Mesothelioma and Asbestos
Asbestos is a mineral that naturally forms in the form of thin, long fibers. Workers who are regularly exposed to asbestos risk developing lung diseases like mesothelioma.
It may take decades for symptoms to appear after exposure to asbestos. Different asbestos types may cause different symptoms.
springfield asbestos law firm is a type of cancer that affects the lung's outer the lining (pleura). It is the most frequent type of mesothelioma, making up 70% to 79% of all diagnosed cases. Patients suffering from this condition feel chest pain and shortness of breath, and they may feel the sensation of weight in the chest.
Exposure to asbestos, a group of minerals made of microscopic fibers causes this type of cancer. When inhaled, these fibers stick inside the lung and cause irritation which causes scarring and DNA mutations. Pleura surrounds both the chest cavity as well as the lungs, so irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma usually doesn't show symptoms until 30 to 50 year after exposure.
Shortness of breath and chest pain are the most frequent symptoms. Some patients have coughing problems, trouble breathing or chest tightness. Patients with this type of cancer typically have a history of exposure to asbestos in the workplace. The most common jobs that expose people to the risk of developing pleural cancer are manufacturing, construction and shipbuilding. Individuals who have served in the military are at a higher risk due to the extensive use asbestos in Navy vessels and bunkers in the Army.
The TNM (tumors lymph nodes, tumors, and metastases staging system) is the most popular staging system used for the pleural cancer. The stage a patient is in at the time of diagnosis can help determine the treatment plan they should receive. Patients suffering from pleural mesothelioma who is in stage three or four will have a worse prognosis compared to those in a less advanced stage. Stage four mesothelioma may spread to the liver, heart or diaphragm. This makes the cancer more difficult to treat and increase the chances of complications for the patient.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
Unlike pleural cancer, that develops in the lung's lining the peritoneal cancer is a result of a membrane that surrounds the abdominal cavity, including organs like the liver and intestines. Similar to pleural mesothelioma and peritoneal mesothelioma is caused by asbestos exposure. The disease is much less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma, with only about 300-500 cases diagnosed each year.
As with pleural asbestosis, symptoms can take a long time to show. Patients usually have abdominal pain, and may have a mass in their abdomen. This mesothelioma type can also cause nausea, weight loss, and fever. A lot of these symptoms are similar to those of digestive issues, which could cause incorrect diagnosis.
Doctors can identify mesothelioma by reviewing the medical history of the patient and conducting a physical exam. Imaging tests like X-rays and CT scans are a way to detect mesothelioma. These tests can show tumors, as well as other symptoms of cancer that aren't visible on X-rays.
The results of these tests allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma, determine the stage and recommend treatment options. Staging is determined based on the cell type and whether or the cancer has spread to other areas of the body.
Asbestos exposure is the main risk factor. People who have worked in jobs which require asbestos, such as plumbing manufacturing, electrical work or construction, are at increased risk of developing the disease. However, even if people aren't employed in these areas they may be exposed to asbestos through family members or through other sources. Anyone who thinks they are at risk should speak with an expert. If they have an history of exposure to asbestos, a mesothelioma specialist can assist them in finding out more about their risk.
Risk Factors
Asbestos exposure is a major risk factor for mesothelioma, accounting for up to 80 percent of all cases. Exposure to asbestos may occur due to work, military service, or living with those who worked with asbestos. Asbestos particles can be inhaled by those who are exposed to asbestos. These particles can cause irritation to the linings and cause cancerous cells to form 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 to get mesothelioma than people younger or older. This is because mesothelioma usually occurs between 20 and 60 years from the initial exposure before symptoms of cancer begin to manifest. It is important to remember, too, that mesothelioma may occur in those who have been exposed to asbestos without having worked with it directly. This is known as indirect or secondary exposure to asbestos, and it is just as harmful as direct exposure.
Smoking increases the chance of mesothelioma since it damages mesothelium. It also makes it more prone to. 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 a longer period of time and to have worked with asbestos for longer durations and to work with it. Also, men are more likely to live with someone who was exposed to asbestos and bring stray asbestos fibers home on their clothes. Women are less likely to come into exposure to asbestos and don't typically carry asbestos around on their clothes.
Diagnosis
It is difficult to recognize mesothelioma due to its symptoms being often similar to other diseases. This can lead to victims being incorrectly diagnosed.
The first step to diagnose mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform a physical exam and take notes on the medical history of a patient including asbestos exposure. Doctors can also order an X-ray of the chest or CT scan to detect lumps and other abnormalities and also to look for evidence of previous asbestos exposure such as plaques on the pleura (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the buildup of fluid between the lung and the chest wall (known as the pleural effusion).
Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram which examines the heart and blood vessels and magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI, test, which makes use of radio waves and magnets to make a series of precise images of the inside of the body. Another way doctors can diagnose mesothelioma is through a surgical biopsy. During a surgery biopsy doctors take a tiny piece of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum, to be examined further. A pathologist can then examine the tissue using an magnifying glass to determine if it contains cancerous cells.
Mesothelioma is classified based on the type of mesothelial cell involved, whether these cells are benign or malignant and also the location, type, and stage of the cancer. Certain types of mesothelioma are more likely to spread or metastasize and spread, therefore it is essential to establish a definitive diagnosis so that doctors can treat the disease before it goes out of control.
Doctors can also perform tests in the laboratory on tumors in order to determine specific proteins, genes, or other factors which can help them describe the characteristics of cancer and plan treatment. These results are known as staging.
Treatment
A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be frightening. It is important to remember, however, that cancer can be treated particularly in its initial stages. A lot of people suffering from mesothelioma be afflicted for a long time without expanding.
Exposure to asbestos can trigger mesothelioma through a variety of ways. Asbestos particles, which are too small to be able to see or feel by the naked eye can become airborne and irritate the lung's lining (pleura). Over time irritation can lead to formation of scar tissue, which leads to changes in the cell structure that can eventually grow into tumors.
The pleura is a protective covering that protects the lungs, heart and 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 result in malignant mesothelioma tumors.
A shortness of breath, chest discomfort, or the accumulation of fluid on the lungs are all indications of pleural msothelioma. In rare instances cancer can spread to the tissues around the reproductive organs and the heart.
A doctor will order a biopsy if imaging scans show a potential tumor in the lungs or stomach. During the procedure, doctors will remove a small sample of the fluid or tumor for lab analysis. The results can confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and determine the best treatment option.
There are a variety of treatment for mesothelioma such as chemotherapy and surgery. Most doctors utilize a combination of these treatments. Patients can also benefit by participating in a clinical study of new mesothelioma treatments. Patients can learn more about the trials by consulting a mesothelioma specialist who has treated the condition.