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Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that is found in thin, long fibres. People who are regularly exposed to asbestos are at risk of developing lung diseases such as mesothelioma.

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

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma is a type of cancer that affects the lung's outer liner (pleura). It is the most prevalent mesothelioma that accounts for up 70 to 79% of all diagnosed cases. This condition causes chest pain, shortness of breathe and a feeling of heavyness.

This type of cancer is usually caused through exposure to asbestos, which is a collection of minerals that are made up of microscopic fibres. Once inhaled, these fibers cling to the lungs and cause irritation that leads to 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 is usually not symptomatic until 30 to 50 year after exposure.

The most commonly reported symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are chest pain and breath shortness. Some patients may also experience chest tightness or coughing. They may also experience difficulty breathing. Patients with this type of cancer have a history of disease that includes asbestos exposure at work. Construction, manufacturing, and shipbuilding are the most frequent occupations that put people at a high risk of developing pleural mesothelioma. People who were in the military are at a greater risk due the extensive use asbestos in Navy vessels and bunkers in the Army.

The TNM (tumors lymph nodes and metastases staging system) is the most popular staging system used to treat the pleural adenocarcinoma. The stage the patient is in at the time of diagnosis can 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 in a less advanced stage. Mesothelioma in stage four is usually spread to the diaphragm, the liver or even a person's heart. This could make the cancer more difficult to treat and increase the chance of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Unlike pleural mesothelioma, which is a lung-lining cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma develops in the peritoneum - it is a membrane that lines the abdominal cavity and organs like the intestines and the liver. As with pleural mesothelioma asbestos exposure is the reason for peritoneal msothelioma. The disease is less common than pleural mesothelioma, with just 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.

As with pleural asbestosis, symptoms can take a long time to manifest. Most patients are afflicted with abdominal pain as well as abdominal swelling. This kind of mesothelioma can cause nausea, weight loss, and fever. A lot of these symptoms can be misinterpreted as gastrointestinal issues, leading to a false diagnosis.

Doctors can identify mesothelioma by looking over the medical history of the patient and performing a physical exam. They can also utilize imaging tests such as X-rays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to identify mesothelioma. These tests can show tumors and other indications of cancer that aren't visible on an X-ray.

These test results allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and determine the stage and recommend treatment options. The staging is determined by the type of cell and whether or not the tumor has spread to other parts of the body.

Asbestos exposure is the biggest risk factor. People who have worked in asbestos-related jobs, such as electrical or plumbing work, or in manufacturing and construction are more likely to develop the disease. Even if an individual does not work in any of these areas, he or she can still be exposed through family members or other sources. Anyone who suspects that they are at risk should talk to a doctor. A mesothelioma specialist can assist those who have a experience with asbestos to understand more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos exposure is the primary risk factor for mesothelioma which accounts for as much as 80 percent of all cases. Exposure to asbestos can happen as a result of work, military service, or living with people who have worked with asbestos. Asbestos particles can be inhaled by people who are exposed to it. These particles can cause irritation to the linings, causing cancerous cells to grow in the mesothelium. After exposure to asbestos mesothelioma is likely to develop between 15 and 60 year.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and the advancing age. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely to get mesothelioma than people younger or more senior. It takes mesothelioma between 20 and 60 years to manifest cancer symptoms after the first exposure. It is important to keep in mind that mesothelioma may occur in those who have been exposed to asbestos law, but without having worked 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 developing mesothelioma due to the fact that it damages the mesothelium, which makes it more susceptible to asbestos. Furthermore, mesothelioma is exacerbated by certain illnesses like asbestosis and pneumonia. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma compared to women. This is because men are more likely to work with asbestos and experience a more exposure than women. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who had worked with Asbestos case, and to have asbestos-containing fibers on their clothing. Women tend to have less contact with asbestos and rarely carry asbestos lawsuit on their clothing.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is difficult to identify because the symptoms can be similar to other diseases. This can result in patients being misdiagnosed.

NYU Langone doctors will perform physical examinations and document the patient's medical background, including asbestos exposure. Doctors can also order an X-ray of the chest or CT scan to check for lumps and other abnormalities as well as evidence of past asbestos exposure such as plaques on the pleura (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the accumulation 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 makes use of radio waves and magnets to make a series of detailed images of the inside of the body. Another method doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma is by performing the procedure of a surgical biopsy. During a surgery biopsy doctors will remove a small piece of tissue from pleura or the peritoneum, to be examined further. A pathologist will then look at the tissue using a magnifying lens to determine if it is a cancerous cells.

The mesothelial type involved as well as the benign or malignant nature of those cells and the location and stage of the tumor, are used to categorize the disease. Certain types of mesothelioma are more likely to spread or metastasize, so it is important to have a clear diagnosis so doctors can treat the disease before it gets out of control.

Doctors may also conduct laboratory tests on tumors to determine specific genes, proteins, or other factors which can aid in describing 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 is treatable, especially in its initial stages. Many mesothelioma patients live for a long time with the disease, without spreading to other parts of their body.

Asbestos exposure can cause mesothelioma through various mechanisms. Asbestos fibers that are too small to be felt or seen with the naked eyes can be airborne and irritate the lining of the lung (pleura). Over time the irritation causes the formation of scar tissues and eventually tumors.

The pleura covers the lungs and the heart and also the abdomen. Mesothelium is composed of cells that react when exposed to asbestos law. They cause inflammation to the tissue and cause it to become scarred. As time passes, these changes lead to the development of malignant mesothelioma cancers.

Symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include breathlessness and chest pain as well as a buildup of fluid in the lungs (pleural effusion). In rare cases the cancer may grow to the tissues surrounding the heart and reproductive organs.

A doctor may request biopsy if scans reveal a possible tumor in the lungs or stomach. During the procedure, doctors will remove a small sample of the tumor or fluid for lab testing. The results can confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis and indicate the most effective treatment plan.

There are many types of mesothelioma treatment, including chemotherapy, surgery and immunotherapy. Most doctors use the combination of these treatments. Patients may also benefit from participating in a clinical study of new mesothelioma treatment. Patients can find out more by consulting a mesothelioma specialist who has treated the disease.