Mesothelioma and Asbestos

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

It could take a long time for symptoms to appear after exposure to asbestos. Different types of asbestos may cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma, a form of cancer, that develops in the outer lung the lining (pleura). It is the most common mesothelioma type and accounts for 70% to 79% of all diagnosed cases. The condition can cause chest pain, breath shortness, and a feeling of heaviness.

This kind of cancer is usually caused by exposure to asbestos, which is a cluster of minerals that are composed of microscopic fibers. Once inhaled, the fibers are absorbed into the lungs and cause irritation that results in scarring and DNA mutations. Pleura covers both the chest cavity as well as the lungs, so irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma usually doesn't show symptoms until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

The most frequent symptoms of pleural melanoma are chest discomfort and shortness of breath. Patients may also feel tightness in their chest, coughing or difficulty breathing. Patients with this cancer have a history of disease that includes asbestos exposure at work. The most prevalent jobs that put people at risk of pleural mesothelioma include manufacturing, construction, and shipbuilding. People who served in the military are at a higher risk due to the widespread use of asbestos in Navy vessels and bunkers for the Army.

The TNM (tumors lymph nodes, tumors, and metastases staging system) is the most commonly used staging system used for the pleural cancer. The stage a patient has when they are diagnosed will aid their doctor in determining the most effective treatment plan for them. For instance, patients who have mesothelioma pleural stage three or four have a worse prognosis than patients with a lower stage. Mesothelioma in stage four is usually spread to the liver, diaphragm or even a person's heart. This makes it more difficult to treat and raises the chance of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

In contrast to 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 liver. Similar to pleural mesothelioma, asbestos exposure is the primary cause of peritoneal mesothelioma. The disease is much less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma. There are only about 300-500 cases diagnosed each year.

Like pleural mesothelioma, the symptoms can take years to show. Typically, patients are afflicted with abdominal pain as well as abdominal swelling. Symptoms of this type of mesothelioma may also include nausea, weight loss and fever. A lot of these symptoms are similar to symptoms of gastrointestinal issues, which can lead to confusion in diagnosis.

Generally speaking, doctors can detect mesothelioma by conducting an exhaustive health history and physical exam. They can also use imaging tests like X-rays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to help find mesothelioma. These tests can reveal cancerous tumors or 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. Staging is determined based on the type of cell and whether or whether the cancer has spread to other parts of the body.

The most important mesothelioma risk factor is asbestos exposure. People who have worked in asbestos-containing occupations, like electrical or plumbing work or in manufacturing and construction are more likely to contract the disease. However, even if people do not work in these areas they could be exposed to Asbestos Case through family members or through other sources. Anyone who suspects that they are at risk should speak with a doctor. If they have an history of exposure to asbestos and mesothelioma is a concern, a specialist will assist them in finding out 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 may occur due to work, military service, or by living with someone who works with asbestos or was previously exposed to doing such. When exposed to asbestos law, particles can be inhaled into the lungs and abdomen. These irritate the linings and trigger cancerous cells to develop in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma can take between 15 and 60 years to develop following exposure to asbestos.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and age. People in their 40s and 50s are at a higher risk of developing mesothelioma compared to those younger or older. It is because mesothelioma generally occurs between 20 and 60 years from the first exposure to asbestos before cancer symptoms appear. It is important to remember that mesothelioma may develop in those who have been exposed to asbestos, but without having worked with it directly. This is known as indirect or secondary exposure to asbestos. It is just as harmful as direct exposure.

Smoking can increase the likelihood of developing mesothelioma due to the fact that it damages the mesothelium 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 than females. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for longer periods of time and to work with asbestos claim for longer periods of time. Additionally, men are more likely to live with someone who worked with asbestos and carry asbestos fibers that have escaped home on their clothing. Women are less likely to be exposed to asbestos compensation and they are less likely to carry asbestos on their clothes.

Diagnosis

It is difficult to identify mesothelioma due to its symptoms being frequently similar to other illnesses. Due to this, patients are sometimes misdiagnosed.

The first step in identifying mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform an examination of the body and take note of the medical history of the patient, including asbestos exposure. Doctors can also request an X-ray chest or CT scan to detect lumps or other abnormalities, and also to look for evidence of previous asbestos exposure such as pleural plaques (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 produce a series of precise images of the inside of the body. Another way doctors can diagnose mesothelioma is by performing the procedure of a surgical biopsy. In a surgical biopsy, doctors remove a tiny part of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum, to be tested further. A pathologist can look at the tissue under microscopes to determine if it is contaminated with cancerous cells.

The mesothelial type involved as well as the benign or malignant nature of these cells, as well as the location the cancer, its type and the stage of the cancer are used to categorize the disease. Certain mesothelioma types have a higher risk of metastasizing or spreading, so it's important to establish a clear diagnosis to ensure that the doctors can treat it before it gets out of control.

Doctors can also perform tests in the lab on tumors to identify specific proteins, genes or other elements that will help them identify the characteristics of cancer and plan treatment. These results are known as staging.

Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnosis can be a frightening prospect. However, it is important to remember that the disease is treatable, particularly in its initial stages. Many patients with mesothelioma survive for years with the disease without it spreading to other parts of their body.

Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma through various mechanisms. Asbestos fibers, too small to detect or feel through the naked eye, can become airborne and cause irritation to the lung's lining (pleura). As time passes, the irritation causes the formation of scar tissue which causes changes in the cell structure that eventually develop into tumors.

The Pleura is a protective layer that protects the lungs, heart and abdomen. Mesothelium is made up of cells that react when exposed to asbestos. They inflame the tissue and cause it to scar. In time, these changes can lead to the development of malignant mesothelioma cancers.

A shortness of breath, chest discomfort, or the accumulation of fluid on the lungs are all signs of the pleural mesothelioma. In rare instances, the cancer can be spread to the tissues around the heart and reproductive organs.

If scans of imaging reveal an area of concern in the lungs or stomach the doctor will request a biopsies. During the procedure doctors remove some of the fluid or tumor for lab tests. The results will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and indicate the best treatment option.

There are many types of mesothelioma treatment options, which include chemotherapy, surgery, and immunotherapy. Most doctors rely on an amalgamation of these techniques. Patients may also benefit from enrolling in a clinical trial of new mesothelioma therapies. To learn more, patients should consult a mesothelioma specialist who has experience treating the condition.