Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos is a natural mineral that comes in long, thin fibres. Workers who are exposed asbestos regularly risk developing mesothelioma and other lung diseases of different types.

It can take years for symptoms to show up after exposure to asbestos. Different asbestos types can cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma, a form of cancer, that develops in the lung's outer lining (pleura). It is the most common mesothelioma that accounts for up between 70 and 79% of all diagnosed cases. This condition causes chest pain, breath shortness and a feeling weightiness.

Exposure to asbestos, a family of minerals made of microscopic fibers, typically causes this kind of cancer. Once inhaled, the fibers stick inside the lung and cause irritation that causes scarring and DNA mutations. Pleura surrounds both the chest cavity as well as the lungs, which means that irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma symptoms are usually not apparent until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

The most frequent symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are chest pain and breath shortness. Some patients also experience difficulty breathing or chest tightness. Patients with this type of cancer have a history of disease that includes asbestos exposure at work. The most frequent jobs that expose people to the risk of developing pleural mesothelioma are construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding. People who served in the military are at greater risk due to the extensive use asbestos in Navy vessels and bunkers in the Army.

The most common staging method for pleural mesothelioma is the TNM (tumor, lymph nodes and metastases) staging system. The stage that a patient is in at the time of diagnosis will help determine what treatment plan they should follow. Patients with pleural mesothelioma that is in stage three or four will have a worse prognosis compared to those in a lower stage. Mesothelioma in stage four can spread to the liver, heart or diaphragm. This could make the cancer more difficult to treat and increase the risk of complications for patients.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

In contrast to pleural cancer, which is found in the lining of the lung it develops in the membrane that covers the abdominal cavity, including organs like the intestines and the liver. Similar to pleural mesothelioma mesothelioma is triggered by asbestos case (read this blog post from ph-news.co.kr) exposure. There are only 300-500 cases diagnosed annually this is less than the pleural asbestosis.

Like pleural mesothelioma, symptoms may take years to appear. Most patients suffer from abdominal pain and an abdominal mass. The symptoms of this kind of mesothelioma can also include nausea or weight loss, as well as fever. Many of these symptoms could be misinterpreted as digestive issues and can lead to a mistaken diagnosis.

Generally speaking, doctors can detect mesothelioma after a thorough medical history and physical exam. They can also utilize imaging tests such as X-rays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to detect mesothelioma. These tests can detect tumors and other signs of cancer that aren't visible on X-rays.

The results of these tests allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and establish the stage. They can also suggest treatments. The stage of the disease is determined based on the type of cell and whether or the tumor has spread to other parts of the body.

The most important mesothelioma-related risk factor is asbestos exposure. People who have been exposed to asbestos in occupations, like electrical or plumbing work or in construction and manufacturing, are more likely to develop the disease. However, even if individuals aren't employed in these fields they could be exposed to asbestos through family members or other sources. This is why anyone who suspects they may be at risk should talk to an experienced doctor. If they have a history of asbestos exposure or mesothelioma, a specialist can assist them in learning more about the risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos is the main mesothelioma-related risk factor. It is responsible for as much as 80percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos law can occur due to work, military service, or living with people who have worked with asbestos. 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 develop in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma may take between 15 and 60 years to develop after exposure to asbestos.

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 younger or older. It takes mesothelioma 20-60 years to show signs of cancer after the first exposure. It is important to note, too, that mesothelioma could develop in people who have been exposed to asbestos without having worked with it directly. This is referred to as secondary or indirect asbestos exposure. It can be as hazardous as direct asbestos exposure.

Smoking increases the chance of mesothelioma developing, because it damages the mesothelium. It also makes it more prone to. Additionally, mesothelioma can be worsened by certain diseases like asbestosis and pneumonia. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than women. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for longer periods of time and to work with asbestos for longer durations and to work with it. Men are also more likely to live with someone who has had asbestos exposure and bring stray asbestos fibers home on their clothes. Women are less likely to come into contact with asbestos and rarely carry asbestos home on their clothes.

Diagnosis

It is difficult to diagnose mesothelioma because its symptoms are often similar to other diseases. This could lead to patients being wrongly diagnosed.

The first step to diagnose mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform an examination and write notes on the medical history of a patient, including asbestos exposure. Doctors will also order a CT scan or chest X-ray in order to look for lumps, abnormalities, and evidence of asbestos exposure. These include pleural plaques, thickened pleura and calcium deposits.

Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram, which examines the heart and blood vessels as well as a magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI, test, which makes use of radio waves and magnets to create precise images of the inside of the body. A surgical biopsy is another way for doctors to diagnose mesothelioma. A surgical biopsy is when doctors remove a small piece of tissue from the pleura or peritoneum to conduct further tests. A pathologist can then examine the tissue under microscopes to determine if it has cancerous cells.

The mesothelial type involved, the malignant or benign nature of these cells and the location, type and stage of the tumor, are used to classify the disease. Certain types of mesothelioma are at a higher risk of metastasizing or spreading therefore it is essential to establish a clear diagnosis to ensure that the doctors can treat it before it becomes out-of-control.

Doctors can also perform laboratory tests on tumors to identify specific genes, proteins or other factors that will help them identify cancer characteristics and plan treatment. These results are known as staging.

Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnosis can be a frightening prospect. But, it is crucial to remember that the cancer is treatable, especially in its early stages. Many people with mesothelioma live for a long time with the disease, without spreading to other areas of their body.

Exposure to asbestos litigation can cause mesothelioma through many mechanisms. Asbestos particles, which are too small to detect or feel by the naked eye can be airborne and cause irritation to the lung's lining (pleura). As time passes irritation can lead to formation of scar tissue which leads to changes in the cell structure that can eventually grow into tumors.

The pleura surrounds the lungs and the heart and the abdomen. Mesothelium is composed of cells that react to exposure to asbestos, causing it to inflame and form scar tissue. Overtime, these changes cause the development of malignant mesothelioma tumors.

Symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include breathlessness and chest pain, or a buildup of fluid on the lungs (pleural effusion). In rare instances, the cancer can grow to the tissues surrounding the heart and reproductive organs.

A doctor may request biopsy if scans reveal a possible lung tumor or stomach. In the course of the procedure, doctors remove small amounts of fluid or tumor to allow for lab tests. The results will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and determine the best treatment option.

There are many types of treatment for mesothelioma, including surgery and chemotherapy. Most doctors utilize combinations of these treatments. Enrolling in clinical trials of new mesothelioma treatment may also be beneficial to patients. Patients can learn more about the trials by consulting a mesothelioma expert who has treated mesothelioma.