Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that is found in long, thin fibres. Workers who are regularly exposed to asbestos risk developing lung diseases, such as mesothelioma.

It could take a long time before symptoms begin to manifest after asbestos claim exposure. Different types of asbestos can cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma can be found in the lung's outer lining, or pleura. It is the most frequent mesothelioma form and accounts for 70% to 79% of all diagnosed cases. Patients suffering from this condition experience pain in the chest and breathlessness, and they may feel the sensation of weight in the chest.

Exposure to asbestos, a family of minerals made of microscopic fibers, typically causes this type of cancer. When inhaled, these fibers, cause irritation and DNA mutations. The pleura surrounds the chest cavity and lungs and therefore, these irritations could affect both the lungs as well as the heart of a person. Mesothelioma is usually not symptomatic until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

Chest pain and shortness breath are the most frequent symptoms. Patients may have coughing problems, trouble breathing or chest tightness. People who suffer from this cancer usually have a history of exposure to asbestos in the workplace. Construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding are the most prevalent occupations which put people at risk risk of developing pleural mesothelioma. People who were in the military are at greater risk due 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 common staging system used for the pleural cancer. The stage a patient has when they are diagnosed will aid their doctor in determining the best treatment plan for them. For instance, patients suffering from mesothelioma that is pleural in stage three or four have a worse prognosis than those with lower stages. Stage four mesothelioma often spreads to the liver, diaphragm or even the heart of a patient. This makes it more difficult to treat and increase the likelihood of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Unlike pleural mesothelioma, which is a lung-lining cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma develops in the peritoneum, an elongated membrane that covers the abdominal cavity and organs like the intestines and liver. Like pleural mesothelioma, asbestos exposure is the cause of peritoneal mesothelioma. The disease is less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma, with only about 300-500 cases diagnosed each year.

As with pleural mesothelioma symptoms can take a long time to manifest. Patients usually suffer from abdominal pain and may also have a lump in their abdomen. Symptoms of this type of mesothelioma may also include nausea, weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms could be misinterpreted as gastrointestinal issues and can lead to a misdiagnosis.

Doctors can identify mesothelioma by reviewing the medical history of the patient and performing a physical exam. They can also use imaging tests like Xrays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to identify mesothelioma. These tests can show tumors and other symptoms of cancer that aren't visible on X-rays.

These test results allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma, identify the stage of the disease and suggest treatment options. The staging is determined by the type of cells and whether or the tumor has spread to other areas of the body.

Asbestos exposure is the most important risk factor. People who have worked in asbestos-related professions, such as plumbing or electrical work, or in construction, manufacturing and manufacturing are more likely to develop the disease. Even if someone is not employed in one of these areas they could still be exposed to asbestos through family members and other sources. This is why anyone who suspects they may be at risk should speak to an experienced doctor. A mesothelioma specialist can help those with a history with asbestos to learn more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos exposure is a major risk factor for mesothelioma which accounts for as much as 80 percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos may occur as a result of military service, work or living with those who worked with asbestos. When exposed to asbestos, particles are able to be inhaled into lungs and abdomen. These particles can cause irritation to the linings and cause cancerous cells to develop in the mesothelium. Following exposure to asbestos mesothelioma is likely to develop between 15 and 60 year.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and the advancing age. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely to develop mesothelioma than those who are younger or more senior. It takes mesothelioma between 20 and 60 years before it manifests cancer symptoms after the first exposure. It is also important to note that mesothelioma is a possibility in those who were exposed to asbestos, but did not deal with it directly. This is called indirect or secondary exposure to asbestos litigation, and it could be as hazardous as direct exposure.

Smoking increases a person's chances of developing mesothelioma due to the fact that it damages the mesothelium and makes it more susceptible to asbestos. Mesothelioma is also aggravated by certain diseases, such as asbestosis and pneumonia. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than women. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for a longer time and to have worked with it. Also, men are more likely to live with someone who worked with asbestos and carry Asbestos Case fibers that have escaped home on their clothes. Women are less likely to come into contact with asbestos and rarely carry asbestos home on their clothing.

Diagnosis

It is difficult to identify mesothelioma since its symptoms are often similar to other conditions. This could lead to patients being wrongly diagnosed.

NYU Langone doctors will perform an examination of the body and document the patient's medical history including asbestos law exposure. Doctors can also order a chest X-ray or CT scan to detect lumps and other abnormalities as well as evidence of asbestos exposure in the past 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 and magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI, test, which makes use of radio waves and magnets to make a series of precise images of the inside of the body. Another method doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma is through an operation called a biopsy. In a surgical biopsy doctors remove a small piece of tissue from the peritoneum or pleura for further testing. A pathologist can then examine the tissue with microscopes to determine if it contains cancerous cells.

Mesothelioma can be classified based on the type of mesothelial cell involved, whether the cells are benign or malignant and also the location of the tumor, the type, and the stage of the tumor. Some types of mesothelioma have an increased risk of metastasizing or spreading, so it's important to determine the type of mesothelioma to ensure that the doctors can treat it before it becomes out of control.

Doctors can also perform laboratory tests on tumors to determine specific genes, proteins or other factors that can help them describe cancer characteristics and determine the best treatment. These results are called staging.

Treatment

A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be an incredibly frightening prospect. It is crucial to remember, however, that cancer can be treated, particularly in its initial stages. Many mesothelioma patients live for many years with the disease without it spreading to other parts of their body.

Asbestos exposure can cause mesothelioma through many mechanisms. Asbestos fibres, small enough to not be felt or observed through the naked eye can be airborne and irritate the lung's lining (pleura). As time passes the irritation causes the formation of scar tissue, which eventually lead to tumors.

The pleura surrounds the lungs and the heart and also the abdomen. Mesothelium is composed of cells that react when exposed to asbestos. They cause inflammation to the tissue and cause it to become scarred. These changes can eventually result in malignant mesothelioma tumors.

Breathing problems, chest discomfort or fluid buildup on the lungs are all symptoms of pleural msothelioma. In rare instances the cancer may grow to the tissues surrounding the heart and reproductive organs.

A doctor will request biopsy if scans show the possibility of a lung tumor or stomach. The procedure involves the removal of small amounts of liquid or tumor for lab tests. The results can confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and provide the best treatment option.

There are a variety of treatment for mesothelioma, including chemotherapy and surgery. Most doctors utilize a combination of these methods. Patients may also benefit from participating in a clinical study of new mesothelioma treatment. Patients can find out more by consulting a mesothelioma specialist who has treated mesothelioma.