Mesothelioma and Asbestos
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that is found in thin, long fibres. People who are exposed to asbestos regularly risk developing mesothelioma and other lung diseases.
It can take years for symptoms to show up after exposure to asbestos. Different types of asbestos can cause different symptoms.
Pleural Mesothelioma
Pleural mesothelioma occurs in the outer lung lining, or the pleura. It is the most frequent mesothelioma form and accounts for 70% to 79% of diagnosed cases. This condition causes chest pain, shortness of breathe, and a feeling of weightiness.
This type of cancer is usually caused through exposure to asbestos, which is a collection of minerals composed of microscopic fibers. When inhaled, these fibers can cause irritation and DNA mutations. The pleura covers the chest cavity and lungs This means that these irritations can affect both the lungs as well as a person's heart. Mesothelioma typically doesn't manifest until 30 to 50 years after exposure.
The most frequent symptoms of pleural melanoma are chest pain and breath shortness. Some patients may also suffer from chest tightness and coughing, or breathing difficulties. Patients with this type of cancer typically have previous exposure to asbestos in the workplace. Manufacturing, construction and shipbuilding are among the most common occupations which put people at risk risk of developing pleural mesothelioma. Individuals who have served in the military are at higher risk due to the extensive use asbestos in Navy vessels and bunkers in the Army.
The most popular staging system for pleural mesothelioma is the TNM (tumor lymph nodes, lymph nodes and metastases) staging system. The stage that a patient is at when they are diagnosed will help their doctor determine the best treatment plan for them. Patients who have pleural mesothelioma which is in stage three or four will have a worse outlook than those in a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma can develop into the liver, heart, or diaphragm. This makes it more difficult to treat and increase the likelihood of complications for the patient.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
In contrast to pleural cancer, which is found in the lining of the lung it develops in the membrane that covers the abdominal cavity, including organs such as the intestines and liver. Like pleural mesothelioma, exposure to asbestos is the cause of peritoneal mesothelioma. The disease is less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma, with only about 300-500 cases diagnosed each year.
Like pleural mesothelioma, symptoms can take a long time to manifest. Most patients suffer from abdominal pain and abdominal swelling. gainesville asbestos attorney of this kind of mesothelioma may also include nausea, weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms could be misinterpreted as gastrointestinal issues which can lead to a false diagnosis.
Typically, doctors can identify mesothelioma after an exhaustive medical history and physical exam. They can also use imaging tests like Xrays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to identify mesothelioma. These tests can reveal tumors, as well as other symptoms of cancer that aren't visible on X-rays.
These test results allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and determine the stage of the disease and suggest treatment options. The staging is determined by the type of cell and whether or whether the tumor has spread to other parts of the body.
Asbestos exposure is the main risk factor. People who have worked in asbestos-containing occupations, like electrical or plumbing work or in manufacturing and construction are more likely to develop the disease. Even if someone isn't employed in one of these fields, he or she can be exposed to asbestos through family members 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, a mesothelioma specialist can assist them in finding out more about their risk.
Risk Factors
Asbestos exposure is the primary mesothelioma risk factor, making up as much as 80 percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos can happen through work, military service, or by living with a person who works with asbestos or has previously done such. When exposed to asbestos, the particles can be inhaled into the lungs and abdomen. The particles cause irritation to the linings, causing cancerous cells to form in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma can take between 15 and 60 years to develop following exposure to asbestos.
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 occurs between 20 and 60 years from the initial exposure before symptoms of cancer begin to manifest. It is also important to note that mesothelioma is a possibility in people who were exposed to asbestos but did not work with it directly. This is referred to as secondary or indirect exposure to asbestos and it can be just as dangerous as direct exposure.
Smoking can increase the likelihood of developing mesothelioma since it damages the mesothelium and makes it more prone to asbestos. In addition, mesothelioma may be worsened by certain diseases like pneumonia and asbestosis. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than females. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for longer periods of time and to have worked with asbestos for longer periods of time. Also, men are more likely to live with someone who has worked with asbestos and carry asbestos fibers that have escaped home on their clothes. Women tend to have less exposure to asbestos and don't typically carry asbestos around on their clothing.
Diagnosis
Mesothelioma is a difficult cancer to diagnose because the symptoms often resemble other conditions. Due to this, patients are sometimes mistakenly diagnosed.
NYU Langone doctors will perform an examination of the body and document the patient's medical history, including asbestos exposure. Doctors may also order a chest X-ray or CT scan to check for lumps and other abnormalities as well as evidence of asbestos exposure in the past such as pleural plaques (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the formation of fluid between the lung and the chest wall (known as the pleural effusion).
Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance image or MRI test, which uses radio waves and magnets to create a series detailed images of the inside of the body. A surgical biopsy is yet another way for doctors to diagnose mesothelioma. During a surgery biopsy, doctors remove a tiny piece of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum to be further examined. A pathologist can then examine the tissue under an magnifying glass to determine whether it contains cancerous cells.
The type of mesothelial cell involved, the malignant or benign nature of those cells, as well as the location and stage of the cancer are used to classify the disease. Some types of mesothelioma are more likely to develop metastasis or spread and spread, therefore it is essential to have a clear diagnosis so that doctors can treat the disease before it goes out of control.
Doctors may also conduct tests in the lab on a tumor to find particular proteins, genes or other elements that can help them describe the characteristics of the cancer and determine a treatment. These results are known as staging.
Treatment
A mesothelioma diagnosis is terrifying. However, it is important to keep in mind that the cancer can be treated, particularly in its earlier stages. Many mesothelioma patients live for years without the disease spreading to other organs of their body.
Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma by a variety of mechanisms. Asbestos particles, which are too small to be able to see or feel with the naked eye, can become airborne and irritate the lining of the lungs (pleura). In time irritation leads to 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 when exposed to asbestos. They cause inflammation to the tissue and cause it to become scarred. These changes can eventually lead to malignant mesothelioma tumours.
Symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include breathlessness and chest pain as well as the accumulation of fluid in the lung (pleural effusion). In rare cases, the cancer can be spread to the tissues around the heart and reproductive organs.
A doctor may request biopsy if imaging scans show the possibility of a lung tumor or stomach. During the procedure, doctors take a small sample of the fluid or tumor for laboratory analysis. The results will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and help determine the best treatment plan.
There are many types of mesothelioma treatment options, including chemotherapy, surgery and immunotherapy. Most doctors utilize an amalgamation of these techniques. Patients may also benefit from enrolling in a clinical trial of new mesothelioma treatment. Patients can find out more by speaking with a mesothelioma doctor who has treated the condition.