Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that is found in long, thin fibres. Workers who are regularly exposed to asbestos are at risk of developing lung diseases, such as mesothelioma.

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

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer of the lung's outer lining also known as pleura. It is the most frequent type of mesothelioma, making up 70 to 79% of diagnosed cases. Patients with this disease feel chest pain and breathlessness and may experience an ache or heaviness in the chest.

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

Shortness of breath and chest pain are the most common symptoms. Patients may also feel tightness in their chest and coughing, or breathing difficulties. People with this cancer have a history that includes asbestos exposure at work. Manufacturing, construction, and shipbuilding are the most frequent occupations which put people at risk chance of developing pleural mesothelioma. People who have served in the military are at an especially high risk due to the frequent asbestos usage in Navy ships and bunkers used by the army.

The TNM (tumors lymph nodes and metastases staging system) is the most common staging system used to treat the pleural adenocarcinoma. The stage that a patient is at upon diagnosis will aid their doctor in determining the most effective treatment plan for them. Patients with pleural mesothelioma that is in stage three or four will have a less favorable prognosis compared to those who are in a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma can be spread to the liver, heart or diaphragm. This could make the cancer more difficult to treat and increase the chances 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 -- a membrane that lines the abdominal cavity as well as organs like the intestines and the liver. Similar to pleural mesothelioma and peritoneal mesothelioma is triggered by asbestos exposure. It is estimated that only 300-500 cases are diagnosed annually, which is less than pleural asbestosis.

Like pleural mesothelioma, symptoms may take years to appear. Patients usually suffer from abdominal pain and may also have a lump in their abdomen. The symptoms of this type of mesothelioma can also include nausea, weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms are similar to symptoms of digestive issues, which could lead to confusion in diagnosis.

Typically, doctors can identify mesothelioma after an extensive medical history and physical exam. They can also utilize imaging tests such as X-rays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to help find mesothelioma. These tests can show cancerous tumors or other signs of cancer that aren't visible on X-rays.

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

Asbestos exposure is the biggest risk factor. People who have worked in jobs that require asbestos; new post from viborg-krabbe.thoughtlanes.net,, like plumbing manufacturing, electrical work, or construction, are at increased risk of developing the disease. Even if a person isn't employed in one of these areas, he or she can be exposed to asbestos through family members and other sources. For this reason, anyone who suspects they may be at risk should speak to an experienced doctor. A mesothelioma specialist can help those who have had 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 the 80% of cases. Exposure to asbestos can occur as a result of military service, work or living with those who worked with asbestos. When exposed to asbestos, small particles are able to be inhaled into abdomen and lungs. These particles can cause irritation to the linings and can cause cancerous cells to grow in the mesothelium. Following exposure to asbestos mesothelioma can be diagnosed between 15 and 60 years.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and the advancing age. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely be diagnosed with mesothelioma compared to those who are younger or more senior. It takes mesothelioma 20-60 years to manifest cancer symptoms after the first exposure. It is important to keep in mind, too, that mesothelioma can occur in people who have been exposed to asbestos, but without having worked with it directly. This is called secondary or indirect exposure to asbestos. It can be just as dangerous as direct exposure.

Smoking increases the chance of mesothelioma developing, since it damages mesothelium. It also makes it more susceptible. Mesothelioma can also be caused by certain diseases, such as asbestosis and pneumonia. It is also important to remember that mesothelioma occurs more frequently in males than females. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos litigation for a longer time and to work with asbestos for longer periods of time. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who worked with asbestos and to have asbestos fibers on their clothing. Women are less likely to come into contact with asbestos and don't typically carry asbestos around on their clothing.

Diagnosis

It is difficult to recognize mesothelioma due to its symptoms being often similar to other diseases. This is why patients are often misdiagnosed.

The first step to diagnose mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform an examination of the body and take notes on the medical history of a patient, including asbestos exposure. Doctors may also order an X-ray of the chest or CT scan to look for lumps and other abnormalities and also to look for evidence of previous asbestos settlement exposure like plaques in the pleura (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the buildup of fluid between the lung and chest wall (known as the pleural effusion).

Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance scan or MRI test, which uses radio waves and magnets in order to produce a series of precise images of inside the body. Another method doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma is through an operation called a biopsy. In a surgical biopsy doctors take a small amount of tissue from the pleura or peritoneum to conduct further tests. A pathologist will then look at the tissue with a magnifying glass to determine whether it contains cancerous cells.

The mesothelial type involved, the malignant or benign nature of these cells and the location and stage of the tumour, are used to classify the disease. Certain mesothelioma types have an increased risk of spreading or metastasizing therefore it is essential to determine the type of mesothelioma to ensure that the doctors can treat it before it becomes out-of-control.

Doctors can also run tests in the laboratory on tumors to determine specific genes, proteins and other factors that can help them describe the characteristics of the cancer and determine a treatment. These results are called staging.

Treatment

A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be frightening. However, it is important to remember that the cancer is treatable, especially in its initial stages. Many people with mesothelioma can be afflicted for many years without it spreading.

Exposure to asbestos can trigger mesothelioma in many ways. Asbestos fibers, which are too small to be able to see or feel by the naked eye can become airborne and cause irritation to the lining of the lungs (pleura). As time passes, the irritation leads to the formation of scar tissues that eventually result in tumors.

The Pleura is a covering that covers the abdomen, heart, and lungs. Mesothelium consists of cells that react when exposed to asbestos. They cause inflammation of the tissue and cause it to become scarred. These changes can lead to malignant mesothelioma tumours.

Shortness of breath, chest pain or fluid accumulation on the lungs are all symptoms of pleural Msothelioma. In rare instances, the cancer can grow to the tissues surrounding the heart and reproductive organs.

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

There are many types of treatment for mesothelioma including surgery and chemotherapy. Most doctors utilize the combination of these methods. Enrolling in clinical trials of new mesothelioma treatment may also be beneficial for patients. To learn more, patients should speak to mesothelioma experts who have expertise in treating the condition.