Mesothelioma and Asbestos
Asbestos is a natural mineral that comes in long, thin fibres. Workers who are exposed asbestos on a regular basis are at risk of developing mesothelioma as well as other lung diseases.
It could take a long time for symptoms to show up after asbestos exposure. Different asbestos types may cause different symptoms.
Pleural Mesothelioma
Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer of the lung's outer lining also known as pleura. It is the most common mesothelioma form and is responsible for 70 to 79% of diagnosed cases. Patients suffering from this condition experience pain in the chest and breathlessness and may also feel a sensation of heaviness in the chest.
Exposure to asbestos, a family of minerals comprised of microscopic fibers causes this type of cancer. When inhaled, these fibers can cause irritation and DNA mutations. The pleura surrounds the lungs and chest cavity and therefore, these irritations could affect both the lungs and the heart of a person. Mesothelioma is usually not symptomatic until 30 to 50 year after exposure.
Shortness of breath and chest pain are the most frequently reported symptoms. Some patients may also suffer from chest tightness or coughing. They may also experience difficulty breathing. Patients with this cancer have a history that includes asbestos exposure at work. Manufacturing, construction and shipbuilding are the most prevalent occupations that put people at a high danger of developing pleural melanoma. People who were in the military are at greater risk due to the frequent use of
asbestos lawsuit in Navy vessels and bunkers for the Army.
The most popular staging method for pleural mesothelioma is the TNM (tumor lymph nodes, lymph nodes and metastases) staging system. The stage a patient has when they are diagnosed will aid their doctor in determining the most effective treatment plan for them. For example, patients with mesothelioma that is pleural in stage three or four have a less favorable prognosis than those in a lower stage. Mesothelioma in stage four is usually spread to the diaphragm, liver or even a person's heart. This can make it more difficult to treat and raises the risk of complications for the patient.
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 intestines and the liver. Similar to pleural mesothelioma and peritoneal mesothelioma is triggered by asbestos exposure. The disease is less common than pleural mesothelioma, and only about 300-500 cases diagnosed each year.
As with pleural mesothelioma symptoms can take a long time to manifest. Most patients experience abdominal pain and an abdominal mass. The symptoms of this kind of mesothelioma may also include nausea as well as weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms could be mistaken for gastrointestinal problems which can lead to a mistaken diagnosis.
Generally speaking, doctors can detect mesothelioma by conducting an exhaustive health history and physical exam. Imaging tests like X-rays or CT scans can be used to identify mesothelioma. These tests can detect tumors as well as other signs of cancer which aren't visible on X-rays.
These test results enable doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and determine the stage. They can also suggest treatments. The stage is determined by the kind of cell and if the cancer has spread.
The most important risk factor for mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos. People who have worked in asbestos-related jobs, such as plumbing or electrical work, or in construction and manufacturing, are more likely to contract the disease. Even if an individual is not employed in one of these fields they could be exposed to asbestos through family members and other sources. This is why anyone who is concerned that they might be at risk should speak to an expert. A mesothelioma specialist can assist those with a previous history of
asbestos to find out more about their risk.
Risk Factors
Asbestos exposure is the main risk factor for mesothelioma, accounting for up to 80 percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos may occur as a result of military service, work or living with someone who used to work with asbestos. When exposed to asbestos, small particles can be inhaled into the lungs and abdomen. These irritate the linings and can cause cancerous cells to grow in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma can take anywhere between 15 and 60 years to develop following exposure to asbestos.
Other risk factors include smoking, genetics, and age. People in their 40s and 50s are at greater risk of developing mesothelioma as compared to people who are younger or more. This is because mesothelioma usually lasts between 20 and 60 years from the initial exposure before cancer symptoms appear. It is also important to note that mesothelioma can develop in people who have been exposed to
asbestos legal but did not work with it directly. This is known as indirect or secondary asbestos exposure and can be as dangerous as direct
asbestos case exposure.
Smoking increases the risk of mesothelioma, since it damages mesothelium. It can also make it more vulnerable. Mesothelioma is also aggravated by certain illnesses such as asbestosis and pneumonia. It is also important to remember that mesothelioma is more prevalent for men than women. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for a longer time and to work with
asbestos claim for longer periods of time. Men are also more likely to live with someone who has had asbestos exposure and bring asbestos fibers that have escaped home on their clothing. Women are less likely to come into contact with asbestos and rarely carry asbestos on their clothing.
Diagnosis
Mesothelioma is a difficult cancer to identify because the symptoms often resemble other conditions. Due to this, patients are sometimes mistakenly diagnosed.
NYU Langone doctors will perform physical examinations and document the patient's medical background including asbestos exposure. Doctors may also order an X-ray of the chest or CT scan to check for lumps or other abnormalities, as well as evidence of past asbestos exposure such as plaques in the pleura (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the buildup of fluid between the lung and the chest wall (known as the pleural effusion).
Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance scan or MRI test, which uses radio waves and magnets to create a series of detailed images of inside the body. A surgical biopsy is yet another method for doctors to identify mesothelioma. During a surgery biopsy doctors will remove a small piece of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum, to be tested further. A pathologist is then able to examine the tissue with microscopes to determine if it has cancerous cells.
Mesothelioma is classified based on the type of mesothelial cells involved, whether those cells are benign or malignant and the location, type, and stage of the tumor. Certain types of mesothelioma are more likely to develop metastasis or spread, so it is important to have a clear diagnosis so doctors can treat the disease before it goes out of control.
Doctors may also conduct tests in the lab on tumors to identify specific proteins, genes, or other factors which can aid in describing cancer characteristics and determine the best treatment. These results are called staging.
Treatment
A mesothelioma diagnosis can be terrifying. It is important to remember that cancer can be treated particularly in its initial stages. Many patients with mesothelioma be afflicted for many years without it spreading.
Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma in many ways.