Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos is a mineral that occurs naturally in the form of long, thin fibers. Workers who are exposed to asbestos regularly risk developing mesothelioma and other types of lung diseases.

The symptoms of these diseases may not be evident for a long time after exposure to asbestos. Different asbestos types may cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer of the lung's outer lining also known as the pleura. It is the most common mesothelioma type, accounting for up 70% to 79% of all diagnosed cases. The condition can cause chest discomfort, shortness of breath and a feeling heavyness.

This kind of cancer is often caused through exposure to asbestos, which is a cluster of minerals that are comprised of microscopic fibres. These fibers, when inhaled, cause irritation and DNA mutations. The pleura surrounds the lungs and chest cavity and therefore, these irritations could affect both the lungs and a person's heart. Mesothelioma typically doesn't manifest until 30 to 50 year after exposure.

The most common symptoms of pleural melanoma are chest pain and breath shortness. Some patients also experience difficulty breathing, or chest tightness. People with this cancer often have a history of exposure to asbestos in the workplace. Construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding are among the most common jobs which put people at risk danger of developing pleural melanoma. People who have served in the military could be at a higher risk due to the frequent asbestos usage in Navy vessels and bunkers for the army.

The most common staging system for pleural mysothelioma has been the TNM (tumor, lymph nodes and metastases) staging system. The stage that a patient is at at diagnosis will aid their doctor in determining the most effective treatment plan for them. Patients suffering from pleural mesothelioma who is in stage three or four will have a less favorable prognosis than those in a less advanced stage. Mesothelioma in stage four is usually spread to the diaphragm, the liver or even a person's heart. This can make it more difficult to treat and raises the chance of complications for patients.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

In contrast to pleural mesothelioma which is a lung-lining cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma develops in the peritoneum - a membrane that lines the abdominal cavity as well as organs such as the liver and intestines. Similar to pleural mesothelioma mesothelioma can be caused by asbestos exposure. The disease is less common than pleural mesothelioma, and only about 300-500 cases diagnosed each year.

As with pleural asbestosis symptoms can take a long time to show. Patients usually experience abdominal pain, and could also experience a mass in their abdomen. This kind of mesothelioma can cause nausea, weight loss, and fever. A lot of these symptoms can be misinterpreted as digestive issues which can lead to a misdiagnosis.

Doctors can identify mesothelioma by looking over the medical history of the patient and conducting a physical exam. Imaging tests such as X-rays or CT scans are a way to detect mesothelioma. These tests can identify tumors and other cancer signs that are not visible on X-rays.

These tests enable doctors to identify mesothelioma, and determine the stage. They also offer treatments. The stage is determined by the kind of cell and if the cancer has spread.

The most important risk factor for mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos. People who have worked in jobs that involve asbestos, like plumbing or manufacturing, electrical work or construction, are at a higher risk of developing the disease. However, even if individuals do not work in these areas they may be exposed to asbestos through family members or through other sources. This is why anyone who suspects they may be at risk should talk to a doctor. A mesothelioma specialist can assist those with a history with asbestos compensation to learn more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos Case is the primary mesothelioma-related risk factor. It accounts for up to 80% of all cases. Exposure to asbestos can happen due to military service, work or living with someone who used to work with asbestos. Asbestos particles can be breathed in by people who are exposed to asbestos. These particles irritate the linings of the lungs, causing cancerous cells to grow in the mesothelium. After exposure to asbestos mesothelioma can be diagnosed between 15 and 60 years old.

Other risk factors include genetics, smoking and age. The people in their 40s or 50s are at a higher chance of developing mesothelioma to those younger or older. It takes mesothelioma 20-60 years to show signs of cancer after the first exposure. It is important to keep in mind, too, that mesothelioma can be present in those who have been exposed to asbestos, but without having been directly exposed to it. This is known as indirect or secondary asbestos legal exposure, and is just as harmful as direct asbestos exposure.

Smoking increases a person's chances of getting mesothelioma because it damages the mesothelium and makes it more prone to asbestos. In addition, mesothelioma may be worsened by certain diseases like asbestosis and pneumonia. It is also important to note that mesothelioma is more common for men than women. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for a longer period of time and work with asbestos for longer periods of time. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who been exposed to asbestos, and to have asbestos claim fibers on their clothing. Women are less likely to come into exposure to asbestos compensation and don't typically carry asbestos home on their clothes.

Diagnosis

It is difficult to diagnose mesothelioma due to its symptoms being frequently similar to other illnesses. Because of this, victims are often mistakenly diagnosed.

NYU Langone doctors will perform physical examinations and document the patient's medical background, including asbestos exposure. Doctors may also order an X-ray of the chest or CT scan to detect lumps or other abnormalities, and also to look for evidence of asbestos 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 blood vessels and the heart as well as a magnetic resonance imaging, also known as MRI, test that 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 to perform a surgical biopsy. During a surgery biopsy, doctors remove a tiny piece of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum, to be further examined. A pathologist will then look at the tissue with a magnifying glass to determine if it is a cancerous cell.

The mesothelial type involved, the malignant or benign nature of these cells as well as the location, type and stage of the tumour, are used to classify the disease. Certain types of mesothelioma are at greater risk of spreading or metastasizing and it's crucial to establish a clear diagnosis so doctors can treat it before it gets out-of-control.

Doctors may also conduct laboratory tests on a tumor to identify specific genes, proteins, or other factors that can help them describe the characteristics of cancer and plan treatment. These results are known as staging.

Treatment

A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be a frightening prospect. However, it is important to remember that the cancer is treatable, particularly in its earlier stages. Many patients with mesothelioma survive for years with the disease, without spreading to other areas of their body.

Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma through a variety of ways. Asbestos fibers, which are too small to be able to see or feel through the naked eye, can become airborne and cause irritation to the lining of the lungs (pleura). As time passes, the irritation leads to the formation of scar tissue, which eventually lead to tumors.

The pleura covers the lungs and heart and also the abdomen. Mesothelium is composed of cells that react to exposure to asbestos which causes it to become inflamed and form scar tissue. These changes can result in malignant mesothelioma tumors.

A shortness of breath, chest pain or fluid accumulation on the lungs are all signs of the pleural mesothelioma. In rare cases the cancer may be spread to the tissues around the heart and reproductive organs.

A doctor will order a biopsy if imaging scans show the possibility of a tumor in the lungs or stomach. In the course of the procedure, doctors remove small amounts of fluid or tumor to allow for tests in the laboratory. The results will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma, and also determine the most effective treatment plan.

There are many types of treatment for mesothelioma such as chemotherapy and surgery. Most doctors use a combination of these treatments. Patients may also benefit from participating in a clinical study of new mesothelioma treatment. To learn more, patients should speak to mesothelioma experts who have experience treating the condition.