Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that is found in long, thin fibres. People who are exposed to asbestos on a regular basis risk developing mesothelioma and other lung diseases of different types.

It may take decades before symptoms begin to manifest after exposure to asbestos legal. Different asbestos types can 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 diagnosed cases. Patients suffering from this condition experience pain in the chest and shortness of breath and may also feel an ache or heaviness in the chest.

This kind of cancer is usually caused by exposure to asbestos which is a grouping of minerals composed of microscopic fibers. Once inhaled, these fibers stick inside the lung and cause irritation which leads to scarring and DNA mutations. Pleura is the lining of both the chest cavity as well as the lungs, which means that irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma symptoms are usually not apparent until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

The most frequent symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are chest discomfort and shortness of breath. Some patients also experience difficulty breathing or chest tightness. People who suffer from this cancer usually have a history of exposure to asbestos compensation in the workplace. The most frequent jobs that put people at risk of pleural mesothelioma include manufacturing, construction, and shipbuilding. Individuals who have served in the military are at greater risk due to the extensive use asbestos in Navy vessels and Army bunkers.

The most common staging system for pleural mesothelioma is the TNM (tumor lymph nodes, lymph nodes and metastases) staging system. The stage a patient has when they are diagnosed will aid their doctor in determining the most effective treatment plan for them. For example, patients with a pleural mesothelioma in stage three or four have a worse prognosis than patients with lower stages. Stage four mesothelioma often spreads to the liver, diaphragm and/or a person's heart. This could make the cancer more difficult to treat and increase the risk of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Unlike pleural mesothelioma, which is a lung-lining cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma forms in the peritoneum -- a membrane that lines the abdominal cavity and organs like the intestines and liver. Like pleural mesothelioma, peritoneal mesothelioma can be caused by asbestos exposure. The disease is less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma, and only about 300-500 cases diagnosed each year.

Like pleural mesothelioma, symptoms can take years to show. The majority of patients experience abdominal pain and an abdominal mass. The symptoms of this type of mesothelioma can also include nausea, weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms are similar to those of digestive issues, which could result in confusion in diagnosis.

Generally, doctors can find mesothelioma by conducting a thorough health history and physical exam. They can also use imaging tests such as X-rays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to detect mesothelioma. These tests can detect tumors and other cancer signs that aren't visible on X-rays.

The results of these tests allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma, determine the stage of the disease and suggest treatment options. The stage is determined by the kind of cell and if the tumor has spread.

The most significant risk factor for mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos case. People who have been in occupations which require asbestos, like plumbing, electrical work, manufacturing or construction, are at increased risk of developing the disease. However, even if individuals do not work in these areas, they can still be exposed to asbestos through family members or other sources. This is why anyone who suspects they may be at risk should talk to an expert. If they have an history of exposure to asbestos, a mesothelioma specialist can assist them in finding out more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos exposure is a major risk factor for mesothelioma, making up as much as 80 percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos may occur through work, military service or through living with a person who is exposed to asbestos or used to do such. When exposed to asbestos, small particles are able to be inhaled into abdomen and lungs. These particles can cause irritation to the linings and can cause cancerous cells to grow in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma can take anywhere between 15 and 60 years to develop following exposure to asbestos.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics, and age. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely get mesothelioma than people younger or older. This is because mesothelioma usually takes 20 to 60 years from the first exposure to asbestos before symptoms of cancer begin to manifest. It is also important to note that mesothelioma may develop in people who have been exposed to asbestos but didn't work with it directly. This is referred to as secondary or indirect asbestos exposure, and is as hazardous as direct asbestos exposure.

Smoking increases a person's chances of getting mesothelioma because it causes mesothelium damage and makes it more prone to asbestos. Additionally, mesothelioma can be exacerbated by certain illnesses like asbestosis and pneumonia. It is also important to remember that mesothelioma is more common in men than women. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for a longer time and to work with asbestos for longer durations and to work with it. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who had been exposed to asbestos, and to have asbestos litigation-containing fibers on their clothing. Women tend to be less exposed to asbestos and they don't usually bring asbestos home on their clothing.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is difficult to diagnose because the symptoms often resemble other conditions. This could lead to patients being incorrectly diagnosed.

The first step to diagnose mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform an examination and write note of the medical history of the patient, including asbestos exposure. Doctors will also order a CT scan or chest X-ray to check for lumps, abnormalities and evidence of exposure to asbestos. These include plaques on the pleura, pleura that are thickened and calcium deposits.

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 makes use of magnets and radio waves to make a series of detailed images of the inside of the body. A surgical biopsy is another method doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma. A surgical biopsy is when doctors take a small amount of tissue from the peritoneum or pleura for further testing. A pathologist can then examine the tissue with microscopes to determine whether it contains cancerous cells.

Mesothelioma is classified based on the mesothelial type involved, whether those cells are benign or malignant and the location of the tumor, its type, and the stage of the tumor. Some types of mesothelioma are more likely to develop metastasis or spread which is why it is crucial to have a clear diagnosis to ensure that doctors are able to treat the disease before it goes out of control.

Doctors can also run tests in the laboratory on a tumor to find specific proteins, genes or other elements that can help them describe the characteristics of the cancer and determine a treatment. These results are referred to as staging.

Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnosis can be a frightening prospect. However, it's important to keep in mind that the cancer can be treated, particularly in its initial stages. Many people with mesothelioma live for years without the disease spreading to other organs of their body.

Exposure to asbestos can trigger mesothelioma in a number of ways. Asbestos fibers, which are tiny enough to be felt or observed with the naked eyes, can become airborne, causing irritation to the lung's lining (pleura). As time passes the irritation causes the formation of scar tissues that eventually result in tumors.

The pleura is a protective covering that protects the lungs, heart and abdomen. Mesothelium consists of cells that respond when exposed to asbestos. They inflame the tissue and cause it to scar. In time, these changes can cause the development of malignant mesothelioma tumors.

Symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include shortness of breath, chest pain or the accumulation of fluid on the lungs (pleural effusion). In rare instances the cancer may be spread to the tissues around the heart and reproductive organs.

If imaging scans show an area of concern in the lungs or stomach the doctor will request a biopsies. During the procedure, doctors remove small amounts of the fluid or tumor for lab tests. The results will confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis and provide the best treatment option.

There are a variety of mesothelioma treatments, including surgery, chemotherapy and immunotherapy. The majority of doctors use a combination of these methods. Patients can also benefit by taking part in a clinical trial of new mesothelioma therapies. To learn more about the trials, patients should speak with a mesothelioma specialist who has expertise in treating the condition.