Mesothelioma and Asbestos

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

Symptoms of these diseases may not be evident for a long time after exposure to asbestos. Different asbestos types can cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer of the lung's outer lining also known as the pleura. It is the most prevalent form of mesothelioma and accounts for 70% to 79% of diagnosed cases. Patients suffering from this condition 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 comprised of microscopic fibers causes this type of cancer. When inhaled, these fibers can cause irritation and DNA mutations. Pleura covers both the chest cavity and the lungs, which means that irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma is usually not symptomatic until 30 to 50 year after exposure.

Shortness of breath and chest pain are the most common symptoms. Patients may also experience difficulty breathing or chest tightness. People with this cancer have a history of disease that includes asbestos exposure at work. Manufacturing, construction, and shipbuilding are the most frequent occupations which put people at risk chance of developing pleural mesothelioma. People who have worked in the military are at an especially high risk due to the widespread asbestos usage in Navy vessels and bunkers for the army.

The TNM (tumors, lymph nodes, and metastases staging system) is the most common staging system used for pleural adenocarcinoma. The stage that the 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 less favorable prognosis compared to those who are in a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma can be spread to the heart, liver or diaphragm. This could make the cancer more difficult to treat and increase the chances of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

In contrast to pleural mesothelioma which develops in the lung lining, peritoneal mesothelioma forms in the peritoneum -- an elongated membrane that covers the abdominal cavity and organs such as the intestines and the liver. As with pleural mesothelioma exposure to asbestos is the cause of peritoneal mesothelioma. The disease is less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma. There are around 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.

As with pleural mesothelioma symptoms can take years to show. Most patients suffer from abdominal pain and a mass in the abdomen. The symptoms of this kind of mesothelioma could also include nausea, weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms are similar to those experienced by digestive problems, which can result in incorrect diagnosis.

Doctors can detect mesothelioma by looking over the medical history of the patient and performing a physical examination. Imaging tests like X-rays or CT scans are a way to detect mesothelioma. These tests can show tumors and other indications of cancer that aren't visible on X-rays.

These tests enable doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and establish the stage. They can also suggest treatment options. The staging is determined by the cell type and whether or whether the tumor has spread to other areas of the body.

The most significant risk factor for mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos law. People who have worked in professions that require asbestos, like plumbing or manufacturing, electrical work, or construction, are at greater risk of developing the disease. However, even if people aren't employed in these fields they could be exposed to asbestos through relatives or other sources. Anyone who suspects that they may be at risk should talk to a doctor. A mesothelioma expert can help those who have had a experience with asbestos to understand more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos exposure is a major mesothelioma risk factor, which accounts for as much as 80 percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos can occur through work, military service, or by living with someone who works with asbestos or was previously exposed to doing the same. Asbestos particles are inhaled by people who are exposed to it. They can cause irritation to the linings of the abdomen and cause cancerous cells to develop in the mesothelium. After asbestos exposure mesothelioma is likely to be diagnosed between 15 and 60 year.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and aging. People in their 40s or 50s are at greater chance of developing mesothelioma to those who are younger or older. It takes mesothelioma between 20 and 60 years to manifest cancer symptoms after the first exposure. It is important to note, too, that mesothelioma could be present in people who have been exposed to asbestos without having directly worked with it. This is referred to as secondary or indirect exposure to asbestos and it is just as harmful as direct exposure.

Smoking increases the risk of mesothelioma, because it damages the mesothelium. It also makes it more susceptible. Mesothelioma is also aggravated by certain diseases, such as asbestosis and pneumonia. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than females. This is due to the fact that men are more likely to be exposed to asbestos law and endure a an extended period of exposure than women. Additionally, men are more likely to live with someone who had asbestos exposure and bring asbestos fibers from their workplace on their clothes. Women tend to be less exposed to asbestos compensation and they don't usually bring asbestos home on their clothing.

Diagnosis

It is difficult to identify mesothelioma since its symptoms are often similar to other diseases. This could lead to patients being misdiagnosed.

The first step to diagnose mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform an examination of the body and take notes on the medical history of a patient including asbestos lawyer exposure. Doctors can also order a chest X-ray or CT scan to detect lumps or other abnormalities, and also to look for evidence of asbestos exposure in the past like pleural plaques (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the formation of fluid between the lung and the chest wall (known as the pleural effusion).

Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance scan, or MRI test, that uses radio waves and magnets in order to produce a series of precise images of the insides of the body. A surgical biopsy is yet another way for doctors to diagnose mesothelioma. During a surgical biopsy, doctors take a small amount of tissue from the peritoneum or pleura for further testing. A pathologist is then able to examine the tissue with microscopes to determine if it has cancerous cells.

Mesothelioma is classified based on the mesothelial type involved, whether these cells are malignant or benign and also the location of the tumor, the type, and the stage of the tumor. Certain types of mesothelioma may be more likely to spread or metastasize and spread, therefore it is essential to have a clear diagnosis so doctors can treat the disease before it goes out of control.

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

Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnosis is an incredibly frightening prospect. It is crucial to remember, however, that cancer can be treated, especially at its early stages. Many people with mesothelioma live for many years with the disease, without spreading to other areas of their body.

Exposure to asbestos may cause mesothelioma in a number of ways. Asbestos Case particles, which are too small to be able to see or feel by the naked eye can become airborne and cause irritation to the lung's lining (pleura). Over time the irritation can lead to the formation of scar tissue, which eventually lead to tumors.

The pleura covers the lungs and heart and the abdomen. Mesothelium is made up of cells that react when exposed to asbestos. They cause inflammation of the tissue and cause it to become scarred. As time passes, these changes cause the development of malignant mesothelioma tumors.

Shortness of breath, chest pain or fluid accumulation on the lungs are all signs of the pleural Msothelioma. In rare cases cancer can spread to the tissues surrounding the reproductive organs and heart.

A doctor may request a biopsy if imaging scans show the possibility of a tumor in the lungs or stomach. During the procedure, doctors take small amounts of the fluid or tumor for lab testing. The results will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and help determine the most effective treatment plan.

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