Mesothelioma and Asbestos
Asbestos, a mineral that naturally forms in the form of thin, long fibers. Workers who are exposed to asbestos on a regular basis are at risk of developing mesothelioma or other lung diseases of different types.
The symptoms of these diseases may not manifest for years after exposure to asbestos. Different asbestos types may cause different symptoms.
Pleural Mesothelioma
Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer that develops in the lung's outer the lining (pleura). It is the most common type of mesothelioma, making up 70% to 79% of diagnosed cases. People with this condition suffer from chest pain and breath shortness, and they may feel a sensation of heaviness in the chest.
Exposure to asbestos, a class of minerals composed of microscopic fibers, typically causes this kind of cancer. Once inhaled, the fibers are absorbed into the lungs and cause irritation that leads to scarring and DNA mutations. Pleura surrounds both the chest cavity and the lungs, which means that 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 also experience coughing, difficulty breathing, or chest tightness. People with this cancer have a history of disease that includes asbestos exposure at work. The most common jobs that expose people to the risk of developing pleural cancer are manufacturing, construction and shipbuilding. People who have worked in the military could be at risk due to the frequent asbestos usage in Navy vessels and bunkers used by the army.
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 at at diagnosis will assist their doctor in determining the most effective treatment plan for them. Patients with pleural mesothelioma that 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 often spreads to the diaphragm, liver or even the heart of a patient. This makes it more difficult to treat and increases the likelihood of complications for the patient.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
Contrary to pleural cancer that develops in the lining of the lung it develops in a membrane that surrounds the abdominal cavity, including organs like the liver and intestines. Like pleural mesothelioma, exposure to asbestos is the cause of peritoneal msothelioma. The disease is less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma. There are around 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.
As with pleural mesothelioma symptoms may take years to appear. Typically, patients experience abdominal pain and abdominal swelling. Symptoms of this type of mesothelioma may also include nausea or weight loss, as well as fever. Many of these symptoms could be misinterpreted as digestive issues and can lead to a mistaken diagnosis.
Doctors can identify mesothelioma by looking over the medical history of the patient and performing a physical examination. Imaging tests like X-rays and CT scans can be used to identify mesothelioma. These tests can reveal tumors as well as other signs 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. Staging is determined based on the cell type and whether or the tumor has spread to other parts of the body.
Asbestos exposure is the biggest risk factor. People who have been in occupations that involve asbestos, such as plumbing, electrical work, manufacturing or construction, are at increased risk of developing the disease. However, even if people aren't employed in these fields they may be exposed to asbestos through relatives or other sources. Anyone who thinks they're at risk should consult a doctor. A mesothelioma specialist can help those who have a history with asbestos to learn more about their risk.
Risk Factors
Asbestos exposure is a major risk factor for mesothelioma, accounting for up to 80 percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos can occur due to military service, work, or living with those who worked with asbestos. Asbestos particles can be breathed in by people who are exposed to it. The particles cause irritation to the linings of the abdomen, which causes cancerous cells to develop in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma can take anywhere between 15 and 60 years to develop after exposure to asbestos.
Other risk factors include genetics, smoking and age. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely develop mesothelioma than those who are younger or older. It takes mesothelioma between 20 and 60 years before it manifests cancer symptoms after the first exposure. It is also important to note that mesothelioma is a possibility in those who were exposed to asbestos but didn't engage directly with it. This is known as indirect or secondary asbestos exposure, and is as dangerous as direct asbestos exposure.
Smoking increases the chance of mesothelioma because it damages the mesothelium. It also makes it more susceptible. Additionally, mesothelioma can be caused 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 be exposed to asbestos and endure a a longer period of exposure than women. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who worked with asbestos and to carry asbestos fibers on their clothing. Women are less likely to be exposed to asbestos, and they are less likely to bring asbestos home on their clothing.
Diagnosis
Mesothelioma is difficult to identify because the symptoms often resemble other diseases. This can result in patients being incorrectly diagnosed.
The first step in identifying mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform a physical exam and take note of the medical history of the patient which includes asbestos exposure. Doctors will also order a CT scan or chest X-ray in order to look for abnormalities, lumps and evidence of exposure to asbestos. These include plaques in the pleura, thickened pleura and calcium deposits.
Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram, which examines the heart and blood vessels, and a magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI, test, which uses radio waves and magnets to make a series of precise images of the inside of the body. Another way doctors can diagnose mesothelioma is to perform an operation called a biopsy. During a surgery biopsy doctors will remove a small part of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum, to be tested further. A pathologist can then examine the tissue using an magnifying glass to determine if it is a cancerous cells.
Mesothelioma is classified based on the mesothelial type involved, whether the cells are benign or malignant and also the location of the tumor, its type, and the stage of the tumor. Some types of mesothelioma have an increased chance of metastasizing or spreading, so it's important to get a definitive diagnosis to ensure that the doctors can treat it prior to it becoming out-of-control.
Doctors can also perform laboratory tests on tumors in order to determine specific proteins, genes, or other factors which will help them identify cancer characteristics and determine the best treatment. These results are referred to as staging.
Treatment
A diagnosis of mesothelioma may be terrifying. But, it is crucial to keep in mind that the cancer is treatable, especially in its early stages. Many people with mesothelioma can live with the disease for many years without it expanding.
Asbestos exposure can cause mesothelioma by many mechanisms. Asbestos fibres, tiny enough to be felt or seen with the naked eyes can be airborne and irritate the lung's lining (pleura). As time passes the irritation can lead to the formation of scar tissue that eventually result in tumors.
The pleura surrounds the lungs and heart, as well as the abdomen. Mesothelium is composed of cells that react when exposed to asbestos. They cause inflammation to the tissue and cause it to scar. These changes can cause mesothelioma cancers.
The symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are breathlessness and chest pain, or an accumulation of fluid in the lungs (pleural effusion). In rare instances, the cancer can spread to the tissues surrounding the heart and reproductive organs.
If scans of imaging reveal a possible mass in the stomach or lungs the doctor will request biopsies. During the procedure, doctors take tiny amounts of fluid or tumor for laboratory tests. The results can confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis and provide the best treatment plan.
There are arvada asbestos attorney of mesothelioma treatment, which include chemotherapy, surgery, and immunotherapy. Most doctors use a combination of these treatments. Patients can also benefit by taking part in a clinical trial of new mesothelioma treatments. Patients can find out more by consulting a mesothelioma expert who has treated mesothelioma.