Mesothelioma and Asbestos

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

It may take decades before symptoms begin to manifest after asbestos exposure. Different asbestos types may cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

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

Exposure to asbestos, a class of minerals comprised of microscopic fibers causes this kind of cancer. When inhaled, these fibers stick inside the lung and cause irritation that causes scarring and DNA mutations. The pleura covers the lungs and chest cavity, so these irritations can affect both the lungs and the heart of a person. Mesothelioma typically doesn't manifest until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

Chest pain and shortness breath are the most common symptoms. Patients may also experience chest tightness and coughing, or breathing difficulties. Patients with this type of cancer have a past that includes asbestos exposure at work. The most frequent jobs that expose workers to the risk of developing pleural mesothelioma are manufacturing, construction and shipbuilding. People who served in the military are at a higher risk due to the extensive use asbestos in Navy vessels and bunkers in the Army.

The most common staging system for pleural mysothelioma has been the TNM (tumor, lymph nodes and metastases) staging system. The stage a patient is in at the moment of diagnosis will determine the treatment plan they should follow. For example, patients with mesothelioma that is pleural in stage three or four have a worse prognosis than patients with a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma often spreads to the diaphragm, liver or even the heart of a patient. This can make it more difficult to treat and increases the likelihood of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Unlike pleural cancer, that develops in the lining of the lung the peritoneal cancer is a result of a membrane that covers the abdominal cavity, which includes organs such as the intestines and the liver. Similar to pleural mesothelioma and peritoneal mesothelioma is triggered by asbestos law exposure. It is estimated that only 300-500 cases are diagnosed annually this is less than pleural asbestosis.

As with pleural mesothelioma symptoms can take years to show. Most patients suffer from abdominal pain and an abdominal mass. This mesothelioma type can also cause nausea, weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms could be misinterpreted as digestive issues, leading to a false diagnosis.

Typically, doctors can identify mesothelioma through a thorough health history and physical exam. Imaging tests like X-rays and CT scans are a way to detect mesothelioma. These tests can reveal cancerous tumors or other symptoms of cancer that aren't apparent on an X-ray.

The results of these tests allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma, identify the stage of the disease and suggest treatment options. The stage is determined by the type of cell as well as whether the tumor has spread.

The most significant mesothelioma risk factor is asbestos exposure. People who have worked in asbestos-related jobs, such as electrical or plumbing work or in construction and manufacturing are more likely to develop the disease. Even if someone is not employed in one of these areas however, they may be exposed to asbestos case to asbestos through family members and other sources. Therefore, anyone who is concerned that they might be at risk should talk to an expert. If they have an history of exposure to asbestos and mesothelioma is a concern, a specialist will assist them in finding out more about the risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos exposure is the primary mesothelioma risk factor, making up as much as 80 percent of all cases. Exposure to asbestos may occur as a result of work, military service or by living with a person who works with asbestos or has previously done the same. When exposed to asbestos, small particles are able to be inhaled into lungs and abdomen. They can cause irritation to the linings of the abdomen and cause cancerous cells to grow in the mesothelium. After exposure to asbestos, mesothelioma may occur between 15 and 60 years old.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics, and the advancing age. People in their 40s or 50s are more at risk of developing mesothelioma compared to those who are younger or older. It takes mesothelioma between 20 and 60 years to show signs of cancer after the first exposure. It is important to remember that mesothelioma is a possibility in those who were exposed to asbestos claim, but did not deal with it directly. This is referred to as indirect or secondary asbestos exposure and can be just as harmful as direct asbestos exposure.

Smoking increases the chance of mesothelioma as it damages the mesothelium. It also makes it more prone to. In addition, mesothelioma may be worsened by certain diseases like 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 a longer period of time and work with asbestos for longer periods of time. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who been exposed to asbestos, and to have asbestos-containing fibers on their clothing. Women are less likely to come into contact with asbestos and don't typically carry asbestos on their clothes.

Diagnosis

It is difficult to identify mesothelioma since its symptoms are often similar to other diseases. Because of this, victims are sometimes mistakenly diagnosed.

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

Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance scan or MRI test, which uses radio waves and magnets to produce a series of precise images of inside the body. Another method doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma is to perform 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 contains cancerous cells.

The type of mesothelial cells involved, the malignant or benign nature of those cells and the location the cancer, its type and the stage of the tumor, are used to classify the disease. Some types of mesothelioma are more likely to grow or spread, so it is important to have a clear diagnosis to ensure that doctors are able to treat the disease before it goes out of control.

Doctors can also run laboratory tests on a tumor to identify particular 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 diagnosis can be terrifying. But, it is crucial to remember that the cancer can be treated, particularly in its earlier stages. Many people with mesothelioma live for a long time with the disease, without spreading to other areas of their body.

Exposure to asbestos may cause mesothelioma in a number of ways. Asbestos fibers, which are too small to be able to see or feel with the naked eye, can become airborne and cause irritation to the lung's lining (pleura). In time the irritation causes the formation of scar tissue, which eventually lead to tumors.

The pleura covers the heart and lungs, as well as the abdomen. Mesothelium is composed of cells that react to asbestos and cause it to enflame and form scar tissue. These changes eventually result in malignant mesothelioma tumors.

Shortness of breath, chest discomfort or fluid buildup on the lungs are all indications of pleural Msothelioma. In rare instances, cancer can spread into the tissues that surround the reproductive organs and the heart.

A doctor may request a biopsy if imaging scans reveal a possible lung tumor or stomach. During the procedure, doctors take tiny amounts of fluid or tumor for laboratory analysis. The results will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and provide the best treatment option.

There are a variety of treatment for mesothelioma, including chemotherapy and surgery. The majority of doctors employ the combination of these treatments. Participating in clinical trials of mesothelioma treatments may be beneficial to patients. To learn more, patients should speak to mesothelioma specialists who have had experience treating the disease.