Mesothelioma From Asbestos

Mesothelioma is a condition that occurs when the linings around the body's organs, including the stomach, lungs, heart and reproductive organs, expand beyond their limits. Most cases are linked to working with asbestos, a class of minerals that have microscopic fibers that resist chemical and heat.

It can take years for symptoms to show up after exposure. The early signs are often difficult to identify because they may be similar to other ailments.

Exposure

Many people in the US are exposed to asbestos while at work or at home. The most frequent type of exposure is from handling or installing asbestos-containing materials on a job site. Asbestos is a naturally occurring fibrous material. In the United States it has been used for decades to provide insulation in construction and other fields, such as shipbuilding.

Asbestos was a well-known product due to its durability and low cost. However, it is very dangerous if inhaled or swallowed. It can easily be inhaled when it is broken or disturbed. Inhaling these fibers could cause mesothelioma in a person. The signs of mesothelioma could not be evident for 30 to 50 years following first exposure to asbestos.

When asbestos is inhaled, it gets absorbed into the lining of the chest cavity (pleura) or abdominal cavity (peritoneum). As time passes asbestos compensation fibers can lead to the growth of tumors called mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is a rare cancer caused by exposure to asbestos.

Exposure to asbestos is also associated with a non-cancerous disease known as asbestosis. People who are at risk of developing mesothelioma include miners, asbestos litigation workers, electricians, construction workers, insulation workers and veterans of the military. Smoking is a risk factor, but it does not cause mesothelioma.

The first known case of mesothelioma was reported in 1931, however the disease was not widely known until evidence from medical experts connected it to asbestos exposure. In the 1940s, a link was established and laws were enacted to regulate worker safety and to ban the use of asbestos. Unfortunately, by this time, many people had already contracted asbestos-related diseases and passed away.

The risk of malignant mesothelioma is increased in proportion to the amount and duration of asbestos exposure. This is why it is important for those who have experienced exposure to residential or workplace asbestos to know their levels of exposure and any potential symptoms. Anyone who has experienced symptoms should immediately consult their physician. A doctor can help determine if they have mesothelioma or another asbestos-related illness.

Signs and symptoms

Asbestos is a highly hazardous substance and exposure can cause a number of symptoms. The asbestos claim fibers can enter the lungs and cause scar tissue, referred to as plaques in the pleural cavity. These plaques can stiffen the lungs and make it harder to breathe. The plaques may grow into malignant pleural mesothelioma as time passes. Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that affects the mesothelium, which lines the outside of most organs. Mesothelioma can also be found in the membrane around the heart (pericardium) and more often the membrane that surrounds the testicles. It typically develops 30 to 50 years after exposure to asbestos and is often not diagnosed because it is so rare.

It is important to see an expert as soon as you can if experiencing any unusual or persistent signs and symptoms, especially if have been exposed to asbestos. Mesothelioma symptoms can be similar to the symptoms of other conditions and can take an extended time to identify. Breathing problems and chest pain as well as bloody coughing, weight loss, difficulty in breathing, fatigue and fever are some of the earliest symptoms. Mesothelioma is common in people older than 65.

The most common location to find mesothelioma the body is in the lungs. It can also be found in the abdomen and, very rarely in the testicles. The majority of cases of mesothelioma are caused by exposure to asbestos fibres or dust, but some have been linked with other minerals, such as silica and erionite.

The most frequent mesothelioma-related symptoms are fatigue shortness of breath, and dry cough. A buildup of fluid inside the lungs (pleural effusion) is another common sign. The fluid can also build up in the abdomen, causing stomach swelling, abdominal pain, weight loss and nausea.

Asbestos can trigger a variety of other serious health issues that include lung cancer and asbestosis, a non-cancerous scabbing of the lungs. If you have been exposed to asbestos, it is important to let a doctor know about your past history of exposure. This will help them determine the best treatment option for any new signs.

Diagnosis

When diagnosing mesothelioma, doctors must also determine the stage. The staging process is a reflection of the severity of the cancer and helps them predict how it will respond to treatment.

The first step in diagnosing mesothelioma is to speak with their doctor about their symptoms and work history. A physical exam can reveal lumps in the abdomen or chest. The doctor can also track into consideration the health of the patient and family history. This information will help determine the possible cause of the symptoms, such as asbestos exposure.

Once doctors have the information, they can conduct tests to confirm the mesothelioma diagnosis. This includes chest X-rays or CT scan to detect evidence of mesothelioma in lungs, like plaques in the pleural region (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) or a build-up of fluid between the lung and the chest wall, which is known as an effusion of the pleura. Other imaging tests that may help include an MRI and FDG-positron emission (PET) mediastinoscopy (used to examine and sample lymph nodes in the centre of the chest) and endobronchial ultrasound.

A thoracoscopy is another test that can be performed to determine mesothelioma within the lungs of someone. It is performed by cutting a small cut between two ribs. A doctor then inserts flexible tube with cameras at the end. The tube can be inserted through the mouth or through the throat using the aid of sedation. It is connected to a large screen so that the doctor is able to see images of the area they are examining. The doctor can then use the tube to take tissue samples (biopsies) from the pleura.

Doctors can examine the biopsies and determine if they are epithelioid mesothelioma sarcomatoid mesothelioma or mixed. Epithelioid is by far the most prevalent mesothelioma type, accounting for 60 to 70 percent of all cases. It has a better prognosis when compared to mixed mesothelioma and sarcomatoid. The type of mesothelioma also depends on the length of time that the patient was exposed to asbestos. Patients who were exposed to asbestos for a longer amount of time are more likely to have mixed or sarcomatoid mesothelioma. This is due to the fact that mesothelioma cells are more active than epithelioid mesothelioma.

Treatment

Certain mesothelioma cancer cells may develop into tumors that invade the surrounding organs or tissues. The cancer may also be carried through the bloodstream or lymphatic system to other areas of the body. Cancerous tumors may cause severe symptoms that could affect the quality of life of an individual.

Mesothelioma usually occurs in the lining of the chest cavity (pleura) or abdomen. It can also be found in the heart. It can also form around the testicles. It is rare for mesothelioma to develop in other parts of the body.

Exposure to asbestos increases the risk of developing mesothelioma. The cancer can be diagnosed when tiny asbestos fibers enter the body and are inhaled or swallowed, or absorbed through the skin. The irritation that results can cause genetic changes within the body, and could cause cancer.

Symptoms of mesothelioma are often not obvious and may take 20 to 50 years or more to set in. Patients with mesothelioma tend to be diagnosed after other health issues have been discovered. A buildup of fluids and chest discomfort, as well as breathing issues are just a few possible signs. Pleural mesothelioma, the most common mesothelioma type and accounts for 85 percent of all cases. It is sometimes difficult to identify mesothelioma pleural because the initial symptoms, such as chest pain and shortness of breath, are similar to many other diseases.

Patients with mesothelioma are at an increased chance of developing other forms of cancer. They also are more likely to have an ancestor with mesothelioma or other asbestos legal-related ailments. People who live with workers exposed to asbestos may be at higher risk because they can carry asbestos fibers on their clothing. Radiation therapy may increase the risk of mesothelioma for patients who have received it. This is because radiation therapy can cause DNA mutations of cells.

Mesothelioma is a serious disease that could be fatal for those who have been diagnosed. There is no known cure however, patients can choose different methods to improve their health and quality of life. The most important thing is to choose the appropriate treatment for the individual situation. Based on their fitness, health and medical history, doctors can help patients choose the most appropriate treatment options.