Mesothelioma and Asbestos
asbestos legal, a mineral that naturally forms in the form of thin, long fibers. People who are exposed to asbestos on a regular basis are at risk of developing mesothelioma as well as other types of lung diseases.
It could take a long time for symptoms to show up after asbestos exposure. Different asbestos types can cause different symptoms.
Pleural Mesothelioma
Pleural mesothelioma can be found in the outer lung lining, or pleura. It is the most common mesothelioma that accounts for up between 70 and 79% of all diagnosed cases. Patients suffering from this condition feel chest pain and breathlessness, and they may feel the sensation of weight in the chest.
Exposure to asbestos, a class of minerals composed of microscopic fibers causes this type of cancer. Once inhaled, these fibers stick inside the lung and cause irritation that causes scarring and DNA mutations. The pleura surrounds the chest cavity and lungs and therefore, these irritations could affect both the lungs and the heart of a person. Mesothelioma symptoms are usually not apparent until 30 to 50 years after exposure.
Shortness of breath and chest pain are the most frequent symptoms. Patients may also experience chest tightness and coughing, or breathing difficulties. People with this cancer often have previous exposure to asbestos in the workplace. The most prevalent jobs that expose workers to the risk of developing pleural cancer are manufacturing, construction and shipbuilding. People who served in the military are at higher risk due to the extensive use asbestos in Navy vessels and bunkers in the Army.
The most commonly used staging system for pleural mysothelioma has been the TNM (tumor lymph nodes, lymph nodes, and metastases) staging system. The stage a patient is in when they are diagnosed will aid their doctor in determining the most appropriate treatment plan for them. For example, patients with mesothelioma that is pleural in stage three or four have a worse prognosis than patients with a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma may be spread to the liver, heart or diaphragm. This makes it more difficult to treat and raises the risk of complications for patients.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
Unlike pleural cancer, which forms in the lining of the lung it develops in the membrane that covers the abdominal cavity, which includes organs such as the liver and intestines. Similar to pleural mesothelioma mesothelioma is triggered by asbestos exposure. It is estimated that only 300-500 cases are diagnosed each year which is lower than pleural asbestosis.
As with pleural asbestosis, symptoms can take years to show. Patients generally suffer from abdominal pain and could also experience a mass in their abdomen. This mesothelioma type can cause nausea, weight loss, and fever. A lot of these symptoms are similar to those experienced by digestive issues, which could lead to confusion in diagnosis.
Generally speaking, doctors can detect mesothelioma by conducting an extensive medical history and physical exam. Imaging tests like X-rays and CT scans are a way to detect mesothelioma. These tests can show cancerous tumors or other symptoms of cancer that aren't visible on an X-ray.
These test results allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and determine the stage and recommend treatment options. The stage is determined by the type of cell and whether the tumor has spread.
The most important mesothelioma risk factor is asbestos exposure. People who have worked in asbestos-related occupations, like electrical or plumbing work, or in construction and manufacturing, are more likely to develop the disease. Even if an individual is not employed in any of these areas they could be exposed to asbestos to
asbestos compensation through family members and other sources. Anyone who thinks they are at risk should speak with a doctor. If they have an history of exposure to asbestos, a mesothelioma specialist can assist them in finding out more about the risk.
Risk Factors
asbestos lawsuit is the primary mesothelioma-related risk factor. It accounts for up to 80% of all cases. Exposure to asbestos can occur as a result of military service, work or living with people who have worked with asbestos. Asbestos particles can be inhaled by those who are exposed to asbestos. The particles cause irritation to the linings, causing 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. The people in their 40s or 50s are at a higher 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 before the first signs of cancer appear. It is also important to know that mesothelioma may develop in people who have been exposed to asbestos but didn't work with it directly. This is known as secondary or indirect asbestos exposure and can be as hazardous as direct asbestos exposure.
Smoking increases the chance of mesothelioma developing, as it damages the mesothelium. It can also make it more vulnerable. Mesothelioma can also be caused by certain illnesses, including asbestosis and pneumonia. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than females. This is due to the fact that men are more likely to work with asbestos and have a longer period of exposure than women. Men are also more likely to live with someone who has worked with asbestos and carry asbestos fibers from their workplace on their clothes. Women tend to have less contact with
asbestos case (
research by the staff of Technetbloggers) and do not typically carry asbestos home on their clothing.
Diagnosis
Mesothelioma is a difficult disease to recognize because the symptoms can be similar to other diseases. This is why patients are sometimes wrongly diagnosed.
NYU Langone doctors will perform a physical examination and record the patient's medical background, including asbestos exposure. Doctors can also request a chest X-ray or CT scan to look for lumps and other abnormalities, as well as evidence of asbestos exposure in the past such as pleural plaques (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the accumulation of fluid between the lung and the chest wall (known as the pleural effusion).
Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram, which examines the blood vessels and the heart as well as a magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI, test, which makes use of magnets and radio waves to create 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 small amount of tissue from the pleura or peritoneum for further testing. A pathologist can look at the tissue under a microscope to see if it is contaminated with cancerous cells.
Mesothelioma is classified based on the mesothelial type involved, whether those cells are malignant or benign and the location of the tumor, the type, and the stage of the cancer. Some types of mesothelioma have an increased risk of metastasizing or spreading therefore it is essential to determine the type of mesothelioma so that doctors can treat it before it gets out-of-control.
Doctors may also conduct tests in the lab on tumors to determine specific genes, proteins and other factors that help them understand the cancer's characteristics and plan treatment. These results are called staging.
Treatment
A mesothelioma diagnosis can be a frightening prospect. It is important to keep in mind, however, that cancer can be treated especially at its early stages. Many patients with mesothelioma survive for a long time without the disease spreading to other parts of their body.
Asbestos exposure can trigger mesothelioma via a variety of mechanisms.