Mesothelioma and Asbestos

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

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

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma occurs in the lung's outer lining also known as the pleura. It is the most frequent type of mesothelioma, making up 70 to 79% of all diagnosed cases. The condition can cause chest pain, shortness of breathe, and a feeling of heaviness.

Exposure to asbestos, a group of minerals composed of microscopic fibers causes this kind of cancer. Once inhaled, the fibers stick inside the lung and cause irritation that results in scarring and DNA mutations. The pleura is the area that surrounds 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.

The most common symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are chest discomfort and shortness of breath. Patients may also experience coughing, difficulty breathing, or chest tightness. People with this cancer often have an history of exposure to asbestos in the workplace. The most prevalent jobs that expose people to the risk of pleural mesothelioma include construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding. People who served in the military are at greater risk due to the frequent use of asbestos in Navy vessels and Army bunkers.

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 aid their doctor in determining the most appropriate treatment plan for them. For example, patients with a pleural mesothelioma in stage three or four have a poorer prognosis than those in a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma often spreads to the liver, diaphragm and/or a person's heart. This makes the cancer more difficult to treat, and increase the chance of complications for patients.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Unlike pleural mesothelioma, which is a lung-lining cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma is found in the peritoneum - a membrane that lines the abdominal cavity as well as organs like the intestines and the liver. Like pleural mesothelioma, peritoneal mesothelioma can be caused by asbestos exposure. The disease is much less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma, with just 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.

Like pleural mesothelioma, symptoms may take years to appear. Patients generally experience abdominal pain, and may also have a lump in their abdomen. The symptoms of this kind of mesothelioma can also include nausea or weight loss, as well as fever. Many of these symptoms are similar to those of gastrointestinal issues, which can result in incorrect diagnosis.

Generally, doctors can find mesothelioma by conducting an extensive health history and physical exam. They may also employ imaging tests like X-rays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to detect mesothelioma. These tests can reveal tumors and other signs of cancer that aren't visible on X-rays.

The results of these tests allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma, identify the stage and recommend treatment options. The stage is determined by the type of cell and whether the tumor has spread.

The most important risk factor for mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos. People who have worked in asbestos case-containing professions, such as plumbing or electrical work, or in construction, manufacturing and manufacturing are more likely to develop the disease. Even if a person isn't employed in any of these areas however, they may be exposed to asbestos through family members or other sources. This is why anyone who believes they could be at risk should speak to an expert. If they have an history of exposure to asbestos claim, a mesothelioma specialist can assist them in finding out more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos exposure is a major risk factor for mesothelioma, accounting for up to 80 percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos may occur through work, military service or by living with a person who works with asbestos or has previously done such. 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 grow in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma can take anywhere between 15 and 60 years to develop following exposure to asbestos law.

Other risk factors include genetics, smoking and age. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely get mesothelioma than people younger or more senior. This is because mesothelioma usually occurs between 20 and 60 years from the first exposure to asbestos before cancer symptoms appear. It is also important to know that mesothelioma can develop in people who have been exposed to asbestos, but did not work with it directly. This is referred to as secondary or indirect asbestos exposure. It can be as hazardous as direct asbestos exposure.

Smoking can increase the likelihood of getting mesothelioma because it damages the mesothelium, which makes it more susceptible to asbestos. Additionally, mesothelioma can be worsened by certain diseases like pneumonia and asbestosis. It is also important to note that mesothelioma is more common in men than women. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for a longer time and work with asbestos for longer durations and to work with it. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who been exposed to asbestos, and to carry asbestos law fibers on their clothing. Women tend to be less exposed to asbestos, and they are less likely to bring asbestos home on their clothes.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is a difficult disease to identify because the symptoms are often similar to other diseases. Due to this, patients are often mistakenly 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 can also order a chest X-ray or CT scan to detect lumps or other abnormalities, as well as evidence of asbestos exposure in the past such as plaques on the pleura (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the formation of fluid between the lung and the chest wall (known as the pleural effusion).

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 radio waves and magnets to make a series of detailed images of the inside of the body. A surgical biopsy is yet another method for doctors to identify mesothelioma. When a biopsy is performed doctors take a tiny part of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum to be examined further. A pathologist can examine the tissue under a microscope to see if it has cancerous cells.

Mesothelioma can be classified based on the type of mesothelial cell involved, whether these cells are benign or malignant and the location, type, and stage of the tumor. Some types of mesothelioma are more likely to grow or spread and spread, therefore it is essential to have a clear diagnosis so doctors can treat the disease before it goes out of control.

Doctors can also perform tests in the laboratory on tumors to determine specific genes, proteins, or other factors which can aid in describing cancer characteristics and plan treatment. These results are referred to as staging.

Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnosis can be a frightening prospect. 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 spreading to other organs of their body.

Exposure to asbestos can trigger mesothelioma in a number of ways. Asbestos fibers, too small to be able to see or feel by the naked eye can become airborne and cause irritation to the lining of the lungs (pleura). In time the irritation causes the formation of scar tissue and eventually tumors.

The pleura is a protective covering that protects the abdomen, heart, and lungs. Mesothelium is made up of cells that react when exposed to asbestos. They cause inflammation to the tissue and cause it to scar. As time passes, these changes cause the development of malignant mesothelioma tumors.

Symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include breathlessness and chest pain, or the accumulation of fluid on the lungs (pleural effusion). In rare instances cancer can spread to the tissues that surround the reproductive organs and the heart.

If imaging scans reveal an area of concern in the stomach or lungs doctors will recommend a biopsies. During the procedure, doctors will remove small amounts of the fluid or tumor for lab testing. The results can confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis and indicate the most effective treatment plan.

There are several types of mesothelioma treatment options, which include chemotherapy, surgery, and immunotherapy. Most doctors use combinations of these treatments. Patients can also benefit by enrolling in a clinical trial of new mesothelioma treatments. To learn more, patients should speak with a mesothelioma specialist who has had experience treating the disease.