Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos is a natural mineral that is found in long, thin fibres. Workers who are regularly exposed to asbestos may develop lung diseases like mesothelioma.

It could take a long time for symptoms to show up after exposure to asbestos. Different asbestos types can cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma occurs in the lung's outer lining also known as pleura. It is the most common type of mesothelioma, making up 70 to 79% of diagnosed cases. Patients with this disease suffer from chest pain and shortness of breath and may also feel an ache or heaviness in the chest.

Exposure to asbestos, a family of minerals composed of microscopic fibers, typically causes this type of cancer. Once inhaled, these fibers stick inside the lung and cause irritation which causes scarring and DNA mutations. Pleura covers both the chest cavity as well as the lungs, which means that irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma symptoms typically don't show until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

The most commonly reported symptoms of pleural melanoma are chest pain and breath shortness. Patients may also experience coughing, difficulty breathing, or chest tightness. Patients with this cancer have a past that includes asbestos exposure at work. Construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding are the most common occupations which put people at risk risk of developing pleural mesothelioma. People who served in the military are at a higher risk due to the frequent use of asbestos in Navy vessels and bunkers for the Army.

The TNM (tumors lymph nodes and metastases staging system) is the most commonly used staging system used for the pleural adenocarcinoma. The stage that a patient is at at diagnosis will assist their doctor in determining the most effective treatment plan for them. For instance, patients suffering from mesothelioma that is pleural in stage three or four have a poorer prognosis than patients with a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma can develop into the liver, heart, or diaphragm. This can make it more difficult to treat and increases the risk of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Contrary to pleural cancer that develops in the lung's lining the peritoneal cancer is a result of the membrane that covers the abdominal cavity, including organs like the intestines and the liver. Like pleural mesothelioma, asbestos exposure is the primary reason for peritoneal msothelioma. It is estimated that only 300-500 cases are diagnosed each year which is lower than the pleural asbestosis.

As with pleural asbestosis, symptoms can take years to manifest. Patients typically experience abdominal pain, and could also experience a mass in their abdomen. Symptoms of this type of mesothelioma could also include nausea, weight loss and fever. A lot of these symptoms are similar to symptoms of digestive problems, which can result in confusion in diagnosis.

Generally speaking, doctors can detect mesothelioma through an exhaustive health history and physical examination. Imaging tests like X-rays and CT scans can be used to identify mesothelioma. These tests can show tumors, as well as other symptoms of cancer that aren't visible on X-rays.

These test results allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma, determine the stage and suggest treatment options. The stage is determined by the kind of cell and if the cancer has spread.

Asbestos exposure is the main risk factor. People who have worked in jobs that require asbestos, like plumbing or electrical work, manufacturing or construction, are at greater risk of developing the disease. Even if an individual is not employed in one of these areas, he or she can still be exposed through family members and other sources. Anyone who suspects that they are at risk should talk to an expert. If they have an history of exposure to asbestos or mesothelioma, a specialist can help them find out more about their risk.

Risk Factors

asbestos case exposure is the main risk factor for mesothelioma, making up as much as 80 percent of all cases. Exposure to asbestos claim can occur through military service, work, or living with someone who used to work with asbestos attorney. Asbestos particles are inhaled by those who are exposed to asbestos. They can cause irritation to the linings of the abdomen and cause cancerous cells to grow in the mesothelium. After asbestos exposure mesothelioma is likely to develop between 15 and 60 years old.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and the advancing age. People in their 40s or 50s are more at chance of developing mesothelioma to those who are younger or older. This is because mesothelioma usually takes 20 to 60 years from the first time of exposure before symptoms of cancer begin to manifest. It is important to note that mesothelioma can occur in those who have been exposed to asbestos without having been directly exposed to it. This is known as secondary or indirect exposure to asbestos. It could be as hazardous as direct exposure.

Smoking increases the risk of developing mesothelioma due to the fact that it damages the mesothelium and makes it more vulnerable to asbestos. In addition, mesothelioma may be caused by certain illnesses, such as asbestosis and pneumonia. It is also important to remember that mesothelioma is more common for men than women. This is due to men being more likely to work with asbestos and experience a more exposure than women. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who has been exposed to asbestos, and to have asbestos fibers on their clothing. Women are less likely to come exposed to asbestos and they don't usually bring asbestos home on their clothing.

Diagnosis

It is difficult to identify mesothelioma because its symptoms are often similar to other diseases. This can result in patients being misdiagnosed.

NYU Langone doctors will perform physical examinations and document the patient's medical background, including asbestos exposure. Doctors can also request an X-ray chest or CT scan to detect lumps and other abnormalities as well as evidence of asbestos exposure in the past such as pleural plaques (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the accumulation 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 create precise images of the inside of the body. A surgical biopsy is yet another way for doctors to diagnose mesothelioma. During a surgery biopsy doctors will remove a small part of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum, to be examined further. A pathologist can then examine the tissue with a magnifying lens to determine if it contains cancerous cell.

The mesothelial type involved as well as the benign or malignant nature of the cells and the location and stage of the cancer are used to classify the disease. Certain types of mesothelioma are at greater chance of metastasizing or spreading therefore it is essential to establish a clear diagnosis so that doctors can treat it before it gets out-of-control.

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

Treatment

A diagnosis of mesothelioma may be terrifying. It is important to keep in mind, however, that cancer can be treated, particularly in its early stages. Many people with mesothelioma can be afflicted for a long time without spreading.

Exposure to asbestos can trigger mesothelioma via many mechanisms. Asbestos fibres, small enough to not be felt or observed by naked eyes can be airborne and irritate the lining of the lung (pleura). In time irritation leads to formation of scar tissue, which can cause changes in the structure of cells which eventually lead to tumors.

The pleura surrounds the lungs and heart, as well as the abdomen. Mesothelium is made up of cells that react to Asbestos Legal and cause it to enflame and form scar tissue. As time passes, these changes result in the growth of malignant mesothelioma tumors.

The symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are breathlessness, chest pain or the accumulation of fluid on the lung (pleural effusion). In rare cases, cancer can spread into the tissues surrounding the reproductive organs as well as the heart.

If imaging scans reveal a possible mass in the stomach or lungs the doctor will request a biopsies. The procedure involves the removal of small amounts of fluid or tumor for lab tests. The results can confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and indicate the most effective treatment plan.

There are many types of treatment for mesothelioma including surgery and chemotherapy. Most doctors use a combination of these treatments. Patients may also benefit from enrolling in a clinical trial of new mesothelioma treatment. To learn more, patients should speak with mesothelioma specialists who have experience treating the condition.