Mesothelioma and Asbestos

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

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

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma can be found in the lung's outer lining or pleura. It is the most frequent mesothelioma type, accounting for up 70 to 79% of diagnosed cases. People with this condition suffer from chest pain and shortness of breath, and they may feel the sensation of weight in the chest.

Exposure to asbestos, a group of minerals composed of microscopic fibers, typically causes this type of cancer. Once inhaled, these fibers cling to the lung and cause irritation that leads to scarring and DNA mutations. Pleura covers both the chest cavity and the lungs, which means that irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma typically doesn't manifest until 30 to 50 year after exposure.

The most commonly reported symptoms of pleural melanoma are chest discomfort and shortness of breath. Some patients also experience difficulty breathing, or chest tightness. Patients with this 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 construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding. Individuals who have served in the military are at higher risk due to the extensive use asbestos in Navy vessels and Army bunkers.

The TNM (tumors, lymph nodes, and metastases staging system) is the most common staging system for the pleural cancer. The stage that a patient is at when they are diagnosed will assist their doctor in determining the most appropriate 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 can develop into the liver, heart or diaphragm. This makes it more difficult to treat and raises the likelihood 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 -- an elongated membrane that covers the abdominal cavity as well as organs such as the intestines and the liver. Similar to pleural mesothelioma and peritoneal 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 a long time to manifest. Typically, patients suffer from abdominal pain and a mass in the abdomen. This mesothelioma type can cause nausea, weight loss and fever. A lot of these symptoms are similar to those experienced by gastrointestinal issues, which can lead to confusion in diagnosis.

Typically, doctors can identify mesothelioma through an exhaustive health history and physical exam. They may also employ imaging tests like Xrays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to detect mesothelioma. These tests can reveal cancerous tumors or other indications of cancer that aren't visible on X-rays.

These test results enable doctors to identify mesothelioma, and determine the stage. They can also recommend treatments. The stage is determined by the kind of cell and if the cancer has spread.

The most significant mesothelioma risk factor is asbestos exposure. People who have worked in professions which require asbestos, like plumbing, manufacturing, electrical work, or construction, are at increased risk of developing the disease. Even if an individual is not employed in any of these areas however, they may still be exposed through family members or other sources. Anyone who thinks they are at risk should talk to an expert. If they have any history of exposure to asbestos or mesothelioma, a specialist can assist them in learning more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos exposure is the primary risk factor for mesothelioma which accounts for as much as 80 percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos can happen through work, military service, or living with those who worked with asbestos. Asbestos particles are inhaled by people who are exposed to it. These irritate the linings and cause cancerous cells to form in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma can take between 15 and 60 years to develop following exposure to asbestos.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics, and the advancing age. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely to get mesothelioma than people younger or older. This is because mesothelioma usually takes 20 to 60 years after the initial exposure to asbestos before cancer symptoms appear. It is important to keep in mind that mesothelioma can develop in people who have been exposed to asbestos without having worked with it directly. This is referred to as secondary or indirect asbestos exposure and can be as dangerous as direct asbestos exposure.

Smoking increases the chance of mesothelioma since it damages mesothelium. It also makes it more susceptible. In addition, mesothelioma may be worsened by certain diseases like asbestosis and pneumonia. It is also important to remember that mesothelioma occurs more frequently for men than women. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos legal for a longer time and to have worked with asbestos for longer durations and to work with it. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who has been exposed to asbestos, and to have asbestos fibers on their clothing. Women are less likely to come into exposure to asbestos and rarely carry asbestos litigation on their clothing.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is difficult to identify because the symptoms can be similar to other diseases. This can result in patients being incorrectly diagnosed.

The first step to diagnose mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform an examination of the body and take note of the medical history of the patient which includes asbestos exposure. Doctors will also recommend an CT scan or chest X-ray to check for lumps, abnormalities and evidence of asbestos exposure. These include pleural plaques, thickened pleura and calcium deposits.

Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance scan or MRI test, which makes use of magnets and radio waves to produce a series of precise images of the inside of the body. A surgical biopsy is a different way for doctors to diagnose mesothelioma. In a surgical biopsy doctors take a small amount of tissue from the pleura or peritoneum for further testing. A pathologist can examine the tissue under microscopes to determine if it is contaminated with cancerous cells.

Mesothelioma is classified according to the type of mesothelial cell involved, whether the cells are malignant or benign and the location, type, and stage of the tumor. Some types of mesothelioma are more likely to develop metastasis or spread which is why it is crucial to have a clear diagnosis to ensure that doctors are able to treat the disease before it becomes out of control.

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

Treatment

A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be terrifying. However, it's important to remember that the disease is treatable, particularly in its initial stages. Many people with mesothelioma can endure the disease for a long time, without expanding.

Exposure to asbestos can trigger mesothelioma in a number of ways. Asbestos fibers, which are tiny enough to be felt or viewed through the naked eye are able to become airborne, causing irritation to the lining of the lung (pleura). Over time the irritation can lead to the formation of scar tissues, which eventually lead to tumors.

The pleura covers the heart and lungs, as well as the abdomen. Mesothelium is composed of cells that react when exposed to asbestos. They cause inflammation of the tissue and cause it to become scarred. These changes eventually result in malignant mesothelioma tumors.

Breathing problems, chest discomfort, or the accumulation of fluid on the lungs are all symptoms of pleural msothelioma. In rare instances the cancer may spread to the tissues surrounding the heart and reproductive organs.

If scans of imaging reveal an area of concern in the stomach or lungs doctors will recommend biopsies. During the procedure, doctors remove small amounts of the fluid or tumor for lab analysis. The results will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and determine the most effective treatment plan.

There are many types of mesothelioma treatment options, including chemotherapy, surgery and immunotherapy. Most doctors utilize combinations of these treatments. Enrolling in clinical trials of new mesothelioma treatment may also be beneficial for patients. Patients can learn more by consulting a mesothelioma expert who has treated the condition.