Mesothelioma and Asbestos
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that is found in thin, long fibres. Workers who are exposed 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 types of asbestos may cause different symptoms.
Pleural Mesothelioma
Pleural mesothelioma, a form of cancer, that develops in the lung's outer lining (pleura). It is the most prevalent mesothelioma type and is responsible for 70 to 79% of diagnosed cases. The condition can cause chest pain, shortness of breathe and a feeling of heavyness.
Exposure to asbestos, a class of minerals comprised of microscopic fibers, typically causes this type of cancer. The fibers, when inhaled can cause irritation and DNA mutations. The pleura covers the lungs and chest cavity and therefore, these irritations could affect both the lungs and a person's heart. Mesothelioma symptoms typically don't show until 30 to 50 years after exposure.
Shortness of breath and chest pain are the most frequent symptoms. Some patients have coughing problems, trouble breathing or chest tightness. People who suffer from this cancer usually have an history of exposure to
Asbestos Legal in the workplace. The most common jobs that expose people to the risk of pleural mesothelioma include manufacturing, construction, and shipbuilding. People who served in the military are at greater risk due the widespread use of asbestos in Navy vessels and bunkers for the Army.
The TNM (tumors, lymph nodes, and metastases staging system) is the most popular staging system used to treat the pleural cancer. The stage that a patient is at upon diagnosis will aid their doctor in determining the best treatment plan for them. Patients with pleural mesothelioma that is in stage three or stage four will have a worse prognosis than those who are in a less advanced stage. Stage four mesothelioma can spread to the heart, liver or diaphragm. This makes it more difficult to treat and increases the likelihood of complications for the patient.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
Unlike pleural cancer, that develops in the lining of the lung, peritoneal cancer develops in the membrane that covers the abdominal cavity, including organs such as the intestines and liver. Similar to pleural mesothelioma mesothelioma can be caused by asbestos exposure. There are only 300-500 cases diagnosed annually, which is less than pleural asbestosis.
As with pleural mesothelioma symptoms can take a long time to manifest. Patients generally have abdominal pain, and could also experience a mass in their abdomen. Symptoms of this type of mesothelioma could also include nausea as well as weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms can be misinterpreted as digestive issues, leading to a misdiagnosis.
The doctors can detect mesothelioma through examining the patient's medical history and performing a physical examination. They can also utilize imaging tests like X-rays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to help find mesothelioma. These tests can reveal tumors, as well as other signs of cancer that aren't visible on an X-ray.
These test results enable doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and determine the stage. They can also recommend treatments. The stage is determined by the kind of cell and if the tumor has spread.
Asbestos exposure is the biggest risk factor. People who have worked in jobs that require asbestos, such as plumbing electrical work, manufacturing or construction, are at greater risk of developing the disease. Even if someone isn't employed in one of these areas they could be exposed to
asbestos claim to asbestos through family members and other sources. Therefore, anyone who suspects they may be at risk should talk to an expert. A mesothelioma specialist can assist those who have a history with asbestos to learn more about their risk.
Risk Factors
Asbestos exposure is the main 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 a person who is exposed to asbestos or was previously exposed to doing the same. When exposed to asbestos, the particles can be breathed into the abdomen and lungs. These irritate the linings and trigger cancerous cells to form in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma may take between 15 and 60 years to develop following exposure to asbestos.
Other risk factors include smoking, genetics, and age. The people in their 40s or 50s are more at chance of developing mesothelioma to people who are younger or more. This is because mesothelioma usually takes 20 to 60 years from the first exposure to asbestos before symptoms of cancer begin to manifest. It is also important to know that mesothelioma may develop in those who were exposed to asbestos but did not deal with it directly. This is referred to as indirect or secondary exposure to
asbestos litigation, and it is just as harmful as direct exposure.
Smoking increases the chance of mesothelioma as it damages the mesothelium. It can also make it more vulnerable. Furthermore, mesothelioma is caused by certain illnesses, such as asbestosis and pneumonia. It is also important to know that mesothelioma occurs more frequently for men than women. 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 been exposed to asbestos, and to have asbestos-containing fibers on their clothing. Women are less likely to be exposed to asbestos, and don't typically carry
asbestos lawsuit on their clothes.
Diagnosis
It is difficult to identify mesothelioma because its symptoms are often similar to other conditions. This can lead to victims being misdiagnosed.
NYU Langone doctors will perform an examination of the body and document the patient's medical background, including
asbestos case exposure. Doctors will also recommend an CT scan or chest X-ray to look for lumps, abnormalities, and evidence of asbestos exposure. These include plaques in the pleura, thickened pleura and calcium deposits.
Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance image, or MRI test, that uses radio waves and magnets to create a series detailed images of inside the body. A surgical biopsy is a different method doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma. In a surgical biopsy doctors remove a small piece of tissue from the pleura or peritoneum to conduct further tests. A pathologist is then able to examine the tissue under a microscope to see if it has cancerous cells.
Mesothelioma is classified according to the mesothelial type involved, whether the cells are malignant or benign, and the location of the tumor, its type, and the stage of the cancer. Some types of mesothelioma have an increased risk of spreading or metastasizing 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 laboratory on tumors in order to determine specific proteins, genes, or other factors which can help them describe cancer characteristics and determine the best treatment. These results are known as staging.
Treatment
A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be terrifying. However, it's important to keep in mind that the cancer is treatable, especially in its earlier stages. Many people with mesothelioma can live with the disease for many years without it expanding.
Exposure to asbestos can trigger mesothelioma in many ways. Asbestos fibers, too small to see or feel by the naked eye can be airborne and cause irritation to the lining of the lungs (pleura). In time the irritation can lead to the formation of scar tissue and eventually tumors.
The pleura surrounds the lungs and heart and the abdomen. Mesothelium consists of cells that react to asbestos which causes it to become inflamed and form scar tissue. Overtime, these changes cause the development of malignant mesothelioma cancers.
Symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include shortness of breath, chest pain or an accumulation of fluid on the lung (pleural effusion). In rare instances, cancer can spread into the tissues surrounding the reproductive organs as well as the heart.
A doctor will request biopsy if scans reveal a possible lung tumor or stomach. During the procedure, doctors remove a small sample of the fluid or tumor for lab analysis. The results can confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and determine the most effective treatment plan.
There are many types of mesothelioma treatment options, including surgery, chemotherapy and immunotherapy. The majority of doctors employ a combination of these treatments. Patients can also benefit by enrolling in a clinical trial of new mesothelioma treatments. Patients can find out more by consulting a mesothelioma specialist who has treated mesothelioma.
