Mesothelioma and Asbestos
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that is made up of long, thin fibres. People who are exposed to asbestos are at risk of developing lung diseases like mesothelioma.
It could take a long time for symptoms to show up after exposure to asbestos. 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. The condition can cause chest discomfort, shortness of breath, and a feeling of heavyness.
Exposure to asbestos, a group of minerals composed of microscopic fibers, usually causes this type of cancer. Once inhaled, the fibers are absorbed into the lung and cause irritation which 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.
Arlington Heights asbestos attorneys and shortness breath are the most frequently reported symptoms. Patients may also experience difficulty breathing, or chest tightness. People who suffer from this cancer usually have previous exposure to asbestos in the workplace. Construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding are the most frequent 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 frequent use of asbestos in Navy vessels and Army bunkers.
The TNM (tumors, lymph nodes, and metastases staging system) is the most common staging system used to treat the pleural cancer. The stage a patient has at diagnosis will assist their doctor in determining the best treatment plan for them. For example, patients with mesothelioma pleural stage three or four have a less favorable prognosis than those in a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma can develop into the heart, liver or diaphragm. This makes the cancer more difficult to treat, and increase the risk of complications for patients.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
Unlike pleural mesothelioma, which is a lung-lining cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma develops in the peritoneum, it is a membrane that lines the abdominal cavity and organs such as the intestines and liver. Similar to pleural mesothelioma mesothelioma can be caused by asbestos exposure. The disease is much less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma. There are only about 300-500 cases diagnosed each year.
As with pleural mesothelioma symptoms can take years to show. Patients usually suffer from abdominal pain and could also experience a mass in their abdomen. Symptoms of this type of mesothelioma could also include nausea as well as weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms could be misinterpreted as digestive issues and can lead to a mistaken diagnosis.
Generally, doctors can find mesothelioma by conducting an exhaustive health history and physical exam. Imaging tests such as X-rays or CT scans are a way to detect mesothelioma. These tests can reveal cancerous tumors or other signs of cancer that aren't visible on X-rays.
These test results allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and determine the stage and suggest treatment options. The staging is determined by the cell type and whether or whether the cancer has spread to other regions 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 contract the disease. However, even if individuals aren't employed in these fields, they can still be exposed to asbestos through family members or other sources. Therefore, anyone who is concerned that they might be at risk should talk to an expert. A mesothelioma specialist can help those who have had a history with asbestos to learn more about their risk.
Risk Factors
Asbestos is the primary risk factor in mesothelioma. It accounts for up to 80% of all cases. Exposure to asbestos may occur as a result of work, military service, or living with people who have worked with asbestos. Asbestos particles can be breathed in by those who are exposed to asbestos. These particles can cause irritation to the linings and trigger cancerous cells to form in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma can take anywhere between 15 and 60 years to develop following exposure to asbestos.
Other risk factors include smoking, genetics, and the advancing age. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely be diagnosed with mesothelioma compared to those who are younger or more senior. Mesothelioma can take between 20 and 60 years to manifest cancer symptoms after the first exposure. It is important to remember that mesothelioma can occur in those who have been exposed to asbestos, but without having directly worked with it. This is known as indirect or secondary asbestos exposure. It can be as hazardous as direct asbestos exposure.
Smoking can increase the likelihood of getting mesothelioma because it damages the mesothelium, which makes it more vulnerable to asbestos. Mesothelioma can also be aggravated by certain illnesses such as asbestosis and pneumonia. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than females. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for a longer time and to have worked with it. Also, men are more likely to live with someone who has had asbestos exposure and bring asbestos fibers from their workplace on their clothing. Women are less likely to come into exposure to asbestos and don't typically carry asbestos on their clothing.
Diagnosis
It is difficult to recognize mesothelioma since its symptoms are often similar to other conditions. Because of this, victims are sometimes mistakenly diagnosed.
The first step in diagnosing mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform a physical exam and take notes on the medical history of a patient which includes asbestos exposure. Doctors will also recommend a CT scan or chest X-ray to check for lumps, abnormalities and evidence of exposure to asbestos. These include plaques on the pleura, pleura that are thickened and calcium deposits.
Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance image, or MRI test, which makes use of radio waves and magnets to create a series of detailed images of inside the body. A surgical biopsy is another method for doctors to identify mesothelioma. During a surgery biopsy doctors will remove a small piece of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum, to be tested further. A pathologist then examines the tissue under a magnifying lens to determine whether it contains cancerous cell.
The mesothelial type involved, the malignant or benign nature of the cells as well as the location the cancer, its type and the stage of the tumor, are used to classify the disease. Some types of mesothelioma are more likely to develop metastasis or spread, so it is important to establish a definitive diagnosis so that doctors can treat the disease before it becomes out of control.
Doctors can also perform laboratory tests on tumors in order to determine specific genes, proteins or other factors that can aid in describing cancer characteristics and determine the best treatment. These results are known as staging.
Treatment
A mesothelioma diagnosis can be terrifying. It is important to remember that cancer can be treated especially at its early stages. Many people with mesothelioma live for many years with the disease, without spreading to other organs of their body.
Exposure to asbestos can trigger mesothelioma in many ways. Asbestos fibers, which are too small to be felt or observed through the naked eye can be airborne, irritating the lung's lining (pleura). Over time, the irritation causes the formation of scar tissue, which leads to changes in the structure of cells that eventually develop into tumors.
The pleura surrounds the heart and lungs and the abdomen. Mesothelium consists of cells that react to asbestos and cause it to enflame and develop scar tissue. These changes can cause mesothelioma cancers.
The symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are shortness of breath, chest pain or the accumulation of fluid in the lung (pleural effusion). In rare instances cancer may spread to the tissues that surround the reproductive organs and heart.
A doctor will order biopsy if imaging scans show a potential tumor in the lungs or stomach. The procedure involves the removal of some of the liquid or tumor for laboratory testing. The results will confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis and indicate the best treatment option.
There are several types of mesothelioma treatment options, which include chemotherapy, surgery, and immunotherapy. The majority of doctors use the combination of these methods. Patients can also benefit by taking part in a clinical trial of new mesothelioma therapies. To learn more, patients should speak to mesothelioma experts who have experience treating the condition.