Mesothelioma and Asbestos
Asbestos, a mineral that naturally occurs in the form of thin, long fibers. Workers who are regularly exposed to asbestos may develop lung diseases like mesothelioma.
The symptoms of these diseases may not manifest for years after exposure to asbestos. Different asbestos types may cause different symptoms.
Pleural Mesothelioma
Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer of the lung's outer lining or the pleura. It is the most frequent mesothelioma that accounts for up 70% to 79% of diagnosed cases. Patients suffering from this condition experience pain in the chest and shortness of breath, and they may feel an ache or heaviness in the chest.
This type of cancer often caused by exposure to asbestos which is a collection of minerals that are composed of microscopic fibers. The fibers, when inhaled can cause irritation and DNA mutations. The pleura is the area that surrounds the lungs and chest cavity and therefore, these irritations could affect both the lungs as well as a person's heart. Mesothelioma symptoms typically don't show until 30 to 50 years after exposure.
Chest pain and shortness breath are the most frequently reported symptoms. Patients may also experience chest tightness and coughing, or breathing difficulties. Patients with this cancer have a history of disease that includes asbestos exposure at work. The most common jobs that expose workers to the risk of developing pleural cancer are manufacturing, construction, and shipbuilding. Individuals who have served in the military are at a greater risk due the extensive use asbestos in Navy vessels and bunkers for the Army.
The TNM (tumors lymph nodes and metastases staging system) is the most common staging system for pleural adenocarcinoma. The stage the patient is in at the moment of diagnosis will determine what treatment plan they should receive. Patients who have pleural mesothelioma which is in stage three or four will suffer a more negative prognosis than those who are in a less advanced stage. Stage four mesothelioma can be spread to the heart, liver or diaphragm. This can make it more difficult to treat and increases the chance of complications for patients.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
Unlike pleural mesothelioma, which is a lung-lining cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma develops in the peritoneum - an elongated membrane that covers the abdominal cavity as well as organs such as the liver and intestines. Similar to pleural mesothelioma, asbestos exposure is the cause of peritoneal mesothelioma. The disease is less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma, and just 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.
As with pleural asbestosis symptoms can take several years to manifest. Most patients are afflicted with abdominal pain as well as abdominal swelling. This mesothelioma type can also cause nausea, weight loss and fever. A lot of these symptoms can be mistaken for gastrointestinal problems which can lead to a false diagnosis.
Generally, doctors can find mesothelioma through an exhaustive health history and physical exam. Imaging tests like X-rays and CT scans can be used to identify mesothelioma. These tests can reveal cancerous tumors or other symptoms of cancer that aren't visible on X-rays.
The results of these tests allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and establish the stage. They also offer treatment options. Staging is determined based on the cell type and whether or not the tumor has spread to other areas of the body.
Asbestos exposure is the main risk factor. People who have worked in professions that involve asbestos, like plumbing or electrical work, manufacturing or construction, are at greater risk of developing the disease. However, even if people aren't employed in these areas they could be exposed to asbestos through family members or through other sources. Therefore, anyone who suspects they may be at risk should speak to an experienced doctor. A mesothelioma specialist can help those who have a experience with asbestos to understand more about their risk.
Risk Factors
Asbestos exposure is the primary risk factor for mesothelioma, making up as much as 80 percent of all cases. Exposure to asbestos can occur as a result of work, military service, or through living with a person who is exposed to asbestos or has previously done the same. When exposed to asbestos, particles can be breathed into the abdomen and lungs. These irritate the linings and trigger cancerous cells to form in the mesothelium. Following exposure to asbestos mesothelioma can develop between 15 and 60 years.
Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and age. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely get mesothelioma than people younger or older. This is because mesothelioma typically lasts between 20 and 60 years from the first exposure before the first signs of cancer appear. It is important to remember, too, that mesothelioma can occur in people who have been exposed to asbestos, but without having worked with it directly. This is known as indirect or secondary exposure to asbestos and it is just as harmful as direct exposure.
Smoking increases the risk of developing mesothelioma since it damages the mesothelium, which makes it more prone to asbestos. Mesothelioma can also be caused by certain illnesses, including 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 time and work with asbestos for longer periods of time. Also, men are more likely to live with someone who has was exposed to asbestos and bring asbestos fibers that have escaped home on their clothes. Women tend to be less in contact with asbestos, and don't typically carry asbestos on their clothing.
Diagnosis
Mesothelioma is a difficult cancer to identify because the symptoms often resemble other diseases. This is why patients are sometimes wrongly diagnosed.
NYU Langone doctors will perform a physical examination and record the patient's medical background, including asbestos exposure. Doctors may also order an X-ray chest or CT scan to look for lumps and other abnormalities, and also to look for evidence of past asbestos exposure like plaques in the pleura (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the formation of fluid between the lung and the chest wall (known as the pleural effusion).
Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance scan, or MRI test, which uses magnets and radio waves in order to produce a series of precise images of inside the body. Another way doctors can diagnose mesothelioma is through a surgical biopsy. When a biopsy is performed doctors take a tiny piece of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum to be further examined. 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 those cells, as well as the location, type and stage of the tumor, are used to categorize the disease. Some types of mesothelioma are more likely to grow or spread which is why it is crucial to get a definite diagnosis to ensure that doctors are able to treat the disease before it goes out of control.
Doctors can also perform tests in the lab on tumors to identify specific proteins, genes, or other factors which can help them describe cancer characteristics and determine the best treatment. New Britain asbestos lawsuit are referred to as staging.
Treatment
A diagnosis of mesothelioma may be terrifying. However, it's important to remember that the cancer is treatable, especially in its early stages. Many mesothelioma patients 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 detect or feel by the naked eye can become airborne and irritate the lining of the lungs (pleura). As time passes, the irritation leads to the formation of scar tissue, which eventually lead to tumors.
The pleura is the area that surrounds the heart and lungs and the abdomen. Mesothelium is made up of cells that react to exposure to asbestos and cause it to enflame and create scar tissue. As time passes, these changes lead to the development of malignant mesothelioma cancers.
Shortness of breath, chest discomfort or fluid buildup on the lungs are all symptoms of pleural mesothelioma. In rare cases, cancer can spread into the tissues around the reproductive organs and the heart.
If imaging scans show a possible mass in the stomach or lungs, a doctor will order a biopsies. In the course of the procedure, doctors remove some of the liquid or tumor for lab tests. The results will confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis, and provide the best treatment option.
There are many types of treatment for mesothelioma, including surgery and chemotherapy. The majority of doctors use an amalgamation of these techniques. Patients can also benefit by participating in a clinical study of new mesothelioma therapies. To learn more, patients should consult a mesothelioma specialist who has experience treating the condition.