Mesothelioma and Asbestos
Asbestos, a natural mineral, naturally forms in the form of long, thin 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 can cause different symptoms.
Pleural Mesothelioma
Pleural mesothelioma, a form of cancer, that develops in the lung's outer the lining (pleura). It is the most prevalent mesothelioma type and accounts for 70% to 79% all diagnosed cases. Patients with this disease feel chest pain and breathlessness and may experience the sensation of weight in the chest.
Exposure to asbestos, a class of minerals comprised of microscopic fibers causes this type of cancer. These fibers, when inhaled, cause irritation and DNA mutations. Pleura is the lining of both the chest cavity and the lungs, and so irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma symptoms are usually not apparent until 30 to 50 years after exposure.
The most commonly reported symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are chest pain and breath shortness. Patients may also suffer from chest tightness or coughing. They may also experience difficulty breathing. Patients with this type of cancer typically have previous exposure to asbestos in the workplace. The most common jobs that expose workers to the risk of developing pleural mesothelioma are manufacturing, construction, and shipbuilding. People who have served in the military may be at a higher risk due to the frequent asbestos use in Navy vessels and bunkers for the army.
The most popular staging method for pleural mesothelioma is the TNM (tumor, lymph nodes and metastases) staging system. The stage a patient has upon diagnosis will aid their doctor in determining the best treatment plan for them. For instance, patients who have a pleural mesothelioma in stage three or four have a less favorable prognosis than those in lower stages. Mesothelioma in stage four is usually spread to the diaphragm, liver and/or a person's heart. This can make it more difficult to treat and raises the chance of complications for the patient.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
In contrast to pleural mesothelioma which is a lung-lining cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma forms in the peritoneum, it is a membrane that lines the abdominal cavity and organs like the intestines and liver. As with pleural mesothelioma asbestos exposure is the primary cause of peritoneal msothelioma. Only Allen asbestos lawsuit -500 cases are diagnosed annually this is less than pleural asbestosis.
As with pleural asbestosis symptoms can take years to show. Patients generally have abdominal pain, and could also experience a mass in their abdomen. The symptoms of this kind of mesothelioma could also include nausea, weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms are similar to those experienced by gastrointestinal issues, which can lead to misdiagnosis.
Generally, doctors can find mesothelioma by conducting an extensive health history and physical exam. Imaging tests like X-rays or CT scans are a way to detect mesothelioma. These tests can reveal tumors and other signs of cancer that aren't visible on an X-ray.
These test results enable doctors to identify mesothelioma, and determine the stage. They can also suggest treatments. The staging is determined by the type of cell and whether or the tumor has spread to other areas of the body.
Asbestos exposure is the main risk factor. People who have worked in asbestos-related professions, such as electrical or plumbing work or in manufacturing and construction, are more likely to develop the disease. However, even if individuals aren't employed in these fields they could be exposed to asbestos through family members or other sources. Anyone who suspects that they may be at risk should speak with a doctor. A mesothelioma specialist can help those who have had a history with asbestos to learn more about their risk.
Risk Factors
Asbestos is the main risk factor in mesothelioma. It accounts for as much as the 80% of cases. Exposure to asbestos may occur due to work, military service or through living with a person who works with asbestos or was previously exposed to doing so. When exposed to asbestos, particles can be breathed into the abdomen and lungs. These irritate the linings and cause cancerous cells to form 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 more likely get mesothelioma than people younger or older. It takes mesothelioma 20-60 years to show signs of cancer after the first exposure. It is important to remember that mesothelioma is a possibility in those who were exposed to asbestos but did not work with it directly. This is known as secondary or indirect asbestos exposure. It can be just as harmful as direct asbestos exposure.
Smoking increases the risk of getting mesothelioma because it causes mesothelium damage and makes it more prone to asbestos. Mesothelioma is also aggravated by certain illnesses such as asbestosis and pneumonia. It is also important to remember that mesothelioma occurs more frequently for men than women. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for a longer time and work with asbestos for longer periods of time. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who worked with asbestos, and to carry asbestos fibers on their clothing. Women tend to be less exposed to asbestos, and they are less likely to carry asbestos on their clothes.
Diagnosis
Mesothelioma is a difficult cancer to recognize because the symptoms often resemble other diseases. This is why patients are often mistakenly diagnosed.
The first step in identifying 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 a CT scan or chest X-ray to check for abnormalities, lumps and evidence of asbestos exposure. These include pleural plaques, thickened pleura and calcium deposits.
Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance imaging or MRI test, which makes use of radio waves and magnets to produce a series of precise images of the insides of the body. A surgical biopsy is yet another method for doctors to identify mesothelioma. A surgical biopsy is when doctors take a small amount of tissue from the pleura or peritoneum for further testing. A pathologist will then look at the tissue with an magnifying glass to determine if it is a cancerous cell.
Mesothelioma can be classified based on the mesothelial type involved, whether the cells are benign or malignant, and the location of the tumor, the type, and the stage of the cancer. Certain types of mesothelioma are more likely to grow or spread, so it is important to have a clear diagnosis so that doctors can treat the disease before it becomes out of control.
Doctors can also perform tests in the laboratory on tumors to identify specific genes, proteins, or other factors which will help them identify cancer characteristics and plan treatment. These results are called staging.
Treatment
A mesothelioma diagnose can be terrifying. However, it is important to keep in mind that the cancer can be treated, particularly in its early stages. Many people with mesothelioma live for a long time with the disease without it spreading to other organs of their body.
Exposure to asbestos can trigger mesothelioma in a number of ways. Asbestos particles, which are too small to be able to see or feel with the naked eye, can become airborne and cause irritation to the lining of the lungs (pleura). Over time irritation can lead to formation of scar tissue, which causes changes in the cell structure that eventually develop into tumors.
The pleura is a protective covering that covers the lungs, heart and abdomen. Mesothelium is composed of cells that respond when exposed to asbestos. They cause inflammation to the tissue and cause it to scar. In time, these changes can lead to the development of malignant mesothelioma tumors.
Shortness of breath, chest discomfort or fluid buildup on the lungs are all symptoms of the pleural mesothelioma. In rare cases, cancer can spread into the tissues around the reproductive organs and the heart.
If imaging scans reveal a possible mass in the lungs or stomach, a doctor will order biopsies. In the course of the procedure, doctors remove a small amount of fluid or tumor for laboratory testing. The results can confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and determine the most effective treatment plan.
There are many types of treatment for mesothelioma including chemotherapy and surgery. Most doctors utilize the combination of these treatments. Enrolling in clinical trials of mesothelioma treatments may be beneficial for patients. To learn more about the trials, patients should speak to mesothelioma specialists who have expertise in treating the condition.