Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos, a natural mineral, naturally occurs in the form of long, thin fibers. People who are exposed to asbestos risk developing lung diseases, such as mesothelioma.

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

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma is a type of cancer that affects the outer lung lining (pleura). It is the most frequent form of mesothelioma and is responsible for 70 to 79% of all diagnosed cases. This condition causes chest pain, shortness of breathe and a feeling heaviness.

Exposure to asbestos, a group of minerals comprised of microscopic fibers, typically causes this kind of cancer. When inhaled, these fibers cling to the lungs and cause irritation that leads to 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 symptoms typically don't show until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

The most common symptoms of pleural melanoma are chest discomfort and shortness of breath. Some patients may also suffer from chest tightness or coughing. They may also experience difficulty breathing. People with this cancer often have an history of exposure to asbestos in the workplace. Construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding are among the most common occupations that put people at a high chance of developing pleural mesothelioma. Individuals who have been in the military may be at an especially high risk due to the frequent asbestos usage in Navy vessels and bunkers used by the army.

The TNM (tumors lymph nodes, tumors, and metastases staging system) is the most popular staging system used to treat the pleural adenocarcinoma. The stage that the patient is in at the time of diagnosis can help determine what treatment plan they should follow. For instance, patients who have mesothelioma pleural stage three or four have a worse prognosis than those with lower stages. Mesothelioma in stage four is usually spread to the diaphragm, the liver or even a person's heart. This makes it more difficult to treat and increase the risk of complications for patients.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Unlike pleural mesothelioma, which is a lung-lining cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma is found in the peritoneum -- it is a membrane that lines the abdominal cavity as well as organs such as the intestines and liver. Like pleural mesothelioma, asbestos exposure is the primary reason for peritoneal msothelioma. Only 300-500 cases are diagnosed each year which is lower than pleural asbestosis.

Like pleural mesothelioma, symptoms may take years to appear. Typically, patients experience abdominal pain and a mass in the abdomen. This mesothelioma type can cause nausea, weight loss and fever. A lot of these symptoms are similar to those of gastrointestinal issues, which can lead to confusion in diagnosis.

Doctors can detect mesothelioma by reviewing the medical history of the patient and conducting a physical exam. Imaging tests like X-rays or CT scans can be used to detect mesothelioma. These tests can detect tumors as well as other signs of cancer that are not visible on X-rays.

The results of these tests allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma, determine the stage and recommend treatment options. Staging is determined based on the type of cells and whether or the cancer has spread to other areas of the body.

Asbestos exposure is the most important risk factor. People who have been in occupations which require asbestos, such as plumbing, electrical work, manufacturing or construction, are at greater risk of developing the disease. However, even if individuals aren't employed in these areas they may be exposed to asbestos through relatives or other sources. For this reason, anyone who believes they could be at risk should talk to a doctor. A mesothelioma specialist can assist those with a history with asbestos to learn more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos exposure is the main risk factor for mesothelioma, making up as much as 80 percent of all 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 those who are exposed to asbestos lawyer. The particles cause irritation to the linings, causing cancerous cells to form in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma may take between 15 and 60 years to develop following exposure to Asbestos Case.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and the advancing age. People in their 40s or 50s are more at risk of developing mesothelioma compared to those who are younger or older. It takes mesothelioma 20-60 years before it manifests cancer symptoms after the first exposure. It is important to remember that mesothelioma may develop in those who were exposed to asbestos legal, but did not engage directly with it. This is referred to as secondary or indirect asbestos case exposure and can be just as harmful as direct asbestos exposure.

Smoking increases the chance of mesothelioma developing, because it damages the mesothelium. It also makes it more susceptible. Mesothelioma can also be caused by certain illnesses such as asbestosis and pneumonia. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than women. This is due to the fact that men are more likely to be exposed to asbestos and endure a an extended period of exposure than women. Additionally, men are more likely to live with someone who worked with asbestos and carry stray asbestos fibers home on their clothing. Women are less likely to be exposed to asbestos, and they are less likely to bring asbestos home on their clothes.

Diagnosis

It is difficult to diagnose mesothelioma due to its symptoms being frequently similar to other illnesses. This is why patients are sometimes wrongly diagnosed.

The first step in diagnosing mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform an examination and write down a patient's medical history, including asbestos lawsuit exposure. Doctors may also request a CT scan or chest X-ray to check for lumps, abnormalities, 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 as well as a magnetic resonance imaging, also known as MRI, test, which makes use of radio waves and magnets to make a series of precise images of the inside of the body. A surgical biopsy is yet another method for doctors to identify mesothelioma. During a surgical biopsy, doctors remove a small amount of tissue from the peritoneum or pleura to conduct further tests. A pathologist will then look at the tissue with a magnifying glass to determine if it is a cancerous cell.

The type of mesothelial cell involved, the malignant or benign nature of those cells and the location, type and stage of the cancer are used to classify the disease. Some types of mesothelioma have greater risk of spreading or metastasizing and it's crucial to establish a clear diagnosis so doctors can treat it before it gets out of control.

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

Treatment

A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be frightening. However, it is important to remember that the disease can be treated, particularly in its initial stages. Many people with mesothelioma can endure the disease for a long time without spreading.

Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma by various mechanisms. Asbestos fibers, which are too small to see or feel with the naked eye, can become airborne and irritate the lung's lining (pleura). As time passes irritation can lead to formation of scar tissue, which causes changes in the structure of cells that can eventually grow into tumors.

The Pleura is a protective layer that surrounds the lungs, heart and abdomen. Mesothelium is composed of cells that react to exposure to asbestos, causing it to inflame and develop scar tissue. These changes can eventually result in malignant mesothelioma tumors.

Shortness of breath, chest discomfort, or the accumulation of fluid on the lungs are all indications of the pleural msothelioma. In rare cases cancer can spread to the tissues around the reproductive organs and heart.

If imaging scans show an underlying mass in the lungs or stomach doctors will recommend a biopsies. The procedure involves the removal of small amounts of fluid or tumor to allow for lab tests. The results will confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis and provide the best treatment option.

There are many types of treatment for mesothelioma, including surgery and chemotherapy. Most doctors utilize a combination of these methods. Patients could also benefit from taking part in a clinical trial of new mesothelioma treatments. To learn more, patients should consult mesothelioma experts who have expertise in treating the condition.