Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that is made up of long, thin fibres. People who are exposed to asbestos on a regular basis are at risk of developing mesothelioma or other lung diseases.

The symptoms of these diseases may not show up for decades after exposure to asbestos. Different types of asbestos may cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma occurs in the outer lung lining, or the pleura. It is the most common mesothelioma type and accounts for 70% to 79% of all diagnosed cases. People with this condition suffer from chest pain and shortness of breath and may also feel a sensation of heaviness in the chest.

Exposure to asbestos, a family of minerals comprised of microscopic fibers, usually causes this type of cancer. Once inhaled, these fibers cling to the lung and cause irritation that results in scarring and DNA mutations. The pleura covers the chest cavity and lungs, so these irritations can affect both the lungs as well as the heart of a person. Mesothelioma is usually not symptomatic until 30 to 50 year after exposure.

The most commonly reported symptoms of pleural melanoma are chest pain and shortness of breath. Some patients may also experience chest tightness or coughing. They may also experience difficulty breathing. Patients with this cancer have a history that includes Asbestos legal exposure at work. The most common jobs that expose people to the risk of developing pleural cancer are manufacturing, construction and shipbuilding. Individuals who have served in the military are at a greater risk due to the widespread use of asbestos in Navy vessels and bunkers for the Army.

The TNM (tumors lymph nodes and metastases staging system) is the most popular staging system used for the pleural adenocarcinoma. The stage that a patient is in at the time of diagnosis can help determine what treatment plan they should receive. Patients who have pleural mesothelioma which is in stage three or stage four will have a worse prognosis compared to those who are in a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma is often spread to the diaphragm, liver or even a person's heart. This makes the cancer more difficult to treat, and increase the chance of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

In contrast to pleural cancer, that develops in the lining of the lung, peritoneal cancer develops in a membrane that covers the abdominal cavity, including organs such as the intestines and the liver. Similar to pleural mesothelioma mesothelioma can be caused by asbestos litigation exposure. Only 300-500 cases are diagnosed annually this is less than pleural asbestosis.

As with pleural asbestosis symptoms can take a long time to manifest. Patients typically have abdominal pain, and could also experience a mass in their abdomen. This kind of mesothelioma can also cause nausea, weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms are similar to those of gastrointestinal issues, which can lead to incorrect diagnosis.

Typically, doctors can identify mesothelioma through an exhaustive health history and physical examination. They can also use imaging tests such as X-rays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to detect mesothelioma. These tests can show tumors, as well as other symptoms of cancer that aren't visible on X-rays.

These test results enable doctors to identify mesothelioma, and determine the stage. They can also recommend treatment options. The staging is determined by the cell type and whether or whether the tumor has spread to other areas of the body.

Asbestos exposure is the most important risk factor. People who have worked in asbestos-containing professions, such as electrical or plumbing work, or in manufacturing and construction are more likely to contract the disease. Even if they aren't employed in these areas they may be exposed to asbestos through relatives or other sources. This is why anyone who believes they could be at risk should talk to an expert. If they have an history of exposure to asbestos or mesothelioma, a specialist can assist them in learning more about the risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos exposure is the main risk factor for mesothelioma, accounting for up to 80 percent of all cases. Exposure to asbestos can occur as a result of military service, work or living with people who have worked with asbestos. Asbestos particles can be inhaled by those who are exposed to it. The particles cause irritation to the linings, causing cancerous cells to grow in the mesothelium. After asbestos exposure mesothelioma can develop between 15 and 60 years old.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and aging. People in their 40s and 50s are more at risk of developing mesothelioma as compared to people who are younger or more. Mesothelioma can take between 20 and 60 years to manifest cancer symptoms after the first exposure. It is important to keep in mind that mesothelioma may be present in people who have been exposed to asbestos, but without having worked with it directly. This is referred to as indirect or secondary exposure to asbestos and it could be as hazardous as direct exposure.

Smoking increases the risk of developing mesothelioma due to the fact that it causes mesothelium damage and makes it more prone to asbestos compensation. In addition, mesothelioma may be exacerbated by certain illnesses like asbestosis and pneumonia. It is also important to remember that mesothelioma occurs more frequently for men than women. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for longer periods of time and to have worked with asbestos for longer durations and to work with it. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who had worked with asbestos, and to have asbestos fibers on their clothing. Women tend to have less exposure to asbestos and do not typically carry asbestos on their clothing.

Diagnosis

It is difficult to identify mesothelioma due to its symptoms being often similar to other conditions. This is why patients are often wrongly diagnosed.

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

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 make a series of detailed images of the inside of the body. A surgical biopsy is another method for doctors to identify mesothelioma. In a surgical biopsy doctors remove a small amount of tissue from the peritoneum or pleura to conduct further tests. A pathologist can then look at the tissue under a microscope to see if it contains cancerous cells.

Mesothelioma is classified based on the mesothelial type involved, whether these cells are benign or malignant, and the location, type, and stage of the tumor. Some types of mesothelioma are more likely to develop metastasis or spread, so it is important to get a definite diagnosis to ensure that doctors are able to treat the disease before it gets out of control.

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

Treatment

A diagnosis of mesothelioma may be frightening. It is important to keep in mind, however, that cancer can be treated particularly in its initial stages. Many people with mesothelioma live for a long time with the disease, without spreading to other areas of their body.

Asbestos exposure can cause mesothelioma through various mechanisms. Asbestos fibers, too small to detect or feel with the naked eye, can become airborne and irritate the lung's lining (pleura). In time the irritation causes the formation of scar tissue, which eventually lead to tumors.

The Pleura is a covering that surrounds the lungs, heart and abdomen. Mesothelium is composed of cells that react to asbestos and cause it to enflame and form scar tissue. In time, these changes can result in the growth of malignant mesothelioma cancers.

The signs of pleural mesothelioma can include breathing problems, chest pain or an accumulation of fluid on the lung (pleural effusion). In rare instances, cancer can spread into the tissues surrounding the reproductive organs and the heart.

If imaging scans reveal an underlying mass in the stomach or lungs doctors will recommend a biopsies. In the course of the procedure, doctors remove small amounts of liquid or tumor for lab tests. The results will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and determine the best treatment plan.

There are a variety of treatment for mesothelioma including surgery and chemotherapy. Most doctors use the combination of these treatments. Patients could also benefit from participating in a clinical study of new mesothelioma therapies. To learn more about the trials, patients should speak with a mesothelioma specialist who has had experience treating the disease.