Mesothelioma and Asbestos
Asbestos, a natural mineral, naturally occurs in the form of thin, long fibers. Workers who are exposed asbestos on a regular basis are at risk of developing mesothelioma as well as other lung diseases.
It can take years before symptoms begin to manifest after asbestos exposure. Different types of asbestos may cause different symptoms.
Pleural Mesothelioma
Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer that affects the outer lung the lining (pleura). It is the most frequent mesothelioma type, accounting for up between 70 and 79% of diagnosed cases. The condition can cause chest pain, shortness of breathe and a feeling heavyness.
This kind of cancer is typically caused by exposure to asbestos, which is a collection of minerals composed of microscopic fibers. The fibers, when inhaled cause irritation and DNA mutations. Pleura is the lining of both the chest cavity and the lungs, and so irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma usually doesn't show symptoms until 30 to 50 years after exposure.
Chest pain and shortness breath are the most frequent symptoms. Some patients may also suffer from chest tightness or coughing. They may also experience difficulty breathing. Patients with this type of cancer typically have a history of exposure to asbestos in the workplace. The most prevalent 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 usage in Navy vessels and army bunkers.
The most common staging system for pleural mesothelioma is the TNM (tumor, lymph nodes and metastases) staging system. The stage a patient has upon diagnosis will help their doctor determine the most effective treatment plan for them. Patients suffering from pleural mesothelioma who is in stage three or stage four will have a worse outlook than those who are in a less advanced stage. Stage four mesothelioma often spreads to the diaphragm, liver and/or a person's heart. This makes it more difficult to treat and increase the risk of complications for the patient.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
As opposed to pleural mesothelioma that is a lung-lining cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma is found in the peritoneum, an elongated membrane that covers the abdominal cavity as well as organs like the liver and intestines. Like pleural mesothelioma, peritoneal mesothelioma is triggered by asbestos exposure. The disease is less common than pleural mesothelioma. There are around 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.
As with pleural asbestosis, symptoms can take a long time to manifest. Most patients experience abdominal pain and abdominal swelling. This mesothelioma type can cause nausea, weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms are similar to those of digestive problems, which can lead to confusion in diagnosis.
Doctors can identify mesothelioma by reviewing the medical history of the patient and conducting a physical exam. They may also employ imaging tests like X-rays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to detect mesothelioma. These tests can identify tumors and other signs of cancer that are not evident on X-rays.
The results of these tests allow doctors to identify mesothelioma, and determine the stage. They also offer treatments. The stage is determined by the type of cell as well as whether the tumor has spread.
Asbestos exposure is the biggest risk factor. People who have been exposed to asbestos in occupations, like electrical or plumbing work or in construction, manufacturing and manufacturing are more likely to contract the disease. Even if an individual isn't employed in any of these areas however, they may still be exposed through family members or other sources. Anyone who thinks they may be at risk should consult a doctor. A mesothelioma specialist can help those who have had a history with asbestos to learn more about their risk.
Risk Factors
Asbestos exposure is a major risk factor for mesothelioma, accounting for up to 80 percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos may occur through work, military service or through living with a person who works with asbestos or has previously done such. When exposed to richardson asbestos attorneys , particles are able to be inhaled into lungs and abdomen. These irritate the linings and trigger 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 and 50s are more likely develop mesothelioma than those who are younger or more senior. It takes mesothelioma 20-60 years before it manifests cancer symptoms after the first exposure. It is important to remember that mesothelioma can develop in people who have been exposed to asbestos, but did not work with it directly. This is referred to as secondary or indirect exposure to asbestos. It can be just as dangerous as direct exposure.
Smoking increases a person's chances of getting mesothelioma because it damages the mesothelium, which makes it more vulnerable to asbestos. Mesothelioma can also be caused by certain diseases, such as asbestosis and pneumonia. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than women. This is because 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 carry asbestos fibers on their clothing. Women tend to have less exposure to asbestos and rarely carry asbestos home on their clothing.
Diagnosis
Mesothelioma is a difficult cancer to diagnose because the symptoms are often similar to other conditions. This can result in patients being misdiagnosed.
The first step in diagnosing mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform a physical exam and take note of the medical history of the patient, including asbestos exposure. Doctors will also recommend a CT scan or chest X-ray to look for lumps, abnormalities, and evidence of asbestos exposure. These include pleural plaques, thickened pleura and calcium deposits.
Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI test, that uses magnets and radio waves in order to create a series of detailed images of inside the body. Another way doctors can diagnose mesothelioma is by performing an operation called a biopsy. During a surgical biopsy, doctors remove a small piece of tissue from the pleura or peritoneum for further analysis. A pathologist can then look at the tissue under microscopes to determine if it contains cancerous cells.
Mesothelioma is classified according to the type of mesothelial cells involved, whether these cells are benign or malignant and also the location, type, and stage of the cancer. Certain types of mesothelioma are at greater risk of metastasizing or spreading therefore it is essential to get a definitive diagnosis so doctors can treat it prior to it becoming out of control.
Doctors may also conduct tests in the laboratory on a tumor to find specific genes, proteins and other factors that help them understand the characteristics of the cancer and determine a treatment. These results are referred to as staging.
Treatment
A mesothelioma diagnosis is an incredibly frightening prospect. It is important to keep in mind, however, that cancer can be treated particularly in its initial stages. Many mesothelioma patients live for a long time with the disease, without spreading to other organs of their body.
Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma through various mechanisms. Asbestos particles, which are too small to be able to see or feel by the naked eye can become airborne and cause irritation to the lung's lining (pleura). As time passes, the irritation causes the formation of scar tissue, which causes changes in the structure of cells that eventually develop into tumors.
The pleura surrounds the lungs and heart and the abdomen. Mesothelium consists of cells that react to asbestos and cause it to enflame and form scar tissue. As time passes, these changes lead to the development of malignant mesothelioma cancers.
Breathing problems, chest discomfort, or the accumulation of fluid on the lungs are all indications of the pleural mesothelioma. In rare instances cancer can spread to the tissues that surround the reproductive organs and heart.
A doctor will order biopsy if imaging scans reveal a possible lung tumor or stomach. In the course of the procedure, doctors remove some of the fluid or tumor for lab tests. The results can confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis, and determine the best treatment option.
There are many types of mesothelioma treatment, including surgery, chemotherapy and immunotherapy. Most doctors rely on a combination of these methods. Patients may also benefit from participating in a clinical study of new mesothelioma treatments. To find out more, patients should consult a mesothelioma specialist who has experience treating the condition.