Mesothelioma and Asbestos
Asbestos, a natural mineral, naturally forms in the form of long, thin fibers. Workers who are exposed asbestos on a regular basis are at risk of developing mesothelioma as well as other lung diseases of different types.
The symptoms of these diseases might not manifest for years after exposure to asbestos. Different asbestos types can cause different symptoms.
Pleural Mesothelioma
Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer that affects the outer lung liner (pleura). It is the most prevalent mesothelioma type, accounting for up 70 to 79% of all diagnosed cases. Patients with this disease feel chest pain and breath shortness and may experience an ache or heaviness in the chest.
Exposure to asbestos, a group of minerals made of microscopic fibers, usually causes this type of cancer. When inhaled, these fibers cling to the lung and cause irritation that results in scarring and DNA mutations. Pleura is the lining of both the chest cavity as well as the lungs, so irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma symptoms typically don't show until 30 to 50 years after exposure.
Shortness of breath and chest pain are the most frequently reported symptoms. Some patients have coughing problems, trouble breathing, or chest tightness. Patients with this type of cancer typically have previous exposure to asbestos in the workplace. The most frequent jobs that expose people to the risk of developing pleural cancer are manufacturing, construction and shipbuilding. People who were in the military are at a greater risk due the extensive use asbestos in Navy vessels and bunkers for the Army.
The most commonly used staging system for pleural mysothelioma has been the TNM (tumor lymph nodes, lymph nodes and metastases) staging system. The stage a patient is in at diagnosis will help their doctor determine the best treatment plan for them. For example, patients with a pleural mesothelioma in stage three or four have a less favorable prognosis than patients with lower stages. Stage four mesothelioma can be spread to the liver, heart or diaphragm. This could make the cancer more difficult to treat, and increase the chance of complications for patients.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
In contrast to pleural mesothelioma which develops in the lung lining, peritoneal mesothelioma is found in the peritoneum - it is a membrane that lines the abdominal cavity and organs such as the intestines and the liver. Similar to pleural mesothelioma, asbestos exposure is the cause of peritoneal mesothelioma. The disease is less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma, and just 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.
As with pleural asbestosis symptoms can take years to show. Typically, patients suffer from abdominal pain and abdominal swelling. This mesothelioma type can cause nausea, weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms could be mistaken for gastrointestinal problems, leading to a false diagnosis.
Generally, doctors can find mesothelioma through a thorough medical history and physical exam. Imaging tests like X-rays or CT scans can be used to identify mesothelioma. These tests can detect tumors as well as other signs of cancer that are not visible on X-rays.
These test results allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and determine the stage of the disease and suggest treatment options. The staging is determined by the cell type and whether or the tumor has spread to other regions of the body.
The most important mesothelioma risk factor is asbestos exposure. People who have worked in jobs that require asbestos, such as plumbing, manufacturing, electrical work, or construction, are at greater risk of developing the disease. However, even if people aren't employed in these fields they could be exposed to asbestos through family members or other sources. Anyone who thinks they may be at risk should talk to an expert. If they have an history of exposure to asbestos or mesothelioma, a specialist can help them find out more about their risk.
Risk Factors
Asbestos exposure is a major risk factor for mesothelioma which accounts for as much as 80 percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos can happen due to work, military service or by living with a person who works with asbestos or was previously exposed to doing such. When exposed to asbestos, small particles can be breathed into the abdomen and lungs. These particles irritate the linings of the lungs, causing cancerous cells to develop in the mesothelium. After tulsa asbestos lawyer to asbestos mesothelioma can be diagnosed between 15 and 60 years.
Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and age. People in their 40s and 50s are at a higher risk of developing mesothelioma as compared to those who are younger or older. This is because mesothelioma usually occurs between 20 and 60 years after the initial time of exposure before symptoms of cancer begin to manifest. It is also important to know that mesothelioma can develop in people who have been exposed to asbestos but did not deal with it directly. This is referred to as indirect or secondary exposure to asbestos. It could be as hazardous as direct exposure.
Smoking increases a person's chances of getting mesothelioma because it causes mesothelium damage and makes it more vulnerable to asbestos. Furthermore, mesothelioma is worsened by certain diseases like asbestosis and pneumonia. It is also important to know that mesothelioma is more common in men than women. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for longer periods of time and to work with it. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who had worked with asbestos, and to have asbestos-containing fibers on their clothing. Women are less likely to come into exposure to asbestos and don't typically carry asbestos around on their clothing.
Diagnosis
It is difficult to diagnose mesothelioma because its symptoms are often similar to other conditions. This can result in patients being misdiagnosed.
NYU Langone doctors will perform physical examinations and document the patient's medical background including asbestos exposure. Doctors may also request a CT scan or chest X-ray to look 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 create precise images of the inside of the body. Another method doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma is to perform a surgical biopsy. When a biopsy is performed doctors will remove a small piece of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum to be tested further. A pathologist can then examine the tissue with a microscope to see if it contains cancerous cells.
The type of mesothelial cell involved and the benign or malignant nature of the cells and the location and stage of the tumour, are used to categorize the disease. Certain mesothelioma types have greater chance of metastasizing or spreading therefore it is essential to determine the type of mesothelioma so doctors can treat it before it becomes out-of-control.
Doctors may also conduct tests in the lab on tumors in order to determine specific genes, proteins, or other factors which will help them identify the characteristics of cancer and plan treatment. These results are known as staging.
Treatment
A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be terrifying. It is important to keep in mind that cancer can be treated, particularly in its early stages. Many patients with mesothelioma endure the disease for many years without it expanding.
Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma by many mechanisms. Asbestos fibers, too small to be able to see or feel through the naked eye, can be airborne and cause irritation to the lining of the lungs (pleura). Over time the irritation causes the formation of scar tissues that eventually result in tumors.
The pleura covers the heart and lungs and also the abdomen. Mesothelium is composed of cells that react to exposure to asbestos, causing it to inflame and develop scar tissue. In time, these changes can result in the growth of malignant mesothelioma tumors.
A 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 may be spread to the tissues around the heart and reproductive organs.
A doctor may request biopsy if imaging scans reveal a possible lung tumor or stomach. During the procedure, doctors will remove small amounts of the fluid or tumor for lab tests. The results will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma, and also determine the best treatment option.
There are a variety of mesothelioma treatments, including chemotherapy, surgery and immunotherapy. Most doctors utilize combinations of these treatments. Enrolling in clinical trials of new mesothelioma treatment may also be beneficial for patients. To learn more, patients should speak to mesothelioma specialists who have experience treating the condition.