Mesothelioma and Asbestos

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

It could take a long time before symptoms begin to manifest after asbestos exposure. Different asbestos types can cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma can be found in the outer lung lining, or the pleura. It is the most common mesothelioma type, accounting for up 70% to 79% of diagnosed cases. This condition causes chest pain, shortness of breathe and a feeling heaviness.

Exposure to asbestos, a class of minerals comprised of microscopic fibers, usually causes this kind of cancer. The fibers, when inhaled, cause irritation and DNA mutations. The pleura is the area that surrounds the chest cavity and lungs and therefore, these irritations could affect both the lungs and a person's heart. Mesothelioma symptoms usually don't appear until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

Shortness of breath and chest pain are the most common symptoms. Patients may also experience chest tightness and coughing, or breathing difficulties. People with this cancer often have an history of exposure to asbestos in the workplace. Construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding are among the most common jobs that put people at a high chance of developing pleural mesothelioma. People who were in the military are at greater risk due the extensive use asbestos in Navy vessels and Army bunkers.

The most commonly used staging system for pleural mysothelioma has been the TNM (tumor lymph nodes, lymph nodes and metastases) staging system. The stage that a patient is at when they are diagnosed will help their doctor determine the most effective treatment plan for them. For example, patients with mesothelioma that is pleural in stage three or four have a less favorable prognosis than patients with a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma may spread to the heart, liver or diaphragm. This makes the cancer more difficult to treat and increase the chance of complications for patients.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

As opposed to pleural mesothelioma that is a lung-lining cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma is found in the peritoneum - it is a membrane that lines the abdominal cavity as well as organs such as the intestines and liver. Similar to pleural mesothelioma mesothelioma is caused by asbestos exposure. It is estimated that only 300-500 cases are diagnosed each year, which is less than pleural asbestosis.

Like pleural mesothelioma, symptoms can take a long time to manifest. The majority of patients are afflicted with abdominal pain as well as a mass in the abdomen. Symptoms of this type of mesothelioma can also include nausea or weight loss, as well as fever. Many of these symptoms are similar to those of digestive issues, which could lead to confusion in diagnosis.

The doctors can detect mesothelioma through examining the patient's medical history 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 show tumors and other symptoms of cancer that aren't apparent on an X-ray.

These tests enable doctors to diagnose mesothelioma, determine the stage and recommend treatment options. The stage is determined by the type of cell as well as whether the tumor has spread.

Asbestos exposure is the main risk factor. People who have worked in jobs that involve asbestos, like plumbing, 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. This is why anyone who believes they could be at risk should speak to a doctor. A mesothelioma expert can help those who have had a previous history of asbestos to find out more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos is the main risk factor for mesothelioma. It is responsible for up to the 80% of cases. Exposure to asbestos can occur as a result of work, military service, or by living with a person who is exposed to asbestos or used to do so. Asbestos particles can be breathed in by people who are exposed to it. The particles cause irritation to the linings, causing cancerous cells to develop in the mesothelium. After asbestos exposure, mesothelioma may develop between 15 and 60 years.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and aging. The people in their 40s or 50s are at greater risk of developing mesothelioma compared to people who are younger or more. It takes mesothelioma between 20 and 60 years to show signs of cancer after the first exposure. It is important to note that mesothelioma could develop in those who have been exposed to asbestos, but without having been directly exposed to it. This is called indirect or secondary exposure to asbestos. It can be just as dangerous as direct exposure.

Smoking increases the risk of getting mesothelioma because it damages the mesothelium and makes it more susceptible to asbestos. Mesothelioma is also aggravated by certain illnesses such as asbestosis and pneumonia. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma compared to women. This is due to the fact that men are more likely to be exposed to asbestos and endure a more exposure than women. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who been exposed to asbestos, and to carry asbestos fibers on their clothing. Women are less likely to come exposed to asbestos Legal and they don't usually bring asbestos home on their clothing.

Diagnosis

It is difficult to recognize mesothelioma since its symptoms are frequently similar to other illnesses. This could lead to patients being misdiagnosed.

The first step to diagnose mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform an examination and write notes on the medical history of a patient, including asbestos exposure. Doctors can also order a chest X-ray or CT scan to look for lumps or other abnormalities, as well as evidence of asbestos legal exposure in the past like plaques in the pleura (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 an echocardiogram which examines the heart and blood vessels, and a magnetic resonance imaging, also known as MRI, test that uses radio waves and magnets to make a series of detailed images of the interior of the body. A surgical biopsy is another way for doctors to diagnose mesothelioma. In a surgical biopsy, doctors remove a tiny piece of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum, to be examined further. A pathologist then examines the tissue using a magnifying lens to determine if it contains cancerous cells.

The mesothelial type involved and the benign or malignant nature of these cells as well as the location the cancer, its type and the stage of the cancer are used to classify the disease. Certain mesothelioma types have a higher chance of metastasizing or spreading, so it's important to establish a clear diagnosis so doctors can treat it prior to it becoming out of control.

Doctors can also run tests in the lab on tumors to determine specific genes, proteins, or other factors which can help them identify the cancer's characteristics and plan treatment. These results are known as staging.

Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnosis is terrifying. It is important to keep in mind, however, that cancer can be treated especially at its early stages. Many people with mesothelioma can be afflicted for a long time, without spreading.

Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma by a variety of mechanisms. Asbestos particles, which are too small to see or feel by the naked eye can become airborne and irritate the lining of the lungs (pleura). Over time, 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, as well as the abdomen. Mesothelium is made up of cells that respond when exposed to asbestos. They inflame the tissue and cause it to become scarred. These changes can lead to malignant mesothelioma tumours.

The signs of pleural mesothelioma can include breathing problems, chest pain or a buildup of fluid on the lung (pleural effusion). In rare instances cancer can spread to the tissues that surround the reproductive organs and heart.

If imaging scans show an underlying mass in the stomach or lungs the doctor will request biopsies. The procedure involves the removal of a small amount of fluid or tumor for lab tests. The results will confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis and indicate the most effective treatment plan.

There are a variety of treatment for mesothelioma, including surgery and chemotherapy. Most doctors use the combination of these treatments. Participating in clinical trials for mesothelioma treatments that are new could be beneficial to patients. Patients can learn more about the trials by consulting a mesothelioma specialist who has treated mesothelioma.