Mesothelioma and Asbestos
Asbestos, a mineral that naturally occurs in the form of thin, long fibers. Workers who are exposed to asbestos regularly are at risk of developing mesothelioma as well as other lung diseases of different types.
The symptoms of these diseases might not manifest for years after exposure to asbestos. Different asbestos types can cause different symptoms.
Pleural Mesothelioma
Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer of the outer lung lining, or the pleura. It is the most common 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 weightiness.
This type of cancer is typically caused by exposure to asbestos which is a collection of minerals that are composed of microscopic fibers. When inhaled, these fibers cling to the lung and cause irritation which results in scarring and DNA mutations. The pleura is the area that surrounds the chest cavity and lungs and therefore, these irritations could affect both the lungs as well as the heart of a person. Mesothelioma is usually not symptomatic until 30 to 50 year after exposure.
The most common symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are chest pain and breath shortness. Patients may also experience coughing, difficulty breathing, or chest tightness. Patients with this type of cancer have a past that includes asbestos exposure at work. Manufacturing, construction, and shipbuilding are the most frequent occupations that put people at a high danger of developing pleural melanoma. People who have served in the military could be at risk because of the extensive asbestos use in Navy vessels and bunkers for the army.
The most popular staging system for pleural mesothelioma is the TNM (tumor lymph nodes, lymph nodes, and metastases) staging system. The stage that a patient is in at the moment of diagnosis will determine what treatment plan they should follow. For instance, patients who have a pleural mesothelioma in stage three or four have a poorer prognosis than those in a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma often spreads to the diaphragm, the liver or even a person's heart. tampa asbestos lawyer could make the cancer more difficult to treat, and increase the risk of complications for the patient.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
In contrast to pleural cancer, which is found in the lining of the lung it develops in a membrane that covers the abdominal cavity, including organs like the intestines and liver. Like pleural mesothelioma, exposure to asbestos is the reason for peritoneal msothelioma. There are only 300-500 cases diagnosed annually this is less than pleural asbestosis.
As with pleural asbestosis symptoms can take years to show. Patients generally suffer from abdominal pain and could also experience a mass in their abdomen. This kind of mesothelioma can cause nausea, weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms could be misinterpreted as gastrointestinal issues and can lead to a false diagnosis.
Doctors can detect mesothelioma by examining the patient's medical history and performing a physical examination. They can also utilize imaging tests such as X-rays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to help find mesothelioma. These tests can detect tumors as well as other signs of cancer that are not evident on X-rays.
These tests enable doctors to identify mesothelioma, and determine the stage. They can also recommend treatment options. The stage is determined by the type of cell as well as whether the cancer has spread.
The most significant mesothelioma-related risk factor is asbestos exposure. People who have worked in asbestos-containing jobs, such as electrical or plumbing work, or in construction, manufacturing and manufacturing, are more likely to develop the disease. Even if an individual is not employed in any of these areas however, they may still be exposed through family members or other sources. This is why anyone who suspects they may be at risk should speak to a doctor. If they have an history of exposure to asbestos or mesothelioma, a specialist can assist them in finding out more about their risk.
Risk Factors
Asbestos exposure is the primary risk factor for mesothelioma, making up as much as 80 percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos can happen as a result of work, military service, or by living with a person who is exposed to asbestos or used to do the same. Asbestos particles can be inhaled by people who are exposed to it. These particles can cause irritation to the linings, causing cancerous cells to grow in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma can take anywhere between 15 and 60 years to develop after exposure to asbestos.
Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and age. The people in their 40s or 50s are more at risk of developing mesothelioma compared to people who are younger or more. It is because mesothelioma generally occurs between 20 and 60 years from the first exposure to asbestos before the first signs of cancer appear. It is important to note, too, that mesothelioma can develop in people who have been exposed to asbestos without having worked with it directly. This is referred to as secondary or indirect exposure to asbestos, and it is just as harmful as direct exposure.
Smoking increases the chance of mesothelioma as it damages the mesothelium. It also makes it more susceptible. Mesothelioma can also be caused by certain illnesses such as asbestosis and pneumonia. It is also important to remember that mesothelioma is more prevalent in males 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 it. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who has worked with asbestos and to have asbestos-containing fibers on their clothing. Women are less likely to come in contact with asbestos, and don't typically bring asbestos home on their clothes.
Diagnosis
Mesothelioma is a difficult cancer to recognize because the symptoms can be similar to other diseases. This can lead to victims being misdiagnosed.
NYU Langone doctors will perform an examination of the body and document the patient's medical history including asbestos exposure. Doctors can also order an X-ray chest or CT scan to look for lumps or other abnormalities, as well as evidence of past 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 a magnetic resonance scan, or MRI test, which uses magnets and radio waves to produce a series of precise images of inside the body. A surgical biopsy is another method for doctors to identify mesothelioma. In a surgical biopsy doctors will remove a small piece of tissue from pleura or the peritoneum to be examined further. A pathologist can then examine the tissue with an magnifying glass to determine whether it contains cancerous cell.
Mesothelioma is classified based on the type of mesothelial cell involved, whether the cells are benign or malignant, and the location of the tumor, the type, and the stage of the cancer. Certain types of mesothelioma are more likely to grow or spread and spread, therefore it is essential to get a definite diagnosis so doctors can treat the disease before it becomes out of control.
Doctors may also conduct laboratory tests on tumors to determine particular proteins, genes or other elements which can help them identify the characteristics of cancer and plan treatment. These results are known as staging.
Treatment
A mesothelioma diagnose can be frightening. It is important to keep in mind, however, that cancer can be treated especially at its early stages. Many mesothelioma patients live for many years without the disease spreading to other organs of their body.
Asbestos exposure can cause mesothelioma through various mechanisms. Asbestos fibers that are small enough to not be felt or seen through the naked eye can be airborne and irritate the lung's lining (pleura). In time irritation can lead to formation of scar tissue, which leads to changes in the structure of cells that can eventually grow into tumors.
The Pleura is a covering that protects the abdomen, heart, and lungs. Mesothelium consists of cells that react to exposure to asbestos and cause it to enflame and create scar tissue. These changes eventually lead to malignant mesothelioma tumours.
The symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are breathing problems, chest pain or an accumulation of fluid in the lung (pleural effusion). In rare instances cancer may spread to the tissues that surround the reproductive organs as well as the heart.
A doctor will order a biopsy if imaging scans show the possibility of a lung tumor or stomach. During the procedure doctors remove a small amount of fluid or tumor to allow for laboratory testing. The results will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma, and also determine the most effective treatment plan.
There are many types of treatment for mesothelioma, including surgery and chemotherapy. The majority of doctors employ the combination of these treatments. Enrolling in clinical trials of mesothelioma treatments that are new could be beneficial to patients. Patients can find out more by consulting a mesothelioma specialist who has treated the disease.