Mesothelioma and Asbestos
asbestos law is a mineral that occurs naturally in the form of thin, long fibers. Workers who are exposed to asbestos on a regular basis risk developing mesothelioma and other types of lung diseases.
The symptoms of these diseases might not be evident for a long time after exposure to asbestos. Different asbestos types may cause different symptoms.
Pleural Mesothelioma
Pleural mesothelioma can be found in the lung’s outer lining also known as pleura. It is the most prevalent mesothelioma type and is responsible for 70 to 79% of diagnosed cases. This condition causes chest discomfort, shortness of breath, and a feeling of weightiness.
Exposure to asbestos, a class of minerals composed of microscopic fibers causes this type of cancer. When inhaled, these fibers cause irritation and DNA mutations. Pleura surrounds both the chest cavity and the lungs, which means that irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma usually doesn’t show symptoms until 30 to 50 year after exposure.
The most commonly reported symptoms of pleural melanoma are chest pain and shortness of breath. Some patients also experience difficulty breathing, or chest tightness. People with this cancer have a past that includes asbestos exposure at work. The most prevalent jobs that put people at risk of pleural mesothelioma include manufacturing, construction, and shipbuilding. People who were in the military are at higher risk due to the frequent use of Asbestos case in Navy vessels and bunkers in the Army.
The TNM (tumors lymph nodes, tumors, and metastases staging system) is the most common staging system used to treat pleural adenocarcinoma. The stage that the patient is in at the moment of diagnosis will determine what treatment plan they should follow. For example, patients with a pleural mesothelioma in stage three or four have a worse prognosis than those in a lower stage. Mesothelioma in stage four can spread to the heart, liver or diaphragm. This can make the cancer more difficult to treat and increase the chances of complications for the patient.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
Contrary to pleural cancer that develops in the lung’s lining the peritoneal cancer is a result of a membrane that covers the abdominal cavity, including organs like the liver and intestines. Similar to pleural mesothelioma, asbestos exposure is the primary cause of peritoneal mesothelioma. It is estimated that only 300-500 cases are diagnosed each year, which is less than the pleural asbestosis.
Like pleural mesothelioma, the symptoms can take a long time to manifest. Patients typically have abdominal pain, and could also experience a mass in their abdomen. This type of mesothelioma may cause nausea, weight loss, and fever. Many of these symptoms could be misinterpreted as gastrointestinal issues which can lead to a misdiagnosis.
The doctors can detect mesothelioma through reviewing the medical history of the patient and performing a physical examination. They can also utilize imaging tests such as X-rays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to detect mesothelioma. These tests can reveal tumors, as well as other symptoms of cancer that aren’t visible on an X-ray.
These tests enable doctors to identify mesothelioma, and determine the stage. They also offer treatments. Staging is determined based on the type of cell and whether or whether the tumor has spread to other regions of the body.
Asbestos exposure is the most important risk factor. People who have worked in professions which require asbestos, such as plumbing or manufacturing, electrical work, or construction, are at greater risk of developing the disease. Even if an individual isn’t employed in one of these areas, he or she can be exposed to asbestos through family members or other sources. Therefore, anyone who believes they could be at risk should speak to an expert. A mesothelioma specialist can help those who have a history with asbestos to learn more about their risk.
Risk Factors
Asbestos exposure is the primary risk factor for mesothelioma making up as much as 80 percent of all cases. Exposure to asbestos case can happen due to work, military service or through living with a person who is exposed to asbestos or has previously done the same. When exposed to asbestos, the particles can be breathed into the lungs and abdomen. They can cause irritation to the linings of the abdomen and trigger cancerous cells to grow in the mesothelium. After exposure to asbestos, mesothelioma may develop between 15 and 60 years.
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 before it manifests cancer symptoms after the first exposure. It is important to remember that mesothelioma may develop in people who have been exposed to asbestos but did not work with it directly. This is known as secondary or indirect exposure to asbestos. 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 susceptible to asbestos case. Additionally, mesothelioma can be exacerbated by certain illnesses like pneumonia and asbestosis. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than women. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for a longer time and work with it. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who been exposed to asbestos, and to have asbestos law fibers on their clothing. 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 recognize mesothelioma due to its symptoms being frequently similar to other illnesses. This is why patients are sometimes misdiagnosed.
The first step in diagnosing mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform a physical exam and take down a patient’s medical history including asbestos exposure. Doctors may also order an X-ray chest or CT scan to detect lumps and other abnormalities, and also to look for evidence of previous asbestos exposure such as pleural plaques (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the buildup of fluid between the lung and chest wall (known as the pleural effusion).
Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance image or MRI test, which uses radio waves and magnets in order to produce a series of precise images of the inside of the body. A surgical biopsy is a different method doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma. In a surgical biopsy, doctors remove a tiny part of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum, to be tested further. A pathologist will then look at the tissue using a magnifying lens to determine if it contains cancerous cell.
The type of mesothelial cells involved and the benign or malignant nature of the cells and the location the cancer, its type and the stage of the tumor, are used to classify the disease. Certain mesothelioma types have a higher chance of metastasizing or spreading therefore it is essential to get a definitive diagnosis to ensure that the doctors can treat it prior to it becoming out-of-control.
Doctors can also perform laboratory tests on tumors in order to determine specific proteins, genes or other factors that can help them describe the characteristics of cancer and plan treatment. These results are called staging.
Treatment
A mesothelioma diagnose can be terrifying. It is important to keep in mind, however, that cancer can be treated, particularly in its early stages. Many people with mesothelioma can endure the disease for many years without it spreading.
Exposure to asbestos may cause mesothelioma in many ways. Asbestos fibres, small enough to not be felt or observed with the naked eyes, can become airborne and irritate the lining of the lung (pleura). As time passes the irritation causes the formation of scar tissue and eventually tumors.
The Pleura is a covering that covers the abdomen, heart, and lungs. Mesothelium is composed of cells that react to asbestos and cause it to enflame and create scar tissue. Overtime, these changes result in the growth of malignant mesothelioma tumors.
Shortness of breath, chest discomfort or fluid buildup on the lungs are all indications of the pleural mesothelioma. In rare instances, the cancer can be spread to the tissues around the heart and reproductive organs.
If imaging scans show an area of concern in the stomach or lungs doctors will recommend biopsies. The procedure involves the removal of small amounts of liquid or tumor for laboratory testing. The results will confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis and indicate the most effective treatment plan.
There are a variety of mesothelioma treatments, which include chemotherapy, surgery, and immunotherapy. The majority of doctors employ the combination of these treatments. Participating in clinical trials of mesothelioma treatments may be beneficial to patients. Patients can learn more about the trials by speaking with a mesothelioma doctor who has treated mesothelioma.
