Mesothelioma and Asbestos
Asbestos is a natural mineral that comes in thin, long fibres. Workers who are regularly exposed to asbestos risk developing lung diseases such as mesothelioma.
It may take decades for symptoms to show up after asbestos exposure. Different types of asbestos may cause different symptoms.
Pleural Mesothelioma
Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer that affects the lung's outer lining (pleura). It is the most common mesothelioma that accounts for up between 70 and 79% of diagnosed cases. Patients with this disease experience pain in the chest and breath shortness and may also feel the sensation of weight in the chest.
This kind of cancer is often caused by exposure to asbestos, which is a cluster of minerals that are made up of microscopic fibres. Once inhaled, the fibers cling to the lung and cause irritation that causes scarring and DNA mutations. The pleura surrounds the lungs and chest cavity This means that these irritations can affect both the lungs as well as the heart of a person. Mesothelioma symptoms usually don't appear until 30 to 50 years after exposure.
Chest pain and shortness breath are the most common symptoms. Patients may also experience chest tightness, coughing or difficulty breathing. Patients with this cancer have a history that includes asbestos exposure at work. The most common jobs that put people at risk of pleural mesothelioma include construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding. People who have worked in the military are at an especially high risk due to the frequent asbestos use in Navy ships and army bunkers.
The most commonly used staging system for pleural mysothelioma has been the TNM (tumor, lymph nodes and metastases) staging system. The stage a patient is in at diagnosis will aid their doctor in determining the most effective treatment plan for them. For instance, patients suffering from a pleural mesothelioma in stage three or four have a worse prognosis than patients with a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma may develop into the liver, heart, or diaphragm. This makes it more difficult to treat and increase the risk of complications for patients.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
As opposed to pleural mesothelioma that is a lung-lining cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma is found in the peritoneum - it is a membrane that lines the abdominal cavity as well as organs like the intestines and the liver. Like pleural mesothelioma, asbestos exposure is the primary cause of peritoneal mesothelioma. The disease is less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma. There are around 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.
Like pleural mesothelioma, symptoms may take years to appear. Most patients suffer from abdominal pain and a mass in the abdomen. This mesothelioma type can also cause nausea, weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms are similar to those experienced by digestive issues, which could cause confusion in diagnosis.
Typically, doctors can identify mesothelioma by conducting an extensive medical history and physical exam. Imaging tests like X-rays and CT scans can be used to identify mesothelioma. These tests can show tumors and other indications of cancer that aren't visible on an X-ray.
The results of these tests allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and determine the stage. They can also recommend treatments. Staging is determined based on the cell type and whether or whether the cancer has spread to other regions of the body.
Asbestos exposure is the most important risk factor. People who have worked in jobs that involve asbestos, such as plumbing or electrical work, manufacturing or construction, are at increased risk of developing the disease. However, even if individuals do not work in these areas they could be exposed to asbestos through relatives or other sources. Anyone who suspects that they may be at risk should talk to an expert. A mesothelioma specialist can assist those who have a previous history of asbestos to find out more about their risk.
Risk Factors
Asbestos is the primary mesothelioma-related risk factor. It is responsible for as much as 80% of all cases. Exposure to asbestos can occur through work, military service, or by living with a person who works with asbestos or has previously done so. When exposed to asbestos, the particles can be breathed into the abdomen and lungs. These particles irritate the linings, causing cancerous cells to grow in the mesothelium. After exposure to asbestos mesothelioma can develop between 15 and 60 years.
Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and aging. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely be diagnosed with mesothelioma compared to those who are younger or older. Mesothelioma can take between 20 and 60 years to show signs of cancer after the first exposure. It is important to note, too, that mesothelioma may develop in those who have been exposed to asbestos without having been directly exposed to it. This is referred to as indirect or secondary asbestos exposure and can be as hazardous as direct asbestos exposure.
Smoking increases the risk of getting mesothelioma because it damages the mesothelium, which makes it more susceptible to asbestos. In addition, mesothelioma may be worsened by certain diseases like pneumonia and asbestosis. It is also important to note that mesothelioma occurs more frequently in men than women. This is due to the fact that men are more likely to work with asbestos and have more exposure than women. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who had worked with asbestos and to have asbestos-containing fibers on their clothing. Women tend to have less contact with asbestos and rarely carry asbestos around on their clothing.
Diagnosis
It is difficult to diagnose mesothelioma due to its symptoms being often similar to other diseases. This is why patients are often mistakenly diagnosed.
NYU Langone doctors will perform physical examinations and document the patient's medical background, including asbestos exposure. Doctors may also request a CT scan or chest X-ray in order to look for lumps, abnormalities, and evidence of exposure to asbestos. These include pleural plaques, thickened pleura and calcium deposits.
Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance scan or MRI test, which uses radio waves and magnets in order to create a series detailed images of the insides of the body. A surgical biopsy is yet another method for doctors to identify mesothelioma. When a biopsy is performed doctors take a tiny piece of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum to be tested further. A pathologist then examines the tissue under a 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, type and stage of the tumor, are used to classify the disease. Certain types of mesothelioma are more likely to develop metastasis or spread which is why it is crucial to get a definite diagnosis so doctors can treat the disease before it gets out of control.
Doctors may also conduct tests in the laboratory on tumors in order to determine specific proteins, genes or other factors that will help them identify cancer characteristics and plan treatment. These results are known as staging.
Treatment
A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be terrifying. It is important to remember that cancer can be treated especially at its early stages. charlotte asbestos lawsuit live for many years without the disease spreading to other parts of their body.
Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma by many mechanisms. Asbestos fibers, which are too small to see or feel with 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 leads to changes in the cell structure that eventually develop into tumors.
The Pleura is a protective layer that surrounds the abdomen, heart, and lungs. Mesothelium is composed of cells that react to asbestos which causes it to become inflamed and develop scar tissue. These changes eventually cause mesothelioma cancers.
Breathing problems, chest discomfort, or the accumulation of fluid on the lungs are all indications of pleural mesothelioma. In rare cases cancer may spread to the tissues that surround the reproductive organs and the heart.
If imaging scans show a possible mass in the lungs or stomach doctors will recommend biopsies. During the procedure, doctors remove tiny amounts of fluid or tumor for lab testing. The results can confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma, and also determine the best treatment plan.
There are several types of mesothelioma treatment, which include chemotherapy, surgery, and immunotherapy. The majority of doctors use an amalgamation of these techniques. Patients may also benefit from enrolling in a clinical trial of new mesothelioma treatment. Patients can learn more about the trials by speaking with a mesothelioma doctor who has treated mesothelioma.