Mesothelioma and Asbestos
Asbestos, a mineral that naturally forms in the form of thin, long fibers. People who are exposed to asbestos regularly are at risk of developing mesothelioma as well as other lung diseases of different types.
It can take years for symptoms to appear after asbestos exposure. Different asbestos types may cause different symptoms.
Pleural Mesothelioma
Pleural mesothelioma can be found in the outer lung lining, also known as pleura. It is the most frequent mesothelioma type and accounts for 70% to 79% all diagnosed cases. Patients with this disease suffer from chest pain and breathlessness and may experience a sensation of heaviness in the chest.
Exposure to asbestos, a group of minerals composed of microscopic fibers, typically causes this type of cancer. These fibers, when inhaled, cause irritation 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.
Shortness of breath and chest pain are the most frequently reported symptoms. Patients may also experience difficulty breathing, or chest tightness. Patients with this type of cancer typically have an history of exposure to asbestos in the workplace. Construction, manufacturing, and shipbuilding are the most common occupations that put people at high risk of developing pleural mesothelioma. People who served in the military are at a greater risk due to the frequent use of asbestos in Navy vessels and bunkers in the Army.
The most common staging system for pleural mysothelioma has been the TNM (tumor, lymph nodes and metastases) staging system. The stage that a patient is at when they are diagnosed will assist their doctor in determining the best treatment plan for them. Patients who have pleural mesothelioma which is in stage three or four will have a worse prognosis than those in a lower stage. Mesothelioma in stage four can develop into the liver, heart or diaphragm. This can make it more difficult to treat and increase the likelihood of complications for patients.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
Unlike pleural cancer, that develops in the lining of the lung the peritoneal cancer is a result of a membrane that covers the abdominal cavity, which includes organs such as the intestines and liver. Similar to pleural mesothelioma mesothelioma is triggered by asbestos exposure. There are only 300-500 cases diagnosed annually this is less than pleural asbestosis.
As with pleural asbestosis, symptoms can take a long time to show. Typically, patients experience abdominal pain and a mass in the abdomen. Symptoms of this type of mesothelioma can also include nausea, weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms are similar to symptoms of digestive issues, which could cause misdiagnosis.
Typically, doctors can identify mesothelioma through a thorough health history and physical examination. They may also employ imaging tests like X-rays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to help find mesothelioma. These tests can show tumors and other signs of cancer that aren't visible on an X-ray.
These tests enable doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and establish the stage. They can also recommend treatment options. The stage of the disease is determined based on the type of cells and whether or not the cancer has spread to other areas of the body.
Asbestos exposure is the main risk factor. People who have been in occupations which require asbestos, like plumbing or 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 other sources. For this reason, anyone who believes they could be at risk should talk to an experienced doctor. A mesothelioma specialist can help those who have a history with asbestos to learn more about their risk.
Risk Factors
Asbestos is the main risk factor for mesothelioma. It is responsible for up to the 80% of cases. Exposure to asbestos may occur through work, military service or by living with someone who works with asbestos or has previously done so. When exposed to asbestos, the particles can be inhaled into the lungs and abdomen. These irritate the linings and cause cancerous cells to form in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma can take between 15 and 60 years to develop after exposure to asbestos.
Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and aging. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely get mesothelioma than people younger or older. It takes mesothelioma between 20 and 60 years to manifest cancer symptoms after the first exposure. It is important to remember that mesothelioma is a possibility in people who have been exposed to asbestos, but did not deal with it directly. This is known as indirect or secondary asbestos exposure and can be as hazardous as direct asbestos exposure.
Smoking can increase the likelihood of developing mesothelioma due to the fact that it damages the mesothelium and makes it more susceptible to asbestos. In addition, mesothelioma may be caused by certain illnesses, such as pneumonia and asbestosis. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than women. This is due to the fact that men are more likely to work with asbestos and experience a a longer period of exposure than women. Men are also more likely to live with someone who worked with asbestos and carry stray asbestos fibers home on their clothes. Women are less likely to be in contact with asbestos, and they are less likely to carry asbestos on their clothes.
Diagnosis
It is difficult to identify mesothelioma because its symptoms are often similar to other conditions. This is why patients are often mistakenly diagnosed.
The first step to diagnose mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform an examination of the body and take notes on the medical history of a patient including asbestos exposure. Doctors will also recommend an CT scan or chest X-ray in order to look for lumps, abnormalities, and evidence of exposure to asbestos. These include plaques in the pleura, thickened pleura and calcium deposits.
Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram which examines the blood vessels and the heart, and a magnetic resonance imaging, also known as MRI test, which uses radio waves and magnets to make a series of detailed images of the inside of the body. A surgical biopsy is a different method doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma. In murrieta asbestos law firm take a tiny piece of tissue from pleura or the peritoneum to be examined further. A pathologist can then look at the tissue under a microscope to see if it has cancerous cells.
The type of mesothelial cell involved and the benign or malignant nature of those cells and the location, type and stage of the cancer are used to categorize the disease. Certain types of mesothelioma are at an increased chance of metastasizing or spreading therefore it is essential to get a definitive diagnosis so that doctors can treat it before it gets out-of-control.
Doctors can also perform tests in the lab on tumors in order to determine specific proteins, genes, or other factors which will help them identify cancer characteristics and determine the best treatment. These results are called staging.
Treatment
A mesothelioma diagnosis is a frightening prospect. It is important to keep in mind that cancer can be treated, especially at its early stages. Many mesothelioma patients live for many years without the disease spreading to other parts of their body.
Asbestos exposure can cause mesothelioma through various mechanisms. Asbestos fibers that are tiny enough to be felt or viewed through the naked eye can be airborne, causing irritation to the lining of the lung (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 consists of cells that react when exposed to asbestos. They cause inflammation of the tissue and cause it to scar. In time, these changes can lead to the development of malignant mesothelioma cancers.
The signs of pleural mesothelioma can include breathlessness and chest pain as well as the accumulation of fluid in the lung (pleural effusion). In rare instances the cancer may spread to the tissues surrounding the heart and reproductive organs.
If imaging scans show an area of concern in the lungs or stomach the doctor will request biopsies. During the procedure, doctors remove small amounts of the fluid or tumor for lab testing. The results can confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma, and also determine the most effective treatment plan.
There are a variety of mesothelioma treatment options, including chemotherapy, surgery and immunotherapy. Most doctors rely on the combination of these methods. Participating in clinical trials for mesothelioma treatments that are new could be beneficial for patients. To learn more, patients should speak to mesothelioma experts who have expertise in treating the condition.