Ten Things Your Competitors Help You Learn About Mesothelioma And Asbestos
Mesothelioma and Asbestos
Asbestos, a natural mineral, naturally occurs in the form of long, thin fibers. People who are regularly exposed to asbestos risk developing lung diseases such as mesothelioma.
The symptoms of these diseases may not manifest for years after exposure to asbestos. Different asbestos types can cause different symptoms.
Pleural Mesothelioma
Pleural mesothelioma is a type of cancer that affects the outer lung the lining (pleura). It is the most prevalent mesothelioma that accounts for up 70% to 79% of all diagnosed cases. This condition causes chest discomfort, shortness of breath and a feeling of heaviness.
This type of cancer is typically caused by exposure to asbestos which is a cluster of minerals that are composed of microscopic fibers. When inhaled, these fibers stick inside the lung and cause irritation which causes scarring and DNA mutations. Pleura covers both the chest cavity as well as the lungs, and so irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma typically doesn't manifest until 30 to 50 years after exposure.
Chest pain and shortness breath are the most frequent symptoms. Some patients may also feel tightness in their chest and coughing, or breathing difficulties. Patients with this cancer have a history of disease that includes asbestos exposure at work. Construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding are the most common occupations that put people at high risk of developing pleural mesothelioma. Individuals who have served in the military are at a greater risk due to the widespread use of asbestos in Navy vessels and bunkers in the Army.
The most commonly used staging method for pleural mesothelioma is the TNM (tumor, lymph nodes and metastases) staging system. The stage a patient has at diagnosis will help their doctor determine the most appropriate treatment plan for them. For example, patients with a pleural mesothelioma in stage three or four have a less favorable prognosis than those in a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma can be spread to the liver, heart or diaphragm. This makes it more difficult to treat and increase the risk of complications for the patient.
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In contrast to pleural mesothelioma which is a lung-lining cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma develops in the peritoneum, it is a membrane that lines the abdominal cavity and organs like the intestines and liver. Like pleural mesothelioma, exposure to asbestos is the cause of peritoneal mesothelioma. The disease is less common than pleural mesothelioma. There are just 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.
As with pleural asbestosis, symptoms can take years to show. The majority of patients suffer from abdominal pain and a mass in the abdomen. This type of mesothelioma may cause nausea, weight loss, and fever. Many of these symptoms could be misinterpreted as digestive issues, leading to a false diagnosis.
Typically, doctors can identify mesothelioma after a thorough health history and physical examination. Imaging tests such as X-rays or CT scans can be used to identify mesothelioma. These tests can identify tumors and other signs of cancer which aren't visible on X-rays.
These tests enable doctors to diagnose mesothelioma, determine the stage and suggest treatment options. The stage is determined by the kind of cell and if the tumor has spread.
The most important mesothelioma-related risk factor is exposure to asbestos. People who have been exposed to asbestos in professions, such as electrical or plumbing work or in manufacturing and construction are more likely to contract the disease. Even if they do not work in these areas they may be exposed to asbestos through family members or other sources. Anyone who suspects that they may be at risk should talk to an expert. A mesothelioma specialist can assist those with a history with asbestos to learn more about their risk.
Risk Factors
Asbestos exposure is the main risk factor for mesothelioma making up as much as 80 percent of all cases. Exposure to asbestos may occur through work, military service or by living with a person who is exposed to asbestos or has previously done so. When exposed to asbestos, the particles can be breathed into the abdomen and lungs. These particles can cause irritation to the linings and trigger cancerous cells to form in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma may take between 15 and 60 years to develop after exposure to asbestos.
Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and age. The people in their 40s or 50s are at a higher risk of developing mesothelioma compared to people who are younger or more. It is because mesothelioma generally takes 20 to 60 years from the initial exposure before cancer symptoms appear. It is important to remember that mesothelioma can develop in people who have been exposed to asbestos but did not deal with it directly. This is known as indirect or secondary asbestos exposure, and is just as harmful as direct asbestos exposure.
Smoking increases the risk of mesothelioma, because it damages the mesothelium. It also makes it more susceptible. Mesothelioma is also aggravated by certain diseases, such as asbestosis and pneumonia. It is also important to know that mesothelioma is more prevalent in men than women. This is due to men being more likely to be exposed to asbestos and endure a an extended period of exposure than women. Additionally, men are more likely to live with someone who was exposed to asbestos and bring asbestos fibers that have escaped home on their clothes. Women tend to be less exposed to asbestos and they don't usually carry asbestos on their clothes.
Diagnosis
Mesothelioma is a difficult cancer to identify because the symptoms can be similar to other conditions. This could lead to patients being incorrectly diagnosed.
NYU Langone doctors will perform physical examinations and document the patient's medical background, including asbestos exposure. Doctors will also order a CT scan or chest X-ray to check for lumps, abnormalities and evidence of exposure to asbestos. These include pleural plaques, thickened pleura and calcium deposits.
Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram, which examines the heart and blood vessels as well as a magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI test that uses magnets and radio waves to make a series of precise images of the inside of the body. Another method doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma is through the procedure of a surgical biopsy. A surgical biopsy is when doctors remove a small piece of tissue from the pleura or peritoneum to conduct further tests. A pathologist will then look at the tissue with a magnifying lens to determine if it contains cancerous cell.
The type of mesothelial cell involved, the malignant or benign nature of those cells, as well as the location and stage of the tumour, are used to categorize the disease. Some types of mesothelioma are more likely to develop metastasis or spread, so it is important to establish a definitive diagnosis to ensure that doctors are able to treat the disease before it becomes out of control.
Doctors can also perform tests in the laboratory on tumors to identify specific genes, proteins or other factors that can aid in describing cancer characteristics and determine the best treatment. These results are known as staging.
Treatment
A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be terrifying. But, it is crucial to remember that the cancer is treatable, especially in its early stages. Many people with mesothelioma live for years with the disease without it spreading to other parts of their body.
Exposure to asbestos may cause mesothelioma in a number of ways. Asbestos fibers that are small enough to not be felt or viewed by naked eyes are able to become airborne, irritating the lung's lining (pleura). Over time, the irritation causes the formation of scar tissue, which leads to changes in the structure of cells that eventually develop into tumors.
The Pleura is a protective layer that surrounds the abdomen, heart, and lungs. Mesothelium is composed of cells that respond when exposed to asbestos. They inflame the tissue and cause it to become scarred. As time passes, these changes cause the development of malignant mesothelioma tumors.
The signs of pleural mesothelioma can include breathlessness and chest pain as well as the accumulation of fluid in the lungs (pleural effusion). In rare instances the cancer may spread to the tissues surrounding the heart and reproductive organs.
If scans of imaging reveal an area of concern in the lungs or stomach doctors will recommend biopsies. During the procedure, doctors take small amounts of the fluid or tumor for laboratory tests. The results will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and indicate the most effective treatment plan.
There are many types of mesothelioma treatment options, including surgery, chemotherapy 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 for patients. Patients can learn more about the trials by speaking with a mesothelioma doctor who has treated the disease.