Mesothelioma and Asbestos

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

It may take decades for symptoms to show up after exposure to asbestos. Different asbestos types may cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma can be found in the outer lung lining, also known as pleura. It is the most frequent mesothelioma form and accounts for 70% to 79% all diagnosed cases. This condition causes chest pain, shortness of breathe and a feeling of heaviness.

This type of cancer usually caused through exposure to asbestos, which is a cluster of minerals made up of microscopic fibres. The fibers, when inhaled, cause irritation and DNA mutations. Pleura is the lining of both the chest cavity as well as the lungs, and so 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 mesothelioma include chest pain and breath shortness. Some patients also experience difficulty breathing or chest tightness. People with this cancer have a history of disease that includes asbestos exposure at work. Construction, manufacturing, and shipbuilding are the most prevalent jobs that put people at high risk of developing pleural mesothelioma. People who have served in the military may be at a higher risk due to the widespread asbestos usage in Navy vessels and bunkers used by the army.

The most common staging method for pleural mesothelioma is the TNM (tumor lymph nodes, lymph nodes and metastases) staging system. The stage that the patient is in at the time of diagnosis can help determine the treatment plan they should follow. For instance, patients suffering from mesothelioma that is pleural in stage three or four have a less favorable prognosis than those with a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma may develop into the liver, heart, or diaphragm. This can make it more difficult to treat and increases the chance of complications for patients.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Contrary to pleural cancer which forms in the lining of the lung, peritoneal cancer develops in the membrane that covers the abdominal cavity, including organs such as the intestines and liver. As with pleural mesothelioma asbestos exposure is the primary cause of peritoneal msothelioma. The disease is much less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma, and just 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.

As with pleural asbestosis, symptoms can take a long time to show. Patients usually experience abdominal pain, and could also experience a mass in their abdomen. Symptoms of this type of mesothelioma can also include nausea or weight loss, as well as fever. Many of these symptoms are similar to those experienced by digestive issues, which could lead to misdiagnosis.

Typically, doctors can identify mesothelioma through an extensive health history and physical exam. They can also utilize imaging tests such as X-rays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to help find mesothelioma. These tests can identify tumors and other cancer signs which aren't evident on X-rays.

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

The most significant mesothelioma-related risk factor is exposure to asbestos. People who have worked in asbestos-related occupations, like electrical or plumbing work, or in construction, manufacturing and manufacturing are more likely to contract the disease. However, even if individuals do not work in these fields they may be exposed to asbestos through relatives or other sources. Therefore, anyone who is concerned that they might be at risk should speak to an experienced doctor. A mesothelioma specialist can help those who have had a previous history of asbestos to find out more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos exposure is a major risk factor for mesothelioma making up as much as 80 percent of all cases. Exposure to asbestos can happen due to work, military service or through living with a person who works with asbestos or used to do such. Asbestos particles can be breathed in by people who are exposed to asbestos. These particles can cause irritation to the linings and trigger cancerous cells to grow in the mesothelium. Following exposure to asbestos, mesothelioma may occur 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 risk of developing mesothelioma as compared to people who are younger or more. It is because mesothelioma generally lasts between 20 and 60 years from the first exposure before cancer symptoms appear. It is also important to know that mesothelioma may develop in people who have been exposed to asbestos claim, but did not work with it directly. This is referred to as indirect or secondary asbestos claim exposure, and is just as harmful as direct asbestos exposure.

Smoking increases the risk of mesothelioma, as it damages the mesothelium. It also makes it more susceptible. Mesothelioma can also be aggravated 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 a longer period of time and work with it. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who been exposed to asbestos, and to carry asbestos legal fibers on their clothing. Women tend to have less exposure to asbestos and do not typically carry asbestos home on their clothing.

Diagnosis

It is difficult to recognize mesothelioma since its symptoms are frequently similar to other illnesses. This is why patients are often misdiagnosed.

NYU Langone doctors will perform a physical examination and record the patient's medical background including Asbestos Legal exposure. Doctors may also request a CT scan or chest X-ray in order to look for abnormalities, lumps and evidence of asbestos exposure. These include plaques on the pleura, pleura that are thickened and calcium deposits.

Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance scan or MRI test, which uses radio waves and magnets in order to create a series detailed images of the insides of the body. Another way for doctors to detect mesothelioma is by performing the procedure of a surgical biopsy. In a surgical biopsy doctors take a small amount of tissue from the pleura or peritoneum for further analysis. A pathologist can then examine the tissue with a magnifying glass to determine whether it contains cancerous cells.

The mesothelial type involved and the benign or malignant nature of the cells and the location and stage of the tumour, are used to categorize the disease. Certain mesothelioma types have an increased risk of spreading or metastasizing therefore it is essential to determine the type of mesothelioma to ensure that the doctors can treat it before it gets out-of-control.

Doctors may also conduct tests in the laboratory on a tumor to identify specific proteins, genes and other factors that help them understand the cancer's characteristics and plan treatment. These results are referred to as staging.

Treatment

A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be a frightening prospect. But, it is crucial to keep in mind that the cancer is treatable, particularly in its early stages. Many patients with mesothelioma endure the disease for a long time without expanding.

Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma through a variety of ways. Asbestos fibers, which are too small to be felt or viewed with the naked eyes can be airborne and irritate the lining of the lung (pleura). Over time the irritation can lead to the formation of scar tissue and eventually tumors.

The pleura is the area that surrounds the heart and lungs and also the abdomen. Mesothelium is made up of cells that react to exposure to asbestos and cause it to enflame and develop scar tissue. These changes can lead to malignant mesothelioma tumours.

Symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include breathing problems and chest pain as well as an accumulation of fluid in the lung (pleural effusion). In rare cases the cancer may spread to the tissues surrounding the heart and reproductive organs.

If scans of imaging reveal an area of concern in the lungs or stomach doctors will recommend a biopsies. During the procedure, doctors remove tiny amounts of fluid or tumor for laboratory analysis. The results will confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis, and provide the best treatment option.

There are a variety of treatment for mesothelioma, including surgery and chemotherapy. Most doctors utilize combinations of these treatments. Patients may also benefit from enrolling in a clinical trial of new mesothelioma therapies. Patients can learn more about the trials by speaking with a mesothelioma doctor who has treated the disease.