Mesothelioma and Asbestos
Asbestos, a natural mineral, occurs naturally in the form of long, thin fibers. People who are exposed to asbestos are at risk of developing lung diseases, such as mesothelioma.
It can take years before symptoms begin to manifest after asbestos exposure. Different asbestos types may cause different symptoms.
Pleural Mesothelioma
Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer of the lung's outer lining also known as the pleura. It is the most prevalent mesothelioma type and accounts for 70% to 79% of diagnosed cases. The condition can cause chest pain, breath shortness and a feeling of heaviness.
This kind of cancer is often caused through exposure to asbestos, which is a grouping of minerals that are composed of microscopic fibers. When inhaled, these fibers cause irritation and DNA mutations. Pleura covers both the chest cavity as well as the lungs, and so irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma symptoms typically don't show until 30 to 50 years after exposure.
Shortness of breath and chest pain are the most common symptoms. Some patients may also experience chest tightness and coughing, or breathing difficulties. miami asbestos law firm with this type of cancer typically have an history of exposure to asbestos in the workplace. Manufacturing, construction and shipbuilding are the most prevalent occupations that put people at high danger of developing pleural melanoma. Individuals who have served in the military are at greater risk due to the extensive use asbestos in Navy vessels and Army bunkers.
The most commonly used staging method for pleural mesothelioma is the TNM (tumor, lymph nodes and metastases) staging system. The stage that a patient is in at the time of diagnosis can help determine what treatment plan they should receive. For example, patients with mesothelioma pleural stage three or four have a less favorable prognosis than those in a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma may spread to the liver, heart or diaphragm. This can make it more difficult to treat and raises the likelihood of complications for the patient.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
In contrast to pleural cancer, that develops in the lining of the lung it develops in the membrane that covers the abdominal cavity, including organs such as the intestines and liver. Similar to pleural mesothelioma, exposure to asbestos is the cause of peritoneal msothelioma. The disease is less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma, with around 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.
As with pleural mesothelioma symptoms may take years to appear. Typically, patients are afflicted with abdominal pain as well as abdominal swelling. The symptoms of this kind of mesothelioma can also include nausea or weight loss, as well as fever. A lot of these symptoms are similar to symptoms of digestive problems, which can lead to incorrect diagnosis.
Generally, doctors can find mesothelioma after an exhaustive medical history and physical exam. Imaging tests like X-rays or CT scans can be used to identify mesothelioma. These tests can identify tumors as well as other signs of cancer which aren't visible on X-rays.
These tests enable doctors to diagnose mesothelioma, determine the stage and recommend treatment options. The stage of the disease is determined based on the type of cells and whether or whether the tumor has spread to other areas of the body.
The most important mesothelioma-related risk factor is exposure to asbestos. People who have been in occupations which require asbestos, like plumbing, manufacturing, electrical work, or construction, are at a higher risk of developing the disease. However, even if people aren't employed in these fields they could be exposed to asbestos through relatives or other sources. For this reason, anyone who believes they could be at risk should speak to an expert. If they have a history of asbestos exposure and mesothelioma is a concern, a specialist will assist them in finding out more about their risk.
Risk Factors
Asbestos is the most significant mesothelioma-related risk factor. It accounts for as much as 80percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos can occur due to military service, work or living with those who worked with asbestos. When exposed to asbestos, particles can be inhaled into the lungs and abdomen. They can cause irritation to the linings of the abdomen and cause cancerous cells to develop in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma can take between 15 and 60 years to develop following exposure to asbestos.
Other risk factors include smoking, genetics, and the advancing age. The people in their 40s or 50s are more at chance of developing mesothelioma to people who are younger or more. This is because mesothelioma typically occurs between 20 and 60 years from the initial exposure to asbestos before symptoms of cancer begin to manifest. It is important to keep in mind that mesothelioma could develop in people who have been exposed to asbestos without having directly worked with it. This is known as secondary or indirect asbestos exposure. It can be just as harmful as direct asbestos exposure.
Smoking increases the chance of mesothelioma developing, since it damages mesothelium. It also makes it more prone to. In addition, mesothelioma may be caused by certain illnesses, such as asbestosis and pneumonia. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than women. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for a longer period of time and to have worked with it. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who has worked with asbestos and to have asbestos fibers on their clothing. Women are less likely to come into exposure to asbestos and don't typically carry asbestos home on their clothing.
Diagnosis
It is difficult to identify mesothelioma because its symptoms are often similar to other diseases. Because of this, victims are sometimes misdiagnosed.
NYU Langone doctors will perform physical examinations and document the patient's medical background, including asbestos exposure. Doctors can also request a chest X-ray or CT scan to check for lumps and other abnormalities as well as evidence of asbestos exposure in the past like pleural plaques (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the accumulation of fluid between the lung and the chest wall (known as the pleural effusion).
Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram which examines the heart and blood vessels as well as a magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI test that uses magnets and radio waves to create detailed images of the interior of the body. Another method doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma is to perform the procedure of a surgical biopsy. In a surgical biopsy doctors take a tiny piece of tissue from pleura or the peritoneum, to be tested further. A pathologist will then look at the tissue using a magnifying glass to determine whether it contains cancerous cells.
The type of mesothelial cell involved and the benign or malignant nature of these cells as well as the location, type and stage of the cancer are used to categorize the disease. Certain mesothelioma types have an increased risk of metastasizing or spreading, so it's important to establish a clear diagnosis so doctors can treat it before it becomes out of control.
Doctors may also conduct tests in the lab on a tumor to identify particular proteins, genes or other elements that can help them describe the characteristics of the cancer and determine a treatment. These results are called staging.
Treatment
A mesothelioma diagnose can be terrifying. It is important to remember, however, that cancer can be treated particularly in its initial stages. Many mesothelioma patients live for a long time without the disease spreading to other organs of their body.
Asbestos exposure can cause mesothelioma through many mechanisms. Asbestos fibers, too small to be able to see or feel through the naked eye, can be airborne and cause irritation to the lung's lining (pleura). Over time, the irritation causes the formation of scar tissue which can cause changes in the cell structure that can eventually grow into tumors.
The pleura covers the lungs and the heart, as well as the abdomen. Mesothelium consists of cells that react to exposure to asbestos and cause it to enflame and develop scar tissue. Overtime, these changes result in the growth of malignant mesothelioma tumors.
Breathing problems, chest discomfort or fluid buildup on the lungs are all indications of pleural mesothelioma. In rare cases, cancer can spread into the tissues around the reproductive organs and the heart.
If scans of imaging reveal an underlying mass in the lungs or stomach the doctor will request a biopsies. The procedure involves the removal of some of the liquid or tumor for laboratory testing. The results will confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis, and provide the most effective treatment plan.
There are a variety of mesothelioma treatments, including chemotherapy, surgery and immunotherapy. The majority of doctors use the combination of these methods. Patients can also benefit by participating in a clinical study of new mesothelioma therapies. Patients can learn more about the trials by consulting a mesothelioma expert who has treated mesothelioma.