Mesothelioma and Asbestos

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

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

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer that occurs in the lung's outer lining (pleura). It is the most prevalent mesothelioma type, accounting for up between 70 and 79% of all diagnosed cases. People with this condition feel chest pain and breathlessness, and they may feel the sensation of weight in the chest.

This type of cancer is often caused by exposure to asbestos which is a cluster of minerals comprised of microscopic fibres. When inhaled, these fibers, cause irritation and DNA mutations. Pleura surrounds both the chest cavity as well as 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 are chest discomfort and shortness of breath. Some patients may also feel tightness in their chest, coughing or difficulty breathing. People with this cancer often have previous exposure to asbestos in the workplace. Manufacturing, construction and shipbuilding are among the most common jobs that put people at high danger of developing pleural melanoma. People who have served in the military may be at an especially high risk due to the widespread asbestos use in Navy ships and army bunkers.

The most popular staging method for pleural mesothelioma is the TNM (tumor, lymph nodes and metastases) staging system. The stage the patient is in at the moment of diagnosis will determine what treatment plan they should receive. Patients suffering from pleural mesothelioma who is in stage three or four will have a less favorable prognosis compared to those in a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma can develop into the liver, heart, or diaphragm. This could make the cancer more difficult to treat and increase the chances of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

As opposed to pleural mesothelioma that is a lung-lining cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma forms in the peritoneum, it is a membrane that lines the abdominal cavity and organs such as the liver and intestines. Similar to pleural mesothelioma, asbestos exposure is the primary reason for peritoneal msothelioma. The disease is less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma. There are only about 300-500 cases diagnosed each year.

Like pleural mesothelioma, symptoms can take a long time to manifest. The majority of patients are afflicted with abdominal pain as well as an abdominal mass. This type of mesothelioma may also cause nausea, weight loss, and fever. Many of these symptoms can be misinterpreted as gastrointestinal issues which can lead to a misdiagnosis.

Generally speaking, doctors can detect mesothelioma through an extensive medical history and physical exam. Imaging tests such as X-rays or CT scans can be used to detect mesothelioma. These tests can reveal tumors, as well as other signs of cancer that aren't visible on an X-ray.

The results of these tests allow doctors to identify mesothelioma, and determine the stage. They can also suggest treatments. The stage is determined by the kind of cell and if the cancer has spread.

Asbestos exposure is the biggest risk factor. People who have been in occupations that involve asbestos litigation, such as plumbing, manufacturing, electrical work, or construction, are at a higher risk of developing the disease. Even if an individual isn't employed in any of these areas, he or she can be exposed to asbestos through family members or other sources. For this reason, anyone who is concerned that they might be at risk should speak to an experienced doctor. If they have any history of exposure to asbestos and mesothelioma is a concern, a specialist will help them find out more about the risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos exposure is the primary risk factor for mesothelioma which accounts for as much as 80 percent of all cases. Exposure to asbestos can occur due to work, military service or by living with a person who works with asbestos or has previously done the same. When exposed to asbestos, small particles can be breathed into the abdomen and lungs. The particles cause irritation to the linings of the lungs, causing cancerous cells to develop in the mesothelium. After asbestos exposure mesothelioma is likely to develop between 15 and 60 years old.

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 takes 20 to 60 years from the first 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 didn't work with it directly. This is known as indirect or secondary exposure to asbestos, and it can be just as dangerous as direct exposure.

Smoking increases the chance of mesothelioma developing, since it damages mesothelium. It also makes it more susceptible. Mesothelioma can also be aggravated by certain illnesses, including asbestosis and pneumonia. It is also important to remember that mesothelioma is more prevalent for men than women. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for longer periods of time and work with asbestos for longer durations and to work with it. Additionally, men are more likely to live with someone who has had asbestos exposure and bring asbestos fibers that have escaped home on their clothes. Women are less likely to come into contact with asbestos and don't typically carry asbestos home on their clothing.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is difficult to identify because the symptoms often resemble other conditions. This could lead to patients being misdiagnosed.

NYU Langone doctors will perform a physical examination and record the patient's medical background including asbestos exposure. Doctors may also order a chest X-ray or CT scan to check for lumps or other abnormalities, as well as evidence of asbestos exposure in the past like pleural plaques (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the buildup of fluid between the lung and chest wall (known as the pleural effusion).

Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram which examines the blood vessels and the heart and magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI test, which makes use of magnets and radio waves to create detailed images of the inside of the body. Another way for doctors to detect mesothelioma is through a surgical biopsy. In a surgical biopsy doctors take a tiny piece of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum, to be further examined. A pathologist then examines the tissue with a magnifying lens to determine if it contains cancerous cells.

Mesothelioma is classified according to the mesothelial type involved, whether the cells are malignant or benign, and the location, type, and stage of the cancer. Some types of mesothelioma have an increased risk of metastasizing or spreading, so it's important to get a definitive diagnosis to ensure that the doctors can treat it before it becomes out of control.

Doctors can also perform tests in the laboratory on tumors in order to determine specific proteins, genes, or other factors which will help them identify 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, however, that cancer can be treated, especially at its early stages. Many patients with mesothelioma survive for a long time without the disease spreading to other parts of their body.

Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma in a number of ways. Asbestos particles, which are too small to see or feel through the naked eye, can become airborne and irritate the lung's lining (pleura). In time irritation can lead to formation of scar tissue, which leads to changes in the structure of cells that eventually develop into tumors.

The pleura surrounds the lungs and heart, as well as the abdomen. Mesothelium is composed of cells that react when exposed to asbestos. They inflame the tissue and cause it to become scarred. These changes can result in malignant mesothelioma tumors.

The signs of pleural mesothelioma can include breathlessness and chest pain, or an accumulation of fluid in the lungs (pleural effusion). In rare instances, the cancer can spread to the tissues surrounding the heart and reproductive organs.

If scans of imaging reveal an area of concern in the stomach or lungs, a doctor will order a biopsies. During the procedure doctors remove a small amount of liquid or tumor for laboratory testing. The results can confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis, and provide the best treatment plan.

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