Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that is made up of thin, long fibres. Workers who are exposed asbestos on a regular basis are at risk of developing mesothelioma as well as other lung diseases.

It may take decades for symptoms to show up after asbestos exposure. Different types of asbestos may cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma, a form of cancer, that develops in the lung's outer liner (pleura). It is the most prevalent type of mesothelioma, making up 70 to 79% of diagnosed cases. The condition can cause chest discomfort, shortness of breath, and a feeling of heaviness.

Exposure to asbestos, a class of minerals comprised of microscopic fibers, usually causes this type of cancer. When inhaled, these fibers cause irritation and DNA mutations. Pleura is the lining of both the chest cavity as well as the lungs, and so irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma is usually not symptomatic until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

Shortness of breath and chest pain are the most common symptoms. Some patients also experience coughing, 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 expose people to the risk of pleural mesothelioma include manufacturing, construction and shipbuilding. People who served in the military are at a greater risk due the extensive use asbestos in Navy vessels and Army bunkers.

The TNM (tumors lymph nodes and metastases staging system) is the most popular staging system used for the pleural cancer. The stage a patient is in at the time of diagnosis will help determine what treatment plan they will receive. For example, patients with mesothelioma that is pleural in stage three or four have a poorer prognosis than those with a lower stage. Mesothelioma in stage four is usually spread to the diaphragm, the liver and/or a person's heart. This could make the cancer more difficult to treat, and increase the risk of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Contrary to pleural cancer that develops in the lining of the lung, peritoneal cancer develops in the membrane that covers the abdominal cavity, which includes organs like the intestines and liver. As with pleural mesothelioma asbestos exposure is the reason for peritoneal msothelioma. The disease is less common than pleural mesothelioma, with only about 300-500 cases diagnosed each year.

As with pleural asbestosis, symptoms can take years to show. Patients generally suffer from abdominal pain and may have a mass in their abdomen. The symptoms of this type of mesothelioma could also include nausea, weight loss and fever. A lot of these symptoms are similar to those of digestive problems, which can cause misdiagnosis.

The doctors can detect mesothelioma through looking over the medical history of the patient and performing a physical exam. Imaging tests such as X-rays or CT scans can be used to detect mesothelioma. These tests can identify tumors as well as other signs of cancer that aren't visible on X-rays.

These test results allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and determine the stage of the disease and suggest treatment options. The staging is determined by the type of cell and whether or whether the tumor has spread to other areas of the body.

The most significant mesothelioma risk factor is asbestos exposure. People who have been in occupations which require asbestos, like plumbing or manufacturing, electrical work or construction, are at a higher risk of developing the disease. However, even if people aren't employed in these fields they may be exposed to asbestos through relatives or other sources. Anyone who thinks they may be at risk should speak with an expert. A mesothelioma expert can help those who have a experience with asbestos to understand more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos is the main risk factor in mesothelioma. It is responsible for up to 80% of all cases. Exposure to asbestos lawyer can occur through work, military service or by living with a person who is exposed to asbestos lawsuit or used to do such. When exposed to asbestos, small particles can be inhaled into the abdomen and lungs. They can cause irritation to the linings of the abdomen and trigger cancerous cells to grow in the mesothelium. After asbestos exposure mesothelioma can develop between 15 and 60 year.

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 older. It is because mesothelioma generally lasts between 20 and 60 years from the first exposure to asbestos before symptoms of cancer begin to manifest. It is also important to know that mesothelioma is a possibility in people who were exposed to asbestos, but did not deal with it directly. This is referred to as secondary or indirect exposure to asbestos and it can be just as dangerous as direct exposure.

Smoking increases the risk of mesothelioma, as it damages the mesothelium. It also makes it more susceptible. Additionally, mesothelioma can be caused by certain illnesses, such as asbestosis and pneumonia. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than females. This is because men are more likely to be exposed to asbestos and endure a more exposure than women. Men are also more likely to live with someone who worked with asbestos case and carry asbestos fibers that have escaped home on their clothes. Women are less likely to be in contact with asbestos compensation, and they are less likely to carry asbestos on their clothing.

Diagnosis

It is difficult to diagnose mesothelioma since its symptoms are frequently similar to other illnesses. This is why patients are often wrongly diagnosed.

NYU Langone doctors will perform an examination of the body and document the patient's medical background, including asbestos exposure. Doctors may also order an X-ray chest or CT scan to look for 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 formation 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, also known as MRI, test that uses magnets and radio waves to create precise images of the inside of the body. Another way doctors can diagnose mesothelioma is to perform an operation called a biopsy. During a surgical biopsy, doctors remove a small amount of tissue from the pleura or peritoneum to conduct further tests. A pathologist will then look at the tissue with an magnifying glass to determine if it contains cancerous cells.

The mesothelial type involved and the benign or malignant nature of these cells and the location and stage of the tumour, are used to classify the disease. Some types of mesothelioma are more likely to spread or metastasize, so it is important to establish a definitive diagnosis so doctors can treat the disease before it goes out of control.

Doctors can also run tests in the lab on a tumor to identify specific proteins, genes and other factors which can help them identify the characteristics of cancer and plan treatment. These results are called staging.

Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnose can be terrifying. But, it is crucial to keep in mind that the cancer is treatable, particularly in its earlier stages. Many patients with mesothelioma live with the disease for a long time without spreading.

Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma in a number of ways. Asbestos fibers that are tiny enough to be felt or seen by naked eyes, can become airborne, irritating the lung's lining (pleura). Over time, the irritation leads to the formation of scar tissue that eventually result in tumors.

The pleura surrounds the lungs and the heart and also the abdomen. Mesothelium is made up of cells that react when exposed to asbestos law. They cause inflammation to the tissue and cause it to scar. These changes can eventually cause mesothelioma cancers.

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

If scans of imaging reveal a possible mass in the stomach or lungs the doctor will request a biopsies. During the procedure, doctors take small amounts of the fluid or tumor for lab tests. The results will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and help determine the best treatment option.

There are a variety of treatment for mesothelioma, such as chemotherapy and surgery. Most doctors use a combination of these treatments. Enrolling in clinical trials of mesothelioma treatments that are new could be beneficial to patients. To learn more, patients should consult mesothelioma specialists who have had experience treating the disease.