Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that is found in long, thin fibres. Workers who are regularly exposed to asbestos risk developing lung diseases, such as mesothelioma.

The symptoms of these diseases might not manifest for years after exposure to asbestos. Different asbestos legal 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 common mesothelioma that accounts for up 70% to 79% of all diagnosed cases. This condition causes chest pain, breath shortness, and a feeling of heavyness.

This type of cancer is usually caused by exposure to asbestos, which is a grouping of minerals made up of microscopic fibres. Once inhaled, the fibers cling to the lung and cause irritation that leads to scarring and DNA mutations. Pleura covers both the chest cavity and the lungs, which means that irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma usually doesn't show symptoms until 30 to 50 year after exposure.

The most commonly reported symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include chest pain and shortness of breath. Patients may also feel tightness in their chest and coughing, or breathing difficulties. People who suffer from this cancer usually have an history of exposure to asbestos in the workplace. The most prevalent jobs that put people at risk of pleural mesothelioma include manufacturing, construction and shipbuilding. People who served in the military are at greater risk due the widespread use of asbestos in Navy vessels and bunkers for the Army.

The most popular staging system for pleural mesothelioma is the TNM (tumor lymph nodes, lymph nodes, and metastases) staging system. The stage that a patient is in at the time of diagnosis can help determine the treatment plan they should receive. For instance, patients suffering from mesothelioma that is pleural in stage three or four have a worse prognosis than patients with lower stages. Stage four mesothelioma often spreads 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 the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Unlike pleural cancer, which forms in the lining of the lung the peritoneal cancer is a result of a membrane that surrounds the abdominal cavity, which includes organs such as the intestines and the liver. Like pleural mesothelioma, asbestos exposure is the primary cause of peritoneal msothelioma. The disease is less common than pleural mesothelioma, with around 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.

As with pleural asbestosis symptoms can take a long time to show. The majority of patients are afflicted with abdominal pain as well as abdominal swelling. The symptoms of this type of mesothelioma may also include nausea or weight loss, as well as fever. Many of these symptoms are similar to symptoms of gastrointestinal issues, which can result in incorrect diagnosis.

Generally, doctors can find mesothelioma through an exhaustive health history and physical exam. They can also use imaging tests like Xrays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to identify mesothelioma. These tests can identify tumors and other cancer signs that aren't visible on X-rays.

These test results enable doctors to identify mesothelioma, and determine the stage. They can also recommend treatments. The stage is determined by the type of cell as well as whether the cancer has spread.

The most significant risk factor for mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos litigation. People who have worked in asbestos-related jobs, such as electrical or plumbing work, or in construction and manufacturing are more likely to develop the disease. Even if they aren't employed in these areas they may be exposed to asbestos through family members or other sources. Therefore, anyone who is concerned that they might be at risk should talk to a doctor. If they have an history of exposure to asbestos, a mesothelioma specialist can help them find out more about the risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos exposure is a major mesothelioma risk factor, making up as much as 80 percent of 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. They can cause irritation to the linings of the abdomen and trigger cancerous cells to form in the mesothelium. After exposure to asbestos, mesothelioma may occur between 15 and 60 year.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and age. People in their 40s or 50s are more at chance of developing mesothelioma to those younger or older. This is because mesothelioma typically occurs between 20 and 60 years from the first exposure before symptoms of cancer begin to manifest. It is important to remember that mesothelioma can be present in people who have been exposed to asbestos without having directly worked with it. This is known as indirect or secondary asbestos exposure. It can be just as harmful as direct asbestos exposure.

Smoking can increase the likelihood of developing mesothelioma since it damages the mesothelium and makes it more prone to asbestos. Mesothelioma can also be aggravated by certain illnesses such as asbestosis and pneumonia. It is also important to note that mesothelioma is more common in men than women. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for longer periods of time and to work with it. Also, men are more likely to live with someone who has had asbestos law exposure and bring asbestos fibers from their workplace on their clothes. Women are less likely to come into exposure to asbestos and rarely carry asbestos on their clothing.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is a difficult cancer to recognize because the symptoms can be similar to other diseases. This could lead to patients being 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 exposure. Doctors can also request an X-ray of the chest or CT scan to detect lumps and other abnormalities, and also to look for evidence of asbestos exposure in the past such as plaques on the pleura (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 a magnetic resonance image, or MRI test, which uses magnets and radio waves to create a series of detailed images of the insides of the body. A surgical biopsy is a different method for doctors to identify mesothelioma. In a surgical biopsy doctors remove a small amount of tissue from the pleura or peritoneum for further analysis. A pathologist can look at the tissue under microscopes to determine whether it has cancerous cells.

The type of mesothelial cell involved and the benign or malignant nature of the cells as well as the location and stage of the tumour, are used to classify the disease. Certain types of mesothelioma are at an increased 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 laboratory tests on tumors to identify specific proteins, genes or other elements 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 frightening. It is crucial to remember that cancer can be treated particularly in its early stages. Many people with mesothelioma live for a long time without the disease spreading to other areas of their body.

Exposure to asbestos may cause mesothelioma through a variety of ways. Asbestos fibers, which are tiny enough to be felt or viewed by naked eyes can be airborne, irritating the lining of the lung (pleura). Over time, the irritation leads to the formation of scar tissues, which eventually lead to tumors.

The pleura covers the lungs and the heart and also the abdomen. Mesothelium consists of cells that respond when exposed to asbestos. They cause inflammation of the tissue and cause it to become scarred. These changes can eventually cause mesothelioma cancers.

A shortness of breath, chest pain or fluid accumulation on the lungs are all signs of the pleural Msothelioma. In rare instances the cancer may be spread to the tissues around the heart and reproductive organs.

If imaging scans reveal an area of concern in the stomach or lungs, a doctor will order a biopsies. During the procedure, doctors will remove small amounts of the fluid or tumor for laboratory tests. The results will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and determine the most effective treatment plan.

There are many types of treatment for mesothelioma, such as chemotherapy and surgery. Most doctors rely on an amalgamation of these techniques. Participating in clinical trials for mesothelioma treatments may be beneficial to patients. Patients can find out more by consulting a mesothelioma expert who has treated the condition.