Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos, a natural mineral, naturally occurs in the form of thin, long fibers. People who are exposed to asbestos on a regular basis risk developing mesothelioma and other lung diseases of different types.

The symptoms of these diseases might not show up for decades after exposure to asbestos. Different asbestos types may cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer that occurs in the outer lung the lining (pleura). It is the most prevalent mesothelioma form and is responsible for 70 to 79% of diagnosed cases. Patients with this disease experience pain in the chest and breathlessness and may experience a sensation of heaviness in the chest.

This kind of cancer is usually caused through exposure to asbestos, which is a grouping of minerals that are made up of microscopic fibres. These fibers, when inhaled cause irritation and DNA mutations. The pleura is the area that surrounds the lungs and chest cavity and therefore, these irritations could affect both the lungs as well as a person's heart. Mesothelioma is usually not symptomatic until 30 to 50 year after exposure.

The most common symptoms of pleural melanoma are chest pain and shortness of breath. Patients may also suffer from chest tightness, coughing or difficulty breathing. Patients with this cancer have a history of disease that includes asbestos exposure at work. The most common jobs that expose workers to the risk of developing pleural mesothelioma are manufacturing, construction and shipbuilding. Individuals who have been in the military are at risk due to the frequent asbestos lawsuit use in Navy vessels and bunkers used by the army.

The TNM (tumors, lymph nodes, and metastases staging system) is the most popular staging system used for the pleural cancer. The stage a patient is in at diagnosis will help their doctor determine the most appropriate treatment plan for them. Patients with pleural mesothelioma that is in stage three or stage four will have a less favorable prognosis than those in a less advanced stage. Stage four mesothelioma often spreads to the liver, diaphragm or even the heart of a patient. This can make the cancer more difficult to treat, and increase the chances of complications for patients.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

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

As with pleural mesothelioma symptoms can take years to show. Most patients experience abdominal pain and an abdominal mass. The symptoms of this type of mesothelioma could also include nausea or weight loss, as well as fever. Many of these symptoms could be mistaken for gastrointestinal problems which can lead to a mistaken diagnosis.

Generally speaking, doctors can detect mesothelioma after an extensive health history and physical examination. Imaging tests like X-rays and CT scans can be used to detect mesothelioma. These tests can identify tumors as well as other signs of cancer which aren't visible on X-rays.

The results of these tests allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and determine the stage and suggest treatment options. The stage of the disease is determined based on the type of cell and whether or the cancer has spread to other parts of the body.

Asbestos exposure is the most important risk factor. People who have been exposed to asbestos in professions, such as plumbing or electrical work, or in construction and manufacturing, are more likely to contract the disease. Even if they aren't employed in these fields they could be exposed to asbestos through family members or 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 law and mesothelioma is a concern, a specialist will help them find out more about the risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos is the main risk factor in mesothelioma. It is responsible for up to the 80% of cases. Exposure to asbestos case can happen through work, military service, or through living with a person who is exposed to asbestos or was previously exposed to doing so. When exposed to asbestos law, particles can be breathed into the abdomen and lungs. The particles cause irritation to the linings, causing cancerous cells to form in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma can take between 15 and 60 years to develop following exposure to asbestos case (moon.gandme.Co.kr).

Other risk factors include genetics, smoking and age. People in their 40s and 50s are at a higher risk of developing mesothelioma as compared to those who are younger or older. This is because mesothelioma usually takes 20 to 60 years after the initial exposure to asbestos before symptoms of cancer begin to manifest. It is important to remember that mesothelioma is a possibility in those who were exposed to asbestos but did not engage directly with it. This is called secondary or indirect exposure to asbestos. It could be as hazardous as direct exposure.

Smoking increases the chance of mesothelioma developing, as it damages the mesothelium. It can also make it more vulnerable. Furthermore, mesothelioma is worsened by certain diseases like asbestosis and pneumonia. It is also important to remember that mesothelioma is more prevalent in men than women. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for a longer time and work with asbestos for longer periods of time. Men are also more likely to live with someone who was exposed to asbestos and bring stray asbestos fibers home on their clothes. Women are less likely to come into exposure to asbestos and do not typically carry asbestos home on their clothes.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is difficult to diagnose because the symptoms often resemble other conditions. This is why patients are often mistakenly diagnosed.

The first step to diagnose mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform a physical exam and take down a patient's medical history including asbestos exposure. Doctors can also order an X-ray of the chest or CT scan to detect lumps or other abnormalities, as well as evidence of previous asbestos exposure such as plaques in the pleura (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the accumulation of fluid between the lung and the chest wall (known as the pleural effusion).

Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance scan or MRI test, which uses magnets and radio waves to create a series detailed images of inside the body. A surgical biopsy is a different method for doctors to identify mesothelioma. When a biopsy is performed doctors take a tiny piece of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum, to be examined further. A pathologist can examine the tissue with a microscope to see if it contains cancerous cells.

The type of mesothelial cells involved as well as the benign or malignant nature of these cells and the location, type and stage of the tumor, are used to classify the disease. Some types of mesothelioma are more likely to spread or metastasize and spread, therefore it is essential to have a clear diagnosis to ensure that doctors are able to treat the disease before it goes out of control.

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

Treatment

A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be terrifying. It is important to keep in mind, however, that cancer can be treated, particularly in its initial stages. Many patients with mesothelioma survive for many years without the disease spreading to other areas of their body.

Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma in a number of ways. Asbestos fibers, which are too small to see or feel with the naked eye, can become airborne and cause irritation to the lung's lining (pleura). As time passes, the irritation leads 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 to exposure to asbestos, causing it to inflame and form scar tissue. These changes can eventually cause mesothelioma cancers.

The symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are breathlessness, chest pain or an accumulation of fluid in the lung (pleural effusion). In rare instances, the cancer can spread to the tissues surrounding the heart and reproductive organs.

A doctor will order biopsy if imaging scans reveal a possible tumor in the lungs or stomach. During the procedure, doctors remove small amounts of the fluid or tumor for lab testing. The results will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and help determine the most effective treatment plan.

There are many types of treatment for mesothelioma such as chemotherapy and surgery. The majority of doctors use an amalgamation of these techniques. Participating in clinical trials of new mesothelioma treatment may also be beneficial to patients. To learn more about the trials, patients should consult mesothelioma specialists who have experience treating the condition.