Mesothelioma and Asbestos
Asbestos is a natural mineral that is found in long, thin fibres. Workers who are exposed asbestos on a regular basis risk developing mesothelioma and other lung diseases of different types.
It could take a long time for symptoms to show up after asbestos exposure. Different types of asbestos may cause different symptoms.
Pleural Mesothelioma
Pleural mesothelioma is a type of cancer that occurs in the lung’s outer the lining (pleura). It is the most common type of mesothelioma, making up between 70 and 79% of all diagnosed cases. People with this condition experience pain in the chest and breathlessness, and they may feel the sensation of weight in the chest.
This kind of cancer is typically caused through exposure to asbestos, which is a grouping of minerals that are composed of microscopic fibers. Once inhaled, the fibers are absorbed into the lung and cause irritation which causes scarring and DNA mutations. Pleura is the lining of both the chest cavity and the lungs, so irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma symptoms typically don’t show until 30 to 50 years after exposure.
The most commonly reported symptoms of pleural melanoma are chest pain and breath shortness. Patients may also experience coughing, difficulty breathing, or chest tightness. Patients with this cancer have a history of disease that includes asbestos exposure at work. Construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding are among the most frequent occupations that put people at high chance of developing pleural mesothelioma. Individuals who have served in the military are at greater risk due the extensive use asbestos legal in Navy vessels and bunkers in the Army.
The most commonly used staging system for pleural mesothelioma is the TNM (tumor lymph nodes, lymph nodes and metastases) staging system. The stage a patient has upon diagnosis will aid their doctor in determining the most appropriate treatment plan for them. Patients suffering from pleural mesothelioma who is in stage three or four will have a worse prognosis than those who are in a less advanced stage. Stage four mesothelioma is often spread to the liver, diaphragm or even the heart of a patient. This makes it more difficult to treat and increases the likelihood of complications for patients.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
Unlike 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 such as the liver and intestines. Similar to pleural mesothelioma, asbestos exposure is the cause of peritoneal mesothelioma. There are only 300-500 cases diagnosed each year, which is less than pleural asbestosis.
As with pleural asbestosis, symptoms can take several years to manifest. Patients typically have abdominal pain, and may also have a lump in their abdomen. The symptoms of this type of mesothelioma could also include nausea, weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms could be misinterpreted as digestive issues, leading to a misdiagnosis.
Generally speaking, doctors can detect mesothelioma after a thorough health history and physical examination. They can also utilize imaging tests like Xrays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to help find mesothelioma. These tests can detect tumors and other signs of cancer that are not visible on X-rays.
These tests enable doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and determine the stage. They also offer treatment options. The stage of the disease is determined based on the type of cells and whether or not the cancer has spread to other parts of the body.
The most important risk factor for mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos. People who have been exposed to asbestos in professions, such as plumbing or electrical work, or in construction and manufacturing, are more likely to contract the disease. Even if a person is not employed in any of these areas however, they may still be exposed through family members or other sources. This is why anyone who believes they could be at risk should speak to an expert. A mesothelioma specialist can help those with a previous history of asbestos to find out more about their risk.
Risk Factors
Asbestos is the primary risk factor in mesothelioma. It accounts for as much as 80% of all cases. Exposure to asbestos can happen due to military service, work, or living with those who worked with asbestos. Asbestos particles can be inhaled by people who are exposed to asbestos. These particles can cause irritation to the linings, causing cancerous cells to grow in the mesothelium. After asbestos exposure, mesothelioma may develop between 15 and 60 year.
Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and age. The people in their 40s or 50s are at greater risk of developing mesothelioma as compared to those younger or older. It takes mesothelioma 20-60 years to show signs of cancer after the first exposure. It is important to keep in mind that mesothelioma could develop in those who have been exposed to asbestos without having been directly exposed to it. This is referred to as secondary or indirect asbestos exposure and can be as hazardous as direct asbestos exposure.
Smoking increases a person’s chances of developing mesothelioma since it causes mesothelium damage and makes it more prone to asbestos. Mesothelioma can also be caused by certain illnesses such as asbestosis and pneumonia. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma compared to women. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for a longer period of time and to have worked with asbestos for longer durations and to work with it. Also, men are more likely to live with someone who worked with asbestos and carry asbestos fibers from their workplace on their clothes. Women tend to have less exposure to Asbestos legal and don’t typically carry asbestos on their clothing.
Diagnosis
It is difficult to identify mesothelioma due to its symptoms being frequently similar to other illnesses. This could lead to patients being wrongly diagnosed.
The first step in identifying mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform an examination of the body and take notes on the medical history of a patient which includes asbestos exposure. Doctors will also order an CT scan or chest X-ray in order to look for abnormalities, lumps and evidence of asbestos exposure. These include pleural plaques, thickened pleura and calcium deposits.
Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance image or MRI test, that uses magnets and radio waves to create a series detailed images of the insides of the body. A surgical biopsy is a different 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 tested further. A pathologist is then able to look at the tissue under microscopes to determine if it has cancerous cells.
The mesothelial type involved and the benign or malignant nature of those cells and the location the cancer, its type and the stage of the tumor, are used to classify the disease. Certain types of mesothelioma may be more likely to spread or metastasize which is why it is crucial to get a definite diagnosis to ensure that doctors are able to treat the disease before it gets out of control.
Doctors may also conduct tests in the lab on tumors in order to determine specific genes, proteins or other elements that will help them identify the characteristics of cancer and plan treatment. These results are known as staging.
Treatment
A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be frightening. It is important to keep in mind that cancer can be treated especially at its early stages. Many patients with mesothelioma survive for a long time with the disease without it spreading to other parts of their body.
Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma through a variety of ways. Asbestos fibres, too small to be felt or seen by naked eyes are able to become airborne, irritating the lining of the lung (pleura). In time the irritation can lead to the formation of scar tissues, which eventually lead to tumors.
The pleura is the area that surrounds the lungs and heart and also the abdomen. Mesothelium consists of cells that react when exposed to asbestos. They cause inflammation to the tissue and cause it to become scarred. These changes eventually lead to malignant mesothelioma tumours.
The signs of pleural mesothelioma can include shortness of breath and chest pain as well as a buildup of fluid in the lung (pleural effusion). In rare instances, the cancer can grow to the tissues surrounding the heart and reproductive organs.
A doctor may request biopsy if scans reveal a possible mass in the lungs or stomach. During the procedure, doctors will remove small amounts of the tumor or fluid for lab analysis. The results will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and determine the best treatment option.
There are several types of mesothelioma treatment, including chemotherapy, surgery and immunotherapy. The majority of doctors use a combination of these methods. Enrolling in clinical trials of mesothelioma treatments that are new could be beneficial to patients. Patients can find out more by consulting a mesothelioma specialist who has treated the condition.
