Mesothelioma and Other Asbestos Related Cancers
People with a long exposure to asbestos are at risk of developing a variety of kinds of cancers, including mesothelioma. These cancers have a latency period of several years, meaning that symptoms may not be evident until decades after exposure.
The risk of developing pleural and peritoneal msothelioma diminishes after first exposure. The evidence is based on six occupational and two residential cohort studies that have a long-term follow-up.
What is Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma, also known as cancer of the linings of internal organs such as the lungs (pleural) or abdomen (peritoneal) and the heart (pericardial) is a rare but aggressive disease. It is a rare, severe disease that typically begins within the lining of the chest cavity. However, it may also affect the lining of the stomach or other parts of your body. Asbestos is the main reason for mesothelioma. The cancer typically doesn't show up until decades after exposure.
People exposed to asbestos in the workplace have an increased risk of developing the disease than other. Asbestos fibres can be swallowed or inhaled and bind to the organ lining. The fibers cause irritation to the lining and cause abnormal cells to multiply, leading to tumors. Symptoms usually do not appear until a person has developed mesothelioma that is advanced.
Asbestos exposure most often occurs in jobs in the industrial sector where workers handled the material or were in close proximity to it. Asbestos is used in many trades, such as construction, shipbuilding and auto repair. Veterans who were in the military are at greater chance of developing mesothelioma since asbestos was commonly used on ships and bases.
People who have a exposure to asbestos need to be checked regularly, and should be alert for any unusual symptoms. If the doctor suspects mesothelioma they could conduct imaging tests like CT scans, MRI or PET scans to look for the tumors and see if they have spread. They may also perform an examination and inquire about the patient's asbestos exposure background. Certain mesothelioma cases can be linked to genetic changes. So, certain patients could benefit from genetic tests.
Risk Factors
Exposure to asbestos is the main mesothelioma risk factor. Asbestos, a mineral made up of fibers, is impervious to heat and strong. Asbestos is used in many manufacturing and construction materials, such as insulation, brakes and shingles. Asbestos dust is inhaled and swallowed if disturbed. As time passes, this could lead to irritation of the mesothelium which may eventually develop into mesothelioma.
Mesothelioma is more prevalent in people who have a history of occupational exposure to asbestos. This includes people who have been employed in industries such as mining, shipbuilding and construction as well as in automobile repair. Veterans of the military are also at risk because many branches of the military employed asbestos-based materials.
Other factors that increase the risk of mesothelioma is a family history of asbestos exposure and previous treatment for chest cancer with radiation. Additionally the mesothelioma type diagnosed has significant effects on the risk. The most frequent type of mesothelioma affects the lungs. Other forms of mesothelioma include the peritoneal (pericardial), testicular, and peritoneal.
The risk of mesothelioma typically increases with the third or fourth power of latency which is the amount of time it takes to identify someone. However, the risk of pleural mesothelioma exhibits an apparent flattening after approximately 40 years of exposure. Both pericardial and peritoneal mesothelioma have the same trend. People who have a para-occupational exposure to asbestos - such as living in close proximity to an asbestos plant, or consuming products from the household that are contaminated - are also at increased risk of developing mesothelioma. In Tuscaloosa asbestos lawsuit of six cities, those who were exposed to asbestos in this manner were at a higher risk of mesothelioma than people who had only occupational exposure.
Signs and symptoms
Malignant mesothelioma affects the cellular of the organs' linings. Most often, it is found in the lung linings and the abdomen. Mesothelioma may also develop in the lining of the heart or testicles. It is a rare form of cancer and the majority of people diagnosed with mesothelioma worked in positions that exposed them to asbestos. It can take decades for mesothelioma symptoms to develop and the condition is not curable.
Asbestos is made up of a group minerals that have microscopic fibers and are impervious to heat, chemicals and fire. It was once extensively employed in shipbuilding, construction manufacturing, and many other industries. Exposure to asbestos can lead to mesothelioma due to the fibers getting stuck in the tissues that line organs and protect them, causing irritation and damaging cells. This can cause tumors to grow and eventually become cancerous.
The most frequent mesothelioma type is found in the tissue (pleura) of the lung. It may also start in the lining of the testicles or the heart, or in the abdominal lining (peritoneum). Mesothelioma can also expand to lymph nodes, causing them to expand.
The majority of people diagnosed with mesothelioma have an extensive history of exposure to asbestos and are already suffering from other illnesses like chronic lung diseases. Symptoms of mesothelioma can be similar to other illnesses, so it is important to consult a doctor when you notice any persistent or worrying signs and symptoms. Doctors will ask you about your asbestos exposure in the past and may conduct physical examination. They may also conduct scans of your blood and imaging of your abdomen or chest. These tests can detect any thickening or fluid between the lungs and chest wall.
Diagnosis
When asbestos fibers become stuck to the body, they may cause damage and could eventually turn into cancerous tumors. Different kinds of asbestos-related cancers develop in various tissues or organs and can be diagnosed with different tests. Mesothelioma develops in the lining of the chest cavity and lungs (pleura) and stomach membranes (peritoneum) or around the heart and reproductive organs.
The first step in diagnosing mesothelioma is to talk with their doctor about their experience with asbestos exposure and what symptoms they have been experiencing. Doctors will also perform a physical examination and order tests to determine the health of the lung.
X-rays and CT scans help doctors get a better view of the affected area. In certain instances doctors will perform an pleural effusion test in order to determine if mesothelioma, or another disease is causing fluid buildup in the lungs. Pleural effusions may be an indication of pleural, mixed or peritoneal mesothelioma.
The mesothelioma symptoms are frequently misdiagnosed, as they resemble the symptoms of other diseases. The most common symptoms are chest pain and breathing difficulties. Pleural mesothelioma may also cause a cough, chest tightness and fatigue. Peritoneal Mesothelioma can cause abdominal swelling, pain and distension. Testicular mesothelioma could manifest as a painful or itchy lump that is located in the testicles.
Researchers are studying the presence of proteins in blood to find a way of identifying mesothelioma in the early stages. They are also studying several other tests and procedures which can improve diagnostic accuracy. They are looking at mesothelioma imaging and MRIs. They are also researching genetic mutations and how to determine if someone is at risk for mesothelioma by studying their family history.
Treatment
Asbestos exposure is the main risk factor for mesothelioma. People who worked with asbestos in the past, especially for long periods of time, or in high-risk jobs like construction, shipbuilding, electrical work auto repair and military service are at greater risk.
Exposure to asbestos may cause mesothelioma, when fibers become stuck in the tissue that lines vital organs and shields them. The mesothelium is irritated by the asbestos fibers and cause DNA damage, which leads to cancerous cells. Mesothelioma symptoms usually do not appear until decades after exposure.
The symptoms vary based on the type of mesothelioma as well as the place it is found in the body. The majority of mesothelioma cases involve lining of the lungs (pleural mesothelioma), but it can be found in the stomach's lining (peritoneal mesothelioma) or the heart (pericardial mesothelioma) or testicles (testicular mesothelioma).
Mesothelioma staging helps doctors determine treatment options. The disease is categorized as stage I to IV, with stage I and II being the first stages that are the most treatment-able. Stage III and stage IV are the more advanced stages of cancer, and are more difficult to treat. However, there are still many options for treatment.
Pleural mesothelioma is the most common form of the disease and affects the lung lining and chest wall, as well as the abdomen. In most cases of pleural mesothelioma, asbestos exposure occurred in the workplace. Most likely, asbestos was inhaled through airborne particles or inhaled through food.
Other risk factors include mesothelioma in the family or genetic mutations as well as prior radiation therapy for another disease. If you've been exposed to asbestos and suffer from mesothelioma-related symptoms, it is crucial to see an expert. You may also benefit from genetic counseling. In certain instances mesothelioma specialists can assist you in filing a lawsuit against companies who have knowingly used asbestos in their everyday products.