Mesothelioma and Asbestos

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

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

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma, a form of cancer, that affects the outer lung liner (pleura). It is the most common mesothelioma that accounts for up 70% to 79% of diagnosed cases. Patients with this disease suffer from chest pain and shortness of breath and may experience a sensation of heaviness in the chest.

Exposure to asbestos, a family of minerals made of microscopic fibers, typically causes this kind of cancer. The fibers, when inhaled cause irritation and DNA mutations. The pleura covers the chest cavity and lungs, so these irritations can affect both the lungs as well as the heart of a person. Mesothelioma symptoms usually don't appear until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

The most commonly reported symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are chest pain and shortness of breath. Patients may also suffer from chest tightness, coughing or difficulty breathing. Patients with this cancer have a past that includes asbestos exposure at work. Construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding are among the most frequent occupations which put people at risk chance of developing pleural mesothelioma. People who were in the military are at greater risk due to the widespread use of asbestos in Navy vessels and bunkers in the Army.

The most common staging method for pleural mesothelioma is the TNM (tumor lymph nodes, lymph nodes, and metastases) staging system. The stage a patient is in at diagnosis will aid their doctor in determining the best treatment plan for them. For instance, patients suffering from mesothelioma pleural stage three or four have a poorer prognosis than those with lower stages. Stage four mesothelioma may develop into the liver, heart, or diaphragm. This can make the cancer more difficult to treat and increase the chance of complications for patients.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Unlike pleural cancer, which is found in the lung's lining, peritoneal cancer develops in the membrane that covers the abdominal cavity, including organs like the liver and intestines. Like pleural mesothelioma, asbestos exposure is the primary reason for peritoneal msothelioma. The disease is less common than pleural mesothelioma, and only about 300-500 cases diagnosed each year.

As with pleural mesothelioma symptoms can take years to show. Patients usually suffer from abdominal pain and may also have a lump in their abdomen. The symptoms of this type of mesothelioma can also include nausea, weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms are similar to those experienced by digestive issues, which could lead to misdiagnosis.

Generally, doctors can find mesothelioma through a thorough health history and physical exam. They can also use imaging tests like Xrays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to identify mesothelioma. These tests can reveal tumors and other cancer signs that are not visible on X-rays.

The results of these tests allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and determine the stage. They also offer treatments. Staging is determined based on the cell type and whether or not the tumor has spread to other parts of the body.

The most important risk factor for mesothelioma is asbestos exposure. People who have worked in jobs which require asbestos, like plumbing manufacturing, electrical work or construction, are at a higher risk of developing the disease. Even if an individual does not work in one of these fields however, they may still be exposed through family members or other sources. Anyone who believes they may be at risk should consult a doctor. A mesothelioma specialist can assist those who have a history with asbestos to learn more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos is the primary mesothelioma-related risk factor. It is responsible for as much as 80percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos lawsuit can happen as a result of work, military service, or living with people who have worked with asbestos. Asbestos particles can be breathed in by people who are exposed to it. They can cause irritation to the linings of the abdomen and trigger cancerous cells to develop in the mesothelium. After asbestos exposure mesothelioma can develop between 15 and 60 years old.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and age. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely develop mesothelioma than those who are younger or more senior. It takes mesothelioma between 20 and 60 years to manifest cancer symptoms after the first exposure. It is important to remember, too, that mesothelioma could develop in those who have been exposed to asbestos without having worked with it directly. This is referred to as indirect or secondary asbestos (try what she says) exposure and can be just as harmful as direct asbestos litigation exposure.

Smoking increases the risk of getting mesothelioma because it causes mesothelium damage and makes it more vulnerable to asbestos. Mesothelioma is also aggravated by certain illnesses, including asbestosis and pneumonia. It is also important to know that mesothelioma occurs more frequently in men than women. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for a longer period of time and to 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 case fibers on their clothing. Women tend to be less exposed to asbestos and they don't usually bring asbestos home on their clothes.

Diagnosis

It is difficult to diagnose mesothelioma because its symptoms are often similar to other diseases. This is why patients are sometimes misdiagnosed.

NYU Langone doctors will perform an examination of the body and document the patient's medical history, including asbestos lawsuit exposure. Doctors may also order an X-ray chest or CT scan to check for lumps and other abnormalities as well as evidence of asbestos exposure in the past such as plaques in the pleura (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the accumulation of fluid between the lung and the chest wall (known as pleural effusion).

Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance imaging or MRI test, which uses radio waves and magnets in order to create a series detailed images of the inside of the body. Another method doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma is through the procedure of a surgical biopsy. A surgical biopsy is when doctors remove a small piece of tissue from the pleura or peritoneum to conduct further tests. A pathologist can then examine the tissue under microscopes to determine if it is contaminated with cancerous cells.

Mesothelioma is classified according to the mesothelial type involved, whether these cells are malignant or benign and the location, type, and stage of the tumor. Some 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 becomes out of control.

Doctors can also run tests in the lab on tumors to determine specific genes, proteins, or other factors that can help them describe the characteristics of the cancer and determine a treatment. These results are referred to as staging.

Treatment

A diagnosis of mesothelioma may be terrifying. It is important to remember that cancer can be treated, particularly in its early stages. Many people with mesothelioma can endure the disease for a long time, without expanding.

Asbestos exposure can trigger mesothelioma via various mechanisms. Asbestos fibers, which are too small to detect or feel with the naked eye, can be airborne and cause irritation to the lung's lining (pleura). In time, the irritation causes the formation of scar tissue which leads to changes in the cell structure that eventually develop into tumors.

The Pleura is a covering that covers the abdomen, heart, and lungs. Mesothelium is composed of cells that respond when exposed to asbestos. They inflame the tissue and cause it to scar. These changes can eventually result in malignant mesothelioma tumors.

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

If imaging scans show an underlying mass in the lungs or stomach, a doctor will order biopsies. During the procedure, doctors take a small sample of the fluid or tumor for lab tests. The results can confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma, and also determine the most effective treatment plan.

There are a variety of treatment for mesothelioma, such as chemotherapy and surgery. Most doctors rely on the combination of these methods. Patients may also benefit from participating in a clinical study of new mesothelioma treatments. To learn more about the trials, patients should speak to mesothelioma experts who have expertise in treating the condition.