Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos is a natural mineral that is made up of thin, long fibres. Workers who are exposed to asbestos case (great site) on a regular basis are at risk of developing mesothelioma as well as other types of lung diseases.

It can take years for symptoms to appear after exposure to asbestos. Different types of asbestos can cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma occurs in the outer lung lining, also known as the pleura. It is the most common mesothelioma form and is responsible for 70 to 79% all diagnosed cases. Patients suffering from this condition feel chest pain and breath shortness and may experience an ache or heaviness in the chest.

Exposure to asbestos, a group of minerals made of microscopic fibers, usually causes this kind of cancer. Once inhaled, the fibers stick inside the lung and cause irritation that leads to scarring and DNA mutations. The pleura covers the lungs and chest cavity and therefore, these irritations could affect both the lungs as well as a person's heart. Mesothelioma symptoms are usually not apparent until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

The most commonly reported symptoms of pleural melanoma are chest pain and shortness of breath. Patients may also experience difficulty breathing, or chest tightness. People with this cancer have a past that includes asbestos exposure at work. Manufacturing, construction, and shipbuilding are the most frequent occupations that put people at a high risk of developing pleural mesothelioma. People who were in the military are at a greater risk due the widespread use of asbestos in Navy vessels and Army bunkers.

The most commonly used staging system for pleural mysothelioma has been the TNM (tumor, lymph nodes and metastases) staging system. The stage that a patient is at upon diagnosis will assist their doctor in determining the most appropriate treatment plan for them. For instance, patients who have a pleural mesothelioma in stage three or four have a worse prognosis than those with a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma can be spread to the liver, heart or diaphragm. This makes it more difficult to treat and raises the risk of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Unlike pleural cancer, which is found in the lung's lining the peritoneal cancer is a result of the membrane that covers the abdominal cavity, including organs like the intestines and liver. Similar to pleural mesothelioma and peritoneal mesothelioma is triggered by asbestos exposure. There are only 300-500 cases diagnosed annually which is lower than the pleural asbestosis.

As with pleural asbestosis symptoms can take several years to manifest. Patients typically have abdominal pain, and may also have a lump in their abdomen. This type of mesothelioma may cause nausea, weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms can be misinterpreted as digestive issues which can lead to a misdiagnosis.

Generally, doctors can find mesothelioma by conducting an exhaustive medical history and physical exam. They can also utilize imaging tests such as X-rays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to help find mesothelioma. These tests can reveal tumors and other indications of cancer that aren't visible on X-rays.

These test results enable doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and establish the stage. They also offer treatment options. Staging is determined based on the cell type and whether or the cancer has spread to other parts of the body.

Asbestos exposure is the main risk factor. People who have worked in asbestos-related occupations, like electrical or plumbing work or in manufacturing and construction are more likely to develop the disease. Even if an individual isn't employed in one of these areas however, they may be exposed to asbestos through family members and other sources. Anyone who suspects that they may be at risk should speak with a doctor. A mesothelioma specialist can help those with a previous history of asbestos attorney to find out more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos is the primary risk factor for mesothelioma. It accounts for up to the 80% of cases. Exposure to asbestos can happen due to military service, work, or living with someone who used to work with asbestos. 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 form in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma can take anywhere between 15 and 60 years to develop after exposure to asbestos.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and age. People in their 40s and 50s are at a higher risk of developing mesothelioma as compared to people who are younger or more. This is because mesothelioma typically lasts between 20 and 60 years after the initial time of exposure before the first signs of cancer appear. It is important to remember, too, that mesothelioma may be present in people who have been exposed to asbestos without having been directly exposed to it. This is referred to as secondary or indirect exposure to asbestos, and it is just as harmful as direct exposure.

Smoking increases the risk of developing mesothelioma due to the fact that it damages the mesothelium, which makes it more vulnerable to asbestos. Mesothelioma can also be caused by certain illnesses, including asbestosis and pneumonia. It is also important to remember that mesothelioma is more common for men than women. This is due to men being 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 been exposed to asbestos, and to carry asbestos legal fibers on their clothing. Women are less likely to come into contact with asbestos and rarely carry asbestos attorney on their clothes.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is a difficult disease to identify because the symptoms are often similar to other conditions. Due to this, patients are often mistakenly diagnosed.

NYU Langone doctors will perform physical examinations and document the patient's medical background, including asbestos exposure. Doctors will also recommend an CT scan or chest X-ray to check for abnormalities, lumps and evidence of exposure to asbestos settlement. These include plaques in the pleura, thickened pleura and calcium deposits.

Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance image or MRI test, that uses magnets and radio waves to create a series detailed images of inside the body. A surgical biopsy is another way for doctors to diagnose mesothelioma. When a biopsy is performed doctors will remove a small piece of tissue from pleura or the peritoneum, to be examined further. A pathologist is then able to look at the tissue under microscopes to determine whether it contains cancerous cells.

The type of mesothelial cells involved as well as the benign or malignant nature of the cells as well as the location the cancer, its type and the stage of the tumour, are used to categorize the disease. Certain mesothelioma types have greater risk of metastasizing or spreading therefore it is essential to establish a clear diagnosis so doctors can treat it before it becomes out-of-control.

Doctors can also perform laboratory tests on tumors to identify specific genes, proteins or other elements that will help them identify the characteristics of cancer and plan treatment. These results are known as staging.

Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnosis is an incredibly frightening prospect. However, it's important to remember that the cancer is treatable, especially in its early stages. Many patients with mesothelioma survive for many years with the disease, without spreading to other areas of their body.

Exposure to asbestos may cause mesothelioma in a number of ways. Asbestos fibers that are small enough to not be felt or seen with the naked eyes can be airborne and irritate the lung's lining (pleura). As time passes irritation can lead to formation of scar tissue, which leads to changes in the cell structure that eventually develop into tumors.

The Pleura is a protective layer that surrounds the lungs, heart and abdomen. Mesothelium is composed of cells that react to exposure to asbestos, causing it to inflame and form scar tissue. In time, these changes can result in the growth of malignant mesothelioma cancers.

The symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are shortness of breath and chest pain, or an accumulation of fluid on the lungs (pleural effusion). In rare cases cancer may spread to the tissues surrounding the reproductive organs as well as the heart.

If imaging scans show a possible mass in the lungs or stomach, a doctor will order biopsies. During the procedure, doctors remove a small sample of the fluid or tumor for lab analysis. The results can confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma, and also determine the most effective treatment plan.

There are many types of mesothelioma treatments, including surgery, chemotherapy and immunotherapy. Most doctors utilize the combination of these methods. Patients could also benefit from enrolling in a clinical trial of new mesothelioma treatments. Patients can find out more by consulting a mesothelioma specialist who has treated the condition.