Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos is a natural mineral that comes in long, thin fibres. People who are exposed to asbestos on a regular basis are at risk of developing mesothelioma or 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 occurs in the lung's outer lining (pleura). It is the most common type of mesothelioma, making up 70 to 79% of diagnosed cases. Patients suffering from this condition experience pain in the chest and breathlessness, and they may feel a sensation of heaviness in the chest.

Exposure to asbestos lawsuit, a family of minerals made of microscopic fibers, usually causes this kind of cancer. When inhaled, these fibers stick inside the lung and cause irritation which leads to scarring and DNA mutations. The pleura surrounds the chest cavity and lungs and therefore, these irritations could affect both the lungs as well as the heart of a person. Mesothelioma is usually not symptomatic until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

Shortness of breath and chest pain are the most frequent symptoms. Some patients may also experience chest tightness, coughing or difficulty breathing. Patients with this type of cancer have a history of disease that includes asbestos exposure at work. Construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding are the most common jobs which put people at risk risk of developing pleural mesothelioma. People who were in the military are at higher risk due to the extensive use asbestos in Navy vessels and Army bunkers.

The TNM (tumors lymph nodes, tumors, and metastases staging system) is the most popular staging system used to treat the pleural cancer. The stage the patient is in at the time of diagnosis can help determine the treatment plan they will receive. Patients with pleural mesothelioma that is in stage three or four will suffer a more negative prognosis than those in a lower stage. Mesothelioma in stage four is usually spread to the liver, diaphragm or even a person's heart. This could make the cancer more difficult to treat and increase the risk of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Unlike pleural mesothelioma, which develops in the lung lining, peritoneal mesothelioma develops in the peritoneum, an elongated membrane that covers the abdominal cavity as well as organs such as the liver and intestines. As with pleural mesothelioma asbestos exposure is the primary cause of peritoneal mesothelioma. It is estimated that only 300-500 cases are diagnosed each year this is less than pleural asbestosis.

As with pleural asbestosis symptoms can take several years to manifest. Patients usually suffer from abdominal pain and could also experience a mass in their abdomen. This kind of mesothelioma can also cause nausea, weight loss, and fever. Many of these symptoms could be mistaken for gastrointestinal problems and can lead to a mistaken diagnosis.

Generally, doctors can find mesothelioma after an extensive medical history and physical exam. Imaging tests like X-rays and CT scans can be used to detect mesothelioma. These tests can reveal cancerous tumors or other signs of cancer that aren't visible on an X-ray.

These test results enable doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and establish the stage. They can also suggest treatment options. The stage of the disease is determined based on the type of cell and whether or not the tumor has spread to other areas of the body.

The most important mesothelioma-related risk factor is exposure to asbestos. People who have been exposed to asbestos law in professions, such as electrical or plumbing work, or in construction and manufacturing, are more likely to develop the disease. Even if they do not work in these areas, they can still be exposed to asbestos through relatives or other sources. For this reason, anyone who suspects they may be at risk should talk to an experienced doctor. A mesothelioma expert can help those who have had a previous history of asbestos to find out 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 through work, military service, or living with people who have worked with asbestos. When exposed to asbestos, particles are able to be inhaled into abdomen and lungs. The particles cause irritation to the linings of the abdomen, which causes cancerous cells to grow in the mesothelium. After asbestos exposure mesothelioma can develop 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 older. This is because mesothelioma usually occurs between 20 and 60 years from the initial time of exposure before cancer symptoms appear. It is important to note that mesothelioma may occur in people who have been exposed to asbestos without having directly worked with it. This is called indirect or secondary exposure to asbestos. It can be just as dangerous as direct exposure.

Smoking increases the risk of getting mesothelioma because it causes mesothelium damage and makes it more prone to asbestos. Additionally, mesothelioma can be exacerbated by certain illnesses like pneumonia and asbestosis. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than women. This is because men are more likely to work with asbestos case (visit the website) and experience a a longer period of exposure than women. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who been exposed to asbestos, and to carry asbestos fibers on their clothing. Women tend to be less exposed to asbestos, and don't typically bring asbestos home on their clothes.

Diagnosis

It is difficult to recognize mesothelioma due to its symptoms being often similar to other diseases. Due to this, patients are sometimes wrongly diagnosed.

The first step in identifying 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 can also request an X-ray chest or CT scan to check for lumps or other abnormalities, as well as evidence of past asbestos settlement exposure such as pleural plaques (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 magnets and radio waves in order to create a series of detailed images of the insides of the body. Another way doctors can diagnose mesothelioma is by performing a surgical biopsy. During a surgery biopsy doctors will remove a small piece of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum to be further examined. A pathologist can then examine the tissue under an magnifying glass to determine if it contains cancerous cell.

Mesothelioma is classified based on the type of mesothelial cell involved, whether those cells are malignant or benign and also the location, type, and stage of the tumor. Certain mesothelioma types have a higher risk of spreading or metastasizing therefore it is essential to get a definitive diagnosis so doctors can treat it prior to it becoming out of control.

Doctors may also conduct tests in the lab on tumors to identify specific genes, proteins, or other factors which will help them identify the characteristics of cancer and plan treatment. These results are known as staging.

Treatment

A diagnosis of mesothelioma may be terrifying. However, it is important to keep in mind that the cancer is treatable, especially in its early stages. Many people with mesothelioma can live with the disease for many years without it spreading.

Asbestos exposure can cause mesothelioma by various mechanisms. Asbestos fibers, which are too small to detect or feel with the naked eye, can become airborne and cause irritation to the lining of the lungs (pleura). In time, the irritation causes the formation of scar tissue which causes changes in the structure of cells that can eventually grow into tumors.

The Pleura is a covering that covers the lungs, heart and abdomen. Mesothelium consists of cells that react to exposure to asbestos, causing it to inflame and form scar tissue. As time passes, these changes lead to the development of malignant mesothelioma tumors.

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

If scans of imaging reveal a possible mass in the lungs or stomach, a doctor will order biopsies. During the procedure, doctors will 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 several types of mesothelioma treatments, which include chemotherapy, surgery, and immunotherapy. Most doctors rely on a combination of these methods. Participating in clinical trials of mesothelioma treatments may be beneficial to patients. Patients can find out more by speaking with a mesothelioma doctor who has treated the condition.