Mesothelioma and Asbestos
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that is made up of long, thin fibres. People who are exposed to asbestos may develop lung diseases like mesothelioma.
It could take a long time for symptoms to appear after asbestos exposure. Different asbestos types may cause different symptoms.
Pleural Mesothelioma
Pleural mesothelioma is a type of cancer that occurs in the lung’s outer the lining (pleura). It is the most frequent mesothelioma that accounts for up 70 to 79% of all diagnosed cases. People with this condition experience pain in the chest and breath shortness and may also feel a sensation of heaviness in the chest.
Exposure to asbestos, a group of minerals comprised of microscopic fibers causes this type of cancer. When inhaled, these fibers are absorbed into the lung and cause irritation which results in scarring and DNA mutations. Pleura is the lining of both the chest cavity and the lungs, so irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma symptoms typically don’t show until 30 to 50 years after exposure.
The most common symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include chest pain and breath shortness. Patients may also suffer from chest tightness and coughing, or breathing difficulties. People who suffer from this cancer usually have an history of exposure to asbestos in the workplace. Construction, manufacturing, and shipbuilding are the most common jobs which put people at risk chance of developing pleural mesothelioma. People who served in the military are at greater risk due the extensive use asbestos in Navy vessels and Army bunkers.
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 at at diagnosis will help their doctor determine the best treatment plan for them. Patients with pleural mesothelioma that is in stage three or four will suffer a more negative prognosis compared to those who are in a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma may develop into the heart, liver or diaphragm. This can make it more difficult to treat and raises the chance of complications for the patient.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
In contrast to pleural cancer, which is found in the lung’s lining, peritoneal cancer develops in the membrane that covers the abdominal cavity, including organs such as the intestines and the liver. Similar to pleural mesothelioma, asbestos exposure is the primary reason for peritoneal msothelioma. The disease is less common than pleural mesothelioma, and just 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.
As with pleural mesothelioma symptoms can take a long time to manifest. Patients typically have abdominal pain, and may have a mass in their abdomen. This type of mesothelioma may also cause nausea, weight loss, and fever. A lot of these symptoms are similar to symptoms of gastrointestinal issues, which can cause confusion in diagnosis.
Generally speaking, doctors can detect mesothelioma after an exhaustive medical history and physical exam. They may also employ imaging tests like X-rays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to detect mesothelioma. These tests can reveal tumors and other cancer signs that are not evident on X-rays.
The results of these tests allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma, determine the stage and suggest treatment options. The stage is determined by the type of cell as well as whether the cancer has spread.
The most important risk factor for mesothelioma is asbestos exposure. People who have been in occupations that require asbestos, such as plumbing or electrical work, manufacturing or construction, are at increased risk of developing the disease. Even if a person isn’t employed in one of these fields however, they may still be exposed to asbestos through family members and other sources. Anyone who suspects that they are at risk should speak with an expert. A mesothelioma expert can help those who have had a history with asbestos to learn more about their risk.
Risk Factors
Asbestos is the primary mesothelioma-related risk factor. It accounts for as much as 80percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos can occur due to work, military service or through living with a person who works with asbestos or was previously exposed to doing such. Asbestos particles are inhaled by people who are exposed to asbestos. These particles irritate the linings of the lungs, causing cancerous cells to form in the mesothelium. Following exposure to asbestos attorney, mesothelioma may be diagnosed between 15 and 60 years old.
Other risk factors include smoking, genetics, and age. The people in their 40s or 50s are at greater chance of developing mesothelioma to those who are younger or older. It is because mesothelioma generally takes 20 to 60 years from the first exposure before symptoms of cancer begin to manifest. It is also important to note that mesothelioma can develop in people who were exposed to asbestos but did not work with it directly. This is known as indirect or secondary asbestos exposure and can be just as harmful as direct asbestos exposure.
Smoking increases the risk of mesothelioma, as it damages the mesothelium. It can also make it more vulnerable. Mesothelioma is also aggravated by certain diseases, such as asbestosis and pneumonia. It is also important to know that mesothelioma is more prevalent in men than women. This is because men are more likely to be exposed to asbestos and endure a an extended period of exposure than women. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who had worked with asbestos and to carry asbestos fibers on their clothing. Women are less likely to come into contact with asbestos and don’t typically carry asbestos case home on their clothes.
Diagnosis
It is difficult to diagnose mesothelioma due to its symptoms being often similar to other conditions. This can result in patients being incorrectly diagnosed.
The first step to diagnose mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform an examination and write notes on the medical history of a patient including asbestos exposure. Doctors will also recommend an CT scan or chest X-ray to check for lumps, abnormalities, and evidence of asbestos exposure. These include plaques on the pleura, pleura that are thickened and calcium deposits.
Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram which examines the heart and blood vessels and magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI, test, which uses radio waves and magnets to create precise images of the inside of the body. A surgical biopsy is yet another way for doctors to diagnose mesothelioma. In a surgical biopsy, doctors remove a tiny part of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum, to be examined further. A pathologist then examines the tissue with a magnifying lens to determine if it contains cancerous cells.
The mesothelial type involved and the benign or malignant nature of those cells as well as the location the cancer, its type and the stage of the tumour, are used to categorize the disease. Certain types of mesothelioma may be more likely to spread or metastasize and spread, therefore it is essential to get a definite diagnosis to ensure that doctors are able to treat the disease before it becomes out of control.
Doctors can also run tests in the lab on a tumor to identify specific proteins, genes and other factors which can help them identify the characteristics of the cancer and determine a treatment. These results are referred to as staging.
Treatment
A mesothelioma diagnose can be terrifying. It is important to remember, however, that cancer can be treated, especially at its early stages. Many people with mesothelioma can endure the disease for a long time, without spreading.
Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma through various mechanisms. Asbestos fibers, which are too small to be felt or seen through the naked eye, can become airborne and irritate the lung’s lining (pleura). As time passes irritation can lead to formation of scar tissue which causes changes in the structure of cells that can eventually grow into tumors.
The pleura covers the lungs and heart, as well as the abdomen. Mesothelium is made up of cells that react to asbestos which causes it to become inflamed and form scar tissue. These changes can eventually result in malignant mesothelioma tumors.
Symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include breathing problems, chest pain or a buildup of fluid in the lung (pleural effusion). In rare cases the cancer may be spread to the tissues around the heart and reproductive organs.
If imaging scans reveal a possible mass in the lungs or stomach the doctor will request biopsies. During the procedure, doctors will remove a small sample of the tumor or fluid for lab testing. The results will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and determine the most effective treatment plan.
There are several types of mesothelioma treatments, which include chemotherapy, surgery, and immunotherapy. The majority of doctors use the combination of these methods. Participating in clinical trials for mesothelioma treatments may be beneficial to patients. Patients can learn more about the trials by consulting a mesothelioma expert who has treated the condition.