Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos is a natural mineral that comes in long, thin fibres. Workers who are exposed asbestos on a regular basis are at risk of developing mesothelioma or other types of lung diseases.

Symptoms of these diseases may not show up for decades 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 common mesothelioma form and is responsible for 70 to 79% all diagnosed cases. This condition causes chest discomfort, shortness of breath and a feeling of weightiness.

Exposure to asbestos, a group of minerals comprised of microscopic fibers, typically causes this type of cancer. Once inhaled, these fibers are absorbed into the lung and cause irritation which causes scarring and DNA mutations. The pleura covers the lungs and chest cavity This means that these irritations can affect both the lungs as well as a person's heart. Mesothelioma symptoms are usually not apparent until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

The most common symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are chest pain and breath shortness. Some patients have coughing problems, trouble breathing or chest tightness. People with this cancer have a past that includes asbestos lawyer exposure at work. The most common jobs that expose people to the risk of developing pleural mesothelioma are construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding. People who were in the military are at greater risk due the widespread use of asbestos in Navy vessels and bunkers in the Army.

The TNM (tumors lymph nodes and metastases staging system) is the most common staging system for the pleural cancer. The stage that the patient is in at the moment of diagnosis will determine what treatment plan they should receive. For example, patients with mesothelioma that is pleural in stage three or four have a less favorable prognosis than those with a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma often spreads to the diaphragm, the liver or even the heart of a patient. This makes it more difficult to treat and increases the chance of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

As opposed to pleural mesothelioma that develops in the lung lining, peritoneal mesothelioma develops in the peritoneum -- an elongated membrane that covers the abdominal cavity and organs like the liver and intestines. Similar to pleural mesothelioma and peritoneal mesothelioma is caused by asbestos exposure. The disease is less common than pleural mesothelioma. There are only about 300-500 cases diagnosed each year.

As with pleural asbestosis, symptoms can take years to show. Patients usually experience abdominal pain, and may have a mass in their abdomen. The symptoms of this type of mesothelioma can also include nausea, weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms can be misinterpreted as gastrointestinal issues, leading to a mistaken diagnosis.

Generally speaking, doctors can detect mesothelioma through a thorough medical history and physical exam. Imaging tests such as X-rays or CT scans are a way to detect mesothelioma. These tests can reveal tumors and other signs of cancer that aren't visible on X-rays.

These tests enable doctors to diagnose mesothelioma, determine the stage and suggest treatment options. The stage of the disease is determined based on the type of cell and whether or whether the tumor has spread to other regions of the body.

The most important mesothelioma-related risk factor is exposure to asbestos. People who have been in occupations that require asbestos, such as plumbing electrical work, manufacturing or construction, are at increased risk of developing the disease. Even if an individual does not work in one of these areas they could be exposed to asbestos settlement through family members and other sources. Therefore, anyone who suspects they may be at risk should talk to an expert. If they have any history of exposure to asbestos (Recommended Web page) and mesothelioma is a concern, a specialist will assist them in finding out more about their risk.

Risk Factors

asbestos litigation is the most significant mesothelioma-related risk factor. It accounts for up to 80% of all cases. Exposure to asbestos can happen through work, military service, or by living with a person who works with asbestos or has previously done so. When exposed to asbestos, small particles can be inhaled into the lungs and abdomen. The particles cause irritation to the linings of the abdomen, which causes cancerous cells to grow in the mesothelium. After exposure to asbestos mesothelioma is likely to occur between 15 and 60 years old.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and the advancing age. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely to be diagnosed with mesothelioma compared to those who are younger or older. This is because mesothelioma typically occurs between 20 and 60 years from the first exposure before cancer symptoms appear. It is also important to know that mesothelioma is a possibility in those who were exposed to asbestos but didn't engage directly with it. This is called secondary or indirect exposure to asbestos, and it is just as harmful as direct exposure.

Smoking increases the risk of mesothelioma, since it damages mesothelium. It also makes it more susceptible. In addition, mesothelioma may be caused by certain illnesses, such as pneumonia and asbestosis. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than women. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for a longer period of time and work 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 on their clothing.

Diagnosis

It is difficult to diagnose mesothelioma because its symptoms are often similar to other diseases. Due to this, patients are often wrongly diagnosed.

The first step in identifying mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform a physical exam and take down a patient's medical history which includes asbestos exposure. Doctors can also request an X-ray chest or CT scan to check for lumps or other abnormalities, and also to look for evidence of past asbestos exposure such as plaques in the pleura (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the buildup 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 create a series detailed images of the insides of the body. Another way doctors can diagnose mesothelioma is through a surgical biopsy. During a surgery biopsy doctors will remove a small piece of tissue from pleura or the peritoneum, to be further examined. A pathologist then examines the tissue with an magnifying glass to determine if it is a cancerous cells.

Mesothelioma is classified based on the type of mesothelial cells involved, whether these cells are benign or malignant, and the location, type, and stage of the tumor. Some types of mesothelioma are more likely to develop metastasis or spread and spread, therefore it is essential to get a definite diagnosis so that doctors can treat the disease before it becomes out of control.

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

Treatment

A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be a frightening prospect. It is crucial to remember that cancer can be treated, particularly in its initial stages. A lot of people suffering from mesothelioma live with the disease for a long time without expanding.

Exposure to asbestos case can trigger mesothelioma in many ways. Asbestos fibers that are small enough to not be felt or observed with the naked eyes can be airborne, irritating the lung's lining (pleura). Over time the irritation can lead to the formation of scar tissue, which eventually lead to 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. They cause inflammation of the tissue and cause it to become scarred. In time, these changes can lead to the development of malignant mesothelioma tumors.

The signs of pleural mesothelioma can include breathlessness, chest pain or an accumulation of fluid on the lungs (pleural effusion). In rare instances cancer may spread to the tissues around the reproductive organs and the heart.

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

There are several types of mesothelioma treatments, including surgery, chemotherapy and immunotherapy. The majority of doctors use a combination of these methods. Participating in clinical trials for mesothelioma treatments may be beneficial to patients. To find out more, patients should speak to mesothelioma experts who have experience treating the condition.