Mesothelioma and Asbestos
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that comes in long, thin fibres. Workers who are exposed to asbestos regularly are at risk of developing mesothelioma as well as other lung diseases.
The symptoms of these diseases may not manifest for years after exposure to asbestos. Different asbestos types can cause different symptoms.
Pleural Mesothelioma
Pleural mesothelioma, a form of cancer, that occurs in the outer lung lining (pleura). It is the most common form of mesothelioma and accounts for 70% to 79% all diagnosed cases. Patients with this disease suffer from chest pain and breath shortness, and they may feel a sensation of heaviness in the chest.
Exposure to asbestos, a class of minerals composed of microscopic fibers, usually causes this type of cancer. The fibers, when inhaled cause irritation and DNA mutations. Pleura is the lining of both the chest cavity as well as the lungs, so irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma symptoms typically don't show until 30 to 50 years after exposure.
The most commonly reported symptoms of pleural melanoma are chest pain and breath shortness. Patients may also experience chest tightness or coughing. They may also experience difficulty breathing. Patients with this cancer have a history of disease that includes asbestos exposure at work. The most prevalent jobs that expose workers to the risk of pleural mesothelioma include manufacturing, construction and shipbuilding. People who have worked in the military are at a higher risk due to the widespread asbestos usage in Navy ships and bunkers for the army.
The TNM (tumors, lymph nodes, and metastases staging system) is the most common staging system used for the pleural cancer. The stage that a patient is at upon diagnosis will help their doctor determine the best treatment plan for them. For example, patients with mesothelioma that is pleural in stage three or four have a worse prognosis than patients with lower stages. Stage four mesothelioma is often spread to the diaphragm, liver or even the heart of a patient. This can make the cancer more difficult to treat, and increase the risk of complications for the patient.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
Unlike pleural cancer, which forms in the lung's lining it develops in a membrane that covers the abdominal cavity, which includes organs such as the liver and intestines. Similar to pleural mesothelioma mesothelioma is caused by asbestos exposure. The disease is much less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma, with around 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.
Like pleural mesothelioma, symptoms can take years to show. The majority of patients experience abdominal pain and an abdominal mass. The symptoms of this kind of mesothelioma may also include nausea or weight loss, as well as fever. Many of these symptoms are similar to symptoms of digestive problems, which can lead to incorrect diagnosis.
The doctors can detect mesothelioma through reviewing the medical history of the patient and conducting a physical exam. They can also utilize imaging tests such as X-rays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to identify mesothelioma. These tests can show cancerous tumors or other signs of cancer that aren't apparent on an X-ray.
The results of these tests allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and establish the stage. They can also suggest treatment options. The staging is determined by the type of cell and whether or the cancer has spread to other parts of the body.
The most important risk factor for mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos. People who have worked in asbestos-containing professions, such as electrical or plumbing work or in manufacturing and construction, are more likely to contract the disease. Even if a person isn't employed in any of these areas, he or she can still be exposed to asbestos through family members and other sources. Therefore, anyone who suspects they may be at risk should talk to a doctor. If they have any 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 which accounts for as much as 80 percent of all cases. Exposure to asbestos may occur through work, military service, or by living with someone who is exposed to asbestos or was previously exposed to doing so. Asbestos particles can be inhaled by people who are exposed to asbestos. They can cause irritation to the linings of the abdomen and trigger cancerous cells to form in the mesothelium. After exposure to asbestos mesothelioma is likely to develop between 15 and 60 years old.
Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and the advancing age. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely to be diagnosed with mesothelioma compared to those who are younger or older. It takes mesothelioma between 20 and 60 years before it manifests cancer symptoms after the first exposure. It is important to keep in mind, too, that mesothelioma may occur in people who have been exposed to asbestos, but without having worked with it directly. This is referred to as secondary or indirect exposure to asbestos and it can be just as dangerous as direct exposure.
Smoking can increase the likelihood of getting mesothelioma because it damages the mesothelium and makes it more vulnerable to asbestos. Mesothelioma can also be caused by certain illnesses, including asbestosis and pneumonia. It is also important to note that mesothelioma occurs more frequently in males than females. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for a longer time and to have worked with asbestos for longer durations and to work with it. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who has been exposed to asbestos, and to have asbestos-containing fibers on their clothing. Women are less likely to come into contact with asbestos and rarely carry asbestos on their clothing.
Diagnosis
It is difficult to recognize mesothelioma because its symptoms are often similar to other diseases. This could lead to patients being misdiagnosed.
NYU Langone doctors will perform a physical examination and record the patient's medical history including asbestos exposure. Doctors can also request an X-ray chest or CT scan to check for lumps and other abnormalities as well as evidence of previous asbestos exposure such as pleural plaques (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the buildup of fluid between the lung and the chest wall (known as pleural effusion).
Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance scan or MRI test, which makes use of magnets and radio waves in order to produce a series of precise images of the insides of the body. Another method doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma is by performing an operation called a biopsy. During a surgical biopsy, doctors remove a small amount of tissue from the peritoneum or pleura for further analysis. A pathologist will then look at the tissue with an magnifying glass to determine if it is a cancerous cell.
The type of mesothelial cells involved and the benign or malignant nature of the cells and the location, type and stage of the cancer are used to classify the disease. Some types of mesothelioma are more likely to grow or spread which is why it is crucial to establish a definitive diagnosis to ensure that doctors are able to treat the disease before it goes out of control.
Doctors can also perform tests in the laboratory on tumors to identify specific proteins, genes or other factors that can aid in describing cancer characteristics and determine the best treatment. These results are known as staging.
Treatment
A mesothelioma diagnose can be terrifying. However, it's important to remember that the cancer is treatable, particularly in its early stages. Many patients with mesothelioma survive for many years with the disease without it spreading to other organs of their body.
Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma in a number of ways. Asbestos fibers, which are too small to see or feel through the naked eye, can become airborne and cause irritation to the lining of the lungs (pleura). In providence asbestos lawsuit causes the formation of scar tissue and eventually tumors.
The Pleura is a protective layer that protects the abdomen, heart, and lungs. Mesothelium consists of cells that react to asbestos and cause it to enflame and form scar tissue. These changes can eventually result in malignant mesothelioma tumors.
Breathing problems, chest pain or fluid accumulation on the lungs are all signs of pleural Msothelioma. In rare cases, cancer can spread into the tissues surrounding the reproductive organs and the heart.
A doctor will request a biopsy if imaging scans reveal a possible lung tumor or stomach. During the procedure doctors remove some of the fluid or tumor to allow for lab tests. The results will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and indicate the most effective treatment plan.
There are several types of mesothelioma treatment options, which include chemotherapy, surgery, and immunotherapy. Most doctors rely on an amalgamation of these techniques. Enrolling in clinical trials of mesothelioma treatments may be beneficial to patients. To learn more about the trials, patients should consult a mesothelioma specialist who has had experience treating the disease.