Mesothelioma and Other Asbestos Related Cancers
People who have previous exposure to asbestos are at risk for several types of cancer that include mesothelioma. These diseases have a latency period of many years, meaning that symptoms may not appear until decades after exposure.
The risk of developing pleural or mesothelioma of the peritoneal region decreases since the first exposure. The evidence is based on six cohort studies of occupational exposure and two residential cohorts that have long-term following.
What is Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma is cancer of the lining of internal organs that include the lungs (pleural mesothelioma) and abdomen (peritoneal mesothelioma) or heart (pericardial mesothelioma). It's a rare, aggressive disease that most often starts in the lining of the chest cavity, but it could also occur in the stomach's lining or in other parts of the body. Asbestos exposure is the main reason for mesothelioma, and the cancer usually doesn't appear until decades after the initial exposure.
People exposed to asbestos at work have an increased risk of developing the disease than other. Asbestos fibers can be inhaled or swallowed and adhere to the organ's lining. The fibers cause irritation to the lining of the organ and cause abnormal cells to multiply, leading to tumors. The signs usually don't show until a person has developed mesothelioma with advanced stage.
Asbestos exposure most often occurs in industrial jobs in which workers handled the material or worked near it. Asbestos was employed in construction, shipbuilding as well as auto repair trades. Veterans who served in military are at a higher risk of mesothelioma because asbestos was widely used on ships and bases.
Anyone with an history of exposure to asbestos should be screened regularly and be aware of any unusual symptoms. If a doctor suspects mesothelioma they can order imaging scans like CT scans or MRI scans to check for tumors and determine if they've spread. They may also ask about the patient's past history of asbestos exposure and perform a physical examination. Certain cases of mesothelioma may be linked to genetic changes. Thus, certain patients might benefit from genetic testing.
Risk Factors
The primary mesothelioma risk factor is exposure to asbestos. Asbestos, a mineral composed of fibers, is resistant to heat and has a strong. Asbestos is utilized in a variety of construction and manufacturing products including insulation, brakes and shingles. Asbestos dust can be breathed in and swallowed when disturbed. In time, this may cause irritation of the mesothelium which can ultimately develop into mesothelioma.
Mesothelioma is most common for those with an occupational history of exposure to asbestos. This includes those who worked in industries like shipbuilding, mining, construction and automotive repair. Veterans of the military are also at high risk, as many branches of the military utilized asbestos-based products.
Other factors that increase the risk of mesothelioma are a family history of asbestos exposure and previous treatment for chest cancer with radiation. In addition, the mesothelioma type diagnosed has an impact on the risk. The most prevalent type of mesothelioma is one that affects the lung. Other forms of mesothelioma include peritoneal (pericardial) testsicular, testicular and the peritoneal.
The risk of mesothelioma typically increases with the third or fourth power of latency, which is the time it takes to identify someone. However, the risk of pleural mesothelioma has an apparent flattening after about 40 years after exposure. Peritoneal and pericardial mesothelioma both have this pattern as well. Exposure to asbestos that is not occupational which includes living near an asbestos plant or consuming food products contaminated by asbestos, can also increase the risk of mesothelioma. In the study of six cities in the United States, those who were exposed to asbestos in this manner were more likely to develop mesothelioma than people who were exposed only to occupational exposure.
Symptoms
Malignant mesothelioma can affect the tissue that surrounds internal organs. It is most often found in the linings of the lungs and abdomen. Mesothelioma can also form in the lining of the testicles or heart. It is a rare cancer and most people diagnosed with mesothelioma have worked in jobs that required exposure to asbestos. It could take years for symptoms of mesothelioma to develop, and the disease is not curable.
Asbestos is a group minerals that have tiny fibers that are resistant to heat, chemicals and fire. It was once widely used in shipbuilding, construction manufacturing, and other industries. Exposure to asbestos may cause mesothelioma as the fibers get stuck in the tissues that line organs and protect them that cause irritation and damage to cells. This can cause tumors to expand and eventually develop into cancerous.
The most frequent mesothelioma type is called pleural mesothelioma, which develops in the lining of the lungs (pleura). It may also begin in the lining of the abdomen (peritoneum) or in the membrane surrounding the testicles or heart. Mesothelioma may also spread to lymph nodes and cause them to swell.
The majority of people diagnosed mesothelioma suffer from a history of asbestos exposure and suffer from other illnesses, such as chronic lung disease. The symptoms of mesothelioma are similar to other illnesses which is why it is crucial to consult a doctor when you are experiencing persisting or alarming signs and symptoms. Doctors will ask you about your asbestos exposure in the past and may perform a physical examination. They may also order blood tests and imaging scans of your chest or abdomen. These tests can reveal any thickening or fluid between the lungs and chest wall.
Diagnosis
When asbestos fibers are entangled to the body, they may cause damage and could eventually develop into cancerous tumors. Asbestos-related cancers can develop in different organs or tissues. Each type of cancer is diagnosed using a different test. Mesothelioma forms in the tissues of the chest cavity and the lungs (pleura), the stomach membranes (peritoneum) or around the heart and reproductive organs.
The first step to diagnose mesothelioma is for a patient to speak with his or her doctor about their history with asbestos exposure and what symptoms they have been experiencing. Doctors will also conduct an examination of the body and order tests to assess the health of the lungs.
X-rays and CT scans can help doctors gain a better understanding of the affected area. In some instances doctors will perform a pleural fluid test to determine if mesothelioma is the cause of the fluid buildup. Pleural effusions may be a sign of pleural, peritoneal or mixed mesothelioma.
The mesothelioma symptoms are frequently misdiagnosed, as they resemble those of other diseases. corpus christi asbestos law firm reported symptoms are breathing difficulties and chest pain. Pleural mesothelioma can also cause fatigue, chest tightness and a cough. Peritoneal Mesothelioma could cause abdominal swelling, pain, and distension. Testicular mesothelioma could manifest as a painful itchy lump on the testicles.
Researchers are studying proteins in blood to create a way of identifying mesothelioma in the early stages. They are also studying various other tests and procedures that could improve the accuracy of diagnostics. They are looking at mesothelioma imaging and MRIs. They are also looking into genetic mutations, and how to determine if a person has a mesothelioma risk by taking a look at their family history.
Treatment
Asbestos exposure is the main risk factor for mesothelioma. Anyone who has worked with asbestos in the past, specifically for long periods of time or in high-risk jobs such as construction, shipbuilding, electrical work, military and auto repair are at greater risk.
Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma. The fibers get stuck in the tissue that lines vital organs and shields them. The mesothelium is irritated by the asbestos fibers and cause DNA damage that can lead to cancerous cells. The symptoms of mesothelioma typically do not appear for decades after exposure.
The symptoms vary based on the type of mesothelioma as well as the place it is found within the body. The majority of mesothelioma cases involve lung lining (pleural mesothelioma) however it may also occur in the stomach's lining (peritoneal mesothelioma), heart (pericardial mesothelioma) or testicles (testicular mesothelioma).
Mesothelioma staging helps doctors determine treatment options. The disease is categorized as stages I to IV, with stage I and II being the earliest stages that are the most treatment-able. Stage III and IV are later stages of the cancer and more difficult to treat, however there are many treatment options available.
Pleural mesothelioma is by far the most prevalent form of the disease that affects the lung lining and chest wall, as well as the abdomen. In the majority of cases of pleural mesothelioma, asbestos exposure occurred in the workplace. Most likely, asbestos was inhaled through airborne particles or ingested through food.
Other risk factors include mesothelioma-related family history, genetic mutations and previous radiation therapy for a different condition. If you have been exposed to asbestos and suffer from mesothelioma symptoms, it is important to see an expert. You may also benefit from genetic counseling. A mesothelioma expert can assist you in filing a lawsuit against companies that have knowingly used asbestos in their everyday products.