Mesothelioma and Asbestos

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

The symptoms of these diseases may not be evident for a long time after exposure to asbestos lawyer. Different asbestos types can cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer that develops in the lung's outer lining (pleura). It is the most prevalent mesothelioma that accounts for up 70% to 79% of diagnosed cases. The condition can cause chest pain, breath shortness and a feeling of heavyness.

Exposure to asbestos, a class of minerals comprised of microscopic fibers causes this type of cancer. The fibers, when inhaled can cause irritation and DNA mutations. Pleura surrounds both the chest cavity as well as the lungs, and so irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma usually doesn't show symptoms until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

Chest pain and shortness breath are the most common symptoms. Some patients may also feel tightness in their chest, coughing or difficulty breathing. People with this cancer have a history that includes asbestos exposure at work. The most prevalent jobs that expose people to the risk of developing pleural cancer are manufacturing, construction, and shipbuilding. People who have worked in the military are at risk due to the frequent asbestos usage in Navy vessels and bunkers used by the army.

The TNM (tumors, lymph nodes, and metastases staging system) is the most popular staging system for the pleural adenocarcinoma. The stage a patient has when they are diagnosed 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 less favorable prognosis than patients with a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma is often spread to the diaphragm, the liver or even a person's heart. This can make the cancer more difficult to treat and increase the risk of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

In contrast to pleural mesothelioma which develops in the lung lining, peritoneal mesothelioma is found in the peritoneum, a membrane that lines the abdominal cavity as well as organs such as the intestines and the liver. Like pleural mesothelioma, exposure to asbestos lawsuit is the cause of peritoneal msothelioma. The disease is much less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma. There are only about 300-500 cases diagnosed each year.

As with pleural asbestosis symptoms can take years to manifest. Patients typically have abdominal pain, and may have a mass in their abdomen. This mesothelioma type can also cause nausea, weight loss and fever. A lot of these symptoms are similar to those of digestive problems, which can lead to misdiagnosis.

Generally, doctors can find mesothelioma through an extensive health history and physical exam. Imaging tests like X-rays and CT scans are a way to identify mesothelioma. These tests can reveal tumors and other indications of cancer that aren't apparent on an X-ray.

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

Asbestos case exposure is the most important risk factor. People who have worked in jobs that require asbestos, like plumbing manufacturing, electrical work or construction, are at greater risk of developing the disease. However, even if people do not work in these fields they may be exposed to asbestos through family members or other sources. For this reason, anyone who suspects they may be at risk should speak to an experienced doctor. A mesothelioma specialist can assist those with a history with asbestos to learn more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos exposure is a major risk factor for mesothelioma which accounts for as much as 80 percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos can happen due to work, military service or by living with someone who is exposed to asbestos or has previously done such. When exposed to asbestos, small particles can be inhaled into the abdomen and lungs. These particles can cause irritation to the linings of the abdomen, which causes cancerous cells to form in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma may take between 15 and 60 years to develop after exposure to asbestos.

Other risk factors include genetics, smoking and age. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely be diagnosed with mesothelioma compared to those who are younger or older. Mesothelioma can take between 20 and 60 years to show signs of cancer after the first exposure. It is important to remember that mesothelioma could develop in those who have been exposed to asbestos, but without having been directly exposed to it. This is known as secondary or indirect exposure to asbestos and it could be as hazardous as direct exposure.

Smoking increases the risk of developing mesothelioma since it damages the mesothelium and makes it more susceptible to asbestos. Mesothelioma can also be aggravated by certain diseases, such as asbestosis and pneumonia. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than females. This is because men are more likely to be exposed to asbestos and endure a an extended period of exposure than women. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who had worked with asbestos, and to carry asbestos fibers on their clothing. Women tend to have less contact with asbestos and rarely carry asbestos on their clothes.

Diagnosis

It is difficult to recognize mesothelioma since its symptoms are often similar to other diseases. Due to this, patients are often misdiagnosed.

NYU Langone doctors will perform physical examinations and document the patient's medical background including asbestos attorney exposure. Doctors can also request an X-ray of the chest or CT scan to look for lumps or other abnormalities, and also to look for evidence of previous asbestos exposure such as plaques in the pleura (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the formation of fluid between the lung and the chest wall (known as pleural effusion).

Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram, which examines the blood vessels and the heart as well as a magnetic resonance imaging, also known as MRI, test, which uses magnets and radio waves to make a series of detailed images of the inside of the body. A surgical biopsy is another way for doctors to diagnose mesothelioma. In a surgical biopsy doctors remove a small piece of tissue from the pleura or peritoneum to conduct further tests. A pathologist can examine the tissue under microscopes to determine whether it is contaminated with cancerous cells.

Mesothelioma can be classified based on the type of mesothelial cells involved, whether those cells are benign or malignant, and the location of the tumor, its type, and the stage of the tumor. Some types of mesothelioma have greater risk of metastasizing or spreading, so it's important to determine the type of mesothelioma so doctors can treat it prior to it becoming out of control.

Doctors may also conduct tests in the lab on tumors to determine specific genes, proteins or other factors that will help them identify cancer characteristics and determine the best treatment. These results are called staging.

Treatment

A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be frightening. However, it's important to remember that the disease can be treated, particularly in its early stages. Many mesothelioma patients live for years with the disease, without spreading to other parts of their body.

Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma by many mechanisms. Asbestos fibers, which are small enough to not be felt or seen through the naked eye are able to become airborne and irritate the lung's lining (pleura). In time irritation leads to formation of scar tissue which leads to changes in the cell structure that eventually develop into tumors.

The pleura surrounds the lungs and heart and the abdomen. Mesothelium is composed of cells that respond when exposed to asbestos lawsuit. They inflame the tissue and cause it to become scarred. These changes eventually result in malignant mesothelioma tumors.

The signs of pleural mesothelioma can include breathing problems and chest pain, or the accumulation of fluid on the lung (pleural effusion). In rare instances the cancer may be spread to the tissues around the heart and reproductive organs.

A doctor will order a biopsy if imaging scans show a potential mass in the lungs or stomach. During the procedure, doctors will remove small amounts of the fluid or tumor for laboratory tests. The results will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma, and also determine the most effective treatment plan.

There are many types of mesothelioma treatment options, including chemotherapy, surgery and immunotherapy. Most doctors utilize the combination of these treatments. Participating in clinical trials of mesothelioma treatments may be beneficial for patients. To find out more, patients should speak to mesothelioma specialists who have expertise in treating the condition.