Guide To Mesothelioma And Asbestos: The Intermediate Guide To Mesothelioma And Asbestos

Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that is found in long, thin fibres. Workers who are exposed asbestos on a regular basis are at risk of developing mesothelioma as well as other lung diseases.

The symptoms of these diseases may not be evident for a long time after exposure to asbestos. Different types of asbestos can cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma is a type of cancer that occurs in the outer lung liner (pleura). It is the most frequent mesothelioma type and accounts for 70% to 79% of all diagnosed cases. People with this condition feel chest pain and breath shortness, and they may feel the sensation of weight in the chest.

Exposure to asbestos, a group of minerals comprised of microscopic fibers, typically causes this type of cancer. These fibers, when inhaled, cause irritation and DNA mutations. The pleura surrounds the chest cavity and lungs and therefore, these irritations could affect both the lungs and a person's heart. Mesothelioma usually doesn't show symptoms until 30 to 50 year after exposure.

The most common symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include chest discomfort and shortness of breath. Some patients may also feel tightness in their chest, coughing or difficulty breathing. Patients with this type of 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 construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding. Individuals who have been in the military could be at risk because of the extensive asbestos use in Navy ships and army bunkers.

The TNM (tumors, lymph nodes, and metastases staging system) is the most commonly used staging system used for the pleural cancer. The stage that a patient is in at the time of diagnosis will help determine the treatment plan they will receive. Patients with pleural mesothelioma that is in stage three or four will have a worse prognosis compared to those in a less advanced stage. Mesothelioma in stage four is usually spread to the diaphragm, the liver or even the heart of a patient. This could make the cancer more difficult to treat and increase the chances of complications for patients.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Contrary to pleural cancer which is found in the lining of the lung, peritoneal cancer develops in a membrane that surrounds the abdominal cavity, which includes organs such as the intestines and the liver. Similar to pleural mesothelioma mesothelioma can be caused by asbestos exposure. The disease is less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma. There are around 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.

As with pleural mesothelioma symptoms may take years to appear. Patients usually suffer from abdominal pain and may have a mass in their abdomen. This mesothelioma type can cause nausea, weight loss and fever. A lot of these symptoms are similar to those experienced by digestive issues, which could result in incorrect diagnosis.

Doctors can identify mesothelioma by examining the patient's medical history and performing a physical exam. They may also employ imaging tests like X-rays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to identify mesothelioma. These tests can reveal tumors, as well as other symptoms of cancer that aren't apparent on an X-ray.

The results of these tests allow doctors to identify mesothelioma, and determine the stage. They also offer treatment options. The stage is determined by the type of cell as well as whether the tumor has spread.

The most important mesothelioma-related risk factor is asbestos exposure. People who have been exposed to asbestos in occupations, like electrical or plumbing work or in construction, manufacturing and manufacturing are more likely to contract the disease. Even if an individual isn't employed in one of these areas they could still be exposed through family members or other sources. Anyone who thinks they may be at risk should speak with a doctor. A mesothelioma expert can help those who have had a previous history of asbestos to find out more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos exposure is a major mesothelioma risk factor, accounting for up to 80 percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos may occur through military service, work or living with those who worked with asbestos. Asbestos particles are inhaled by those who are exposed to asbestos case. They can cause irritation to the linings of the abdomen and trigger cancerous cells to form in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma can take anywhere between 15 and 60 years to develop after exposure to asbestos.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics, and age. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely to get mesothelioma than people younger or older. It is because mesothelioma generally takes 20 to 60 years from the initial time of exposure before symptoms of cancer begin to manifest. 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 referred to as secondary or indirect asbestos exposure and can be as hazardous as direct asbestos exposure.

Smoking increases the chance of mesothelioma as it damages the mesothelium. It can also make it more vulnerable. In addition, mesothelioma may be worsened by certain diseases like pneumonia and asbestosis. 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 to have worked with it. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who has worked with asbestos and to have asbestos-containing fibers on their clothing. Women tend to be less exposed to asbestos, and don't typically carry asbestos lawsuit on their clothing.

Diagnosis

It is difficult to identify mesothelioma since its symptoms are often similar to other diseases. This can result in patients being wrongly diagnosed.

The first step in diagnosing mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform an examination of the body and take note of the medical history of the patient which includes asbestos exposure. Doctors will also recommend an CT scan or chest X-ray in order to look for lumps, abnormalities and evidence of exposure to asbestos. These include plaques in the pleura, thickened pleura and calcium deposits.

Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance image, or MRI test, that uses magnets and radio waves in order to produce a series of precise images of the insides of the body. A surgical biopsy is a different way for doctors to diagnose mesothelioma. A surgical biopsy is when doctors remove a small piece of tissue from the peritoneum or pleura to conduct further tests. A pathologist then examines the tissue using a magnifying lens to determine if it contains cancerous cell.

The mesothelial type involved as well as the benign or malignant nature of the cells and the location the cancer, its type and the stage of the cancer are used to categorize the disease. Certain types of mesothelioma are at an increased chance of metastasizing or spreading therefore it is essential to get a definitive diagnosis so that doctors can treat it before it gets out-of-control.

Doctors may also conduct tests in the lab on a tumor to find specific genes, proteins, or other factors which can help them identify the cancer's characteristics and plan treatment. These results are known as staging.

Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnose can be frightening. However, it is important to keep in mind that the cancer is treatable, particularly in its initial stages. Many people with mesothelioma live for many years with the disease, without spreading to other areas of their body.

Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma through a variety of mechanisms. Asbestos fibers that are tiny enough to be felt or viewed through the naked eye, can become airborne, causing irritation to the lung's lining (pleura). In time irritation leads to formation of scar tissue, which leads to changes in the structure of cells that can eventually grow into tumors.

The pleura is the area that surrounds the lungs and the heart and the abdomen. Mesothelium is made up of cells that respond when exposed to asbestos. They cause inflammation of the tissue and cause it to scar. In time, these changes can cause the development of malignant mesothelioma cancers.

Symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include breathlessness and chest pain as well as an accumulation of fluid in the lungs (pleural effusion). In rare cases, the cancer can spread to the tissues surrounding the heart and reproductive organs.

A doctor will request biopsy if imaging scans show a potential mass in the lungs or stomach. During the procedure, doctors take a small sample of the fluid or tumor for lab tests. The results will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and determine the most effective treatment plan.

There are many types of treatment for mesothelioma such as chemotherapy and surgery. Most doctors use the combination of these treatments. Participating in clinical trials for mesothelioma treatments that are new could be beneficial for patients. To learn more, patients should speak with mesothelioma specialists who have expertise in treating the condition.