Mesothelioma and Asbestos
Asbestos is a natural mineral that is found in thin, long fibres. People who are exposed to asbestos on a regular basis are at risk of developing mesothelioma as well as other lung diseases of different types.
It may take decades for symptoms to appear after exposure to asbestos. Different types of asbestos may cause different symptoms.
Pleural Mesothelioma
Pleural mesothelioma occurs in the lung's outer lining, or the pleura. It is the most prevalent type of mesothelioma, making up 70% to 79% of all diagnosed cases. Patients with this disease suffer from chest pain and shortness of breath and may experience the sensation of weight in the chest.
Exposure to asbestos, a class of minerals made of microscopic fibers causes this kind of cancer. Once inhaled, these fibers stick inside the lung and cause irritation that leads to scarring and DNA mutations. The pleura surrounds the lungs and chest cavity, so these irritations can affect both the lungs as well as a person's heart. Mesothelioma typically doesn't manifest until 30 to 50 years after exposure.
The most common symptoms of pleural melanoma are chest pain and breath shortness. Patients may also experience difficulty breathing, or chest tightness. People who suffer from this cancer usually have an history of exposure to asbestos in the workplace. Manufacturing, construction and shipbuilding are among the most common occupations that put people at a high risk of developing pleural mesothelioma. People who were in the military are at a higher risk due to the extensive use asbestos in Navy vessels and bunkers for the Army.
The TNM (tumors lymph nodes and metastases staging system) is the most common staging system used for pleural adenocarcinoma. 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 mesothelioma that is pleural in stage three or four have a worse prognosis than those in a lower stage. Mesothelioma in stage four can develop into the liver, heart, or diaphragm. This makes the cancer more difficult to treat, and increase the risk of complications for patients.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
In contrast to pleural cancer, which forms in the lining of the lung, peritoneal cancer develops in a membrane that surrounds the abdominal cavity, including organs like the liver and intestines. Similar to pleural mesothelioma, asbestos exposure is the cause of peritoneal mesothelioma. The disease is much less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma. There are around 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.
As with pleural asbestosis, symptoms can take several years to manifest. The majority of patients are afflicted with abdominal pain as well as a mass in the abdomen. Symptoms of this type of mesothelioma may also include nausea as well as weight loss and fever. A lot of these symptoms can be misinterpreted as gastrointestinal issues, leading to a mistaken diagnosis.
Doctors can detect mesothelioma by reviewing the medical history of the patient and conducting a physical exam. They can also use imaging tests such as X-rays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to help find mesothelioma. These tests can reveal tumors and other signs of cancer that aren't evident on X-rays.
These tests enable doctors to diagnose mesothelioma, determine the stage and recommend treatment options. The stage is determined by the kind of cell and if the cancer has spread.
Asbestos exposure is the most important risk factor. People who have worked in asbestos-containing professions, such as plumbing or electrical work, or in construction, manufacturing and manufacturing, are more likely to develop the disease. Even if they do not work in these fields they may be exposed to asbestos through relatives or other sources. Therefore, anyone who is concerned that they might be at risk should speak to an expert. A mesothelioma specialist can assist those who have had a experience with asbestos to understand more about their risk.
Risk Factors
Asbestos is the most significant mesothelioma-related risk factor. It accounts for up to 80% of all cases. Exposure to asbestos can occur due to military service, work or living with someone who used to work with asbestos. Asbestos particles can be inhaled by those who are exposed to it. The particles cause irritation to the linings of the abdomen, which causes cancerous cells to form in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma may take between 15 and 60 years to develop after exposure to asbestos.
Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and age. People in their 40s or 50s are at greater risk of developing mesothelioma compared to those who are younger or older. This is because mesothelioma usually takes 20 to 60 years after the initial exposure to asbestos before symptoms of cancer begin to manifest. It is important to keep in mind, too, that mesothelioma may develop in people who have been exposed to asbestos without having directly worked with it. This is referred to as secondary or indirect exposure to asbestos. It is just as harmful as direct exposure.
Smoking increases the chance of mesothelioma developing, as it damages the mesothelium. It also makes it more susceptible. Mesothelioma can also be aggravated by certain illnesses, including asbestosis and pneumonia. It is also important to know that mesothelioma occurs more frequently in men than women. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for a longer time and work 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 asbestos fibers that have escaped home on their clothes. Women are less likely to be exposed to asbestos, and they are less likely to carry asbestos on their clothes.
Diagnosis
Mesothelioma is a difficult disease to recognize because the symptoms are often similar to other conditions. This is why patients are often misdiagnosed.
NYU Langone doctors will perform an examination of the body and document the patient's medical history including asbestos exposure. Doctors may also order an X-ray chest or CT scan to detect lumps or other abnormalities, and also to look for evidence of past asbestos exposure such as pleural plaques (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the formation 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 that uses radio waves and magnets to make a series of precise images of the inside of the body. Another way for doctors to detect mesothelioma is by performing a surgical biopsy. A surgical biopsy is when doctors remove a small piece of tissue from the peritoneum or pleura to conduct further tests. A pathologist can then examine the tissue under microscopes to determine whether it is contaminated with cancerous cells.
The type of mesothelial cells involved and the benign or malignant nature of the cells and the location, type and stage of the tumor, are used to categorize the disease. Some types of mesothelioma have an increased risk of spreading or metastasizing and it's crucial to establish a clear diagnosis to ensure that the doctors can treat it before it gets out-of-control.
Doctors may also conduct tests in the lab on tumors to identify specific proteins, genes or other elements that can help them describe cancer characteristics and plan treatment. These results are known as staging.
Treatment
A diagnosis of mesothelioma may be terrifying. But, it is crucial to remember that the disease is treatable, particularly in its early stages. A lot of people suffering from mesothelioma live with the disease for a long time, without spreading.
Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma in a number of ways. Asbestos fibers, which are small enough to not be felt or observed through the naked eye, can become airborne, irritating the lining of the lung (pleura). In time the irritation causes the formation of scar tissue and eventually tumors.
The pleura is a protective covering that surrounds the abdomen, heart, and lungs. Mesothelium is made up of cells that respond when exposed to asbestos. They inflame the tissue and cause it to scar. These changes eventually lead to malignant mesothelioma tumours.
Shortness of breath, chest discomfort or fluid buildup on the lungs are all indications of pleural msothelioma. In rare instances the cancer may spread to the tissues surrounding the heart and reproductive organs.
A doctor will request a biopsy if imaging scans reveal a possible tumor in the lungs or stomach. In the course of the procedure, doctors remove a small amount of liquid or tumor for laboratory testing. The results will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and help determine the best treatment option.
There are several types of mesothelioma treatment, which include chemotherapy, surgery, and immunotherapy. lowell asbestos law firm use combinations of these treatments. Patients can also benefit by taking part in a clinical trial of new mesothelioma therapies. Patients can learn more about the trials by consulting a mesothelioma specialist who has treated the condition.