Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos is a natural mineral that is found in thin, long fibres. People who are exposed to asbestos may develop lung diseases like mesothelioma.

It could take a long time for symptoms to show up after asbestos exposure. Different asbestos types can cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer that develops in the lung's outer liner (pleura). It is the most prevalent mesothelioma form and accounts for 70% to 79% all diagnosed cases. The condition can cause chest pain, breath shortness and a feeling of weightiness.

This type of cancer is often caused by exposure to asbestos, which is a grouping of minerals composed of microscopic fibers. Once inhaled, the fibers cling to the lung and cause irritation which results in scarring and DNA mutations. Pleura covers both the chest cavity as well as the lungs, which means that irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma typically doesn't manifest until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

The most frequent symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are chest pain and shortness of breath. Patients may also experience difficulty breathing or chest tightness. Patients with this type of cancer have a history of disease that includes asbestos exposure at work. Manufacturing, construction and shipbuilding are the most common occupations that put people at a high chance of developing pleural mesothelioma. People who have served in the military may be at risk due to the frequent asbestos usage in Navy vessels and army bunkers.

The most commonly used staging system for pleural mesothelioma is the TNM (tumor lymph nodes, lymph nodes, and metastases) staging system. The stage that a patient is at upon diagnosis will assist their doctor in determining the most appropriate treatment plan for them. For instance, patients suffering from a pleural mesothelioma in stage three or four have a worse prognosis than those in a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma may spread to the liver, heart or diaphragm. This makes the cancer more difficult to treat, and increase the chances of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Unlike pleural cancer, that develops in the lining of the lung it develops in a membrane that surrounds the abdominal cavity, which includes organs such as the intestines and liver. Similar to pleural mesothelioma and peritoneal mesothelioma can be caused by asbestos exposure. The disease is much less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma, and just 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.

As with pleural asbestosis, symptoms can take a long time to show. Patients generally have abdominal pain, and may have a mass in their abdomen. The symptoms of this type of mesothelioma may also include nausea as well as weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms are similar to symptoms of gastrointestinal issues, which can lead to confusion in diagnosis.

Doctors can detect mesothelioma by looking over the medical history of the patient and conducting a physical exam. Imaging tests like X-rays and CT scans can be used to identify mesothelioma. These tests can show cancerous tumors or other signs of cancer that aren't visible on an X-ray.

The results of these tests allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma, identify the stage of the disease and suggest treatment options. The staging is determined by the type of cell and whether or not the tumor has spread to other regions of the body.

Asbestos exposure is the most important risk factor. People who have been in occupations which require asbestos law, like plumbing or manufacturing, electrical work or construction, are at greater risk of developing the disease. Even if someone is not employed in any of these areas, he or she can be exposed to asbestos to asbestos through family members and other sources. Anyone who suspects that they may be at risk should talk to a doctor. If they have a history of asbestos exposure and mesothelioma is a concern, a specialist will assist them in learning more about the risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos is the primary risk factor for mesothelioma. It accounts for up to 80% of all cases. Exposure to asbestos may occur as a result of work, military service, or through living with a person who works with asbestos or has previously done such. Asbestos particles are inhaled by people who are exposed to asbestos. These particles can cause irritation to the linings, causing cancerous cells to develop in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma can take between 15 and 60 years to develop after exposure to asbestos.

Other risk factors include genetics, smoking and age. The people in their 40s or 50s are more at risk of developing mesothelioma as compared to those who are younger or older. This is because mesothelioma usually takes 20 to 60 years from the initial exposure before symptoms of cancer begin to manifest. It is also important to know that mesothelioma is a possibility in those who were exposed to Asbestos Legal, but did not engage directly with it. This is known as secondary or indirect asbestos exposure, and is as hazardous as direct asbestos exposure.

Smoking increases the risk of mesothelioma, because it damages the mesothelium. It can also make it more vulnerable. Mesothelioma is also aggravated by certain diseases, such as asbestosis and pneumonia. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than females. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for a longer period of time and work with asbestos compensation for longer durations and to work with it. Men are also more likely to live with someone who has worked with asbestos and carry asbestos fibers that have escaped home on their clothing. Women tend to be less exposed to asbestos, and they don't usually carry asbestos on their clothes.

Diagnosis

It is difficult to recognize mesothelioma since its symptoms are often similar to other diseases. This can result in patients being wrongly diagnosed.

The first step in diagnosing mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform an examination and write note of the medical history of the patient which includes asbestos exposure. Doctors can also order an X-ray of the chest or CT scan to look for lumps or other abnormalities, as well as evidence of asbestos exposure in the past like pleural plaques (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the buildup of fluid between the lung and chest wall (known as the pleural effusion).

Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance image or MRI test, that uses magnets and radio waves to create a series of detailed images of inside the body. Another way doctors can diagnose mesothelioma is to perform an operation called a biopsy. 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 microscopes to determine whether it contains cancerous cells.

The type of mesothelial cell involved as well as the benign or malignant nature of those cells as well as the location and stage of the tumor, are used to categorize the disease. Certain mesothelioma types have a higher chance of metastasizing or spreading and it's crucial to get a definitive diagnosis to ensure that the doctors can treat it before it gets out of control.

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

Treatment

A diagnosis of mesothelioma may be frightening. But, it is crucial to keep in mind that the cancer is treatable, especially in its initial stages. Many people with mesothelioma live for a long time with the disease without it spreading to other organs of their body.

Exposure to asbestos may cause mesothelioma in many ways. Asbestos fibres, too small to be felt or seen with the naked eyes, can become airborne, irritating the lung's lining (pleura). As time passes the irritation causes the formation of scar tissue and eventually tumors.

The pleura surrounds the heart and lungs, as well as the abdomen. Mesothelium is made up of cells that react when exposed to asbestos. They cause inflammation to the tissue and cause it to become scarred. These changes can result in malignant mesothelioma tumors.

Shortness of breath, chest discomfort, or the accumulation of fluid on the lungs are all symptoms of pleural Msothelioma. In rare cases cancer may spread to the tissues that surround the reproductive organs and the heart.

If imaging scans reveal an underlying mass in the lungs or stomach the doctor will request a biopsies. During the procedure doctors remove small amounts of fluid or tumor to allow for tests in the laboratory. The results will confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis and provide the best treatment option.

There are a variety of mesothelioma treatment, including surgery, chemotherapy and immunotherapy. The majority of doctors use the combination of these methods. Patients could also benefit from taking part in a clinical trial of new mesothelioma therapies. Patients can find out more by speaking with a mesothelioma doctor who has treated mesothelioma.