Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that comes in thin, long fibres. Workers who are exposed asbestos regularly are at risk of developing mesothelioma as well as other lung diseases of different types.

It can take years for symptoms to appear after exposure to asbestos. Different asbestos types may cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma is a type of cancer that affects the lung's outer the lining (pleura). It is the most prevalent type of mesothelioma, making up 70% to 79% of all diagnosed cases. The condition can cause chest pain, shortness of breathe, and a feeling of heaviness.

Exposure to asbestos, a class of minerals made of microscopic fibers, usually causes this type of cancer. Once inhaled, the fibers stick inside the lung and cause irritation that results in scarring and DNA mutations. The pleura is the area that surrounds the chest cavity and lungs This means that these irritations can affect both the lungs and a person's heart. Mesothelioma usually doesn't show symptoms until 30 to 50 year after exposure.

Shortness of breath and chest pain are the most frequently reported symptoms. Some patients also experience difficulty breathing, or chest tightness. People with this cancer often have previous exposure to asbestos in the workplace. The most common 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 greater risk due the extensive use asbestos in Navy vessels and Army bunkers.

The most common staging system for pleural mysothelioma has been the TNM (tumor lymph nodes, lymph nodes and metastases) staging system. 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 worse prognosis than those in a less advanced stage. Stage four mesothelioma is often spread to the diaphragm, liver or even the heart of a patient. This can make it more difficult to treat and raises the risk of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Unlike pleural cancer, that develops in the lung's lining the peritoneal cancer is a result of a membrane that surrounds the abdominal cavity, including organs such as the intestines and liver. Like pleural mesothelioma, peritoneal mesothelioma is triggered by asbestos exposure. It is estimated that only 300-500 cases are diagnosed each year which is lower than the pleural asbestosis.

As with pleural asbestosis, symptoms can take years to manifest. Patients generally experience abdominal pain, and may have a mass in their abdomen. Symptoms of this type of mesothelioma could also include nausea or weight loss, as well as fever. Many of these symptoms can be misinterpreted as gastrointestinal issues, leading to a misdiagnosis.

Doctors can identify mesothelioma by looking over the medical history of the patient and performing a physical exam. They may also employ imaging tests like Xrays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to help find mesothelioma. These tests can reveal cancerous tumors or other symptoms of cancer that aren't visible on X-rays.

These tests enable doctors to diagnose mesothelioma, identify the stage and suggest treatment options. The stage of the disease is determined based on the type of cells and whether or not the tumor has spread to other regions of the body.

The most significant mesothelioma risk factor is asbestos compensation exposure. People who have worked in professions that require asbestos, such as plumbing or electrical work, manufacturing or construction, are at greater risk of developing the disease. However, even if individuals aren't employed in these fields, they can still be exposed to asbestos through relatives or other sources. Therefore, anyone who believes they could be at risk should talk to a doctor. 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 risk factor for mesothelioma, making up as much as 80 percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos claim can happen as a result of work, military service, or living with someone who used to work with asbestos. When exposed to asbestos, particles are able to be inhaled into abdomen and lungs. These particles irritate the linings of the lungs, causing cancerous cells to form 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 at a higher risk of developing mesothelioma as compared to those who are younger or older. It takes mesothelioma 20-60 years before it manifests cancer symptoms after the first exposure. It is important to keep in mind that mesothelioma can occur in those who have been exposed to asbestos, but without having directly worked with it. This is known as secondary or indirect exposure to asbestos. It could be as hazardous as direct exposure.

Smoking can increase the likelihood of developing mesothelioma since it causes mesothelium damage and makes it more susceptible to asbestos (Full Statement). Additionally, mesothelioma can be worsened by certain diseases like asbestosis and pneumonia. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma compared to women. This is due to the fact that men are more likely to be exposed to asbestos and endure a more exposure than women. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who had worked with asbestos and to carry asbestos compensation fibers on their clothing. Women are less likely to be in contact with asbestos, and they are less likely to carry asbestos on their clothes.

Diagnosis

It is difficult to identify mesothelioma because its symptoms are frequently similar to other illnesses. This could lead to patients being incorrectly diagnosed.

The first step in diagnosing 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 chest or CT scan to detect lumps and other abnormalities as well as evidence of asbestos exposure in the past 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 the pleural effusion).

Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram, which examines the heart and blood vessels as well as a magnetic resonance imaging, also known as MRI, test, which uses radio waves and magnets to create detailed images of the inside of the body. A surgical biopsy is a different method doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma. During a surgical biopsy, doctors remove a small amount of tissue from the pleura or peritoneum to conduct further tests. A pathologist is then able to examine the tissue with a microscope to see if it has cancerous cells.

The mesothelial type involved as well as the benign or malignant nature of the cells as well as the location the cancer, its type and the stage of the tumour, are used to classify the disease. Certain types of mesothelioma are at a higher risk of spreading or metastasizing therefore it is essential to determine the type of mesothelioma so doctors can treat it before it gets 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 referred to as staging.

Treatment

A diagnosis of mesothelioma may be frightening. It is important to remember, however, that cancer can be treated, particularly in its early stages. Many people with mesothelioma can endure the disease for a long time without expanding.

Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma through a variety of ways. asbestos law fibers, which are tiny enough to be felt or viewed with the naked eyes, can become airborne, causing irritation to the lung's lining (pleura). As time passes the irritation causes the formation of scar tissues that eventually result in tumors.

The Pleura is a covering that surrounds the abdomen, heart, and lungs. Mesothelium consists of cells that react to asbestos and cause it to enflame and develop scar tissue. In time, these changes can lead to the development of malignant mesothelioma cancers.

The symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are breathlessness and chest pain as well as the accumulation of fluid on the lungs (pleural effusion). In rare cases cancer can spread to the tissues surrounding the reproductive organs and the heart.

A doctor will request a biopsy if imaging scans show the possibility of a tumor in the lungs or stomach. In the course of the procedure, doctors remove some of the fluid or tumor for lab tests. The results will confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis and provide the most effective treatment plan.

There are a variety of treatment for mesothelioma, including chemotherapy and surgery. Most doctors utilize a combination of these methods. Patients could also benefit from participating in a clinical study of new mesothelioma treatments. To find out more, patients should speak to mesothelioma specialists who have had experience treating the disease.