Mesothelioma and Asbestos
Asbestos, a natural mineral, naturally forms in the form of thin, long fibers. Workers who are regularly exposed to asbestos risk developing lung diseases, such as mesothelioma.
Symptoms of these diseases may not manifest for years 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 liner (pleura). It is the most common form of mesothelioma and is responsible for 70 to 79% of diagnosed cases. Patients suffering from this condition experience pain in the chest and breath shortness and may also feel an ache or heaviness in the chest.
This kind of cancer is often caused by exposure to asbestos, which is a cluster of minerals that are made up of microscopic fibres. These fibers, when inhaled, cause irritation and DNA mutations. Pleura is the lining of both the chest cavity as well as the lungs, which means that irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma typically doesn't manifest until 30 to 50 year after exposure.
Shortness of breath and chest pain are the most frequent symptoms. Patients may also suffer from chest tightness or coughing. They may also experience difficulty breathing. People with this cancer often have previous exposure to asbestos in the workplace. The most common jobs that expose workers to the risk of pleural mesothelioma include construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding. Individuals who have served in the military are at a greater risk due to the widespread use of asbestos in Navy vessels and bunkers in the Army.
The TNM (tumors, lymph nodes, and metastases staging system) is the most commonly used staging system for pleural adenocarcinoma. The stage that a patient is at upon diagnosis will assist their doctor in determining the most effective treatment plan for them. For example, patients with mesothelioma pleural stage three or four have a worse prognosis than patients with a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma is often spread to the diaphragm, the liver or even a person's heart. This could make the cancer more difficult to treat, and increase the chance of complications for patients.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
In contrast to pleural mesothelioma which develops in the lung lining, peritoneal mesothelioma develops in the peritoneum, an elongated membrane that covers the abdominal cavity as well as organs like the liver and intestines. Similar to pleural mesothelioma and peritoneal mesothelioma is caused by asbestos exposure. The disease is much less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma, with just 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.
Like pleural mesothelioma, symptoms may take years to appear. Patients usually experience abdominal pain, and could also experience a mass in their abdomen. This type of mesothelioma may cause nausea, weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms are similar to symptoms of digestive issues, which could lead to misdiagnosis.
Typically, doctors can identify mesothelioma through an exhaustive medical history and physical exam. Imaging tests like X-rays and CT scans are a way to detect mesothelioma. These tests can reveal cancerous tumors or other indications of cancer that aren't visible on X-rays.
The results of these tests allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and establish the stage. They can also recommend treatments. The stage is determined by the kind of cell and if the tumor has spread.
The most important mesothelioma risk factor is exposure to asbestos. People who have been in occupations that require asbestos, such as plumbing, manufacturing, electrical work, or construction, are at a higher risk of developing the disease. Even if someone isn't employed in any of these areas they could still be exposed to asbestos through family members and other sources. For this reason, anyone who is concerned that they might be at risk should speak to a doctor. A mesothelioma specialist can assist those who have a history with asbestos to learn more about their risk.
Risk Factors
Asbestos is the primary risk factor for mesothelioma. It accounts for up to 80% of all cases. Exposure to asbestos can occur due to work, military service or by living with a person who is exposed to asbestos or was previously exposed to doing the same. When exposed to asbestos, particles can be breathed into the abdomen and lungs. They can cause irritation to the linings of the abdomen and trigger cancerous cells to grow in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma can take between 15 and 60 years to develop after exposure to asbestos.
Other risk factors include smoking, genetics, and age. The people in their 40s or 50s are at a higher chance of developing mesothelioma to those who are younger or older. It takes mesothelioma between 20 and 60 years to show signs of cancer after the first exposure. It is also important to know that mesothelioma may develop in people who were exposed to asbestos but didn't deal with it directly. This is known as secondary or indirect asbestos exposure, and is as dangerous as direct asbestos exposure.
Smoking increases the chance of mesothelioma since it damages mesothelium. It also makes it more prone to. Furthermore, mesothelioma is exacerbated by certain illnesses like asbestosis and pneumonia. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than women. This is due to men being more likely to work with asbestos and experience a a longer period of exposure than women. Men are also more likely to live with someone who had asbestos exposure and bring stray asbestos fibers home on their clothing. Women tend to be less exposed to asbestos and they are less likely to carry asbestos on their clothes.
Diagnosis
Mesothelioma is difficult to identify because the symptoms can be similar to other conditions. This is why patients are often wrongly diagnosed.
The first step in identifying mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform an examination and write notes on the medical history of a patient which includes asbestos exposure. Doctors can also request a chest X-ray or CT scan to detect lumps or other abnormalities, as well as evidence of asbestos exposure in the past like plaques on the pleura (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the buildup of fluid between the lung and chest wall (known as pleural effusion).
Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram which examines the blood vessels and the heart as well as a magnetic resonance imaging, also known as MRI, test, which uses radio waves and magnets to create detailed images of the interior of the body. A surgical biopsy is a different method doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma. During a surgery biopsy, doctors remove a tiny piece of tissue from the 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.
Mesothelioma is classified according to the mesothelial type involved, whether the cells are malignant or benign and the location of the tumor, its type, and the stage of the tumor. Some types of mesothelioma have a higher risk of metastasizing or spreading therefore it is essential to get a definitive diagnosis so doctors can treat it prior to it becoming out of control.
Doctors can also perform tests in the lab on tumors to determine specific proteins, genes or other elements that can aid in describing cancer characteristics and plan treatment. appleton asbestos lawsuit are known as staging.
Treatment
A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be terrifying. But, it is crucial to keep in mind that the cancer is treatable, especially in its initial stages. Many people with mesothelioma live for many years without the disease spreading to other organs of their body.
Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma in a number of ways. Asbestos fibers, too small to see or feel with the naked eye, can become airborne and irritate the lung's lining (pleura). Over time the irritation causes the formation of scar tissues and eventually tumors.
The Pleura is a protective layer that protects the lungs, heart and abdomen. Mesothelium consists of cells that react to asbestos which causes it to become inflamed and form scar tissue. In time, these changes can cause the development of malignant mesothelioma cancers.
Symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include shortness of breath and chest pain as well as a buildup of fluid on the lungs (pleural effusion). In rare cases cancer can spread to the tissues surrounding the reproductive organs and heart.
A doctor may request biopsy if scans show the possibility of a lung tumor or stomach. During the procedure, doctors will remove small amounts of the tumor or fluid for lab testing. The results will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and help determine the best treatment plan.
There are many types of treatment for mesothelioma, including chemotherapy and surgery. The majority of doctors use an amalgamation of these techniques. Patients may also benefit from taking part in a clinical trial of new mesothelioma therapies. Patients can learn more about the trials by consulting a mesothelioma expert who has treated the disease.