Mesothelioma And Asbestos Explained In Fewer Than 140 Characters
Mesothelioma and Asbestos
Asbestos, a natural mineral, naturally occurs in the form of long, thin fibers. People who are exposed to asbestos risk developing lung diseases, such as mesothelioma.
It can take years before symptoms begin to manifest after asbestos exposure. Different asbestos types can cause different symptoms.
Pleural Mesothelioma
Pleural mesothelioma, a form of cancer, that develops in the outer lung lining (pleura). It is the most prevalent form of mesothelioma and is responsible for 70 to 79% of diagnosed cases. This condition causes chest pain, breath shortness and a feeling of weightiness.
This kind of cancer is usually caused by exposure to asbestos which is a collection of minerals comprised of microscopic fibres. When inhaled, these fibers cling to the lungs and cause irritation that leads to scarring and DNA mutations. Pleura covers both the chest cavity as well as the lungs, and so irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma symptoms usually don't appear until 30 to 50 years after exposure.
Shortness of breath and chest pain are the most frequent symptoms. Patients may also experience chest tightness or coughing. They may also experience difficulty breathing. People with this cancer often have previous exposure to asbestos in the workplace. The most common jobs that put people at risk of developing pleural cancer are manufacturing, construction and shipbuilding. People who have served in the military could be at risk because of the extensive use of asbestos in Navy vessels and bunkers for the army.
The TNM (tumors lymph nodes, tumors, and metastases staging system) is the most commonly used staging system for the pleural cancer. The stage a patient has when they are diagnosed will help their doctor determine the most effective treatment plan for them. For instance, patients suffering from mesothelioma that is pleural in stage three or four have a worse prognosis than patients with lower stages. Stage four mesothelioma often spreads to the liver, diaphragm or even the heart of a patient. This can make the cancer more difficult to treat, and increase the chance of complications for the patient.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
Contrary to pleural cancer which forms in the lung's lining it develops in a membrane that surrounds the abdominal cavity, including organs such as the liver and intestines. As with pleural mesothelioma asbestos exposure is the primary cause of peritoneal mesothelioma. Only virginia asbestos attorney -500 cases are diagnosed annually which is lower than pleural asbestosis.
As with pleural asbestosis symptoms can take several years to show. The majority of patients are afflicted with abdominal pain as well as a mass in the abdomen. This mesothelioma type can cause nausea, weight loss, and fever. Many of these symptoms are similar to symptoms of digestive issues, which could cause incorrect diagnosis.
Doctors can identify mesothelioma by looking over the medical history of the patient and performing a physical examination. Imaging tests like X-rays or CT scans are a way to identify mesothelioma. These tests can reveal cancerous tumors or other indications of cancer that aren't visible on X-rays.
The results of these tests allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and establish the stage. They can also suggest treatment options. Staging is determined based on the type of cell and whether or the tumor has spread to other areas of the body.
The most important risk factor for mesothelioma is asbestos exposure. People who have been exposed to asbestos in occupations, like plumbing or electrical work, or in construction, manufacturing and manufacturing are more likely to contract the disease. Even if an individual is not employed in one of these fields, he or she can be exposed to asbestos through family members and other sources. For this reason, anyone who is concerned that they might be at risk should talk to an expert. If they have any history of exposure to asbestos and mesothelioma is a concern, a specialist will help them find out more about their risk.
Risk Factors
Asbestos is the main risk factor for mesothelioma. It accounts for as much as 80% of all cases. Exposure to asbestos can occur through 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 inhaled into the lungs and abdomen. They can cause irritation to the linings of the abdomen and can cause cancerous cells to grow in the mesothelium. After exposure to asbestos, mesothelioma may occur between 15 and 60 years old.
Other risk factors include smoking, genetics, and the advancing age. The people in their 40s or 50s are at greater risk of developing mesothelioma compared to people who are younger or more. It takes mesothelioma 20-60 years before it manifests cancer symptoms after the first exposure. It is important to remember that mesothelioma can develop in those who were exposed to asbestos but did not deal with it directly. This is known as indirect or secondary asbestos exposure, and is as hazardous as direct asbestos exposure.
Smoking increases the chance of mesothelioma developing, because it damages the mesothelium. It also makes it more prone to. Mesothelioma can also be caused by certain diseases, such as asbestosis and pneumonia. It is also important to note that mesothelioma occurs more frequently in males than females. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for a longer time and work with it. Also, men are more likely to live with someone who worked with asbestos and carry stray asbestos fibers home on their clothing. Women tend to be less exposed to asbestos and they don't usually carry asbestos on their clothes.
Diagnosis
It is difficult to identify mesothelioma due to its symptoms being often similar to other conditions. This could lead to patients being misdiagnosed.
NYU Langone doctors will perform physical examinations and document the patient's medical history including asbestos exposure. Doctors will also recommend an CT scan or chest X-ray in order to look for abnormalities, lumps and evidence of exposure to asbestos. These include plaques in the pleura, thickened pleura and calcium deposits.
Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance scan or MRI test, which makes use of magnets and radio waves to create a series detailed images of inside the body. A surgical biopsy is yet another method doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma. In a surgical biopsy doctors remove a small piece of tissue from the peritoneum or pleura to conduct further tests. A pathologist can then examine the tissue with a magnifying lens to determine if it is a cancerous cells.
The mesothelial type involved, the malignant or benign nature of the cells as well as the location, type and stage of the tumor, are used to categorize the disease. Certain types of mesothelioma are more likely to grow or spread, so it is important to establish a definitive diagnosis so doctors can treat the disease before it becomes out of control.
Doctors may also conduct laboratory tests on tumors to identify specific genes, proteins or other elements that will help them identify the characteristics of cancer and plan treatment. These results are referred to as staging.
Treatment
A mesothelioma diagnose can be terrifying. It is crucial to remember, however, that cancer can be treated, especially at its early stages. Many people with mesothelioma live for many years with the disease without it spreading to other organs of their body.
Exposure to asbestos may cause mesothelioma in many ways. Asbestos fibers, too small to be able to see or feel with the naked eye, can become airborne and irritate the lung's lining (pleura). In time irritation leads to formation of scar tissue, which can cause changes in the cell structure that eventually develop into tumors.
The Pleura is a protective layer that covers the abdomen, heart, and lungs. Mesothelium consists of cells that react to exposure to asbestos and cause it to enflame and create scar tissue. As time passes, these changes cause the development of malignant mesothelioma cancers.
The symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are breathlessness and chest pain, or the accumulation of fluid in the lung (pleural effusion). In rare cases, cancer can spread into the tissues around the reproductive organs as well as the heart.
A doctor will request a biopsy if imaging scans show the possibility of a tumor in the lungs or stomach. During the procedure doctors remove some of the fluid or tumor to allow 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, including surgery and chemotherapy. Most doctors utilize the combination of these methods. Patients can also benefit by participating in a clinical study of new mesothelioma treatments. To learn more, patients should speak with mesothelioma specialists who have experience treating the condition.