Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos, a mineral that naturally occurs in the form of long, thin fibers. People who are regularly exposed to asbestos are at risk of developing lung diseases such as mesothelioma.

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 is a cancer of the lung's outer lining, or pleura. It is the most common mesothelioma type and is responsible for 70 to 79% of diagnosed cases. The condition can cause chest pain, shortness of breathe and a feeling of heaviness.

Exposure to asbestos litigation, a class of minerals made of microscopic fibers causes this type of cancer. Once inhaled, the fibers are absorbed into the lungs and cause irritation that results in scarring and DNA mutations. Pleura covers both the chest cavity and the lungs, which means that irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma symptoms usually don't appear until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

The most commonly reported symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include chest discomfort and shortness of breath. Some patients may also suffer from chest tightness and coughing, or breathing difficulties. Patients with this cancer have a history of disease that includes asbestos exposure at work. Manufacturing, construction, and shipbuilding are the most prevalent jobs that put people at high danger of developing pleural melanoma. People who have worked in the military may be at risk due to the widespread asbestos use in Navy ships and bunkers for the army.

The most common staging system for pleural mesothelioma is the TNM (tumor lymph nodes, lymph nodes, and metastases) staging system. The stage that a patient is in at the moment of diagnosis will determine what treatment plan they will receive. Patients with pleural mesothelioma that is in stage three or four will have a worse outlook than those who are in a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma is often spread to the diaphragm, the liver or even a person's heart. This can make the cancer more difficult to treat and increase the risk of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Unlike pleural cancer, which is found in the lung's lining, peritoneal cancer develops in a membrane that surrounds the abdominal cavity, including organs like the intestines and the liver. Similar to pleural mesothelioma mesothelioma is caused by asbestos exposure. Only 300-500 cases are diagnosed annually which is lower than pleural asbestosis.

Like pleural mesothelioma, symptoms can take years to show. The majority of patients experience abdominal pain and a mass in the abdomen. This type of mesothelioma may also cause nausea, weight loss, and fever. Many of these symptoms can be mistaken for gastrointestinal problems and can lead to a false diagnosis.

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 which aren't evident on X-rays.

These test results 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.

Asbestos exposure is the most important risk factor. People who have been exposed to asbestos lawsuit in occupations, like plumbing or electrical work, or in construction, manufacturing and manufacturing, are more likely to contract the disease. However, even if people do not work in these areas they could be exposed to asbestos through family members or other sources. This is why anyone who believes they could be at risk should talk to a doctor. If they have any history of exposure to asbestos, a mesothelioma specialist can assist them in learning more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos exposure is the primary mesothelioma risk factor, accounting for up to 80 percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos can occur as a result of work, military service, or through living with a person who works with asbestos or has previously done the same. Asbestos particles are inhaled by people who are exposed to it. These particles can cause irritation to the linings of the lungs, causing cancerous cells to grow in the mesothelium. Following exposure to asbestos mesothelioma can be diagnosed between 15 and 60 years.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and aging. 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 before the first signs of cancer appear. It is also important to know that mesothelioma may develop in people who were exposed to asbestos, but did not deal with it directly. This is referred to as secondary or indirect asbestos exposure and can be just as harmful as direct asbestos exposure.

Smoking can increase the likelihood of getting mesothelioma because it causes mesothelium damage and makes it more susceptible to asbestos. Mesothelioma can also be caused by certain illnesses, including asbestosis and pneumonia. It is also important to note that mesothelioma is more common in men than women. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for longer periods of time and to have worked with asbestos case (This Internet site) for longer periods of time. Men are also more likely to live with someone who has was exposed to asbestos and bring asbestos fibers from their workplace on their clothing. Women tend to be less exposed to asbestos legal, and they don't usually carry asbestos on their clothing.

Diagnosis

It is difficult to diagnose mesothelioma since its symptoms are often similar to other conditions. This can lead to victims being incorrectly diagnosed.

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

Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram which examines the heart and blood vessels as well as a magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI, test, which uses magnets and radio waves to create detailed images of the interior of the body. Another way for doctors to detect mesothelioma is through a surgical biopsy. During a surgery biopsy doctors take a tiny part of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum to be examined further. A pathologist then examines the tissue under a magnifying lens to determine whether it contains cancerous cell.

Mesothelioma can be classified based on the mesothelial type involved, whether the cells are malignant or benign, and the location of the tumor, its type, and the stage of the cancer. Some types of mesothelioma have greater risk of spreading or metastasizing therefore it is essential to get a definitive diagnosis so that doctors can treat it before it becomes out-of-control.

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

Treatment

A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be frightening. However, it is important to remember that the disease is treatable, especially in its earlier stages. Many patients with mesothelioma endure the disease for a long time without expanding.

Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma by various mechanisms. Asbestos fibers, which are tiny enough to be felt or observed with the naked eyes can be airborne and irritate the lung's lining (pleura). As time passes, the irritation leads to the formation of scar tissue that eventually result in tumors.

The pleura surrounds the lungs and heart and the abdomen. Mesothelium consists of cells that react to asbestos, causing it to inflame and form scar tissue. In time, these changes can lead to the development of malignant mesothelioma tumors.

Symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include breathlessness and chest pain as well as an accumulation of fluid in the lungs (pleural effusion). In rare cases, the cancer can grow to the tissues surrounding the heart and reproductive organs.

A doctor may request biopsy if scans reveal a possible mass in the lungs or stomach. The procedure involves the removal of small amounts of fluid or tumor to allow for tests in the laboratory. The results can confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and determine the best treatment option.

There are a variety of mesothelioma treatment options, which include chemotherapy, surgery, and immunotherapy. Most doctors utilize an amalgamation of these techniques. Patients may also benefit from enrolling in a clinical trial of new mesothelioma treatment. To learn more, patients should speak to a mesothelioma specialist who has had experience treating the disease.