Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos is a mineral that naturally occurs in the form of thin, long fibers. Workers who are exposed to asbestos law on a regular basis risk developing mesothelioma and other lung diseases of different types.

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

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer that affects the lung's outer lining (pleura). It is the most common mesothelioma form and is responsible for 70 to 79% of all diagnosed cases. People with this condition suffer from chest pain and breath shortness and may also feel a sensation of heaviness in the chest.

This type of cancer typically caused by exposure to asbestos which is a collection of minerals composed of microscopic fibers. Once inhaled, these fibers stick inside the lung and cause irritation that results in scarring and DNA mutations. Pleura surrounds both the chest cavity as well as the lungs, which means that irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma symptoms typically don't show until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

The most common symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are chest discomfort and shortness of breath. Some patients may also suffer from chest tightness and coughing, or breathing difficulties. Patients with this cancer have a history that includes asbestos exposure at work. The most common jobs that put people at risk of pleural mesothelioma include construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding. People who served in the military are at a greater risk due to the frequent use of asbestos in Navy vessels and bunkers in the Army.

The TNM (tumors lymph nodes, tumors, and metastases staging system) is the most common staging system for the pleural cancer. The stage the patient is in at the time of diagnosis will help determine what treatment plan they should follow. Patients who have pleural mesothelioma which is in stage three or four will have a worse prognosis compared to those who are in a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma is often spread to the diaphragm, liver or even a person's heart. This can make the cancer more difficult to treat and increase the chance of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

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

As with pleural asbestosis symptoms can take a long time to show. Most patients are afflicted with abdominal pain as well as an abdominal mass. This type of mesothelioma may also cause nausea, weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms could be misinterpreted as gastrointestinal issues and can lead to a false diagnosis.

Generally speaking, doctors can detect mesothelioma after an extensive health history and physical examination. Imaging tests like X-rays and CT scans can be used to detect 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 and determine the stage of the disease and suggest treatment options. The stage is determined by the kind of cell and if the cancer has spread.

The most significant mesothelioma risk factor is asbestos exposure. People who have been exposed to asbestos in jobs, such as plumbing or electrical work, or in manufacturing and construction are more likely to contract the disease. Even if an individual isn't employed in one of these areas they could still be exposed through family members and other sources. Anyone who suspects that they may be at risk should consult a doctor. If they have an history of exposure to asbestos, a mesothelioma specialist can assist them in finding out more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos Legal exposure is a major risk factor for mesothelioma, which accounts for as much as 80 percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos can occur through 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, the particles can be breathed into the lungs and abdomen. The particles cause irritation to the linings of the abdomen, which causes cancerous cells to form in the mesothelium. After asbestos exposure mesothelioma is likely to develop between 15 and 60 years.

Other risk factors include genetics, smoking and age. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely to develop mesothelioma than those who are younger or more senior. It is because mesothelioma generally occurs between 20 and 60 years from the initial exposure before the first signs of cancer appear. It is also important to know that mesothelioma is a possibility in those who were exposed to asbestos but didn't work with it directly. This is known as secondary or indirect asbestos exposure, and is as hazardous as direct asbestos exposure.

Smoking increases the chance of mesothelioma developing, since it damages mesothelium. It also makes it more susceptible. Mesothelioma can also be aggravated by certain illnesses such as asbestosis and pneumonia. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than women. This is due to the fact that men are more likely to be exposed to asbestos and endure a a longer period of exposure than women. Additionally, men are more likely to live with someone who was exposed to asbestos and bring asbestos fibers from their workplace on their clothing. Women tend to be less exposed to asbestos, and they are less likely to carry asbestos on their clothes.

Diagnosis

It is difficult to recognize mesothelioma since its symptoms are often similar to other diseases. This can result in patients being wrongly diagnosed.

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

Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance image, or MRI test, which uses magnets and radio waves to produce a series of precise images of the insides of the body. Another way for doctors to detect mesothelioma is through an operation called a biopsy. In a surgical biopsy doctors take a tiny part of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum to be tested further. A pathologist is then able to look at the tissue under microscopes to determine if it contains cancerous cells.

Mesothelioma is classified based on the type of mesothelial cell involved, whether these cells are benign or malignant and the location of the tumor, its type, and the stage of the cancer. Certain mesothelioma types have a higher risk of metastasizing or spreading, so it's important to determine the type of mesothelioma so doctors can treat it before it gets out-of-control.

Doctors can also run tests in the laboratory on a tumor to identify specific genes, proteins, or other factors which can help them identify the characteristics of cancer and plan treatment. These results are known as staging.

Treatment

A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be frightening. It is important to remember, however, that cancer can be treated particularly in its initial stages. Many people with mesothelioma live for many years with the disease without it spreading to other areas of their body.

Exposure to asbestos can trigger mesothelioma through a variety of ways. Asbestos fibers, which are too small to be able to see or feel through the naked eye, can be airborne and cause irritation to the lung's lining (pleura). As time passes the irritation causes the formation of scar tissue, which eventually lead to tumors.

The Pleura is a covering that surrounds the abdomen, heart, and lungs. Mesothelium consists of cells that react to exposure to asbestos which causes it to become inflamed and create scar tissue. As time passes, these changes cause the development of malignant mesothelioma tumors.

A shortness of breath, chest discomfort, or the accumulation of fluid on the lungs are all symptoms of the pleural Msothelioma. In rare instances, cancer can spread into the tissues that surround the reproductive organs and heart.

A doctor may request biopsy if imaging scans show a potential tumor in the lungs or stomach. In the course of the procedure, doctors remove some of the liquid or tumor for tests in the laboratory. The results will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and determine the best treatment option.

There are many types of mesothelioma treatments, including surgery, chemotherapy and immunotherapy. Most doctors rely on the combination of these methods. Patients can also benefit by taking part in a clinical trial of new mesothelioma therapies. Patients can learn more by consulting a mesothelioma expert who has treated the disease.