Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos is a mineral that occurs naturally in the form of long, thin fibers. Workers who are regularly exposed to asbestos risk developing lung diseases such as mesothelioma.

It may take decades for symptoms to appear after exposure to asbestos. Different asbestos types may cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma is a type of cancer that occurs in the lung's outer liner (pleura). It is the most frequent form of mesothelioma and accounts for 70% to 79% of all diagnosed cases. Patients suffering from this condition experience pain in the chest and shortness of breath and may experience an ache or heaviness in the chest.

This type of cancer is often caused through exposure to asbestos, which is a grouping of minerals made up of microscopic fibres. These fibers, when inhaled can cause irritation and DNA mutations. Pleura is the lining of both the chest cavity and the lungs, so irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma symptoms typically don't show until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

The most frequent symptoms of pleural melanoma are chest pain and shortness of breath. 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 common jobs that expose workers to the risk of developing pleural mesothelioma are construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding. Individuals who have been in the military could be at risk due to the widespread asbestos usage in Navy vessels and bunkers for the army.

The TNM (tumors lymph nodes, tumors, and metastases staging system) is the most popular staging system used to treat pleural adenocarcinoma. The stage the patient is in at the moment of diagnosis will determine what treatment plan they will receive. For instance, patients who have mesothelioma pleural stage three or four have a poorer prognosis than those with lower stages. Mesothelioma in stage four is usually spread to the liver, diaphragm and/or a person's heart. This makes it more difficult to treat and raises the chance of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Unlike pleural cancer, which is found in the lining of the lung, peritoneal cancer develops in the membrane that covers the abdominal cavity, which includes organs like the intestines and liver. Similar to pleural mesothelioma, exposure to asbestos is the cause of peritoneal mesothelioma. Only 300-500 cases are diagnosed each year which is lower than the pleural asbestosis.

As with pleural asbestosis symptoms can take a long time to manifest. Most patients experience abdominal pain and a mass in the abdomen. This mesothelioma type can cause nausea, weight loss and fever. A lot of these symptoms are similar to symptoms of digestive issues, which could cause incorrect diagnosis.

The doctors can detect mesothelioma through reviewing the medical history of the patient and performing a physical exam. Imaging tests such as X-rays or CT scans are a way to identify mesothelioma. These tests can identify tumors and other cancer signs that are not visible on X-rays.

These test results allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma, determine the stage of the disease and suggest treatment options. The stage is determined by the type of cell and whether the cancer has spread.

Asbestos exposure is the main risk factor. People who have been in occupations that involve asbestos, such as plumbing manufacturing, electrical work or construction, are at greater risk of developing the disease. Even if someone is not employed in one of these areas, he or she can be exposed to asbestos lawyer to asbestos through family members and other sources. For this reason, anyone who believes they could be at risk should talk to an experienced doctor. A mesothelioma specialist can assist those who have had a previous history of asbestos lawsuit to find out more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos exposure is a major risk factor for mesothelioma making up as much as 80 percent of all cases. Exposure to asbestos can occur due to work, military service or by living with a person who is exposed to asbestos lawyer or used to do so. When exposed to asbestos, the particles are able to be inhaled into lungs and abdomen. These particles irritate the linings, causing cancerous cells to develop in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma may take between 15 and 60 years to develop after exposure to asbestos.

Other risk factors include genetics, smoking and aging. The people in their 40s or 50s are more at risk of developing mesothelioma as compared to people who are younger or more. It is because mesothelioma generally lasts between 20 and 60 years from the first exposure before the first signs of cancer appear. It is important to note that mesothelioma could develop in people who have been exposed to asbestos Case without having directly worked with it. This is referred to as indirect or secondary exposure to asbestos. It is just as harmful as direct exposure.

Smoking increases the risk of getting mesothelioma because it damages the mesothelium, which makes it more prone to asbestos. In addition, mesothelioma may be worsened by certain diseases like pneumonia and asbestosis. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma compared to women. This is due to men being more likely to be exposed to asbestos and endure a a longer period of exposure than women. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who been exposed to asbestos, and to have asbestos-containing fibers on their clothing. Women tend to be less exposed to asbestos, and they are less likely to bring asbestos home on their clothes.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is difficult to identify because the symptoms often resemble other diseases. Due to this, patients are sometimes wrongly diagnosed.

NYU Langone doctors will perform physical examinations and document the patient's medical history including asbestos compensation exposure. Doctors can also order an X-ray chest or CT scan to look for lumps and other abnormalities as well as evidence of asbestos exposure in the past like pleural plaques (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the accumulation of fluid between the lung and chest wall (known as pleural effusion).

Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance scan or MRI test, that uses radio waves and magnets to produce a series of precise images of inside the body. A surgical biopsy is a different method doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma. In a surgical biopsy doctors take a small amount of tissue from the peritoneum or pleura to conduct further tests. A pathologist then examines the tissue under an magnifying glass to determine if it is a cancerous cell.

Mesothelioma is classified based on the type of mesothelial cells involved, whether these cells are benign or malignant and the location, type, and stage of the cancer. Certain types of mesothelioma are at an increased chance of metastasizing or spreading, so it's important to determine the type of mesothelioma so that doctors can treat it prior to it becoming out of control.

Doctors can also perform tests in the lab on tumors to identify specific genes, proteins, or other factors which can help them describe cancer characteristics and plan treatment. These results are referred to as staging.

Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnosis can be a frightening prospect. However, it is important to remember that the disease is treatable, particularly in its initial stages. Many patients with mesothelioma be afflicted for many years without it spreading.

Asbestos exposure can trigger mesothelioma via various mechanisms. Asbestos fibres, too small to be felt or observed through the naked eye can be airborne and irritate the lung's lining (pleura). As time passes the irritation can lead to the formation of scar tissues and eventually tumors.

The pleura covers the lungs and heart and the abdomen. Mesothelium is composed of cells that react to exposure to asbestos, causing it to inflame and create scar tissue. Overtime, these changes cause the development of malignant mesothelioma cancers.

A shortness of breath, chest pain or fluid accumulation on the lungs are all indications of pleural mesothelioma. In rare cases the cancer may be spread to the tissues around the heart and reproductive organs.

If imaging scans show a possible mass in the stomach or lungs doctors will recommend a biopsies. During the procedure, doctors will remove tiny amounts of fluid or tumor for lab tests. The results will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and indicate the most effective treatment plan.

There are many types of treatment for mesothelioma including surgery and chemotherapy. Most doctors use a combination of these treatments. Patients can also benefit by taking part in a clinical trial of new mesothelioma therapies. Patients can learn more about the trials by speaking with a mesothelioma doctor who has treated the disease.