Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos is a natural mineral that comes in thin, long fibres. People who are regularly exposed to asbestos may develop lung diseases, such as mesothelioma.

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 occurs in the outer lung lining, or the pleura. It is the most frequent mesothelioma form and is responsible for 70 to 79% of diagnosed cases. The condition can cause chest pain, shortness of breathe and a feeling of heavyness.

This kind of cancer is often caused by exposure to asbestos, which is a cluster of minerals comprised of microscopic fibres. Once inhaled, these fibers cling to the lung and cause irritation which leads to scarring and DNA mutations. The pleura is the area that surrounds the lungs and chest cavity, so these irritations can affect both the lungs and the heart of a person. Mesothelioma is usually not symptomatic until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

Shortness of breath and chest pain are the most frequently reported symptoms. Patients may also suffer from chest tightness and coughing, or breathing difficulties. People who suffer from this cancer usually have an history of exposure to asbestos in the workplace. The most common jobs that expose people to the risk of developing pleural cancer are manufacturing, construction, and shipbuilding. People who have worked in the military may be at an especially high risk because of the extensive use of asbestos in Navy ships 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 at when they are diagnosed will help their doctor determine the best treatment plan for them. For instance, patients suffering from mesothelioma pleural stage three or four have a worse prognosis than those in a lower stage. Mesothelioma in stage four can develop into the heart, liver or diaphragm. This makes it more difficult to treat and increases the chance of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Contrary to pleural cancer that develops in the lung's lining it develops in a membrane that surrounds the abdominal cavity, including organs such as the intestines and the liver. Similar to pleural mesothelioma, asbestos exposure is the primary cause of peritoneal mesothelioma. The disease is less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma, and only about 300-500 cases diagnosed each year.

As with pleural asbestosis symptoms can take several years to manifest. Most patients are afflicted with abdominal pain as well as an abdominal mass. This type of mesothelioma may also cause nausea, weight loss, and fever. A lot of these symptoms can be misinterpreted as digestive issues and can lead to a mistaken diagnosis.

Typically, doctors can identify mesothelioma through an exhaustive health history and physical exam. They can also use imaging tests like Xrays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to identify mesothelioma. These tests can identify tumors and other cancer signs that are not evident on X-rays.

These test results allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma, identify the stage and recommend treatment options. The stage is determined by the type of cell and whether the cancer has spread.

The most important mesothelioma risk factor is asbestos exposure. People who have worked in asbestos law-related occupations, like electrical or plumbing work or in construction and manufacturing, are more likely to contract the disease. However, even if people aren't employed in these areas they could be exposed to asbestos through family members or through other sources. Anyone who believes they may be at risk should consult an expert. A mesothelioma specialist can assist those with a experience with asbestos to understand 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 due to work, military service, or living with those who worked with asbestos. When exposed to asbestos, small particles can be inhaled into the lungs and abdomen. These particles irritate the linings, causing cancerous cells to form in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma may take between 15 and 60 years to develop following exposure to asbestos lawsuit.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and aging. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely to be diagnosed with mesothelioma compared to those who are younger or more senior. This is because mesothelioma typically takes 20 to 60 years after the initial exposure to asbestos before cancer symptoms appear. It is important to keep in mind, too, that mesothelioma may be present in those who have been exposed to asbestos without having directly worked with it. This is referred to as indirect or secondary asbestos settlement exposure, and is as hazardous as direct asbestos exposure.

Smoking increases the risk of developing mesothelioma since it damages the mesothelium, which makes it more susceptible to asbestos. Mesothelioma can also be aggravated by certain illnesses, including asbestosis and pneumonia. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma compared to women. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for a longer time and to have worked with it. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who had been exposed to asbestos, and to have asbestos fibers on their clothing. Women are less likely to come into contact with asbestos and rarely carry asbestos home on their clothes.

Diagnosis

It is difficult to recognize mesothelioma because its symptoms are frequently similar to other illnesses. This could lead to patients being wrongly diagnosed.

The first step in diagnosing mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform a physical exam and take down a patient's medical history including asbestos exposure. Doctors will also recommend a CT scan or chest X-ray in order to look for lumps, abnormalities, and evidence of exposure to asbestos. These include pleural plaques, thickened pleura and calcium deposits.

Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance scan, or MRI test, that uses magnets and radio waves in order to create a series detailed images of inside the body. Another way doctors can diagnose mesothelioma is through the procedure of a surgical biopsy. In a surgical biopsy doctors take a small amount of tissue from the peritoneum or pleura to conduct further tests. A pathologist is then able to look at the tissue under microscopes to determine if it contains cancerous cells.

Mesothelioma can be classified based on the type of mesothelial cell involved, whether those cells are malignant or benign and also the location of the tumor, its type, and the stage of the tumor. Certain types of mesothelioma are at an increased risk of metastasizing or spreading, so it's important to establish a clear diagnosis so that doctors can treat it before it becomes out of control.

Doctors may also conduct tests in the lab on tumors to determine particular proteins, genes or other elements that help them understand the characteristics of cancer and plan treatment. These results are known as staging.

Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnosis is an incredibly frightening prospect. It is crucial to remember that cancer can be treated, especially at its early stages. Many patients with mesothelioma live with the disease for a long time, without spreading.

Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma in a number of ways. asbestos case fibers, too small to detect or feel by the naked eye can become airborne and irritate the lining of the lungs (pleura). Over time, the irritation leads to the formation of scar tissue that eventually result in tumors.

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

The signs of pleural mesothelioma can include breathlessness, chest pain or an accumulation of fluid in the lungs (pleural effusion). In rare cases, the cancer can 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. During the procedure doctors remove small amounts of liquid or tumor for laboratory testing. The results will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and indicate the best treatment plan.

There are many types of mesothelioma treatment options, including surgery, chemotherapy and immunotherapy. Most doctors rely on a combination of these methods. Participating in clinical trials of mesothelioma treatments that are new could be beneficial for patients. To learn more, patients should consult mesothelioma experts who have experience treating the condition.