk of spreading or metastasizing, so it's important to establish a clear diagnosis to ensure that the doctors can treat it before it becomes out-of-control.
Doctors may also conduct tests in the laboratory on tumors to determine specific genes, proteins or other elements that will help them identify cancer characteristics and determine the best treatment. These results are referred to as staging.
Treatment
A mesothelioma diagnosis is terrifying. However, it is important to remember that the disease can be treated, particularly in its initial stages. Many patients with mesothelioma survive for years with the disease without it spreading to other areas of their body.
Exposure to asbestos can trigger mesothelioma through a variety of ways. Asbestos fibers that are too small to be felt or observed by naked eyes can be airborne, irritating the lung's lining (pleura). Over time the irritation can lead to the formation of scar tissues that eventually result in tumors.
The pleura surrounds 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. These changes can result in malignant mesothelioma tumors.
Breathing problems, chest discomfort or fluid buildup on the lungs are all symptoms of the pleural mesothelioma. In rare cases cancer can spread to the tissues surrounding the reproductive organs and heart.
If imaging scans reveal an area of concern in the lungs or stomach, a doctor will order a biopsies. The procedure involves the removal of some of the fluid or tumor to allow for tests in the laboratory. The results will confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis, and indicate the most effective treatment plan.
There are many types of treatment for mesothelioma, including chemotherapy and surgery. Most doctors utilize the combination of these methods. Patients could also benefit from taking part in a clinical trial of new mesothelioma treatments. To find out more, patients should consult mesothelioma specialists who have experience treating the condition.