Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos is a natural mineral that is made up of long, thin fibres. Workers who are regularly exposed to asbestos risk developing lung diseases such as mesothelioma.

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

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma can be found in the outer lung lining, also known as pleura. It is the most prevalent mesothelioma that accounts for up between 70 and 79% of all diagnosed cases. Patients with this disease experience pain in the chest and shortness of breath and may also feel an ache or heaviness in the chest.

This type of cancer often caused by exposure to asbestos litigation, which is a cluster of minerals composed of microscopic fibers. When inhaled, these fibers, 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 a person's heart. Mesothelioma usually doesn't show symptoms until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

The most frequent symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include chest pain and shortness of breath. Patients may also experience coughing, difficulty breathing, or chest tightness. People with this cancer often have an history of exposure to asbestos in the workplace. Manufacturing, construction and shipbuilding are among the most prevalent occupations that put people at high risk of developing pleural mesothelioma. Individuals who have been in the military are at risk because of the extensive use of asbestos in Navy vessels and bunkers used by the army.

The most commonly used staging system for pleural mysothelioma has been the TNM (tumor lymph nodes, lymph nodes and metastases) staging system. The stage a patient has at diagnosis will help their doctor determine the most effective treatment plan for them. Patients with pleural mesothelioma that is in stage three or four will suffer a more negative prognosis compared to those who are in a less advanced stage. Stage four mesothelioma can develop into the liver, heart, or diaphragm. This can make the cancer more difficult to treat, and increase the risk of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Contrary to pleural cancer which forms in the lining of the lung the peritoneal cancer is a result of the membrane that covers the abdominal cavity, including organs such as the liver and intestines. Similar to pleural mesothelioma, asbestos exposure is the primary reason for peritoneal msothelioma. There are only 300-500 cases diagnosed each year this is less than pleural asbestosis.

As with pleural asbestosis, symptoms can take a long time to show. The majority of patients suffer from abdominal pain and an abdominal mass. The symptoms of this kind of mesothelioma could also include nausea as well as weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms could be misinterpreted as gastrointestinal issues, leading to a misdiagnosis.

The doctors can detect mesothelioma through looking over the medical history of the patient and conducting a physical exam. Imaging tests like X-rays or CT scans are a way to identify mesothelioma. These tests can show tumors and other signs of cancer that aren't visible on an X-ray.

The results of these tests allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and determine the stage and suggest treatment options. The stage is determined by the type of cell and whether the tumor has spread.

Asbestos exposure is the main risk factor. People who have worked in asbestos-containing occupations, like electrical or plumbing work, or in manufacturing and construction are more likely to develop the disease. However, even if individuals aren't employed in these areas they could be exposed to asbestos through relatives or other sources. Anyone who thinks they may be at risk should speak with an expert. A mesothelioma specialist can assist those with a history with asbestos to learn more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos exposure is the primary mesothelioma risk factor, accounting for up to 80 percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos may occur through work, military service or by living with a person who works with asbestos or has previously done so. When exposed to asbestos, small particles are able to be inhaled into lungs and abdomen. These particles irritate the linings, causing cancerous cells to grow 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 or 50s are at a higher chance of developing mesothelioma to people who are younger or more. This is because mesothelioma usually occurs between 20 and 60 years from the initial exposure to asbestos lawyer before symptoms of cancer begin to manifest. It is also important to note that mesothelioma can develop in those who were exposed to asbestos law but didn't deal with it directly. This is referred to as indirect or secondary exposure to asbestos and it is just as harmful as direct exposure.

Smoking can increase the likelihood of developing mesothelioma due to the fact that it damages the mesothelium, which makes it more vulnerable to asbestos. In addition, mesothelioma may be exacerbated by certain illnesses like pneumonia and asbestosis. It is also important to remember that mesothelioma is more common in men than women. This is due to men being more likely to work with asbestos case and have a longer period of exposure than women. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who had worked with asbestos, and to have asbestos fibers on their clothing. Women are less likely to come in contact with asbestos, and they are less likely to carry asbestos on their clothing.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is a difficult cancer to diagnose because the symptoms can be similar to other diseases. This is why patients are often mistakenly diagnosed.

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

Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram, which examines the blood vessels and the heart, and a magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI test, which uses radio waves and magnets to create precise images of the inside of the body. Another method doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma is by performing a surgical biopsy. A surgical biopsy is when doctors remove a small amount of tissue from the peritoneum or pleura for further analysis. A pathologist can then examine the tissue under a magnifying lens to determine if it contains cancerous cells.

Mesothelioma can be classified based on the mesothelial type involved, whether those cells are benign or malignant and the location of the tumor, its type, and the stage of the cancer. Certain types of mesothelioma are at an increased chance of metastasizing or spreading therefore it is essential to get a definitive diagnosis so doctors can treat it prior to it becoming out-of-control.

Doctors can also perform laboratory tests on tumors to determine specific proteins, genes or other elements that will help them identify the characteristics of cancer and plan treatment. These results are known as staging.

Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnosis can be a frightening prospect. However, it is important to remember that the cancer is treatable, particularly in its earlier stages. Many people with mesothelioma live for years without the disease spreading to other organs of their body.

Exposure to asbestos can trigger mesothelioma via various mechanisms. Asbestos fibers, which are too small to be able to see or feel by the naked eye can be airborne and cause irritation to the lung's lining (pleura). In time the irritation causes the formation of scar tissues and eventually tumors.

The pleura is the area that surrounds the heart and lungs, as well as the abdomen. Mesothelium is composed of cells that react to asbestos and cause it to enflame and develop scar tissue. These changes can result in malignant mesothelioma tumors.

Breathing problems, chest discomfort or fluid buildup on the lungs are all signs of the pleural mesothelioma. In rare instances cancer may spread to the tissues surrounding the reproductive organs and the heart.

A doctor may request a biopsy if imaging scans show the possibility of a mass in the lungs or stomach. During the procedure, doctors will remove tiny amounts of fluid or tumor for lab tests. The results will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma, and also determine the best treatment plan.

There are a variety of treatment for mesothelioma including chemotherapy and surgery. Most doctors use a combination of these treatments. Participating in clinical trials of mesothelioma treatments may be beneficial for patients. Patients can learn more by consulting a mesothelioma expert who has treated mesothelioma.