Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos is a natural mineral that is found in long, thin fibres. Workers who are regularly exposed to asbestos are at risk of developing lung diseases like mesothelioma.

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

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma occurs in the outer lung lining, also known as pleura. It is the most prevalent mesothelioma form and accounts for 70% to 79% of diagnosed cases. The condition can cause chest discomfort, shortness of breath and a feeling of weightiness.

This type of cancer is usually caused by exposure to asbestos, which is a grouping of minerals comprised of microscopic fibres. Once inhaled, the fibers are absorbed into the lung 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.

Chest pain and shortness breath are the most frequent symptoms. Some patients also experience difficulty breathing or chest tightness. Patients with this type of cancer have a history of disease that includes asbestos exposure at work. The most prevalent jobs that put people at risk of developing pleural mesothelioma are manufacturing, construction and shipbuilding. People who have served in the military could be at a higher risk due to the frequent asbestos use in Navy vessels and bunkers used by the army.

The TNM (tumors, lymph nodes, and metastases staging system) is the most popular staging system used for the pleural adenocarcinoma. The stage a patient is in upon diagnosis will assist their doctor in determining the best treatment plan for them. Patients with pleural mesothelioma that is in stage three or four will have a worse outlook than those in a less advanced stage. Mesothelioma in stage four is usually spread to the liver, diaphragm and/or a person's heart. This makes it more difficult to treat and increase the risk of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

In contrast to pleural mesothelioma which develops in the lung lining, peritoneal mesothelioma is found in the peritoneum -- it is a membrane that lines the abdominal cavity and organs like the intestines and liver. Similar to pleural mesothelioma mesothelioma is caused by asbestos exposure. The disease is much less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma. There are around 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.

As with pleural asbestosis symptoms can take several years to show. Patients typically suffer from abdominal pain and may have a mass in their abdomen. This type of mesothelioma may also cause nausea, weight loss, and fever. Many of these symptoms are similar to those experienced by digestive problems, which can result in confusion in diagnosis.

Typically, doctors can identify mesothelioma after an exhaustive health history and physical exam. They may also employ imaging tests such as X-rays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to detect mesothelioma. These tests can reveal tumors and other cancer signs that aren't visible on X-rays.

The results of these tests allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma, determine the stage and suggest treatment options. The staging is determined by the type of cell and whether or the tumor has spread to other regions of the body.

Asbestos exposure is the main risk factor. People who have worked in asbestos-related jobs, such as electrical or plumbing work or in construction, manufacturing and manufacturing, are more likely to develop the disease. Even if they aren't employed in these areas, they can still be exposed to asbestos through family members or through other sources. Therefore, anyone who believes they could be at risk should speak to an expert. If they have any history of exposure to asbestos settlement and mesothelioma is a concern, a specialist will assist them in learning more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos is the most significant risk factor for mesothelioma. It is responsible for as much as the 80% of cases. Exposure to asbestos can happen due to military service, work, or living with someone who used to work with asbestos litigation. asbestos legal particles can be inhaled by those who are exposed to asbestos. These irritate the linings and trigger cancerous cells to develop in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma can take anywhere between 15 and 60 years to develop after exposure to asbestos.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and the advancing age. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely be diagnosed with mesothelioma compared to those who are younger or older. It takes mesothelioma 20-60 years before it manifests cancer symptoms after the first exposure. It is also important to know that mesothelioma can develop in those who were exposed to asbestos claim, but did not engage directly with it. This is called secondary or indirect exposure to asbestos, and it can be just as dangerous as direct exposure.

Smoking increases the risk of developing mesothelioma since it damages the mesothelium, which makes it more vulnerable to asbestos law. In addition, mesothelioma may be caused by certain illnesses, such as pneumonia and asbestosis. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than females. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for a longer time and to work with it. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who had worked with asbestos and to have asbestos fibers on their clothing. Women are less likely to be exposed to asbestos, and don't typically bring asbestos home on their clothes.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is a difficult disease to recognize because the symptoms are often similar to other conditions. This could lead to patients being wrongly diagnosed.

NYU Langone doctors will perform a physical examination and record the patient's medical history including asbestos exposure. Doctors can also request an X-ray chest or CT scan to look for lumps and other abnormalities and also to look for evidence of asbestos exposure in the past like pleural plaques (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the buildup of fluid between the lung and chest wall (known as pleural effusion).

Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance scan or MRI test, which makes use of magnets and radio waves to create a series detailed images of the inside of the body. Another way doctors can diagnose mesothelioma is by performing a surgical biopsy. A surgical biopsy is when doctors remove a small amount of tissue from the pleura or peritoneum for further testing. A pathologist can look at the tissue under a microscope to see if it has cancerous cells.

Mesothelioma is classified based on the type of mesothelial cells involved, whether those cells are malignant or benign and the location of the tumor, the type, and the stage of the tumor. Certain mesothelioma types have an increased chance of metastasizing or spreading therefore it is essential to determine the type of mesothelioma so doctors can treat it before it becomes out-of-control.

Doctors may also conduct tests in the laboratory on a tumor to find specific proteins, genes and other factors that help them understand the cancer's characteristics and plan treatment. These results are known as staging.

Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnose can be terrifying. It is crucial to remember that cancer can be treated, particularly in its early stages. Many people with mesothelioma can be afflicted for many years without it expanding.

Exposure to asbestos can trigger mesothelioma through a variety of ways. Asbestos fibers, which are tiny enough to be felt or viewed through the naked eye, can become airborne and irritate the lung's lining (pleura). Over time irritation leads to formation of scar tissue which can cause changes in the structure of cells which eventually lead to tumors.

The pleura covers the heart and lungs and also the abdomen. Mesothelium is made up of cells that react to exposure to asbestos, causing it to inflame and form scar tissue. As time passes, these changes lead to the development of malignant mesothelioma cancers.

The signs of pleural mesothelioma can include breathing problems and chest pain, or the accumulation of fluid on the lung (pleural effusion). In rare instances, the cancer can be spread to the tissues around the heart and reproductive organs.

If imaging scans reveal a possible mass in the stomach or lungs doctors will recommend biopsies. During the procedure, doctors will remove small amounts of the fluid or tumor for laboratory analysis. The results can confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and indicate the best treatment option.

There are several types of mesothelioma treatment, including chemotherapy, surgery and immunotherapy. Most doctors use combinations of these treatments. Participating in clinical trials of mesothelioma treatments may be beneficial for patients. Patients can find out more by consulting a mesothelioma specialist who has treated the disease.