This Is The Mesothelioma And Asbestos Case Study You'll Never Forget
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08.10 14:33
Mesothelioma and Asbestos
Asbestos is a mineral that naturally occurs in the form of long, thin fibers. People who are regularly exposed to asbestos are at risk of developing lung diseases like mesothelioma.
The symptoms of these diseases may not show up for decades after exposure to asbestos. Different asbestos types may cause different symptoms.
Pleural Mesothelioma
Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer that develops in the outer lung lining (pleura). It is the most frequent mesothelioma that accounts for up 70% to 79% of diagnosed cases. This condition causes chest pain, shortness of breathe and a feeling of weightiness.
Exposure to asbestos, a family of minerals composed of microscopic fibers causes this kind of cancer. The fibers, when inhaled, cause irritation and DNA mutations. The pleura surrounds 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 frequently reported symptoms. Some patients have coughing problems, trouble breathing, or chest tightness. People with this cancer have a history that includes asbestos exposure at work. The most frequent jobs that expose workers to the risk of developing pleural cancer are manufacturing, construction, and shipbuilding. Individuals who have served in the military are at a higher risk due to the widespread use of asbestos in Navy vessels and Army bunkers.
The TNM (tumors, lymph nodes, and metastases staging system) is the most popular staging system used for the pleural adenocarcinoma. The stage a patient is in upon diagnosis will aid their doctor in determining the best treatment plan for them. For instance, patients suffering from mesothelioma that is pleural in stage three or four have a poorer prognosis than patients with a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma often spreads to the diaphragm, the liver and/or a person's heart. This could make the cancer more difficult to treat, and increase the chance of complications for patients.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
As opposed to pleural mesothelioma that develops in the lung lining, peritoneal mesothelioma develops in the peritoneum - it is a membrane that lines the abdominal cavity and organs such as the liver and intestines. Like pleural mesothelioma, exposure to asbestos is the cause of peritoneal msothelioma. There are only 300-500 cases diagnosed annually, which is less than the pleural asbestosis.
As with pleural asbestosis, symptoms can take several years to manifest. Patients generally suffer from abdominal pain and could also experience a mass in their abdomen. The symptoms of this type of mesothelioma can also include nausea, weight loss and fever. A lot of these symptoms are similar to those experienced by digestive problems, which can result in incorrect diagnosis.
Generally, doctors can find mesothelioma after a thorough medical history and physical exam. Imaging tests like X-rays and CT scans are a way to detect mesothelioma. These tests can identify tumors and other signs of cancer that aren't evident on X-rays.
These tests enable doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and determine the stage and suggest treatment options. Staging is determined based on the type of cell and whether or the tumor has spread to other regions of the body.
The most significant risk factor for mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos. People who have worked in asbestos-related jobs, such as plumbing or electrical work, or in manufacturing and construction, are more likely to contract the disease. However, even if individuals aren't employed in these areas, they can still be exposed to asbestos through family members or other sources. This is why anyone who believes they could be at risk should speak to an expert. A mesothelioma specialist can assist those who have had a previous history of asbestos to find out more about their risk.
Risk Factors
Asbestos is the most significant risk factor in mesothelioma. It accounts for up to 80percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos may occur due to military service, work or living with someone who used to work with asbestos. When exposed to asbestos, the particles can be breathed into the lungs and abdomen. The particles cause irritation to the linings of the abdomen, which causes cancerous cells to grow in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma can take between 15 and 60 years to develop following exposure to asbestos.
Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and age. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely to get mesothelioma than people younger or older. This is because mesothelioma usually lasts between 20 and 60 years after the initial exposure before cancer symptoms appear. It is important to remember that mesothelioma can be present in those who have been exposed to asbestos, but without having worked with it directly. This is known as indirect or secondary exposure to asbestos and it can be just as dangerous as direct exposure.
Smoking increases the chance of mesothelioma because it damages the mesothelium. It also makes it more susceptible. Furthermore, mesothelioma is worsened by certain diseases like pneumonia and asbestosis. It is also important to know that mesothelioma is more prevalent for men than women. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for a longer period of time and to work with it. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who has worked with asbestos and to have Asbestos Case-containing fibers on their clothing. Women are less likely to come into contact with asbestos and rarely carry asbestos around on their clothes.
Diagnosis
It is difficult to recognize mesothelioma since its symptoms are frequently similar to other illnesses. This is why patients are often misdiagnosed.
The first step to diagnose mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform an examination and write note of the medical history of the patient which includes asbestos exposure. Doctors may also request a CT scan or chest X-ray in order to look for lumps, abnormalities, 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 image or MRI test, which makes use of magnets and radio waves in order to create a series detailed images of inside the body. A surgical biopsy is another method for doctors to identify mesothelioma. In a surgical biopsy doctors take a tiny part of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum, to be examined further. A pathologist can then examine the tissue under microscopes to determine whether it contains cancerous cells.
The type of mesothelial cell involved and the benign or malignant nature of those cells as well as the location and stage of the tumor, are used to categorize the disease. Certain types of mesothelioma may be more likely to grow or spread which is why it is crucial to establish a definitive diagnosis so doctors can treat the disease before it becomes out of control.
Doctors may also conduct tests in the lab on tumors to determine specific proteins, genes, or other factors which can aid in describing cancer characteristics and determine the best treatment. These results are referred to as staging.
Treatment
A diagnosis of mesothelioma may be frightening. However, it is important to remember that the cancer can be treated, particularly in its earlier stages. Many people with mesothelioma live for a long time with the disease, without spreading to other areas of their body.
Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma by various mechanisms. Asbestos fibers that are small enough to not be felt or observed by naked eyes are able to become airborne and irritate the lung's lining (pleura). As time passes the irritation causes the formation of scar tissue and eventually tumors.
The pleura is the area that surrounds the lungs and the heart and the abdomen. Mesothelium consists of cells that react to exposure to asbestos compensation and cause it to enflame and create scar tissue. These changes can result in malignant mesothelioma tumors.
The signs of pleural mesothelioma can include breathlessness and chest pain as well as a buildup of fluid in the lungs (pleural effusion). In rare instances cancer may spread to the tissues that surround the reproductive organs and heart.
A doctor will request biopsy if imaging scans reveal a possible lung tumor or stomach. During the procedure, doctors will remove a small sample of the fluid or tumor for laboratory testing. The results will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma, and also determine the most effective treatment plan.
There are many types of treatment for mesothelioma, including chemotherapy and surgery. Most doctors utilize combinations of these treatments. Patients could also benefit from participating in a clinical study of new mesothelioma treatment. To find out more, patients should speak to a mesothelioma specialist who has experience treating the condition.
Asbestos is a mineral that naturally occurs in the form of long, thin fibers. People who are regularly exposed to asbestos are at risk of developing lung diseases like mesothelioma.
The symptoms of these diseases may not show up for decades after exposure to asbestos. Different asbestos types may cause different symptoms.
Pleural Mesothelioma
Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer that develops in the outer lung lining (pleura). It is the most frequent mesothelioma that accounts for up 70% to 79% of diagnosed cases. This condition causes chest pain, shortness of breathe and a feeling of weightiness.
Exposure to asbestos, a family of minerals composed of microscopic fibers causes this kind of cancer. The fibers, when inhaled, cause irritation and DNA mutations. The pleura surrounds 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 frequently reported symptoms. Some patients have coughing problems, trouble breathing, or chest tightness. People with this cancer have a history that includes asbestos exposure at work. The most frequent jobs that expose workers to the risk of developing pleural cancer are manufacturing, construction, and shipbuilding. Individuals who have served in the military are at a higher risk due to the widespread use of asbestos in Navy vessels and Army bunkers.
The TNM (tumors, lymph nodes, and metastases staging system) is the most popular staging system used for the pleural adenocarcinoma. The stage a patient is in upon diagnosis will aid their doctor in determining the best treatment plan for them. For instance, patients suffering from mesothelioma that is pleural in stage three or four have a poorer prognosis than patients with a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma often spreads to the diaphragm, the liver and/or a person's heart. This could make the cancer more difficult to treat, and increase the chance of complications for patients.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
As opposed to pleural mesothelioma that develops in the lung lining, peritoneal mesothelioma develops in the peritoneum - it is a membrane that lines the abdominal cavity and organs such as the liver and intestines. Like pleural mesothelioma, exposure to asbestos is the cause of peritoneal msothelioma. There are only 300-500 cases diagnosed annually, which is less than the pleural asbestosis.
As with pleural asbestosis, symptoms can take several years to manifest. Patients generally suffer from abdominal pain and could also experience a mass in their abdomen. The symptoms of this type of mesothelioma can also include nausea, weight loss and fever. A lot of these symptoms are similar to those experienced by digestive problems, which can result in incorrect diagnosis.
Generally, doctors can find mesothelioma after a thorough medical history and physical exam. Imaging tests like X-rays and CT scans are a way to detect mesothelioma. These tests can identify tumors and other signs of cancer that aren't evident on X-rays.
These tests enable doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and determine the stage and suggest treatment options. Staging is determined based on the type of cell and whether or the tumor has spread to other regions of the body.
The most significant risk factor for mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos. People who have worked in asbestos-related jobs, such as plumbing or electrical work, or in manufacturing and construction, are more likely to contract the disease. However, even if individuals aren't employed in these areas, they can still be exposed to asbestos through family members or other sources. This is why anyone who believes they could be at risk should speak to an expert. A mesothelioma specialist can assist those who have had a previous history of asbestos to find out more about their risk.
Risk Factors
Asbestos is the most significant risk factor in mesothelioma. It accounts for up to 80percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos may occur due to military service, work or living with someone who used to work with asbestos. When exposed to asbestos, the particles can be breathed into the lungs and abdomen. The particles cause irritation to the linings of the abdomen, which causes cancerous cells to grow in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma can take between 15 and 60 years to develop following exposure to asbestos.
Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and age. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely to get mesothelioma than people younger or older. This is because mesothelioma usually lasts between 20 and 60 years after the initial exposure before cancer symptoms appear. It is important to remember that mesothelioma can be present in those who have been exposed to asbestos, but without having worked with it directly. This is known as indirect or secondary exposure to asbestos and it can be just as dangerous as direct exposure.
Smoking increases the chance of mesothelioma because it damages the mesothelium. It also makes it more susceptible. Furthermore, mesothelioma is worsened by certain diseases like pneumonia and asbestosis. It is also important to know that mesothelioma is more prevalent for men than women. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for a longer period of time and to work with it. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who has worked with asbestos and to have Asbestos Case-containing fibers on their clothing. Women are less likely to come into contact with asbestos and rarely carry asbestos around on their clothes.
Diagnosis
It is difficult to recognize mesothelioma since its symptoms are frequently similar to other illnesses. This is why patients are often misdiagnosed.
The first step to diagnose mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform an examination and write note of the medical history of the patient which includes asbestos exposure. Doctors may also request a CT scan or chest X-ray in order to look for lumps, abnormalities, 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 image or MRI test, which makes use of magnets and radio waves in order to create a series detailed images of inside the body. A surgical biopsy is another method for doctors to identify mesothelioma. In a surgical biopsy doctors take a tiny part of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum, to be examined further. A pathologist can then examine the tissue under microscopes to determine whether it contains cancerous cells.
The type of mesothelial cell involved and the benign or malignant nature of those cells as well as the location and stage of the tumor, are used to categorize the disease. Certain types of mesothelioma may be more likely to grow or spread which is why it is crucial to establish a definitive diagnosis so doctors can treat the disease before it becomes out of control.
Doctors may also conduct tests in the lab on tumors to determine specific proteins, genes, or other factors which can aid in describing cancer characteristics and determine the best treatment. These results are referred to as staging.
Treatment
A diagnosis of mesothelioma may be frightening. However, it is important to remember that the cancer can be treated, particularly in its earlier stages. Many people with mesothelioma live for a long time with the disease, without spreading to other areas of their body.
Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma by various mechanisms. Asbestos fibers that are small enough to not be felt or observed by naked eyes are able to become airborne and irritate the lung's lining (pleura). As time passes the irritation causes the formation of scar tissue and eventually tumors.
The pleura is the area that surrounds the lungs and the heart and the abdomen. Mesothelium consists of cells that react to exposure to asbestos compensation and cause it to enflame and create scar tissue. These changes can result in malignant mesothelioma tumors.
The signs of pleural mesothelioma can include breathlessness and chest pain as well as a buildup of fluid in the lungs (pleural effusion). In rare instances cancer may spread to the tissues that surround the reproductive organs and heart.
A doctor will request biopsy if imaging scans reveal a possible lung tumor or stomach. During the procedure, doctors will remove a small sample of the fluid or tumor for laboratory testing. The results will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma, and also determine the most effective treatment plan.
There are many types of treatment for mesothelioma, including chemotherapy and surgery. Most doctors utilize combinations of these treatments. Patients could also benefit from participating in a clinical study of new mesothelioma treatment. To find out more, patients should speak to a mesothelioma specialist who has experience treating the condition.
