Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos, a mineral that naturally forms in the form of long, thin fibers. People who are exposed to asbestos regularly risk developing mesothelioma and other lung diseases.

It may take decades for symptoms to appear after asbestos exposure. Different asbestos types may cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer of the lung's outer lining or the pleura. It is the most frequent mesothelioma form and is responsible for 70 to 79% of diagnosed cases. This condition causes chest pain, shortness of breathe and a feeling heavyness.

Exposure to asbestos claim, a group of minerals made of microscopic fibers, typically causes this type of cancer. These fibers, when inhaled can cause irritation and DNA mutations. The pleura covers the chest cavity and lungs This means that these irritations can affect both the lungs as well as the heart of a person. Mesothelioma is usually not symptomatic until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

The most common symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are chest pain and breath shortness. 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. The most common jobs that put people at risk of pleural mesothelioma include manufacturing, construction, and shipbuilding. People who have worked in the military could be at a higher risk because of the extensive asbestos use in Navy ships and bunkers used by the army.

The TNM (tumors lymph nodes, tumors, and metastases staging system) is the most popular staging system used for the pleural adenocarcinoma. The stage that the patient is in at the time of diagnosis will help determine what treatment plan they will receive. For example, patients with mesothelioma pleural stage three or four have a less favorable prognosis than those in a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma may spread to the heart, liver or diaphragm. This can make it more difficult to treat and raises the risk of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Unlike pleural mesothelioma, which is a lung-lining cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma develops in the peritoneum, a membrane that lines the abdominal cavity and organs such as the intestines and the liver. Similar to pleural mesothelioma mesothelioma is caused by asbestos exposure. The disease is much less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma, and only about 300-500 cases diagnosed each year.

Like pleural mesothelioma, the symptoms may take years to appear. Patients typically suffer from abdominal pain and could also experience a mass in their abdomen. Symptoms of this type of mesothelioma can also include nausea as well as weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms could be misinterpreted as digestive issues which can lead to a misdiagnosis.

Doctors can identify mesothelioma by reviewing the medical history of the patient and performing a physical examination. They can also utilize imaging tests like Xrays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to help find mesothelioma. These tests can reveal tumors, as well as other symptoms of cancer that aren't visible on an X-ray.

These test results allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma, determine the stage and suggest treatment options. Staging is determined based on the type of cell and whether or not the tumor has spread to other regions of the body.

The most significant mesothelioma risk factor is asbestos exposure. People who have been in occupations that require asbestos, like plumbing or manufacturing, electrical work or construction, are at increased risk of developing the disease. However, even if people do not work in these areas they could be exposed to asbestos through relatives or other sources. For this reason, anyone who believes they could be at risk should speak to an experienced doctor. If they have an history of exposure to asbestos law and mesothelioma is a concern, a specialist will assist them in learning more about the risk.

Risk Factors

asbestos litigation exposure is the main risk factor for mesothelioma which accounts for as much as 80 percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos law can occur through work, military service, or through living with a person who is exposed to asbestos or has previously done so. Asbestos particles can be breathed in by people who are exposed to it. These irritate the linings and cause cancerous cells to form in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma can take anywhere between 15 and 60 years to develop after exposure to asbestos.

Other risk factors include genetics, smoking and aging. People in their 40s or 50s are at greater risk of developing mesothelioma compared to those who are younger or older. It takes mesothelioma 20-60 years to show signs of cancer after the first exposure. It is also important to note that mesothelioma is a possibility in people who have been exposed to asbestos but didn't engage directly with it. This is referred to as indirect or secondary exposure to asbestos. It could be as hazardous as direct exposure.

Smoking increases a person's chances of getting mesothelioma because it causes mesothelium damage and makes it more vulnerable to asbestos. In addition, mesothelioma may be caused by certain illnesses, such as asbestosis and pneumonia. It is also important to note that mesothelioma occurs more frequently in males than females. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for a longer time and to have worked with asbestos for longer durations and to work with it. Additionally, men are more likely to live with someone who worked with asbestos and carry asbestos fibers from their workplace on their clothing. Women tend to be less in contact with asbestos, and they are less likely to carry asbestos on their clothes.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is difficult to diagnose because the symptoms often resemble other conditions. 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 notes on the medical history of a patient which includes asbestos exposure. Doctors can also order a chest X-ray or CT scan to check for lumps and other abnormalities and also to look for evidence of previous asbestos case exposure like plaques on the pleura (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the formation of fluid between the lung and chest wall (known as the pleural effusion).

Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram, which examines the heart and blood vessels, and a magnetic resonance imaging, also known as MRI, test that uses magnets and radio waves to create detailed images of the inside of the body. A surgical biopsy is another method doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma. During a surgical biopsy, doctors take a small amount of tissue from the pleura or peritoneum for further analysis. A pathologist can examine the tissue with microscopes to determine whether it is contaminated with cancerous cells.

Mesothelioma can be classified based on the type of mesothelial cells involved, whether those cells are benign or malignant and the location of the tumor, the type, and the stage of the cancer. Some types of mesothelioma 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 becomes out-of-control.

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

Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnose can be terrifying. It is important to keep in mind, however, that cancer can be treated, particularly in its initial stages. Many patients with mesothelioma endure the disease for many years without it expanding.

Exposure to asbestos can trigger mesothelioma in a number of ways. Asbestos fibers, too small to see or feel by the naked eye can be airborne and cause irritation to the lung's lining (pleura). In time irritation can lead to formation of scar tissue which can cause changes in the cell structure which eventually lead to tumors.

The pleura covers the heart and lungs and the abdomen. Mesothelium is made up of cells that react to asbestos which causes it to become inflamed and create scar tissue. These changes can eventually cause mesothelioma cancers.

The signs of pleural mesothelioma can include shortness of breath, chest pain or an accumulation of fluid on the lung (pleural effusion). In rare cases, cancer can spread into the tissues around the reproductive organs as well as the heart.

A doctor will order biopsy if imaging scans reveal a possible tumor in the lungs or stomach. During the procedure, doctors will remove small amounts of the tumor or fluid for lab tests. The results can confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis, and indicate the best treatment plan.

There are a variety of treatment for mesothelioma, such as chemotherapy and surgery. Most doctors utilize a combination of these methods. Patients can also benefit by participating in a clinical study of new mesothelioma treatments. To learn more about the trials, patients should speak to a mesothelioma specialist who has expertise in treating the condition.