Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos, a mineral that occurs naturally in the form of long, thin fibers. Workers who are exposed to asbestos regularly are at risk of developing mesothelioma or other lung diseases of different types.

The symptoms of these diseases might not manifest for years after exposure to asbestos. Different asbestos types can cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer that occurs in the lung's outer lining (pleura). It is the most frequent mesothelioma form and accounts for 70% to 79% of diagnosed cases. The condition can cause chest discomfort, shortness of breath and a feeling heavyness.

Exposure to asbestos, a class of minerals comprised of microscopic fibers, usually causes this kind of cancer. When inhaled, these fibers can cause irritation and DNA mutations. Pleura is the lining of both the chest cavity as well as the lungs, so irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma is usually not symptomatic until 30 to 50 year after exposure.

Shortness of breath and chest pain are the most frequently reported symptoms. Some patients may also suffer from chest tightness, coughing or difficulty breathing. People with this cancer have a past that includes asbestos exposure at work. Manufacturing, construction and shipbuilding are the most common occupations that put people at high chance of developing pleural mesothelioma. Individuals who have served in the military are at a greater risk due the frequent use of asbestos in Navy vessels and bunkers in the Army.

The most common staging system for pleural mesothelioma is the TNM (tumor lymph nodes, lymph nodes, and metastases) staging system. The stage that a 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 less favorable prognosis than those with lower stages. Stage four mesothelioma is often spread to the diaphragm, the liver or even the heart of a patient. This can make the cancer more difficult to treat and increase the risk of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Unlike pleural cancer, which forms in the lining of the lung the peritoneal cancer is a result of a membrane that covers the abdominal cavity, including organs like the intestines and liver. Like pleural mesothelioma, asbestos exposure is the primary cause of peritoneal msothelioma. The disease is less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma, with around 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.

Like pleural mesothelioma, symptoms may take years to appear. Patients typically suffer from abdominal pain and may also have a lump in their abdomen. This type of mesothelioma may also cause nausea, weight loss, and fever. Many of these symptoms could be misinterpreted as digestive issues and can lead to a false diagnosis.

Doctors can detect mesothelioma by examining the patient's medical history and conducting a physical exam. Imaging tests like X-rays and CT scans are a way to identify mesothelioma. These tests can reveal tumors and other symptoms of cancer that aren't visible on X-rays.

These test results enable doctors to identify mesothelioma, and determine the stage. They can also suggest treatments. The stage of the disease is determined based on the type of cell and whether or not the cancer has spread to other areas of the body.

Asbestos exposure is the most important risk factor. People who have worked in professions that require asbestos, such as plumbing manufacturing, electrical work, or construction, are at a higher risk of developing the disease. Even if an individual is not employed in any of these areas, he or she can be exposed to asbestos through family members and other sources. Anyone who thinks they're at risk should speak with an expert. If they have an history of exposure to asbestos and mesothelioma is a concern, a specialist will help them find out more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos is the most significant mesothelioma-related risk factor. It accounts for up to the 80% of cases. Exposure to asbestos can occur due to work, military service, or by living with a person who works with asbestos or used to do the same. Asbestos particles can be inhaled by people who are exposed to it. These particles can cause irritation to the linings and cause cancerous cells to form in the mesothelium. After exposure to asbestos mesothelioma is likely to develop between 15 and 60 years.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and aging. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely get mesothelioma than people younger or older. It takes mesothelioma between 20 and 60 years before it manifests cancer symptoms after the first exposure. It is also important to note that mesothelioma can develop in people who have been exposed to asbestos but did not engage directly with it. This is referred to as secondary or indirect asbestos exposure, and is as dangerous as direct asbestos exposure.

Smoking increases the risk of getting mesothelioma because it causes mesothelium damage and makes it more vulnerable to asbestos. Additionally, mesothelioma can be worsened by certain diseases like pneumonia and asbestosis. It is also important to remember that mesothelioma occurs more frequently in men than women. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for a longer period of time and work with asbestos for longer periods of time. Men are also more likely to live with someone who has was exposed to asbestos and bring asbestos fibers from their workplace on their clothes. Women tend to have less contact with asbestos lawsuits and rarely carry asbestos on their clothing.

Diagnosis

It is difficult to diagnose mesothelioma since its symptoms are often similar to other conditions. This is why 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 note of the medical history of the patient including asbestos exposure. Doctors may also request a CT scan or chest X-ray to look for lumps, abnormalities, youtube and evidence of asbestos exposure. These include pleural plaques, thickened pleura and calcium deposits.

Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance scan or MRI test, that uses magnets and radio waves to produce a series of precise images of the inside of the body. A surgical biopsy is yet another method doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma. During a surgery biopsy doctors take a tiny piece of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum to be examined further. A pathologist will then look at the tissue with an magnifying glass to determine if it is a cancerous cells.

The mesothelial type involved as well as the benign or malignant nature of these 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, so it's important to determine the type of mesothelioma so that doctors can treat it before it gets out of control.

Doctors may also conduct laboratory tests on tumors to determine specific proteins, genes and other factors that help them understand the characteristics of the cancer and determine a treatment. These results are referred to as staging.

Treatment

A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be a frightening prospect. It is important to keep in mind, however, that cancer can be treated, especially at its early stages. Many patients with mesothelioma survive for a long time with the disease, without spreading to other organs of their body.

Exposure to asbestos can trigger mesothelioma through a variety of ways. Asbestos fibers, too small to detect or feel through the naked eye, can become airborne and cause irritation to the lung's lining (pleura). As time passes, the irritation causes the formation of scar tissue, which causes changes in the structure of cells that eventually develop into tumors.

The pleura is the area that surrounds the lungs and heart, as well as the abdomen. Mesothelium is made up of cells that react to asbestos and cause it to enflame and create scar tissue. As time passes, these changes lead to the development of malignant mesothelioma tumors.

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

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

There are many types of treatment for mesothelioma, such as chemotherapy and surgery. Most doctors utilize combinations of these treatments. Patients may also benefit from taking part in a clinical trial of new mesothelioma therapies. Patients can learn more about the trials by consulting a mesothelioma expert who has treated the disease.