Mesothelioma and Asbestos
Asbestos is a natural mineral that is found in long, thin fibres. People who are regularly exposed to asbestos may develop lung diseases, such as mesothelioma.
The symptoms of these diseases may not manifest for years after exposure to asbestos. Different asbestos types may cause different symptoms.
chances of getting mesothelioma from asbestos exposure can be found in the lung's outer lining or pleura. It is the most common mesothelioma form and is responsible for 70 to 79% all diagnosed cases. People with this condition suffer from chest pain and shortness of breath and may also feel the sensation of weight in the chest.
This kind of cancer is often caused by exposure to asbestos, which is a collection of minerals that are comprised of microscopic fibres. The fibers, when inhaled can cause irritation and DNA mutations. Pleura is the lining of both the chest cavity as well as the lungs, and so 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 melanoma are chest pain and shortness of breath. Some patients also experience coughing, difficulty breathing, or chest tightness. People with this cancer often have an history of exposure to asbestos in the workplace. Manufacturing, construction and shipbuilding are among the most common jobs that put people at high risk of developing pleural mesothelioma. People who have worked in the military are at a higher risk because of the extensive asbestos usage in Navy ships and army bunkers.
The most popular staging system for pleural mysothelioma has been the TNM (tumor lymph nodes, lymph nodes, and metastases) staging system. The stage a patient is in at the time of diagnosis will help determine the treatment plan they should follow. For example, patients with mesothelioma pleural stage three or four have a poorer prognosis than patients with a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma can spread to the liver, heart, or diaphragm. This can make it more difficult to treat and increase the likelihood of complications for the patient.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
Unlike pleural mesothelioma, which is a lung-lining cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma develops in the peritoneum, it is a membrane that lines the abdominal cavity and organs like the intestines and liver. Similar to pleural mesothelioma mesothelioma can be caused by asbestos exposure. The disease is much less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma, with only about 300-500 cases diagnosed each year.
As with pleural asbestosis symptoms can take a long time to show. Patients usually have abdominal pain, and may have 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 are similar to symptoms of digestive issues, which could lead to incorrect diagnosis.
Generally speaking, doctors can detect mesothelioma by conducting an exhaustive health history and physical examination. They can also use imaging tests like X-rays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to detect mesothelioma. These tests can show cancerous tumors or other symptoms of cancer that aren't apparent on an X-ray.
The results of these tests allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and establish the stage. They also offer treatment options. The stage is determined by the type of cell as well as whether the cancer has spread.
The most important risk factor for mesothelioma is asbestos exposure. People who have been in occupations which require asbestos, such as plumbing electrical work, manufacturing or construction, are at a higher risk of developing the disease. However, even if people do not work in these fields they could be exposed to asbestos through family members or other sources. Anyone who suspects that they are at risk should consult an expert. A mesothelioma specialist can assist those who have had a history with asbestos to learn more about their risk.
Risk Factors
Asbestos exposure is the primary risk factor for mesothelioma, accounting for up to 80 percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos can occur through work, military service, or living with people who have worked with asbestos. Asbestos particles can be breathed in by people who are exposed to asbestos. These particles can 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 genetics, smoking and aging. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely be diagnosed with mesothelioma compared to those who are younger or older. It takes mesothelioma 20-60 years to manifest cancer symptoms after the first exposure. It is important to remember that mesothelioma may develop in people who were exposed to asbestos, but did not engage directly with it. This is known as secondary or indirect exposure to asbestos and it can be just as dangerous as direct exposure.
Smoking increases a person's chances of getting mesothelioma because it damages the mesothelium, which makes it more vulnerable to asbestos. Mesothelioma can also be caused by certain illnesses such as asbestosis and pneumonia. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than women. This is because men are more likely to work with asbestos and experience a a longer period of exposure than women. Also, men are more likely to live with someone who has worked with asbestos and carry stray asbestos fibers home on their clothes. Women tend to have less contact with asbestos and do not typically carry asbestos home on their clothes.
Diagnosis
It is difficult to diagnose mesothelioma since its symptoms are often similar to other conditions. This is why patients are sometimes wrongly diagnosed.
The first step in diagnosing mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform an examination of the body and take down a patient's medical history including asbestos exposure. Doctors will also order an CT scan or chest X-ray to look for lumps, abnormalities and evidence of exposure to asbestos. These include plaques on the pleura, pleura that are thickened and calcium deposits.
Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI test, which uses radio waves and magnets to produce a series of precise images of the insides of the body. A surgical biopsy is yet another way for doctors to diagnose mesothelioma. In a surgical biopsy doctors will remove a small part of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum to be examined further. A pathologist is then able to look at the tissue under a microscope to see if it has cancerous cells.
The type of mesothelial cells involved, the malignant or benign nature of these cells and the location, type and stage of the tumor, are used to classify the disease. 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 prior to it becoming out-of-control.
Doctors can also run tests in the laboratory on tumors to determine specific genes, proteins or other elements which can help them identify the characteristics of the cancer and determine a treatment. These results are known as staging.
Treatment
A mesothelioma diagnosis is a frightening prospect. However, it's important to remember that the cancer is treatable, especially in its earlier stages. Many patients with mesothelioma survive for many years with the disease, without spreading to other parts of their body.
Exposure to asbestos may cause mesothelioma in many ways. Asbestos fibres, too small to be felt or seen through the naked eye can be airborne, irritating the lining of the lung (pleura). Over time, the irritation leads to 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 exposure to asbestos, causing it to inflame and create scar tissue. These changes can cause mesothelioma cancers.
The signs of pleural mesothelioma can include breathlessness and chest pain as well as a buildup of fluid on the lungs (pleural effusion). In rare cases, cancer can spread into the tissues around the reproductive organs and the heart.
If imaging scans show an underlying mass in the stomach or lungs doctors will recommend a biopsies. During the procedure, doctors remove tiny amounts of fluid or tumor for laboratory testing. The results can confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and provide the best treatment plan.
There are a variety of treatment for mesothelioma including surgery and chemotherapy. Most doctors utilize an amalgamation of these techniques. Participating in clinical trials for mesothelioma treatments may be beneficial to patients. Patients can find out more by consulting a mesothelioma specialist who has treated the disease.