Mesothelioma and Asbestos

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

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

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer of the lung's outer lining, or pleura. It is the most frequent form of mesothelioma and accounts for 70% to 79% of diagnosed cases. People with this condition suffer from chest pain and breathlessness and may experience an ache or heaviness in the chest.

Exposure to asbestos, a group of minerals comprised of microscopic fibers, typically causes this kind of cancer. Once inhaled, the fibers stick inside the lung and cause irritation that results in scarring and DNA mutations. Pleura is the lining of both the chest cavity as well as the lungs, which means that irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma typically doesn't manifest until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

The most commonly reported symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include chest discomfort and shortness of breath. Some patients may also feel tightness in their chest and coughing, or breathing difficulties. People who suffer from this cancer usually have previous exposure to asbestos in the workplace. The most prevalent jobs that expose people to the risk of developing pleural cancer are manufacturing, construction and shipbuilding. Individuals who have served in the military are at a greater risk due the frequent use of asbestos in Navy vessels and Army bunkers.

The TNM (tumors lymph nodes and metastases staging system) is the most common staging system for pleural adenocarcinoma. The stage that a patient is at at diagnosis will aid their doctor in determining the most effective treatment plan for them. Patients who have pleural mesothelioma which is in stage three or four will suffer a more negative prognosis than those in a lower stage. Mesothelioma in stage four is usually spread to the diaphragm, the liver or even the heart of a patient. This can make it more difficult to treat and raises the likelihood of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Unlike pleural mesothelioma, which develops in the lung lining, peritoneal mesothelioma forms in the peritoneum, it is a membrane that lines the abdominal cavity and organs like the intestines and liver. Similar to pleural mesothelioma and peritoneal mesothelioma can be caused by asbestos exposure. It is estimated that only 300-500 cases are diagnosed annually, which is less than pleural asbestosis.

Like pleural mesothelioma, symptoms may take years to appear. The majority of patients suffer from abdominal pain and an abdominal mass. This mesothelioma type can cause nausea, weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms are similar to those of gastrointestinal issues, which can result in misdiagnosis.

Doctors can detect mesothelioma by looking over the medical history of the patient and conducting a physical exam. They may also employ imaging tests like Xrays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to identify 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, determine the stage of the disease and suggest treatment options. Staging is determined based on the type of cells and whether or the cancer has spread to other areas of the body.

The most significant mesothelioma-related risk factor is exposure to asbestos. People who have been exposed to asbestos in jobs, such as electrical or plumbing work, or in construction, manufacturing and manufacturing, are more likely to develop the disease. Even if an individual isn't employed in any of these areas, he or she can still be exposed through family members and other sources. Anyone who believes they're at risk should talk to an expert. A mesothelioma expert can help those who have a previous history of asbestos to find out more about their risk.

Risk Factors

asbestos case (source web page) exposure is a major risk factor for mesothelioma which accounts for as much as 80 percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos can occur due to work, military service, or living with people who have worked with asbestos. Asbestos particles can be inhaled by people who are exposed to it. They can cause irritation to the linings of the abdomen and trigger cancerous cells to form in the mesothelium. After asbestos exposure, mesothelioma may develop between 15 and 60 year.

Other risk factors include genetics, smoking and aging. People in their 40s or 50s are at greater chance of developing mesothelioma to those who are younger or older. This is because mesothelioma typically occurs between 20 and 60 years from the first exposure to asbestos lawyer before cancer symptoms appear. It is important to keep in mind that mesothelioma may occur in those who have been exposed to asbestos, but without having been directly exposed to it. This is referred to as secondary or indirect exposure to asbestos. It is just as harmful as direct exposure.

Smoking increases the risk of developing mesothelioma since it causes mesothelium damage and makes it more vulnerable to asbestos. Mesothelioma can also be caused by certain illnesses such as asbestosis and pneumonia. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma compared to women. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for a longer period of time and work with asbestos for longer periods of time. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who been exposed to asbestos, and to have asbestos-containing fibers on their clothing. Women are less likely to come into exposure to asbestos and rarely carry asbestos on their clothes.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is a difficult cancer to diagnose because the symptoms often resemble other diseases. This could lead to patients being misdiagnosed.

The first step in identifying mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform an examination and write down a patient's medical history which includes asbestos exposure. Doctors can also request a chest X-ray or CT scan to detect lumps and other abnormalities, as well as evidence of past asbestos exposure like pleural plaques (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the accumulation of fluid between the lung and chest wall (known as pleural effusion).

Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram which examines the heart and blood vessels as well as a magnetic resonance imaging, also known as MRI, test, which makes use of magnets and radio waves to make a series of precise images of the inside of the body. Another way doctors can diagnose mesothelioma is to perform the procedure of a surgical biopsy. A surgical biopsy is when doctors take a small amount of tissue from the pleura or peritoneum to conduct further tests. A pathologist can look at the tissue under microscopes to determine whether it has cancerous cells.

Mesothelioma can be classified based on the mesothelial type involved, whether the cells are malignant or benign and the location of the tumor, the type, and the stage of the cancer. Certain mesothelioma types have greater risk of spreading or metastasizing therefore it is essential to establish a clear diagnosis so that doctors can treat it before it gets out of control.

Doctors may also conduct tests in the lab on a tumor to find specific proteins, genes or other elements that can help them describe the characteristics of cancer and plan treatment. These results are known as staging.

Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnosis can be an incredibly frightening prospect. However, it's important to remember that the cancer is treatable, particularly in its initial stages. Many patients with mesothelioma live with the disease for a long time, without expanding.

Exposure to asbestos can trigger mesothelioma in a number of ways. Asbestos particles, which are too small to detect or feel with the naked eye, can be airborne and cause irritation to the lining of the lungs (pleura). In time, the irritation causes the formation of scar tissue, which can cause changes in the cell structure that can eventually grow into tumors.

The Pleura is a protective layer that surrounds the abdomen, heart, and lungs. Mesothelium consists of cells that respond when exposed to asbestos. They cause inflammation of the tissue and cause it to become scarred. As time passes, these changes cause the development of malignant mesothelioma tumors.

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

A doctor may request biopsy if scans show a potential tumor in the lungs or stomach. The procedure involves the removal of some of the fluid or tumor to allow for laboratory testing. The results will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma, and also determine the best treatment option.

There are a variety of treatment for mesothelioma including surgery and chemotherapy. Most doctors rely on a combination of these methods. Patients can also benefit by taking part in a clinical trial of new mesothelioma treatment. To find out more, patients should speak to mesothelioma specialists who have expertise in treating the condition.