Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos, a mineral that naturally forms in the form of thin, long fibers. People who are exposed to asbestos are at risk of developing lung diseases like mesothelioma.

Symptoms of these diseases may not manifest for years after exposure to asbestos. Different types of asbestos may cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer of the outer lung lining, or the pleura. It is the most common mesothelioma form and is responsible for 70 to 79% of all diagnosed cases. Patients with this disease suffer from chest pain and shortness of breath and may experience the sensation of weight in the chest.

Exposure to asbestos case, a class of minerals made of microscopic fibers, typically causes this type of cancer. When inhaled, these fibers stick inside the lung and cause irritation which causes scarring and DNA mutations. Pleura surrounds both the chest cavity as well as the lungs, so irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma symptoms typically don't show until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

The most frequent symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include chest discomfort and shortness of breath. Some patients have coughing problems, trouble breathing, or chest tightness. People with this cancer often have a history of exposure to asbestos in the workplace. Construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding are among the most frequent occupations that put people at high danger of developing pleural melanoma. People who were in the military are at greater risk due the extensive use asbestos in Navy vessels and bunkers for the Army.

The TNM (tumors lymph nodes, tumors, and metastases staging system) is the most popular staging system used to treat the pleural adenocarcinoma. The stage a patient is in when they are diagnosed will aid their doctor in determining the most appropriate treatment plan for them. For instance, patients suffering from a pleural mesothelioma in stage three or four have a worse prognosis than those in lower stages. Stage four mesothelioma may develop into the liver, heart, or diaphragm. This can make it more difficult to treat and raises the risk of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Contrary to pleural cancer that develops in the lining of the lung the peritoneal cancer is a result of the membrane that covers the abdominal cavity, including organs like the intestines and liver. Like pleural mesothelioma, peritoneal mesothelioma is caused by Asbestos case exposure. The disease is much less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma. There are around 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.

As with pleural mesothelioma symptoms may take years to appear. Typically, patients are afflicted with abdominal pain as well as a mass in the abdomen. Symptoms of this type of mesothelioma may also include nausea, weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms could be misinterpreted as digestive issues, leading to a misdiagnosis.

Typically, doctors can identify mesothelioma by conducting an exhaustive health history and physical examination. They may also employ imaging tests such as X-rays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to help find mesothelioma. These tests can reveal tumors and other signs of cancer that are not visible on X-rays.

The results of these tests allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma, identify the stage and recommend treatment options. The stage of the disease is determined based on the type of cell and whether or not the tumor has spread to other regions of the body.

Asbestos exposure is the main risk factor. People who have worked in asbestos-related professions, such as electrical or plumbing work, or in construction and manufacturing are more likely to develop the disease. Even if someone does not work in one of these areas they could still be exposed through family members or other sources. Anyone who thinks they're at risk should talk to a doctor. A mesothelioma specialist can help those who have had a experience with asbestos to understand more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos exposure is a major risk factor for mesothelioma, accounting for up to 80 percent of all cases. Exposure to asbestos can occur due to work, military service, or living with people who have worked with asbestos. When exposed to asbestos, small particles can be inhaled into the lungs and abdomen. The particles cause irritation to the linings, causing cancerous cells to grow in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma may take between 15 and 60 years to develop following exposure to asbestos.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and aging. People in their 40s or 50s are at greater risk of developing mesothelioma as compared to people who are younger or more. Mesothelioma can take between 20 and 60 years to manifest cancer symptoms after the first exposure. It is also important to know that mesothelioma is a possibility in people who were exposed to asbestos but didn't engage directly with it. This is known as indirect or secondary asbestos exposure, and is as hazardous as direct asbestos exposure.

Smoking increases the risk of getting mesothelioma because it causes mesothelium damage and makes it more susceptible to asbestos. Mesothelioma is also aggravated by certain illnesses, including asbestosis and pneumonia. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma compared to women. This is because men are more likely to be exposed to asbestos and endure a a longer period of exposure than women. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who worked with asbestos, and to have asbestos-containing fibers on their clothing. Women tend to be less exposed to asbestos and don't typically carry asbestos on their clothes.

Diagnosis

It is difficult to identify mesothelioma due to its symptoms being often similar to other conditions. This can result in patients being incorrectly diagnosed.

NYU Langone doctors will perform an examination of the body and document the patient's medical history including asbestos exposure. Doctors may also request a CT scan or chest X-ray to look for lumps, abnormalities and evidence of exposure to asbestos. These include plaques in the pleura, thickened pleura and calcium deposits.

Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram which examines the blood vessels and the heart and magnetic resonance imaging, also known as MRI test, which makes use of radio waves and magnets to make a series of detailed images of the interior of the body. A surgical biopsy is another method doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma. In a surgical biopsy doctors take a tiny piece of tissue from pleura or the peritoneum to be further examined. A pathologist then examines the tissue under a magnifying glass to determine whether it contains cancerous cells.

Mesothelioma is classified according to the type of mesothelial cells involved, whether the cells are malignant or benign and the location of the tumor, the type, and the stage of the cancer. Certain types of mesothelioma are at an increased risk of metastasizing or spreading, so it's important to establish a clear diagnosis so that doctors can treat it prior to it becoming out of control.

Doctors can also perform tests in the lab on tumors to identify 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 diagnosis of mesothelioma can be frightening. It is crucial 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 areas of their body.

Exposure to asbestos settlement can trigger mesothelioma in a number of ways. Asbestos fibers that are too small to be felt or viewed through the naked eye can be airborne, irritating the lung's lining (pleura). In time irritation leads to formation of scar tissue which leads to changes in the cell structure that eventually develop into tumors.

The pleura surrounds the lungs and the heart and also the abdomen. Mesothelium is composed of cells that react to exposure to asbestos which causes it to become inflamed and develop scar tissue. As time passes, these changes lead to the development of malignant mesothelioma cancers.

The signs of pleural mesothelioma can include shortness of breath, chest pain or the accumulation of fluid on the lungs (pleural effusion). In rare cases the cancer may grow to the tissues surrounding the heart and reproductive organs.

If scans of imaging reveal an area of concern in the lungs or stomach, a doctor will order biopsies. The procedure involves the removal of some of the fluid or tumor to allow for tests in the laboratory. The results can confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma, and also determine the best treatment plan.

There are a variety of treatment for mesothelioma, including chemotherapy and surgery. Most doctors utilize a combination of these methods. Patients could also benefit from participating in a clinical study of new mesothelioma treatment. Patients can learn more about the trials by consulting a mesothelioma specialist who has treated mesothelioma.