Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos is a natural mineral that comes in thin, long fibres. Workers who are regularly exposed to asbestos risk developing lung diseases like mesothelioma.

It can take years before symptoms begin to manifest after exposure to asbestos. Different types of asbestos may cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma occurs in the lung's outer lining, or pleura. It is the most prevalent type of mesothelioma, making up 70 to 79% of diagnosed cases. The condition can cause chest pain, breath shortness and a feeling heaviness.

Exposure to asbestos, a group of minerals composed of microscopic fibers, typically causes this type of cancer. When inhaled, these fibers stick inside the lungs and cause irritation that results in scarring and DNA mutations. The pleura surrounds the lungs and chest cavity This means that these irritations can affect both the lungs and a person's heart. Mesothelioma symptoms usually don't appear until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

Shortness of breath and chest pain are the most frequent symptoms. Patients may also suffer from chest tightness, coughing or difficulty breathing. Patients with this cancer have a past that includes asbestos exposure at work. Manufacturing, construction and shipbuilding are among the most frequent jobs which put people at risk danger of developing pleural melanoma. People who have served in the military are at a higher risk due to the frequent asbestos use in Navy vessels and bunkers for the army.

The TNM (tumors, lymph nodes, and metastases staging system) is the most popular staging system used to treat the pleural adenocarcinoma. The stage that a patient is at at diagnosis will aid their doctor in determining the most appropriate treatment plan for them. For example, patients with mesothelioma that is pleural in stage three or four have a less favorable prognosis than patients with 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 likelihood of complications for patients.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

In contrast to pleural cancer, that develops in the lining of the lung the peritoneal cancer is a result of a membrane that covers the abdominal cavity, including organs like the liver and intestines. Similar to pleural mesothelioma, asbestos exposure is the cause of peritoneal msothelioma. It is estimated that only 300-500 cases are diagnosed annually, which is less than pleural asbestosis.

Like pleural mesothelioma, the symptoms can take years to show. Typically, patients are afflicted with abdominal pain as well as a mass in the abdomen. The symptoms of this type of mesothelioma may also include nausea or weight loss, as well as fever. Many of these symptoms are similar to those of digestive problems, which can lead to confusion in diagnosis.

Generally speaking, doctors can detect mesothelioma through an exhaustive health history and physical exam. They can also utilize imaging tests such as X-rays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to detect mesothelioma. These tests can reveal tumors and other symptoms of cancer that aren't apparent on an X-ray.

These test results enable doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and establish the stage. They can also recommend treatment options. The stage is determined by the type of cell and whether the tumor has spread.

Asbestos exposure is the biggest risk factor. People who have worked in jobs which require asbestos, such as plumbing, manufacturing, electrical work, or construction, are at greater risk of developing the disease. Even if they aren't employed in these areas they may 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. A mesothelioma specialist can help those who have had a history with asbestos to learn more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos exposure is a major risk factor for mesothelioma, accounting for up to 80 percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos may occur due to military service, work or living with people who have worked with asbestos. When exposed to asbestos, particles can be inhaled into the abdomen and lungs. They can cause irritation to the linings of the abdomen and can cause cancerous cells to grow in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma may take between 15 and 60 years to develop following exposure to asbestos.

Other risk factors include genetics, smoking and aging. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely to get mesothelioma than people younger or older. Mesothelioma can take between 20 and 60 years before it manifests cancer symptoms after the first exposure. It is important to note, too, that mesothelioma may develop in those who have been exposed to asbestos law without having been directly exposed to it. This is referred to as secondary or indirect exposure to asbestos and it can be just as dangerous as direct exposure.

Smoking increases the risk of developing mesothelioma since it causes mesothelium damage and makes it more vulnerable to asbestos. Furthermore, mesothelioma is caused by certain illnesses, such as pneumonia and asbestosis. 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 work with asbestos attorney for longer periods of time. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who has been exposed to asbestos, and to carry asbestos fibers on their clothing. Women are less likely to come into contact with asbestos and do not typically carry asbestos Legal around on their clothes.

Diagnosis

It is difficult to recognize mesothelioma since its symptoms are often similar to other diseases. Due to this, patients are sometimes wrongly diagnosed.

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

Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance scan or MRI test, which makes use of radio waves and magnets in order to create a series detailed images of inside the body. Another method doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma is to perform an operation called a biopsy. During a surgical biopsy, doctors remove a small piece of tissue from the peritoneum or pleura for further analysis. A pathologist can then examine the tissue with microscopes to determine if it contains cancerous cells.

Mesothelioma is classified based on the mesothelial type involved, whether these cells are benign or malignant and also the location, type, and stage of the cancer. Certain mesothelioma types have an increased risk of spreading or metastasizing, so it's important to determine the type of mesothelioma so that 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 elements that can help them describe the characteristics of the cancer and determine a treatment. These results are known as staging.

Treatment

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

Exposure to asbestos law can cause mesothelioma through a variety of ways. Asbestos particles, which are too small to detect or feel by the naked eye can become airborne and cause irritation to the lining of the lungs (pleura). Over time the irritation causes the formation of scar tissue that eventually result in tumors.

The Pleura is a covering that protects the abdomen, heart, and lungs. Mesothelium is composed of cells that react when exposed to asbestos. They inflame the tissue and cause it to scar. These changes can result in malignant mesothelioma tumors.

The signs of pleural mesothelioma can include shortness of breath and chest pain, or a buildup of fluid on the lung (pleural effusion). In rare cases, cancer can spread into the tissues surrounding the reproductive organs and the heart.

A doctor will order a biopsy if imaging scans show a potential tumor in the lungs or stomach. The procedure involves the removal of some of the fluid or tumor for lab tests. The results can confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma, and also determine the best treatment option.

There are many types of treatment for mesothelioma including chemotherapy and surgery. Most doctors rely on a combination of these methods. Enrolling in clinical trials of new mesothelioma treatment may also be beneficial for patients. Patients can find out more by consulting a mesothelioma specialist who has treated mesothelioma.