Mesothelioma and Asbestos
Asbestos is a natural mineral that is found in thin, long fibres. Workers who are exposed to asbestos on a regular basis are at risk of developing mesothelioma as well as other lung diseases.
It can take years for symptoms to appear after exposure to asbestos. Different asbestos types may cause different symptoms.
Pleural Mesothelioma
Pleural mesothelioma occurs in the lung's outer lining, or the pleura. It is the most common mesothelioma form and accounts for 70% to 79% of all diagnosed cases. Patients with this disease experience pain in the chest and breathlessness and may experience a sensation of heaviness in the chest.
This type of cancer often caused by exposure to asbestos, which is a grouping of minerals composed of microscopic fibers. Once inhaled, these fibers cling to the lung and cause irritation that leads to scarring and DNA mutations. The pleura covers the chest cavity and lungs and therefore, these irritations could affect both the lungs and 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 common symptoms. Some patients may also feel tightness in their chest and coughing, or breathing difficulties. Patients with this type of cancer typically have previous exposure to asbestos in the workplace. Manufacturing, construction and shipbuilding are the most prevalent jobs that put people at a high danger of developing pleural melanoma. People who have served in the military may be at an especially high risk because of the extensive asbestos use in Navy vessels and bunkers for the army.
The most common staging system for pleural mesothelioma is the TNM (tumor lymph nodes, lymph nodes, and metastases) staging system. The stage a patient is in at the moment of diagnosis will determine the treatment plan they should receive. Patients suffering from pleural mesothelioma who is in stage three or stage four will have a worse prognosis than those who are in a lower stage. Mesothelioma in stage four can be spread to the liver, heart, or diaphragm. This makes the cancer more difficult to treat, and increase the chances of complications for patients.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
As opposed to pleural mesothelioma that develops in the lung lining, peritoneal mesothelioma develops in the peritoneum -- an elongated membrane that covers the abdominal cavity and organs such as the liver and intestines. Like pleural mesothelioma, peritoneal mesothelioma is caused by asbestos exposure. Only 300-500 cases are diagnosed annually this is less than pleural asbestosis.
As with pleural asbestosis symptoms can take years to show. Patients typically suffer from abdominal pain and may have a mass in their abdomen. Symptoms of this type of mesothelioma can also include nausea, weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms are similar to those of gastrointestinal issues, which can cause incorrect diagnosis.
Typically, doctors can identify mesothelioma by conducting a thorough health history and physical examination. Imaging tests like X-rays and CT scans are a way to detect mesothelioma. These tests can show cancerous tumors or other symptoms of cancer that aren't visible on an X-ray.
The results of these tests allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma, determine the stage of the disease and suggest treatment options. Staging is determined based on the type of cells and whether or whether the tumor has spread to other areas of the body.
The most significant risk factor for mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos. People who have worked in jobs that require asbestos, such as plumbing manufacturing, electrical work or construction, are at a higher risk of developing the disease. However, even if individuals do not work in these fields they may be exposed to asbestos through family members or other sources. Anyone who thinks they may be at risk should consult an expert. If they have a history of asbestos exposure or mesothelioma, a specialist can help them find out more about the risk.
Risk Factors
Asbestos exposure is a major risk factor for mesothelioma accounting for up to 80 percent of all cases. Exposure to asbestos may occur through work, military service, or by living with someone who is exposed to asbestos or has previously done so. When exposed to asbestos, particles can be inhaled into the lungs and abdomen. asbestos lung mesothelioma and can cause cancerous cells to form in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma may take between 15 and 60 years to develop following exposure to asbestos.
Other risk factors include genetics, smoking and age. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely to develop mesothelioma than those who are younger or older. This is because mesothelioma usually takes 20 to 60 years from the initial time of exposure before the first signs of cancer appear. It is also important to know that mesothelioma may develop in people who have been exposed to asbestos but didn't deal with it directly. This is known as secondary or indirect asbestos exposure. It can be as hazardous as direct asbestos exposure.
Smoking increases the risk of mesothelioma, as it damages the mesothelium. It also makes it more prone to. Furthermore, mesothelioma is exacerbated by certain illnesses like asbestosis and pneumonia. It is also important to note that mesothelioma is more prevalent in men than women. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for a longer time and to work with it. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who worked with asbestos and to have asbestos-containing fibers on their clothing. Women are less likely to come into contact with asbestos and rarely carry asbestos on their clothing.
Diagnosis
It is difficult to identify mesothelioma since its symptoms are often similar to other conditions. This is why patients are often mistakenly diagnosed.
NYU Langone doctors will perform a physical examination and record the patient's medical background including asbestos exposure. Doctors will also order an CT scan or chest X-ray to look for abnormalities, lumps and evidence of asbestos exposure. These include plaques on the pleura, pleura that are thickened and calcium deposits.
Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance imaging or MRI test, that uses radio waves and magnets 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. In a surgical biopsy doctors will remove a small piece of tissue from pleura or the peritoneum to be further examined. A pathologist can look at the tissue under microscopes to determine if it contains cancerous cells.
The mesothelial type involved, the malignant or benign nature of the cells as well as the location the cancer, its type and the stage of the tumour, are used to categorize the disease. Certain types of mesothelioma may be more likely to grow or spread, so it is important to have a clear diagnosis so doctors can treat the disease before it becomes out of control.
Doctors can also run tests in the lab on tumors to determine specific genes, proteins or other elements that help them understand the characteristics of cancer and plan treatment. These results are known as staging.
Treatment
A mesothelioma diagnose can be frightening. It is crucial to remember that cancer can be treated particularly in its early stages. Many mesothelioma patients live for years with the disease, without spreading to other areas of their body.
Asbestos exposure can trigger mesothelioma via many mechanisms. Asbestos fibers, which are too small to be able to see or feel by the naked eye can become airborne and cause irritation to the lining of the lungs (pleura). In time irritation leads to formation of scar tissue, which causes changes in the structure of cells that can eventually grow into tumors.
The pleura is a protective covering that surrounds the abdomen, heart, and lungs. Mesothelium is composed of cells that react to exposure to asbestos which causes it to become inflamed and create scar tissue. These changes eventually lead to malignant mesothelioma tumours.
Shortness of breath, chest discomfort, or the accumulation of fluid on the lungs are all symptoms of the pleural msothelioma. In rare cases, the cancer can spread to the tissues surrounding the heart and reproductive organs.
If scans of imaging reveal a possible mass in the lungs or stomach, a doctor will order a biopsies. During the procedure, doctors take small amounts of the fluid or tumor for lab tests. The results can confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and determine the best treatment option.
There are many types of treatment for mesothelioma such as chemotherapy and surgery. Most doctors use a combination of these treatments. Patients may also benefit from taking part in a clinical trial of new mesothelioma treatments. Patients can find out more by consulting a mesothelioma expert who has treated the disease.