Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos, a natural mineral, naturally occurs in the form of thin, long fibers. People who are exposed to asbestos regularly risk developing mesothelioma and other types of lung diseases.

It could take a long time for symptoms to appear after asbestos exposure. Different asbestos Case types may cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma can be found in the lung's outer lining also known as the pleura. It is the most frequent mesothelioma that accounts for up 70% to 79% of diagnosed cases. People with this condition experience pain in the chest and breath shortness, and they may feel an ache or heaviness in the chest.

Exposure to asbestos, a family of minerals made of microscopic fibers causes this type of cancer. The fibers, when inhaled cause irritation and DNA mutations. Pleura is the lining of both the chest cavity and the lungs, and so 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 include chest pain and shortness of breath. Some patients may also experience chest tightness or coughing. They may also experience difficulty breathing. People who suffer from this cancer usually have previous exposure to asbestos in the workplace. The most prevalent jobs that expose workers to the risk of developing pleural mesothelioma are manufacturing, construction, and shipbuilding. Individuals who have been in the military could be at an especially high risk because of the extensive asbestos usage in Navy vessels and bunkers used by the army.

The most common staging system for pleural mesothelioma is the TNM (tumor lymph nodes, lymph nodes and metastases) staging system. The stage the patient is in at the moment of diagnosis will determine what treatment plan they should follow. Patients with pleural mesothelioma that is in stage three or four will suffer a more negative prognosis than those who are in a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma often spreads to the diaphragm, the liver and/or a person's heart. This could make the cancer more difficult to treat, and increase the risk of complications for patients.

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 and organs such as the intestines and liver. Like pleural mesothelioma, asbestos exposure is the reason for peritoneal msothelioma. The disease is less common than pleural mesothelioma. There are just 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.

As with pleural asbestosis symptoms can take a long time to show. The majority of patients experience abdominal pain and an abdominal mass. Symptoms of this type of mesothelioma could also include nausea as well as weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms can be misinterpreted as gastrointestinal issues, leading to a misdiagnosis.

Doctors can identify mesothelioma by examining the patient's medical history and performing a physical exam. Imaging tests like X-rays and CT scans can be used to detect mesothelioma. These tests can show tumors and other signs of cancer that aren't visible on an X-ray.

These tests enable doctors to identify mesothelioma, and determine the stage. They can also suggest treatments. The staging is determined by the type of cell and whether or the cancer has spread to other regions of the body.

The most important mesothelioma risk factor is exposure to asbestos. People who have worked in professions which require asbestos, like plumbing, manufacturing, electrical work or construction, are at a higher risk of developing the disease. Even if someone is not employed in one of these areas, he or she can be exposed to asbestos through family members and other sources. Anyone who thinks they are at risk should speak with a doctor. If they have any history of exposure to asbestos and mesothelioma is a concern, a specialist will assist them in finding out more about the risk.

Risk Factors

asbestos litigation exposure is a major risk factor for mesothelioma, accounting for up to 80 percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos can occur due to work, military service or by living with someone who is exposed to asbestos or was previously exposed to doing the same. When exposed to asbestos, particles can be inhaled into the abdomen and lungs. They can cause irritation to the linings of the abdomen and cause cancerous cells to form in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma can take anywhere between 15 and 60 years to develop following exposure to asbestos.

Other risk factors include genetics, smoking and age. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely to get mesothelioma than people younger or older. It takes mesothelioma between 20 and 60 years to show signs of cancer after the first exposure. It is also important to know that mesothelioma is a possibility in those who were exposed to asbestos but didn't engage directly with it. This is known as secondary or indirect asbestos exposure, and is as dangerous as direct asbestos exposure.

Smoking can increase the likelihood of developing mesothelioma since it damages the mesothelium and makes it more vulnerable to asbestos. Mesothelioma can also be caused by certain illnesses, including asbestosis and pneumonia. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than women. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for longer periods of time and work with asbestos for longer durations and to work with it. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who worked with asbestos and to have asbestos-containing fibers on their clothing. Women are less likely to come into contact with asbestos lawsuit and rarely carry asbestos home on their clothes.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is difficult to identify because the symptoms are often similar to other conditions. This could lead to patients being wrongly diagnosed.

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

Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram which examines the blood vessels and the heart as well as a magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI, test, which uses magnets and radio waves to create detailed images of the inside of the body. A surgical biopsy is a different method for doctors to identify mesothelioma. In a surgical biopsy doctors will remove a small part of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum to be further examined. A pathologist will then look at the tissue using an magnifying glass to determine if it is a cancerous cells.

Mesothelioma can be classified based on the mesothelial type involved, whether the cells are benign or malignant and also the location, type, and stage of the cancer. Certain types of mesothelioma are more likely to spread or metastasize, so it is important to get a definite diagnosis so that doctors can treat the disease before it goes out of control.

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

Treatment

A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be frightening. But, it is crucial to keep in mind that the cancer can be treated, particularly in its earlier stages. Many people with mesothelioma can endure the disease for many years without it expanding.

Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma in many ways. Asbestos fibers, which are small enough to not be felt or viewed with the naked eyes, can become airborne, causing irritation to the lining of the lung (pleura). As time passes irritation leads to formation of scar tissue which leads to changes in the structure of cells which eventually lead to tumors.

The pleura is the area that surrounds the lungs and heart and also the abdomen. Mesothelium consists of cells that react when exposed to asbestos. They cause inflammation of the tissue and cause it to become scarred. These changes can eventually cause mesothelioma cancers.

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

If scans of imaging reveal an area of concern in the lungs or stomach the doctor will request biopsies. During the procedure, doctors take small amounts of the tumor or fluid for lab analysis. The results can confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and provide the best treatment plan.

There are many types of mesothelioma treatment, which include chemotherapy, surgery, and immunotherapy. Most doctors utilize combinations of these treatments. Patients can also benefit by participating in a clinical study of new mesothelioma treatment. Patients can find out more by speaking with a mesothelioma doctor who has treated the disease.