Mesothelioma and Asbestos

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

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

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma can be found in the outer lung lining, also known as the pleura. It is the most prevalent type of mesothelioma, making up 70 to 79% of diagnosed cases. Patients with this disease feel chest pain and shortness of breath and may experience the sensation of weight in the chest.

This type of cancer often caused by exposure to asbestos case, which is a collection of minerals that are composed of microscopic fibers. When inhaled, these fibers are absorbed into the lungs and cause irritation that leads to scarring and DNA mutations. Pleura covers both the chest cavity and the lungs, and so irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma typically doesn't manifest until 30 to 50 year after exposure.

Chest pain and shortness breath are the most common symptoms. Some patients also experience difficulty breathing or chest tightness. People with this cancer often have a history of exposure to asbestos in the workplace. The most common jobs that expose people to the risk of developing pleural mesothelioma are manufacturing, construction, and shipbuilding. People who have worked in the military may be at a higher risk because of the extensive asbestos use in Navy vessels and bunkers for the army.

The most commonly used staging method for pleural mesothelioma is the TNM (tumor, lymph nodes and metastases) staging system. The stage that the patient is in at the time of diagnosis can help determine the treatment plan they should receive. For example, patients with mesothelioma that is pleural in stage three or four have a worse prognosis than those with a lower stage. Mesothelioma in stage four can be spread to the heart, liver or diaphragm. This can make it more difficult to treat and increase the likelihood of complications for patients.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

In contrast to pleural cancer, which is found in the lining of the lung the peritoneal cancer is a result of a membrane that surrounds the abdominal cavity, including organs such as the liver and intestines. Like pleural mesothelioma, peritoneal mesothelioma is triggered by asbestos exposure. The disease is less common than pleural mesothelioma. There are only about 300-500 cases diagnosed each year.

Like pleural mesothelioma, the symptoms may take years to appear. The majority of patients experience abdominal pain and abdominal swelling. This mesothelioma type can also cause nausea, weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms are similar to those of gastrointestinal issues, which can cause misdiagnosis.

Doctors can detect mesothelioma by looking over the medical history of the patient and conducting a physical exam. They may also employ imaging tests like Xrays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to detect mesothelioma. These tests can identify tumors and other cancer signs that aren't evident on X-rays.

These tests enable doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and determine the stage and recommend treatment options. The stage is determined by the type of cell and whether the tumor has spread.

The most important risk factor for mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos. People who have worked in professions that involve asbestos case, like plumbing or manufacturing, electrical work or construction, are at greater risk of developing the disease. Even if a person isn't employed in any of these areas they could be exposed to asbestos through family members or other sources. Anyone who thinks they may be at risk should talk to a doctor. A mesothelioma expert can help those with a previous history of asbestos to find out more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos exposure is the primary mesothelioma risk factor, making up as much as 80 percent of all cases. Exposure to asbestos can happen due to military service, work or living with someone who used to work with asbestos. Asbestos particles can be breathed in by those who are exposed to asbestos. These particles can cause irritation to the linings and cause cancerous cells to develop in the mesothelium. After Asbestos Legal exposure, mesothelioma may occur between 15 and 60 years.

Other risk factors include genetics, smoking and aging. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely to be diagnosed with mesothelioma compared to those who are younger or more senior. Mesothelioma can take between 20 and 60 years to manifest cancer symptoms after the first exposure. It is also important to note that mesothelioma may develop in those who were exposed to asbestos but didn't deal with it directly. This is known as indirect or secondary asbestos exposure and can be just as harmful as direct asbestos exposure.

Smoking increases the risk of mesothelioma, because it damages the mesothelium. It can also make it more vulnerable. In addition, mesothelioma may be worsened by certain diseases like pneumonia and asbestosis. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma compared to women. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for a longer time and work with it. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who been exposed to asbestos, and to carry asbestos fibers on their clothing. Women are less likely to come into exposure to asbestos and don't typically carry asbestos around on their clothing.

Diagnosis

It is difficult to recognize mesothelioma since its symptoms are often similar to other conditions. Because of this, victims are often wrongly diagnosed.

NYU Langone doctors will perform an examination of the body and document the patient's medical background, including asbestos exposure. Doctors may also request an CT scan or chest X-ray to check for abnormalities, lumps and evidence of asbestos exposure. These include plaques in the pleura, thickened pleura and calcium deposits.

Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram which examines the blood vessels and the heart, and a magnetic resonance imaging, also known as MRI, test that uses radio waves and magnets to create precise images of the inside of the body. A surgical biopsy is a different way for doctors to diagnose mesothelioma. During a surgical biopsy, doctors take a small amount of tissue from the peritoneum or pleura for further analysis. A pathologist can look at the tissue under a microscope to see if it has cancerous cells.

Mesothelioma is classified based on the type of mesothelial cells involved, whether the cells are malignant or benign and the location of the tumor, the type, and the stage of the tumor. Some types of mesothelioma are more likely to spread or metastasize and spread, therefore it is essential to have a clear diagnosis so that doctors can treat the disease before it becomes out of control.

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

Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnosis is a frightening prospect. However, it is important to remember that the disease is treatable, especially in its early stages. Many people with mesothelioma live for years with the disease without it spreading to other areas of their body.

Exposure to asbestos may cause mesothelioma in many ways. Asbestos fibers, which are small enough to not be felt or viewed with the naked eyes, can become airborne, irritating the lung's lining (pleura). As time passes the irritation causes the formation of scar tissue, which eventually lead to tumors.

The pleura surrounds the lungs and the heart and the abdomen. Mesothelium is composed of cells that react to exposure to asbestos and cause it to enflame and create scar tissue. These changes eventually result in malignant mesothelioma tumors.

A shortness of breath, chest discomfort, or the accumulation of fluid on the lungs are all symptoms of the pleural mesothelioma. In rare instances, the cancer can spread to the tissues surrounding the heart and reproductive organs.

If imaging scans reveal a possible mass in the stomach or lungs doctors will recommend a biopsies. During the procedure, doctors will remove small amounts of the fluid or tumor for lab analysis. The results will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and determine the best treatment plan.

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