Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that comes in thin, long fibres. People who are exposed to asbestos on a regular basis are at risk of developing mesothelioma or other types of lung diseases.

Symptoms of these diseases may not show up for decades after exposure to asbestos claim. Different types of asbestos may cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma is a type of cancer that affects the outer lung the lining (pleura). It is the most common type of mesothelioma, making up 70 to 79% of diagnosed cases. The condition can cause chest pain, shortness of breathe, and a feeling of weightiness.

Exposure to asbestos, a family of minerals comprised of microscopic fibers, typically causes this type of cancer. When inhaled, these fibers cling to the lung and cause irritation which results in scarring and DNA mutations. The pleura covers the lungs and chest cavity, so these irritations can affect both the lungs as well as a person's heart. Mesothelioma typically doesn't manifest until 30 to 50 year after exposure.

Chest pain and shortness breath are the most frequently reported symptoms. Patients may also experience coughing, difficulty breathing or chest tightness. Patients with this type of cancer have a history that includes asbestos exposure at work. Manufacturing, construction and shipbuilding are among the most prevalent jobs that put people at high chance of developing pleural mesothelioma. People who were in the military are at a higher risk due to the extensive use asbestos in Navy vessels and bunkers for the Army.

The most common staging system 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 best treatment plan for them. Patients who have pleural mesothelioma which is in stage three or stage four will have a less favorable prognosis compared to those who are in a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma can develop into the liver, heart or diaphragm. This can make it more difficult to treat and raises the likelihood of complications for patients.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

As opposed to pleural mesothelioma that develops in the lung lining, peritoneal mesothelioma is found in the peritoneum -- an elongated membrane that covers the abdominal cavity and organs like the intestines and liver. Similar to pleural mesothelioma, asbestos exposure is the primary cause of peritoneal msothelioma. Only 300-500 cases are diagnosed annually this is less than the pleural asbestosis.

Like pleural mesothelioma, the symptoms can take years to show. Typically, patients are afflicted with abdominal pain as well as abdominal swelling. This mesothelioma type can cause nausea, weight loss, and fever. Many of these symptoms can be misinterpreted as gastrointestinal issues, leading to a misdiagnosis.

Generally, doctors can find mesothelioma after an exhaustive health history and physical exam. Imaging tests such as X-rays or CT scans can be used to identify mesothelioma. These tests can show tumors, as well as other signs of cancer that aren't visible on X-rays.

The results of these tests allow doctors to identify mesothelioma, and determine the stage. They also offer treatments. The stage is determined by the type of cell as well as whether the tumor has spread.

Asbestos exposure is the biggest risk factor. People who have worked in professions which require asbestos, such as plumbing manufacturing, electrical work or construction, are at increased risk of developing the disease. Even if a person does not work in one of these fields they could still be exposed through family members or other sources. For this reason, anyone who suspects they may be at risk should talk to an experienced doctor. A mesothelioma specialist can assist those who have a experience with asbestos attorney to understand more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos exposure is the main risk factor for mesothelioma accounting for up to 80 percent of all cases. Exposure to asbestos may occur as a result of work, military service, or living with people who have worked with asbestos settlement. Asbestos Case particles are inhaled by people who are exposed to it. These particles can cause irritation to the linings of the lungs, 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 smoking, genetics and the advancing age. The people in their 40s or 50s are at greater risk of developing mesothelioma as compared to those younger or older. It is because mesothelioma generally occurs between 20 and 60 years from the initial exposure before cancer symptoms appear. It is important to note, too, that mesothelioma may be present in people who have been exposed to asbestos, but without having directly worked with it. This is referred to as secondary or indirect asbestos exposure. It can be as dangerous as direct asbestos exposure.

Smoking can increase the likelihood of developing mesothelioma since it damages the mesothelium and makes it more susceptible to asbestos. Furthermore, mesothelioma is exacerbated by certain illnesses like asbestosis and pneumonia. It is also important to remember that mesothelioma is more common in men than women. This is because men are more likely to work with asbestos and have more exposure than women. Men are also more likely to live with someone who was exposed to asbestos and bring stray asbestos fibers home on their clothes. Women tend to be less in contact with asbestos litigation, and don't typically bring asbestos lawsuit home on their clothes.

Diagnosis

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

The first step to diagnose mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform an examination and write notes on the medical history of a patient including asbestos exposure. Doctors may also request an CT scan or chest X-ray 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 a magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI test, which makes use of magnets and radio waves to create a series of detailed images of inside the body. Another way doctors can diagnose mesothelioma is to perform a surgical biopsy. A surgical biopsy is when doctors remove a small piece of tissue from the peritoneum or pleura for further analysis. A pathologist can then examine the tissue with an magnifying glass to determine if it contains cancerous cells.

Mesothelioma is classified based on the type of mesothelial cells involved, whether those cells are benign or malignant, and the location, type, and stage of the tumor. Certain types of mesothelioma are at greater risk of spreading or metastasizing, so it's important to get a definitive diagnosis so doctors can treat it before it becomes out of control.

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

Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnosis can be a frightening prospect. It is important to keep in mind that cancer can be treated, particularly in its initial stages. Many patients with mesothelioma live with the disease for a long time without expanding.

Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma through many mechanisms. Asbestos fibers that 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 the irritation causes the formation of scar tissue that eventually result in tumors.

The pleura surrounds the lungs and heart and the abdomen. Mesothelium consists of cells that react to exposure to asbestos, causing it to inflame and form scar tissue. These changes can eventually result in malignant mesothelioma tumors.

Breathing problems, chest pain or fluid accumulation on the lungs are all signs of the pleural mesothelioma. In rare instances cancer may spread to the tissues that surround the reproductive organs and the heart.

If scans of imaging reveal a possible mass in the lungs or stomach doctors will recommend a biopsies. In the course of the procedure, doctors remove small amounts of fluid or tumor for lab tests. The results will confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis, and provide the most effective treatment plan.

There are many types of mesothelioma treatment options, including surgery, chemotherapy and immunotherapy. The majority of doctors employ combinations of these treatments. Patients may also benefit from participating in a clinical study of new mesothelioma therapies. To learn more about the trials, patients should speak to mesothelioma specialists who have had experience treating the disease.