Mesothelioma and Asbestos

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

Symptoms of these diseases may not manifest for years after exposure to asbestos. Different asbestos types may cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma occurs in the lung's outer lining, or the pleura. It is the most frequent mesothelioma form and accounts for 70% to 79% of all diagnosed cases. Patients suffering from this condition experience pain in the chest and breathlessness and may experience a sensation of heaviness in the chest.

Exposure to asbestos, a class of minerals composed of microscopic fibers, usually causes this kind of cancer. Once inhaled, these fibers cling to the lungs and cause irritation that leads to scarring and DNA mutations. The pleura is the area that surrounds the lungs and chest cavity, so these irritations can affect both the lungs as well as the heart of a person. Mesothelioma typically doesn't manifest until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

Shortness of breath and chest pain are the most frequently reported symptoms. Patients may also experience difficulty breathing or chest tightness. Patients with this type of cancer have a past that includes asbestos law exposure at work. The most common jobs that expose people to the risk of developing pleural mesothelioma are manufacturing, construction and shipbuilding. Individuals who have served in the military are at greater risk due to the widespread use of asbestos in Navy vessels and Army bunkers.

The most commonly used staging method for pleural mesothelioma is the TNM (tumor lymph nodes, lymph nodes, and metastases) staging system. The stage a patient is in upon diagnosis will aid their doctor in determining the best treatment plan for them. For instance, patients who have a pleural mesothelioma in stage three or four have a poorer prognosis than those in a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma often spreads to the diaphragm, liver 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 mesothelioma, which is a lung-lining cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma is found in the peritoneum - an elongated membrane that covers the abdominal cavity and organs such as the intestines and liver. Like pleural mesothelioma, peritoneal mesothelioma is triggered by asbestos exposure. The disease is less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma. There are just 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.

As with pleural asbestosis, symptoms can take a long time to manifest. Patients generally have abdominal pain, and may have a mass in their abdomen. Symptoms of this type of mesothelioma may also include nausea, weight loss and fever. A lot of these symptoms are similar to those experienced by digestive problems, which can cause misdiagnosis.

Doctors can identify mesothelioma by looking over the medical history of the patient and performing a physical examination. They may also employ imaging tests like X-rays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to detect mesothelioma. These tests can detect tumors and other cancer signs that aren't visible on X-rays.

The results of these tests allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma, determine the stage and suggest treatment options. The stage is determined by the kind of cell and if the tumor has spread.

Asbestos exposure is the most important risk factor. People who have worked in jobs that require asbestos, such as plumbing or electrical work, manufacturing or construction, are at a higher risk of developing the disease. However, even if individuals aren't employed in these areas they could be exposed to asbestos through family members or through other sources. Therefore, anyone who is concerned that they might be at risk should speak to an experienced doctor. A mesothelioma specialist can assist those who have had a history with asbestos compensation to learn more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos exposure is a major risk factor for mesothelioma accounting for up to 80 percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos compensation can happen through work, military service or through living with a person who is exposed to asbestos or was previously exposed to doing so. Asbestos particles can be breathed in by people who are exposed to it. These irritate the linings and cause cancerous cells to develop in the mesothelium. Following exposure to asbestos mesothelioma can occur between 15 and 60 years.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and age. People in their 40s and 50s are at greater chance of developing mesothelioma to those younger or older. Mesothelioma can take between 20 and 60 years to show signs of cancer after the first exposure. It is important to keep in mind, too, that mesothelioma may be present in those who have been exposed to asbestos without having worked with it directly. This is referred to as secondary or indirect asbestos exposure and can be as hazardous as direct asbestos exposure.

Smoking can increase the likelihood of developing mesothelioma since it damages the mesothelium, which makes it more susceptible to asbestos. Mesothelioma can also be caused by certain illnesses such as asbestosis and pneumonia. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma compared to women. This is because men are more likely to work with asbestos and experience a a longer period of exposure than women. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who had worked with asbestos, and to have asbestos-containing fibers on their clothing. Women are less likely to come into exposure to asbestos and rarely carry asbestos around on their clothing.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is difficult to identify because the symptoms often resemble other conditions. This is why patients are often misdiagnosed.

NYU Langone doctors will perform a physical examination and record the patient's medical background including asbestos compensation case (https://jurnal.fkip.unila.ac.id/index.php/jlg/comment/view/24732/0/13813) exposure. Doctors can also request an X-ray of the chest or CT scan to check for lumps or other abnormalities, and also to look for evidence of past asbestos exposure like plaques in the pleura (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the formation of fluid between the lung and the chest wall (known as the pleural effusion).

Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance scan, or MRI test, that uses radio waves and magnets in order to produce a series of precise images of the inside of the body. A surgical biopsy is a different method for doctors to identify mesothelioma. During a surgery biopsy doctors will remove a small piece of tissue from pleura or the peritoneum to be further examined. A pathologist can then examine the tissue using a magnifying glass to determine if it contains cancerous cell.

The type of mesothelial cell involved as well as the benign or malignant nature of those cells and the location the cancer, its type and the stage of the cancer are used to categorize the disease. Certain types of mesothelioma are at greater chance of metastasizing or spreading and it's crucial to determine the type of mesothelioma to ensure that the doctors can treat it before it gets out of control.

Doctors can also run tests in the lab on a tumor to find particular proteins, genes or other elements that help them understand the characteristics of the cancer and determine a treatment. These results are referred to as staging.

Treatment

A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be terrifying. However, it is important to keep in mind that the cancer can be treated, particularly in its earlier stages. Many people with mesothelioma live for years without the disease spreading to other parts of their body.

Exposure to asbestos can trigger mesothelioma in a number of ways. Asbestos fibers, too small to see or feel with the naked eye, can become airborne and cause irritation to the lining of the lungs (pleura). Over time the irritation causes the formation of scar tissues that eventually result in tumors.

The Pleura is a covering that protects the lungs, heart and abdomen. Mesothelium is made up of cells that react to exposure to asbestos, causing it to inflame and develop scar tissue. Overtime, these changes cause the development of malignant mesothelioma tumors.

The signs of pleural mesothelioma can include shortness of breath and chest pain as well as a buildup of fluid in the lung (pleural effusion). In rare cases, the cancer can spread to the tissues surrounding the heart and reproductive organs.

If imaging scans show an area of concern in the stomach or lungs the doctor will request biopsies. During the procedure, doctors will remove tiny amounts of fluid or tumor for laboratory tests. The results will confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis, and determine the best treatment option.

There are many types of mesothelioma treatment options, including surgery, chemotherapy and immunotherapy. The majority of doctors employ a combination of these treatments. Participating in clinical trials for mesothelioma treatments may be beneficial to patients. Patients can learn more about the trials by consulting a mesothelioma specialist who has treated the condition.