Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that is found in long, thin fibres. People who are exposed to asbestos on a regular basis are at risk of developing mesothelioma as well as other lung diseases.

It can take years before symptoms begin to manifest after exposure to asbestos. Different asbestos types may cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer that develops in the outer lung liner (pleura). It is the most prevalent mesothelioma form and accounts for 70% to 79% all diagnosed cases. Patients suffering from this condition feel chest pain and shortness of breath and may experience the sensation of weight in the chest.

Exposure to asbestos settlement, a group of minerals composed of microscopic fibers causes this kind of cancer. When inhaled, these fibers stick inside the lung and cause irritation which results in scarring and DNA mutations. The pleura is the area that surrounds the chest cavity and lungs, so these irritations can affect both the lungs as well as a person's heart. Mesothelioma typically doesn't manifest until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

Shortness of breath and chest pain are the most common symptoms. Some patients also experience difficulty breathing, or chest tightness. Patients with this type of cancer have a past that includes asbestos exposure at work. Manufacturing, construction, and shipbuilding are the most common occupations which put people at risk risk of developing pleural mesothelioma. People who have served in the military may be at risk because of the extensive use of asbestos in Navy ships and bunkers used by the army.

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

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Unlike pleural mesothelioma, which is a lung-lining cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma forms in the peritoneum -- an elongated membrane that covers the abdominal cavity and organs such as the liver and intestines. Like pleural mesothelioma, exposure to asbestos is the cause of peritoneal msothelioma. There are only 300-500 cases diagnosed each year, which is less than pleural asbestosis.

As with pleural asbestosis, symptoms can take several years to show. Patients typically suffer from 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. A lot of these symptoms are similar to those of digestive issues, which could cause misdiagnosis.

Doctors can identify mesothelioma by looking over the medical history of the patient and performing a physical exam. They may also employ imaging tests like X-rays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to help find mesothelioma. These tests can show cancerous tumors or other signs of cancer that aren't apparent on an X-ray.

The results of these tests allow doctors to identify mesothelioma, and determine the stage. They can also suggest treatment options. The stage of the disease is determined based on the type of cell and whether or the cancer has spread to other areas of the body.

The most significant risk factor for mesothelioma is asbestos attorney exposure. People who have worked in asbestos-containing jobs, such as electrical or plumbing work or in construction and manufacturing, are more likely to contract the disease. Even if someone is not employed in one of these areas they could still be exposed to asbestos through family members and other sources. Anyone who thinks they are at risk should consult an expert. A mesothelioma specialist can assist those who have had a experience with asbestos to understand more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos is the primary mesothelioma-related risk factor. It accounts for up to the 80% of cases. Exposure to asbestos can happen as a result of military service, work, or living with those who worked with asbestos. Asbestos particles are inhaled by people who are exposed to asbestos. These particles can cause irritation to the linings and trigger cancerous cells to develop in the mesothelium. After exposure to asbestos mesothelioma can develop between 15 and 60 years old.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and the advancing age. People in their 40s and 50s are at greater chance of developing mesothelioma to those younger or older. Mesothelioma can take between 20 and 60 years to show signs of cancer after the first exposure. It is important to remember that mesothelioma may develop in people who have been exposed to asbestos but did not work with it directly. This is referred to as secondary or indirect exposure to asbestos. It can be just as dangerous as direct exposure.

Smoking increases the chance of mesothelioma developing, since it damages mesothelium. It can also make it more vulnerable. Additionally, mesothelioma can be worsened by certain diseases like pneumonia and asbestosis. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than women. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for a longer period of time and to work with asbestos compensation for longer durations and to work with it. Additionally, men are more likely to live with someone who has was exposed to asbestos and bring asbestos fibers that have escaped home on their clothing. Women tend to have less contact with asbestos legal and do not typically carry asbestos attorney home on their clothing.

Diagnosis

It is difficult to diagnose mesothelioma due to its symptoms being often similar to other diseases. This can lead to victims being misdiagnosed.

The first step in identifying mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform a physical exam and take note of the medical history of the patient which includes asbestos exposure. Doctors may also request an CT scan or chest X-ray to check for abnormalities, lumps and evidence of exposure to asbestos. These include pleural plaques, thickened pleura and calcium deposits.

Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram, which examines the heart and blood vessels, and a magnetic resonance imaging, also known as MRI test, which uses magnets and radio waves to make a series of precise images of the inside of the body. A surgical biopsy is yet another way for doctors to diagnose mesothelioma. During a surgery biopsy doctors take a tiny piece of tissue from pleura or the peritoneum, to be tested further. A pathologist can examine the tissue under a microscope to see if it is contaminated with cancerous cells.

The mesothelial type involved, the malignant or benign nature of these cells as well as the location and stage of the tumor, are used to classify the disease. Certain types of mesothelioma may be more likely to spread or metastasize, so it is important to establish a definitive diagnosis to ensure that doctors are able to treat the disease before it gets out of control.

Doctors can also run tests in the laboratory on a tumor to identify specific genes, proteins, or other factors that help them understand the characteristics of the cancer and determine a treatment. These results are known as staging.

Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnose can be frightening. However, it's important to remember that the disease can be treated, particularly in its initial stages. Many people with mesothelioma live for many years without the disease spreading to other areas of their body.

Exposure to asbestos can trigger mesothelioma via a variety of mechanisms. Asbestos fibers that are tiny enough to be felt or observed by naked eyes are able to become airborne, causing irritation to the lining of the lung (pleura). As time passes, the irritation causes the formation of scar tissue, which leads to changes in the cell structure that eventually develop into tumors.

The Pleura is a protective layer that surrounds the lungs, heart and abdomen. Mesothelium consists of cells that react when exposed to asbestos. They inflame the tissue and cause it to scar. These changes eventually lead to malignant mesothelioma tumours.

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

A doctor may request a biopsy if imaging scans reveal a possible lung tumor or stomach. During the procedure, doctors remove tiny amounts of fluid or tumor for laboratory tests. The results can confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma, and also determine the best treatment option.

There are many types of mesothelioma treatment, including surgery, chemotherapy and immunotherapy. Most doctors use a combination of these treatments. Participating in clinical trials of mesothelioma treatments that are new could be beneficial to patients. Patients can learn more by consulting a mesothelioma expert who has treated the condition.