Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos, a natural mineral, occurs naturally in the form of long, thin fibers. Workers who are exposed asbestos regularly are at risk of developing mesothelioma as well as other lung diseases of different types.

Symptoms of these diseases may not show up for decades after exposure to asbestos. Different types of asbestos may cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma occurs in the lung's outer lining also known as the pleura. It is the most frequent type of mesothelioma, making up 70% to 79% of all diagnosed cases. This condition causes chest discomfort, shortness of breath, and a feeling of heaviness.

Exposure to asbestos, a family of minerals made of microscopic fibers, typically causes this type of cancer. When inhaled, these fibers cause irritation and DNA mutations. Pleura is the lining of both the chest cavity and the lungs, and so irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma typically doesn't manifest until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

The most commonly reported symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are chest pain and breath shortness. Patients may have coughing problems, trouble breathing or chest tightness. Patients with this cancer have a history that includes asbestos exposure at work. The most frequent jobs that expose workers to the risk of pleural mesothelioma include construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding. People who served in the military are at a greater risk due the frequent use of asbestos in Navy vessels and Army bunkers.

The TNM (tumors lymph nodes, tumors, and metastases staging system) is the most common staging system for the 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 have a less favorable outlook than those in a less advanced stage. Stage four mesothelioma can spread to the heart, liver or diaphragm. This could make the cancer more difficult to treat, and increase the risk of complications for patients.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Contrary to pleural cancer which forms in the lining of the lung, peritoneal cancer develops in a membrane that surrounds the abdominal cavity, which includes organs like the intestines and liver. Like pleural mesothelioma, peritoneal mesothelioma can be caused by asbestos exposure. Only 300-500 cases are diagnosed each year which is lower than the pleural asbestosis.

As with pleural mesothelioma symptoms may take years to appear. Typically, patients are afflicted with abdominal pain as well as an abdominal mass. This kind of mesothelioma can cause nausea, weight loss, and fever. Many of these symptoms are similar to symptoms of digestive issues, which could cause incorrect diagnosis.

Generally, doctors can find mesothelioma by conducting a thorough medical history and physical exam. Imaging tests such as X-rays or CT scans are a way to identify mesothelioma. These tests can identify tumors as well as other signs of cancer that aren't evident on X-rays.

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

The most significant mesothelioma-related risk factor is exposure to asbestos. People who have worked in asbestos-containing jobs, such as electrical or plumbing work, or in construction, manufacturing and manufacturing are more likely to develop the disease. Even if a person is not employed in any of these areas however, they may be exposed to asbestos through family members and other sources. This is why anyone who is concerned that they might be at risk should speak to an expert. If they have any history of exposure to asbestos, a mesothelioma specialist can help them find out more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos is the most significant mesothelioma-related risk factor. It is responsible for as much as the 80% of cases. Exposure to asbestos can occur as a result of work, military service, or living with those who worked with asbestos. Asbestos particles are inhaled by people who are exposed to asbestos. These irritate the linings and cause cancerous cells to grow in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma may take between 15 and 60 years to develop following exposure to asbestos.

Other risk factors include genetics, smoking and aging. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely develop mesothelioma than those who are younger or older. It takes mesothelioma between 20 and 60 years before it manifests cancer symptoms after the first exposure. It is important to remember, too, that mesothelioma may develop in people who have been exposed to asbestos, but without having been directly exposed to it. This is referred to as indirect or secondary asbestos exposure, and is just as harmful as direct Asbestos Case exposure.

Smoking increases the risk of developing mesothelioma since it damages the mesothelium, which makes it more vulnerable to asbestos. Mesothelioma can also be aggravated by certain diseases, 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 work with asbestos legal and have an extended period of exposure than women. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who worked with asbestos law, and to have asbestos fibers on their clothing. Women tend to have less contact with asbestos and do not typically carry asbestos home on their clothing.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is a difficult disease to identify because the symptoms can be similar to other conditions. This is why patients are sometimes wrongly diagnosed.

The first step in identifying mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform an examination of the body and take note of the medical history of the patient which includes asbestos exposure. Doctors may also order a chest X-ray or CT scan to check for lumps and other abnormalities as well as evidence of past asbestos exposure such as plaques on the pleura (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the buildup of fluid between the lung and the chest wall (known as the pleural effusion).

Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram which examines the heart and blood vessels, and a magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI test that uses magnets and radio waves to create precise images of the inside of the body. A surgical biopsy is another method doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma. When a biopsy is performed doctors take a tiny piece of tissue from pleura or the peritoneum, to be tested further. A pathologist then examines the tissue with a magnifying lens to determine if it is a cancerous cell.

Mesothelioma is classified according to the type of mesothelial cell involved, whether the cells are benign or malignant and also the location of the tumor, its type, and the stage of the cancer. Certain types of mesothelioma may be more likely to develop metastasis or spread and spread, therefore it is essential to have a clear diagnosis so doctors can treat the disease before it gets out of control.

Doctors may also conduct tests in the lab on tumors to determine specific proteins, genes, or other factors which can aid in describing cancer characteristics and determine the best treatment. These results are referred to as staging.

Treatment

A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be terrifying. However, it's important to keep in mind that the cancer can be treated, particularly in its initial stages. Many people with mesothelioma can live with the disease for a long time, without expanding.

Exposure to asbestos can trigger mesothelioma through a variety of ways. Asbestos fibres, too small to be felt or seen through the naked eye are able to become airborne, irritating the lung's lining (pleura). Over time irritation leads to formation of scar tissue which leads to changes in the cell structure which eventually lead to tumors.

The pleura surrounds the lungs and the heart and also the abdomen. Mesothelium consists of cells that react when exposed to asbestos. They inflame the tissue and cause it to scar. These changes can cause mesothelioma cancers.

The symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are breathing problems, chest pain or an accumulation of fluid in the lung (pleural effusion). In rare cases, cancer can spread into the tissues around the reproductive organs and the heart.

If imaging scans reveal a possible mass in the lungs or stomach, a doctor will order biopsies. In the course of the procedure, doctors remove some of the fluid or tumor to allow for laboratory testing. The results will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma, and also determine the best treatment option.

There are many types of treatment for mesothelioma including surgery and chemotherapy. Most doctors utilize a combination of these methods. Enrolling in clinical trials of new mesothelioma treatment may also be beneficial to patients. Patients can learn more about the trials by speaking with a mesothelioma doctor who has treated the condition.