Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos is a natural mineral that is made up of long, thin fibres. Workers who are exposed asbestos on a regular basis risk developing mesothelioma and other types of lung diseases.

It may take decades for symptoms to show up after asbestos exposure. Different types of asbestos lawyer may cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer of the outer lung lining, or pleura. It is the most prevalent mesothelioma type, accounting for up between 70 and 79% of diagnosed cases. The condition can cause chest pain, breath shortness and a feeling weightiness.

This type of cancer often caused by exposure to asbestos which is a cluster of minerals that are composed of microscopic fibers. These fibers, when inhaled cause irritation 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 are usually not apparent until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

Chest pain and shortness breath are the most common symptoms. Patients may also experience coughing, difficulty breathing or chest tightness. Patients with this type of cancer typically have an history of exposure to asbestos in the workplace. The most prevalent jobs that expose workers to the risk of pleural mesothelioma include manufacturing, construction, and shipbuilding. People who served in the military are at higher risk due to the frequent use of asbestos in Navy vessels and bunkers for the Army.

The TNM (tumors, lymph nodes, and metastases staging system) is the most common staging system for pleural adenocarcinoma. The stage that the patient is in at the time of diagnosis can help determine the treatment plan they will receive. Patients suffering from pleural mesothelioma who is in stage three or four will suffer a more negative prognosis compared to those who are in a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma can develop into the liver, heart, or diaphragm. This can make it more difficult to treat and increase the chance of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Contrary to pleural cancer which is found in the lining of the lung, peritoneal cancer develops in the membrane that covers the abdominal cavity, which includes organs such as the liver and intestines. Similar to pleural mesothelioma and peritoneal mesothelioma can be caused by asbestos exposure. There are only 300-500 cases diagnosed each year this is less than pleural asbestosis.

Like pleural mesothelioma, symptoms may take years to appear. Most patients experience abdominal pain and a mass in the abdomen. The symptoms of this type of mesothelioma can also include nausea, weight loss and fever. A lot of these symptoms can be mistaken for gastrointestinal problems, leading to a misdiagnosis.

Doctors can identify mesothelioma by looking over the medical history of the patient and conducting a physical exam. Imaging tests like X-rays and CT scans are a way to identify mesothelioma. These tests can detect tumors and other cancer signs which aren't visible on X-rays.

These tests enable doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and determine the stage and suggest treatment options. The stage is determined by the kind of cell and if the tumor has spread.

The most significant mesothelioma risk factor is exposure to asbestos. People who have worked in asbestos-related occupations, like electrical or plumbing work or in construction and manufacturing are more likely to contract the disease. However, even if people do not work in these fields they may be exposed to asbestos through family members or other sources. Anyone who believes they may be at risk should talk to an expert. If they have an history of exposure to asbestos or mesothelioma, a specialist can assist them in learning more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos exposure is the primary risk factor for mesothelioma which accounts for as much as 80 percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos can happen due to work, military service, or living with those who worked with asbestos. Asbestos particles can be inhaled by those who are exposed to it. They can cause irritation to the linings of the abdomen and cause cancerous cells to form in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma may take between 15 and 60 years to develop following exposure to asbestos.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and aging. People in their 40s or 50s are at a higher risk of developing mesothelioma as compared to those younger or older. It takes mesothelioma 20-60 years before it manifests cancer symptoms after the first exposure. It is also important to know that mesothelioma is a possibility in those who were exposed to asbestos, but did not work with it directly. This is referred to as indirect or secondary exposure to asbestos. It can be just as dangerous as direct exposure.

Smoking increases a person's chances of developing mesothelioma due to the fact that it damages the mesothelium, which makes it more prone to asbestos. Mesothelioma can also be caused by certain illnesses such as asbestosis and pneumonia. It is also important to note that mesothelioma occurs more frequently for men than women. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for longer periods of time and work with it. 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 come into exposure to asbestos litigation and do not typically carry asbestos home on their clothing.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is a difficult cancer to recognize because the symptoms can be similar to other diseases. This can lead to victims being incorrectly diagnosed.

NYU Langone doctors will perform physical examinations and document the patient's medical background including asbestos exposure. Doctors can also order a chest X-ray or CT scan to detect lumps and other abnormalities, and also to look for evidence of past asbestos exposure such as pleural plaques (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the formation of fluid between the lung and the chest wall (known as pleural effusion).

Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI test, which uses magnets and radio waves to produce a series of precise images of the inside of the body. A surgical biopsy is a different way for doctors to diagnose mesothelioma. A surgical biopsy is when doctors take a small amount of tissue from the pleura or peritoneum for further testing. A pathologist is then able to look at the tissue under microscopes to determine if it has cancerous cells.

The type of mesothelial cell involved as well as the benign or malignant nature of those cells and the location the cancer, its type and the stage of the cancer are used to classify the disease. Some types of mesothelioma are more likely to develop metastasis or spread, so it is important to have a clear diagnosis so doctors can treat the disease before it becomes out of control.

Doctors may also conduct tests in the laboratory on tumors in order to determine specific proteins, genes or other elements that will help them identify cancer characteristics and determine the best 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 is treatable, especially in its early stages. A lot of people suffering from mesothelioma live with the disease for a long time, without spreading.

Exposure to asbestos litigation can cause mesothelioma through a variety of ways. Asbestos fibers, which are too small to be felt or observed through the naked eye can be airborne, irritating the lung's lining (pleura). In time, the irritation leads to the formation of scar tissues that eventually result in tumors.

The pleura covers the lungs and heart, as well as the abdomen. Mesothelium is composed of cells that react to exposure to asbestos, causing it to inflame and develop scar tissue. These changes eventually result in malignant mesothelioma tumors.

Breathing problems, chest discomfort, or the accumulation of fluid on the lungs are all signs of the pleural msothelioma. In rare instances cancer can spread to the tissues surrounding the reproductive organs as well as the heart.

A doctor may request a biopsy if imaging scans show the possibility of a tumor in the lungs or stomach. During the procedure, doctors will remove a small sample of the fluid or tumor for laboratory tests. The results will confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis, and provide the most effective treatment plan.

There are a variety of mesothelioma treatment, which include chemotherapy, surgery, and immunotherapy. Most doctors use a combination of these treatments. Participating in clinical trials for mesothelioma treatments that are new could be beneficial to patients. To learn more about the trials, patients should consult mesothelioma experts who have experience treating the condition.