Mesothelioma and Asbestos
Asbestos is a mineral that naturally forms in the form of thin, long fibers. Workers who are exposed to asbestos on a regular basis risk developing mesothelioma and other lung diseases of different types.
It may take decades before symptoms begin to manifest after exposure to asbestos. Different types of asbestos can cause different symptoms.
Pleural Mesothelioma
Pleural mesothelioma occurs in the lung's outer lining or pleura. It is the most frequent mesothelioma type and accounts for 70% to 79% of all diagnosed cases. People with this condition experience pain in the chest and breath shortness and may experience the sensation of weight in the chest.
Exposure to asbestos, a family of minerals made of microscopic fibers, typically causes this type of cancer. Once inhaled, these fibers stick inside the lung and cause irritation that leads to scarring and DNA mutations. Pleura is the lining of both the chest cavity as well as the lungs, which means that irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma symptoms usually don't appear until 30 to 50 years after exposure.
The most common symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are chest discomfort and shortness of breath. Some patients may also feel tightness in their chest and coughing, or breathing difficulties. People with this cancer have a history of disease that includes asbestos exposure at work. Construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding are among the most common jobs that put people at high risk of developing pleural mesothelioma. People who have served in the military are at risk because of the extensive use of asbestos in Navy vessels and bunkers used by the army.
The most commonly used staging method for pleural mesothelioma is the TNM (tumor, lymph nodes and metastases) staging system. The stage a patient is in at the moment of diagnosis will determine what treatment plan they should follow. For example, patients with mesothelioma pleural stage three or four have a worse prognosis than patients with a lower stage. Mesothelioma in stage four is usually spread to the liver, diaphragm or even a person's heart. This makes it more difficult to treat and raises the chance of complications for the patient.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
In contrast to pleural mesothelioma which develops in the lung lining, peritoneal mesothelioma is found in the peritoneum, a membrane that lines the abdominal cavity and organs like the intestines and liver. Like pleural mesothelioma, asbestos exposure is the primary reason for peritoneal msothelioma. The disease is much less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma, and around 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.
As with pleural mesothelioma symptoms can take a long time to manifest. Patients typically have abdominal pain, and could also experience a mass in their abdomen. This mesothelioma type can also cause nausea, weight loss, and fever. A lot of these symptoms can be mistaken for gastrointestinal problems, leading to a misdiagnosis.
Doctors can identify mesothelioma by looking over the medical history of the patient and performing a physical exam. They can also utilize imaging tests like Xrays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to detect mesothelioma. These tests can show tumors, as well as other indications of cancer that aren't visible on X-rays.
These test results allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma, determine the stage of the disease and suggest treatment options. The staging is determined by the type of cell and whether or whether the cancer has spread to other parts of the body.
The most important risk factor for mesothelioma is asbestos exposure. People who have been exposed to asbestos in jobs, such as electrical or plumbing work or in manufacturing and construction are more likely to contract the disease. Even if a person is not employed in any of these areas, he or she can still be exposed through family members and other sources. For this reason, anyone who suspects they may be at risk should speak to an expert. A mesothelioma expert can help those with a history with asbestos to learn more about their risk.
Risk Factors
Asbestos exposure is a major risk factor for mesothelioma, accounting for up to 80 percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos may occur due to work, military service, or living with someone who used to work with asbestos. When exposed to asbestos, the particles can be breathed into the abdomen and lungs. These particles irritate the linings of the abdomen, which causes cancerous cells to develop in the mesothelium. After exposure to asbestos mesothelioma can be diagnosed between 15 and 60 year.
Other risk factors include genetics, smoking and age. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely to get mesothelioma than people younger or older. This is because mesothelioma typically takes 20 to 60 years after the initial exposure before symptoms of cancer begin to manifest. It is important to keep in mind, too, that mesothelioma may develop in people who have been exposed to asbestos, but without having been directly exposed to it. This is referred to as secondary or indirect exposure to asbestos. It is just as harmful as direct exposure.
Smoking increases the risk of getting mesothelioma because it damages the mesothelium and makes it more vulnerable to asbestos. Mesothelioma can also be caused by certain illnesses such as asbestosis and pneumonia. Beaumont asbestos lawyers are more likely to develop mesothelioma than females. This is due to the fact that men are more likely to be exposed to asbestos and endure a an extended period of exposure than women. Additionally, men are more likely to live with someone who worked with asbestos and carry stray asbestos fibers home on their clothes. Women tend to have less exposure to asbestos and rarely carry asbestos around on their clothing.
Diagnosis
It is difficult to diagnose mesothelioma since its symptoms are often similar to other diseases. This is why patients are sometimes wrongly diagnosed.
NYU Langone doctors will perform physical examinations and document the patient's medical history including asbestos exposure. Doctors may also order an X-ray of the chest or CT scan to check for lumps and other abnormalities, and also to look for evidence of past asbestos exposure like pleural plaques (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the accumulation of fluid between the lung and chest wall (known as pleural effusion).
Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance image or MRI test, which uses magnets and radio waves to create a series of detailed images of the inside of the body. Another method doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma is through the procedure of a surgical biopsy. When a biopsy is performed doctors take a tiny piece of tissue from pleura or the peritoneum to be further examined. A pathologist can look at the tissue under microscopes to determine whether it is contaminated with cancerous cells.
Mesothelioma is classified according to the type of mesothelial cell involved, whether the cells are benign or malignant and also the location of the tumor, its type, and the stage of the cancer. Certain mesothelioma types have greater risk of metastasizing or spreading, so it's important to determine the type of mesothelioma so doctors can treat it prior to it becoming out of control.
Doctors can also run tests in the lab on a tumor to find particular proteins, genes and other factors that can help them describe the characteristics of cancer and plan treatment. These results are known as staging.
Treatment
A mesothelioma diagnosis can be an incredibly frightening prospect. However, it is important to keep in mind that the cancer can be treated, particularly in its early stages. Many people with mesothelioma can endure the disease for a long time, without spreading.
Exposure to asbestos can trigger mesothelioma via various mechanisms. Asbestos fibers, too small to be able to see or feel with the naked eye, can be airborne and cause irritation to the lung's lining (pleura). As time passes the irritation causes the formation of scar tissue that eventually result in tumors.
The pleura covers the lungs and the heart, as well as the abdomen. Mesothelium consists of cells that respond when exposed to asbestos. They cause inflammation of the tissue and cause it to become scarred. As time passes, these changes cause the development of malignant mesothelioma tumors.
A shortness of breath, chest pain or fluid accumulation on the lungs are all signs of the pleural msothelioma. In rare instances, the cancer can spread to the tissues surrounding the heart and reproductive organs.
A doctor will order biopsy if imaging scans show the possibility of a mass in the lungs or stomach. During the procedure, doctors will remove a small sample of the fluid or tumor for laboratory testing. The results can confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma, and also determine the best treatment option.
There are many types of mesothelioma treatment options, including surgery, chemotherapy and immunotherapy. Most doctors use the combination of these treatments. Patients can also benefit by enrolling in a clinical trial of new mesothelioma treatment. To find out more, patients should speak to mesothelioma specialists who have expertise in treating the condition.