Mesothelioma and Asbestos

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

The symptoms of these diseases might not show up for decades after exposure to asbestos. Different asbestos types can cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma, a form of cancer, that develops in the outer lung liner (pleura). It is the most prevalent form of mesothelioma and accounts for 70% to 79% of diagnosed cases. People with this condition feel chest pain and breath shortness and may experience a sensation of heaviness in the chest.

This type of cancer is typically caused by exposure to asbestos which is a cluster of minerals made up of microscopic fibres. When inhaled, these fibers can cause irritation and DNA mutations. The pleura covers the chest cavity and lungs This means that these irritations can affect both the lungs as well as a person's heart. Mesothelioma symptoms usually don't appear until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

Shortness of breath and chest pain are the most frequently reported symptoms. Some patients may also feel tightness in their chest, coughing or difficulty breathing. Patients with this type of cancer have a history that includes asbestos exposure at work. The most frequent jobs that expose workers to the risk of developing pleural cancer are construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding. Individuals who have been in the military may be at risk due to the widespread asbestos use in Navy ships and bunkers used by the army.

The most commonly used staging method for pleural mesothelioma is the TNM (tumor lymph nodes, lymph nodes and metastases) staging system. The stage that a patient is at when they are diagnosed will help their doctor determine the most effective treatment plan for them. For example, patients with mesothelioma that is pleural in stage three or Youtube.Com four have a worse prognosis than those with a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma often spreads to the diaphragm, the liver or even a person's heart. This can make it more difficult to treat and increases the risk of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Unlike pleural cancer, that develops in the lining of the lung, peritoneal cancer develops in the membrane that covers the abdominal cavity, which includes organs such as the liver and intestines. Similar to pleural mesothelioma and peritoneal mesothelioma can be caused by asbestos exposure. It is estimated that only 300-500 cases are diagnosed annually which is lower than the pleural asbestosis.

As with pleural mesothelioma symptoms can take years to show. Patients generally experience abdominal pain, and could also experience a mass in their abdomen. The symptoms of this kind of mesothelioma could also include nausea as well as weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms can be misinterpreted as digestive issues, leading to a misdiagnosis.

Doctors can detect mesothelioma by looking over the medical history of the patient and performing a physical examination. Imaging tests like X-rays or CT scans can be used to identify mesothelioma. These tests can identify tumors and other cancer signs that are not evident on X-rays.

These tests enable doctors to diagnose mesothelioma, determine the stage and recommend treatment options. The stage is determined by the type of cell as well as whether the cancer has spread.

The most important mesothelioma risk factor is asbestos exposure. People who have worked in professions which require asbestos, like plumbing or electrical work, manufacturing or construction, are at greater risk of developing the disease. However, even if individuals aren't employed in these areas they may be exposed to asbestos through family members or other sources. Therefore, anyone who believes they could be at risk should talk to an expert. A mesothelioma specialist can help those who have had a history with asbestos to learn more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos exposure is the primary risk factor for mesothelioma, accounting for up to 80 percent of all cases. Exposure to asbestos may occur due to work, military service, or by living with a person who works with asbestos or was previously exposed to doing the same. When exposed to asbestos, particles can be breathed into the lungs and abdomen. These particles can cause irritation to the linings, causing cancerous cells to grow 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 at a higher chance of developing mesothelioma to those who are younger or older. This is because mesothelioma typically occurs between 20 and 60 years from the initial exposure to asbestos before the first signs of cancer appear. It is also important to know that mesothelioma may develop in people who have been exposed to asbestos lawsuits, but did not engage directly with it. This is known as indirect or secondary exposure to asbestos and it can be just as dangerous as direct exposure.

Smoking increases the chance of mesothelioma as it damages the mesothelium. It can also make it more vulnerable. Mesothelioma is also aggravated by certain diseases, such as asbestosis and pneumonia. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than females. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for longer periods of time and to have worked with it. Also, men are more likely to live with someone who had asbestos exposure and bring asbestos fibers from their workplace on their clothing. Women are less likely to come into contact with asbestos and do not typically carry asbestos home on their clothing.

Diagnosis

It is difficult to diagnose mesothelioma since its symptoms are often similar to other conditions. Because of this, victims are sometimes mistakenly diagnosed.

The first step to diagnose mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform an examination and write down a patient's medical history including asbestos exposure. Doctors will also recommend a CT scan or chest X-ray to look for abnormalities, lumps and evidence of exposure to asbestos. These include plaques on the pleura, pleura that are thickened and calcium deposits.

Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance imaging or MRI test, that uses magnets and radio waves in order to create a series detailed images of the inside of the body. Another way for doctors to detect mesothelioma is to perform a surgical biopsy. In a surgical biopsy doctors take a tiny piece of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum to be further examined. A pathologist is then able to look at the tissue under microscopes to determine whether it contains cancerous cells.

The mesothelial type involved and the benign or malignant nature of the cells as well as the location the cancer, its type and the stage of the cancer are used to classify the disease. Certain mesothelioma types have a higher risk of metastasizing or spreading therefore it is essential to get a definitive diagnosis to ensure that the doctors can treat it prior to it becoming out of control.

Doctors may also conduct tests in the lab on tumors to determine specific proteins, genes or other elements that can help them describe the cancer's characteristics and plan treatment. These results are known as staging.

Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnosis is an incredibly frightening prospect. But, it is crucial to remember that the cancer can be treated, particularly in its initial stages. Many people with mesothelioma live for years without the disease spreading to other parts of their body.

Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma through a variety of ways. Asbestos fibres, tiny enough to be felt or viewed through the naked eye can be airborne, irritating the lining of the lung (pleura). As time passes the irritation can lead to the formation of scar tissues and eventually tumors.

The pleura surrounds the lungs and heart, as well as the abdomen. Mesothelium is made up of cells that respond when exposed to asbestos. They cause inflammation of the tissue and cause it to become scarred. These changes can cause mesothelioma cancers.

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

A doctor may request a biopsy if imaging scans reveal a possible mass in the lungs or stomach. The procedure involves the removal of a small amount of liquid or tumor for lab tests. The results can confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis and determine the best treatment plan.

There are many types of treatment for mesothelioma including chemotherapy and surgery. Most doctors use combinations of these treatments. Participating in clinical trials of mesothelioma treatments may be beneficial to patients. Patients can learn more about the trials by consulting a mesothelioma specialist who has treated the disease.