Mesothelioma and Asbestos
Asbestos, a mineral that naturally occurs in the form of thin, long fibers. People who are regularly exposed to asbestos are at risk of developing lung diseases, such as mesothelioma.
It can take years for symptoms to appear after asbestos exposure. Different asbestos types may cause different symptoms.
Pleural Mesothelioma
Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer that develops in the outer lung liner (pleura). It is the most prevalent mesothelioma that accounts for up between 70 and 79% of diagnosed cases. The condition can cause chest pain, shortness of breathe and a feeling of heavyness.
Exposure to asbestos, a class of minerals comprised of microscopic fibers, usually causes this kind of cancer. When inhaled, these fibers are absorbed into the lung and cause irritation that leads to scarring and DNA mutations. Pleura surrounds both the chest cavity as well as the lungs, so irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma symptoms are usually not apparent until 30 to 50 years after exposure.
The most frequent symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are chest pain and breath shortness. Patients may have coughing problems, trouble breathing or chest tightness. Patients with this type of cancer typically have previous exposure to asbestos in the workplace. The most prevalent jobs that put people at risk of developing pleural mesothelioma are manufacturing, construction, and shipbuilding. Individuals who have served in the military are at greater risk due to the extensive use asbestos in Navy vessels and bunkers for the Army.
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 diagnosis will assist their doctor in determining the most effective treatment plan for them. Patients who have pleural mesothelioma which is in stage three or stage four will have a less favorable prognosis compared to those who are in a less advanced stage. Mesothelioma in stage four can be spread to the heart, liver or diaphragm. This makes it more difficult to treat and increases the chance of complications for the patient.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
Contrary to pleural cancer which forms in the lining of the lung the peritoneal cancer is a result of a membrane that covers the abdominal cavity, including organs like the intestines and the liver. Similar to pleural mesothelioma, asbestos exposure is the primary cause of peritoneal msothelioma. There are only 300-500 cases diagnosed annually this is less than the pleural asbestosis.
Like pleural mesothelioma, symptoms can take a long time to manifest. The majority of patients are afflicted with abdominal pain as well as a mass in the abdomen. The symptoms of this type of mesothelioma may also include nausea or weight loss, as well as fever. A lot of these symptoms are similar to symptoms of digestive problems, which can result in incorrect diagnosis.
Doctors can detect mesothelioma by reviewing the medical history of the patient and performing a physical exam. They can also use imaging tests like X-rays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to detect mesothelioma. These tests can identify tumors as well as other signs of cancer that are not evident on X-rays.
These tests enable doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and determine the stage of the disease and suggest treatment options. The staging is determined by the type of cells and whether or the cancer has spread to other parts of the body.
The most significant mesothelioma risk factor is asbestos exposure. People who have worked in professions that require asbestos, like plumbing, manufacturing, electrical work, or construction, are at a higher risk of developing the disease. However, even if people do not work in these areas, they can still be exposed to asbestos through family members or other sources. For this reason, anyone who believes they could be at risk should talk to an expert. If they have a history of asbestos exposure and mesothelioma is a concern, a specialist will assist them in finding out more about their risk.
Risk Factors
Asbestos exposure is a major mesothelioma risk factor, making up as much as 80 percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos can happen through military service, work, or living with people who have worked with asbestos. When exposed to asbestos, small particles can be breathed into the abdomen and lungs. These particles can cause irritation to the linings and can cause cancerous cells to grow in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma may take 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 more at chance of developing mesothelioma to people who are younger or more. Mesothelioma can take between 20 and 60 years before it manifests cancer symptoms after the first exposure. It is important to remember that mesothelioma can develop in those who were exposed to asbestos, but did not work with it directly. This is known as secondary or indirect exposure to asbestos and it can be just as dangerous as direct exposure.
Smoking increases the chance of mesothelioma developing, as it damages the 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 know that mesothelioma occurs more frequently in men than women. This is due to men being more likely to be exposed to asbestos and endure a an extended period of exposure than women. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who has worked with asbestos, and to carry asbestos fibers on their clothing. Women tend to be less exposed to asbestos and they don't usually carry asbestos on their clothes.
Diagnosis
It is difficult to recognize mesothelioma because its symptoms are often similar to other diseases. This could lead to patients being wrongly diagnosed.
NYU Langone doctors will perform a physical examination and record the patient's medical background, including asbestos exposure. Doctors will also recommend a CT scan or chest X-ray to check for lumps, abnormalities, and evidence of exposure to asbestos. These include plaques in the pleura, thickened pleura and calcium deposits.
Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram, which examines the blood vessels and the heart as well as a magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI, test that uses radio waves and magnets to create detailed images of the inside of the body. A surgical biopsy is yet another way for doctors to diagnose mesothelioma. During a surgery biopsy doctors will remove a small piece of tissue from pleura or the peritoneum to be further examined. A pathologist can examine the tissue with a microscope to see if it is contaminated with cancerous cells.
Mesothelioma can be classified based on the type of mesothelial cells involved, whether those cells are malignant or benign and the location of the tumor, the type, and the stage of the tumor. Certain mesothelioma types have greater chance of metastasizing or spreading and it's crucial to determine the type of mesothelioma so that doctors can treat it before it becomes out-of-control.
Doctors can also perform tests in the lab on tumors to identify specific proteins, genes or other factors that can help them describe cancer characteristics and determine the best treatment. These results are known as staging.
Treatment
A mesothelioma diagnose can be terrifying. However, it's important to remember that the cancer is treatable, especially in its early stages. Many patients with mesothelioma survive for a long time with the disease without it spreading to other areas of their body.
Asbestos exposure can trigger mesothelioma via various mechanisms. Asbestos particles, which are too small to see or feel by the naked eye can be airborne and cause irritation to the lining of the lungs (pleura). As time passes, the irritation causes the formation of scar tissue which leads to changes in the cell structure which eventually lead to tumors.
The pleura is a protective covering that surrounds the lungs, heart and abdomen. Mesothelium is made up of cells that react to asbestos which causes it to become inflamed and form scar tissue. As time passes, these changes lead to the development of malignant mesothelioma cancers.
The signs of pleural mesothelioma can include breathing problems, chest pain or an accumulation of fluid in the lung (pleural effusion). In rare instances, the cancer can grow to the tissues surrounding the heart and reproductive organs.
If scans of imaging reveal a possible mass in the stomach or lungs doctors will recommend biopsies. During the procedure doctors remove small amounts of fluid or tumor to allow for tests in the laboratory. The results will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma, and also determine the best treatment plan.
There are mesothelioma asbestos lawsuit of treatment for mesothelioma including chemotherapy and surgery. The majority of doctors use a combination of these methods. Patients can also benefit by enrolling in a clinical trial of new mesothelioma therapies. To learn more, patients should speak with a mesothelioma specialist who has had experience treating the disease.