Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos is a natural mineral that is made up of long, thin fibres. People who are regularly exposed to asbestos (web) may develop lung diseases, such as mesothelioma.

It can take years for symptoms to appear after asbestos case exposure. Different asbestos types may cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma can be found in the outer lung lining, also known as pleura. It is the most prevalent mesothelioma type and accounts for 70% to 79% all diagnosed cases. The condition can cause chest pain, breath shortness, and a feeling of heavyness.

Exposure to asbestos, a group of minerals comprised of microscopic fibers, usually causes this type of cancer. Once inhaled, these fibers cling to the lungs and cause irritation that leads to scarring and DNA mutations. The pleura is the area that surrounds the chest cavity and lungs and therefore, these irritations could affect both the lungs as well as the heart of a person. Mesothelioma usually doesn't show symptoms until 30 to 50 year after exposure.

The most frequent symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are chest pain and breath shortness. Some patients also experience coughing, difficulty breathing or chest tightness. People with this cancer often have previous exposure to asbestos case in the workplace. The most prevalent jobs that expose workers to the risk of pleural mesothelioma include construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding. People who were in the military are at higher risk due to the frequent use of asbestos in Navy vessels and bunkers for the Army.

The most popular staging method for pleural mesothelioma is the TNM (tumor, lymph nodes and metastases) staging system. The stage that a patient is in at the time of diagnosis will help determine what treatment plan they will receive. For instance, patients suffering from a pleural mesothelioma in stage three or four have a less favorable prognosis than those with lower stages. Mesothelioma in stage four can be spread to the heart, liver or diaphragm. This makes it more difficult to treat and increase the chance of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Unlike pleural mesothelioma, which 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 intestines and liver. As with pleural mesothelioma exposure to asbestos is the cause of peritoneal mesothelioma. Only 300-500 cases are diagnosed each year this is less than the pleural asbestosis.

As with pleural mesothelioma symptoms may take years to appear. Patients typically experience abdominal pain, and may also have a lump in their abdomen. The symptoms of this kind of mesothelioma can also include nausea, weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms are similar to those experienced by digestive issues, which could cause incorrect diagnosis.

Doctors can detect mesothelioma by reviewing the medical history of the patient and conducting a physical exam. Imaging tests like X-rays and CT scans can be used to identify mesothelioma. These tests can show cancerous tumors or other symptoms of cancer that aren't apparent on an X-ray.

These tests enable doctors to diagnose mesothelioma, determine the stage and suggest treatment options. The stage of the disease is determined based on the type of cell and whether or the tumor has spread to other parts of the body.

Asbestos exposure is the main risk factor. People who have worked in professions that involve asbestos lawyer, such as plumbing or electrical work, manufacturing or construction, are at greater risk of developing the disease. Even if someone does not work in any of these areas, he or she can still be exposed to asbestos through family members and other sources. For this reason, anyone who believes they could be at risk should talk to an expert. If they have any history of exposure to asbestos or mesothelioma, a specialist can assist them in learning more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos exposure is the main risk factor for mesothelioma accounting for up to 80 percent of all cases. Exposure to asbestos can occur through work, military service or through living with a person who is exposed to asbestos or has previously done the same. Asbestos particles are inhaled by those who are exposed to it. These particles can cause irritation to the linings of the abdomen, which causes cancerous cells to grow in the mesothelium. After exposure to asbestos mesothelioma is likely to develop between 15 and 60 years.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and the advancing age. People in their 40s or 50s are at a higher risk of developing mesothelioma as compared to those who are younger or older. It is because mesothelioma generally occurs between 20 and 60 years from the first exposure to asbestos before cancer symptoms appear. It is important to keep in mind, too, that mesothelioma may develop in those who have been exposed to asbestos, but without having worked with it directly. This is known as secondary or indirect asbestos exposure. It can be as hazardous as direct asbestos exposure.

Smoking increases a person's chances of developing mesothelioma due to the fact that it causes mesothelium damage and makes it more susceptible to asbestos settlement. Furthermore, mesothelioma is worsened by certain diseases like pneumonia and asbestosis. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than females. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for a longer period of time and to work with it. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who worked with asbestos, and to have asbestos-containing fibers on their clothing. Women are less likely to come exposed to asbestos, and they don't usually carry asbestos on their clothing.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is a difficult cancer to identify because the symptoms often resemble other conditions. This is why patients are often misdiagnosed.

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, including asbestos exposure. Doctors can also request an X-ray chest or CT scan to look for lumps and other abnormalities and also to look for evidence of past asbestos exposure like plaques in the pleura (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the accumulation of fluid between the lung and chest wall (known as pleural effusion).

Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram which examines the blood vessels and the heart as well as a magnetic resonance imaging, also known as MRI, test, which uses magnets and radio waves to make a series of detailed images of the interior of the body. Another method doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma is by performing an operation called a biopsy. When a biopsy is performed doctors take a tiny piece of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum, to be tested further. A pathologist will then look at the tissue with a magnifying glass to determine if it contains cancerous cell.

The type of mesothelial cell involved and the benign or malignant nature of these cells as well as the location and stage of the tumour, are used to categorize the disease. Some types of mesothelioma have a higher risk of spreading or metastasizing and it's crucial to establish a clear diagnosis to ensure that the doctors can treat it before it gets out of control.

Doctors can also perform tests in the laboratory on tumors in order to determine specific genes, proteins or other elements that can aid in describing cancer characteristics and determine the best treatment. These results are known as staging.

Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnosis is an incredibly frightening prospect. However, it is important to remember that the disease is treatable, particularly in its early stages. A lot of people suffering from mesothelioma be afflicted for a long time, without spreading.

Exposure to asbestos may cause mesothelioma in a number of ways. Asbestos fibers, too small to detect or feel with the naked eye, can become airborne and irritate the lung's lining (pleura). Over time, the irritation causes the formation of scar tissue, which leads to changes in the cell structure which eventually lead to tumors.

The pleura covers the lungs and the heart and the abdomen. Mesothelium is composed of cells that respond when exposed to asbestos. They cause inflammation of the tissue and cause it to scar. These changes can eventually result in malignant mesothelioma tumors.

Symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include breathing problems, chest pain or an accumulation of fluid in the lung (pleural effusion). In rare instances, cancer can spread into the tissues around the reproductive organs as well as the heart.

A doctor will request a biopsy if imaging scans show a potential mass in the lungs or stomach. During the procedure, doctors remove a small sample of the fluid or tumor for laboratory analysis. The results will confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis, and determine the best treatment option.

There are a variety of treatment for mesothelioma including chemotherapy and surgery. Most doctors utilize the combination of these treatments. Patients can also benefit by participating in a clinical study of new mesothelioma treatment. To learn more, patients should speak with mesothelioma specialists who have expertise in treating the condition.