What's The Point Of Nobody Caring About Mesothelioma And Asbestos
Mesothelioma and Asbestos
Asbestos is a mineral that naturally forms in the form of thin, long fibers. Workers who are exposed asbestos on a regular basis are at risk of developing mesothelioma or other lung diseases of different types.
It may take decades for symptoms to appear after exposure to asbestos. Different asbestos types can cause different symptoms.
Pleural Mesothelioma
Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer of the outer lung lining, or pleura. It is the most frequent form of mesothelioma and is responsible for 70 to 79% of diagnosed cases. The condition can cause chest pain, breath shortness and a feeling of heavyness.
Exposure to asbestos, a class of minerals made of microscopic fibers, usually causes this kind of cancer. When inhaled, these fibers, cause irritation and DNA mutations. Pleura surrounds both the chest cavity and the lungs, so irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma usually doesn't show symptoms until 30 to 50 years after exposure.
The most frequent symptoms of pleural melanoma are chest discomfort and shortness of breath. Patients may also suffer from chest tightness or coughing. They may also experience difficulty breathing. People with this cancer often have an history of exposure to asbestos in the workplace. The most frequent jobs that put people at risk of developing pleural mesothelioma are manufacturing, construction, and shipbuilding. Individuals who have served in the military are at a greater risk due the widespread use of asbestos in Navy vessels and Army bunkers.
The TNM (tumors, lymph nodes, and metastases staging system) is the most common staging system used to treat pleural adenocarcinoma. The stage that the patient is in at the time of diagnosis will help determine what treatment plan they will receive. For example, patients with mesothelioma pleural stage three or four have a less favorable prognosis than those in a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma can develop into the liver, heart or diaphragm. This makes it more difficult to treat and increases the chance of complications for patients.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
Unlike pleural cancer, which forms in the lung's lining the peritoneal cancer is a result of a membrane that covers the abdominal cavity, including organs like the intestines and the liver. Similar to pleural mesothelioma, exposure to asbestos is the cause of peritoneal mesothelioma. Only 300-500 cases are diagnosed annually, which is less than the pleural asbestosis.
As with pleural mesothelioma symptoms may take years to appear. The majority of patients suffer from abdominal pain and an abdominal mass. The symptoms of this type of mesothelioma can also include nausea as well as weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms could be mistaken for gastrointestinal problems and can lead to a false diagnosis.
Doctors can identify mesothelioma by examining the patient's medical history and performing a physical exam. Imaging tests such as X-rays or CT scans can be used to identify mesothelioma. These tests can reveal tumors and other cancer signs which aren't visible on X-rays.
These tests enable doctors to identify mesothelioma, and determine the stage. They can also recommend treatments. The stage is determined by the kind of cell and if the tumor has spread.
Asbestos exposure is the biggest risk factor. People who have been exposed to asbestos in professions, such as plumbing or electrical work, or in construction and manufacturing are more likely to contract the disease. However, even if individuals do not work in these areas they could be exposed to asbestos through relatives or other sources. For this reason, anyone who is concerned that they might be at risk should talk to an expert. A mesothelioma specialist can help those with a experience with asbestos to understand more about their risk.
Risk Factors
Asbestos exposure is a major 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 works with asbestos or has previously done so. When exposed to asbestos, the particles can be breathed into the lungs and abdomen. These particles irritate the linings of the abdomen, which causes cancerous cells to form in the mesothelium. After exposure to asbestos mesothelioma is likely to occur between 15 and 60 year.
Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and age. People in their 40s or 50s are at greater risk of developing mesothelioma as compared to those younger or older. It takes mesothelioma 20-60 years to show signs of cancer after the first exposure. It is important to remember that mesothelioma can develop in people who were exposed to asbestos, but did not work with it directly. This is referred to as indirect or secondary asbestos exposure, and is as dangerous as direct asbestos exposure.
Smoking increases the risk of developing mesothelioma since it causes mesothelium damage and makes it more prone to asbestos. Furthermore, mesothelioma is worsened by certain diseases like pneumonia and asbestosis. It is also important to note that mesothelioma is more common for men than women. This is due to men being more likely to work with asbestos and have a longer period of exposure than women. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who worked with asbestos, and to carry asbestos fibers on their clothing. Women tend to be less in contact with asbestos, and don't typically carry asbestos on their clothing.
Diagnosis
It is difficult to diagnose mesothelioma due to its symptoms being often similar to other diseases. This could lead to patients being wrongly diagnosed.
NYU Langone doctors will perform physical examinations and document the patient's medical background, including asbestos exposure. Doctors can also order an X-ray chest or CT scan to look for lumps and other abnormalities, and also to look for evidence of asbestos exposure in the past such as plaques on the pleura (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the accumulation of fluid between the lung and chest wall (known as pleural effusion).
Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance image, or MRI test, which makes use of magnets and radio waves to create a series of detailed images of the insides of the body. Another way doctors can diagnose mesothelioma is by performing an operation called a biopsy. A surgical biopsy is when doctors take a small amount of tissue from the pleura or peritoneum for further testing. A pathologist then examines the tissue under a magnifying glass to determine if it is a cancerous cell.
Mesothelioma is classified according to the type of mesothelial cells involved, whether these cells are malignant or benign, and the location of the tumor, the type, and the stage of the tumor. Certain mesothelioma types have a higher risk of metastasizing or spreading therefore it is essential to establish a clear diagnosis to ensure that the doctors can treat it prior to it becoming out-of-control.
Doctors may also conduct laboratory tests on tumors in order to determine specific proteins, genes or other factors that will help them identify cancer characteristics and determine the best treatment. These results are referred to as staging.
Treatment
A mesothelioma diagnose can be frightening. However, it's important to keep in mind that the cancer can be treated, particularly in its initial stages. Many patients with mesothelioma survive for years without the disease spreading to other parts of their body.
Asbestos exposure can cause mesothelioma through various mechanisms. Asbestos fibers, which are too small to be able to see or feel by the naked eye can become airborne and irritate the lining of the lungs (pleura). As scottsdale asbestos lawyer passes the irritation causes 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 composed of cells that react to asbestos which causes it to become inflamed and form scar tissue. These changes can eventually result in malignant mesothelioma tumors.
The signs of pleural mesothelioma can include breathing problems and chest pain, or an accumulation of fluid in the lungs (pleural effusion). In rare instances cancer may spread to the tissues around the reproductive organs as well as the heart.
A doctor may request a biopsy if imaging scans reveal a possible mass in the lungs or stomach. During the procedure, doctors take a small sample of the fluid or tumor for laboratory 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. The majority of doctors use an amalgamation of these techniques. Participating in clinical trials of new mesothelioma treatment may also be beneficial for patients. Patients can learn more by consulting a mesothelioma expert who has treated mesothelioma.