Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos, a natural mineral, naturally forms in the form of long, thin fibers. Workers who are regularly exposed to asbestos may develop lung diseases like mesothelioma.

The symptoms of these diseases might not be evident for a long time 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 common mesothelioma type and is responsible for 70 to 79% all diagnosed cases. This condition causes chest pain, shortness of breathe and a feeling of weightiness.

Exposure to asbestos, a class of minerals made of microscopic fibers, usually causes this kind of cancer. These fibers, when inhaled cause irritation and DNA mutations. The pleura surrounds the chest cavity and lungs, so these irritations can affect both the lungs as well as the heart of a person. Mesothelioma symptoms typically don't show until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

The most frequent symptoms of pleural melanoma are chest discomfort and shortness of breath. Some patients may also experience chest tightness, coughing or difficulty breathing. Patients with this type of cancer typically have a history of exposure to asbestos in the workplace. Construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding are the most common occupations that put people at a high danger of developing pleural melanoma. People who were in the military are at higher risk due to the extensive use asbestos in Navy vessels and bunkers in the Army.

The TNM (tumors lymph nodes and metastases staging system) is the most common staging system used for the pleural cancer. The stage a patient has at diagnosis will help their doctor determine the most appropriate treatment plan for them. Patients who have pleural mesothelioma which is in stage three or four will suffer a more negative prognosis compared to those in a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma can spread to the liver, heart or diaphragm. This makes it more difficult to treat and increase the chance of complications for patients.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Unlike pleural cancer, that develops in the lining of the lung it develops in a membrane that surrounds the abdominal cavity, including organs like the intestines and the liver. Similar to pleural mesothelioma mesothelioma can be caused by asbestos exposure. The disease is less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma. There are around 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.

Like pleural mesothelioma, the symptoms can take years to show. Patients usually suffer from abdominal pain and may also have a lump in their abdomen. The symptoms of this kind of mesothelioma may also include nausea, weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms could be misinterpreted as gastrointestinal issues which can lead to a misdiagnosis.

The doctors can detect mesothelioma through examining the patient's medical history and conducting a physical exam. Imaging tests such as X-rays or CT scans are a way to identify mesothelioma. These tests can reveal tumors, as well as other signs of cancer that aren't apparent on an X-ray.

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

The most significant mesothelioma risk factor is asbestos exposure. People who have been exposed to asbestos in professions, such as electrical or plumbing work or in construction and manufacturing, are more likely to contract the disease. Even if they aren't employed in these fields they may be exposed to asbestos through family members or other sources. Therefore, anyone who suspects they may be at risk should speak to a doctor. If they have an history of exposure to asbestos, a mesothelioma specialist can assist them in learning more about the risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos is the most significant risk factor for mesothelioma. It accounts for up to 80% of all cases. Exposure to asbestos can occur as a result of military service, work or living with people who have worked with asbestos. When exposed to asbestos, particles are able to be inhaled into lungs and abdomen. These irritate the linings and can cause cancerous cells to develop in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma may take between 15 and 60 years to develop after exposure to asbestos.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and the advancing age. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely to develop mesothelioma than those who are younger or older. This is because mesothelioma typically occurs between 20 and 60 years from the initial time of exposure before the first signs of cancer appear. It is also important to know that mesothelioma is a possibility 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 and it could be as hazardous as direct exposure.

Smoking increases the chance of mesothelioma since it damages mesothelium. It can also make it more vulnerable. Mesothelioma can also be caused by certain illnesses, including asbestosis and pneumonia. It is also important to know that mesothelioma occurs more frequently for men than women. This is due to men being more likely to work with asbestos and have more exposure than women. Additionally, men are more likely to live with someone who was exposed to asbestos and bring asbestos fibers from their workplace on their clothes. Women tend to be less in contact with asbestos attorney, and don't typically carry asbestos on their clothing.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is a difficult cancer to diagnose because the symptoms often resemble other diseases. This can result in patients being incorrectly diagnosed.

NYU Langone doctors will perform an examination of the body and document the patient's medical history including asbestos exposure. Doctors can also order an X-ray chest or CT scan to detect lumps and other abnormalities and also to look for evidence of previous asbestos exposure such as plaques in the pleura (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the accumulation of fluid between the lung and the chest wall (known as pleural effusion).

Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance scan or MRI test, which uses radio waves and magnets in order to produce a series of precise images of the insides of the body. Another method doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma is to perform a surgical biopsy. When a biopsy is performed, doctors remove a tiny part of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum to be tested further. A pathologist will then look at the tissue with an magnifying glass to determine whether it contains cancerous cell.

The type of mesothelial cell involved as well as the benign or malignant nature of the cells, as well as the location, type and stage of the tumor, are used to categorize the disease. Some types of mesothelioma have greater risk of metastasizing or spreading, so it's important to get a definitive diagnosis to ensure that the doctors can treat it prior to it becoming out-of-control.

Doctors can also run laboratory tests on a tumor to identify specific proteins, genes and other factors which can help them identify the cancer's characteristics and plan treatment. These results are referred to as staging.

Treatment

A diagnosis of mesothelioma may be frightening. However, it's important to remember that the disease can be treated, particularly in its earlier stages. Many people with mesothelioma can live with the disease for many years without it spreading.

Exposure to asbestos may cause mesothelioma through a variety of ways. Asbestos fibres, small enough to not be felt or viewed with the naked eyes can be airborne, irritating the lung's lining (pleura). As time passes, the irritation leads to the formation of scar tissue that eventually result in tumors.

The pleura is the area that surrounds the lungs and heart 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 lead to malignant mesothelioma tumours.

Breathing problems, chest discomfort, or the accumulation of fluid on the lungs are all indications of pleural Msothelioma. In rare instances, cancer can spread into the tissues that surround the reproductive organs and the heart.

A doctor may request a biopsy if imaging scans show a potential tumor in the lungs or stomach. In the course of the procedure, doctors remove small amounts of fluid or tumor to allow for lab tests. The results can confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis and provide the best treatment plan.

There are a variety of mesothelioma treatment, including surgery, chemotherapy and immunotherapy. Most doctors use the combination of these treatments. Participating in clinical trials for mesothelioma treatments may be beneficial for You Tube patients. To learn more about the trials, patients should speak to a mesothelioma specialist who has expertise in treating the condition.