Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that is found in long, thin fibres. Workers who are exposed to asbestos regularly are at risk of developing mesothelioma or other types of lung diseases.

It can take years for symptoms to appear after asbestos exposure. Different asbestos types may cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma occurs in the lung's outer lining, or pleura. It is the most common type of mesothelioma, making up 70 to 79% of diagnosed cases. This condition causes chest discomfort, shortness of breath, and a feeling of weightiness.

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. The pleura covers the chest cavity and lungs This means that these irritations can affect both the lungs as well as the heart of a person. Mesothelioma symptoms are usually not apparent until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

The most frequent symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are chest pain and breath shortness. Patients may also feel tightness in their chest or coughing. They may also experience difficulty breathing. People with this cancer often have previous exposure to asbestos in the workplace. Construction, manufacturing, and shipbuilding are the most common occupations that put people at high danger of developing pleural melanoma. People who were in the military are at a greater risk due to the extensive use asbestos in Navy vessels and bunkers in 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 the patient is in at the time of diagnosis can help determine what treatment plan they should receive. For instance, patients suffering from mesothelioma that is pleural in stage three or four have a worse prognosis than those in a lower stage. Mesothelioma in stage four can be spread to the liver, heart or diaphragm. This could make the cancer more difficult to treat, and increase the chance of complications for patients.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

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

Like pleural mesothelioma, symptoms can take years to show. Patients typically experience abdominal pain, and may also have a lump in their abdomen. This mesothelioma type can cause nausea, weight loss, and fever. Many of these symptoms could be misinterpreted as digestive issues which can lead to a misdiagnosis.

Typically, doctors can identify mesothelioma through a thorough medical history and physical exam. They may also employ imaging tests like Xrays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to detect mesothelioma. These tests can identify tumors and other signs of cancer that are not evident on X-rays.

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

Asbestos exposure is the most important risk factor. People who have worked in jobs which require asbestos, such as plumbing, manufacturing, electrical work, or construction, are at increased risk of developing the disease. However, even if individuals do not work in these fields they may be exposed to asbestos through family members or other sources. Anyone who suspects that they may be at risk should talk to an expert. A mesothelioma specialist can help those with a history with asbestos Legal to learn more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos exposure is the primary 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 settlement. Asbestos particles are inhaled by those who are exposed to it. These particles can cause irritation to the linings and cause cancerous cells to form in the mesothelium. After exposure to asbestos, mesothelioma may be diagnosed between 15 and 60 years old.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and the advancing age. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely get mesothelioma than people younger or more senior. This is because mesothelioma usually lasts between 20 and 60 years from the initial time of exposure before the first signs of cancer appear. It is important to remember that mesothelioma can develop in those who were exposed to asbestos, but did not work with it directly. This is known as indirect or secondary exposure to asbestos and it is just as harmful as direct exposure.

Smoking increases the chance of mesothelioma as it damages the mesothelium. It also makes it more susceptible. In addition, mesothelioma may be caused by certain illnesses, such as pneumonia and asbestosis. It is also important to note that mesothelioma is more prevalent for men than women. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for a longer time and work with asbestos for longer durations and to work with it. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who has worked with asbestos and to have asbestos fibers on their clothing. Women are less likely to be exposed to asbestos and they don't usually bring asbestos law home on their clothes.

Diagnosis

It is difficult to diagnose mesothelioma due to its symptoms being often similar to other conditions. Due to this, patients are sometimes mistakenly diagnosed.

The first step to diagnose mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform a physical exam and take notes on the medical history of a patient which includes asbestos exposure. Doctors will also recommend a CT scan or chest X-ray to look for abnormalities, lumps and evidence of exposure to asbestos. These include pleural plaques, thickened pleura and calcium deposits.

Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI test, that uses radio waves and magnets to produce a series of precise images of inside 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 pleura or peritoneum for further analysis. A pathologist will then look at the tissue with a magnifying lens to determine if it contains cancerous cells.

The type of mesothelial cell involved and the benign or malignant nature of the cells as well as the location the cancer, its type and the stage of the tumor, are used to classify the disease. Some types of mesothelioma have greater risk of metastasizing or spreading therefore it is essential to determine the type of mesothelioma so doctors can treat it prior to it becoming out-of-control.

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

Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnosis can be an incredibly frightening prospect. It is important to keep in mind that cancer can be treated, particularly in its initial stages. Many people with mesothelioma can endure the disease for a long time, without spreading.

Exposure to asbestos can trigger mesothelioma in a number of ways. Asbestos fibres, small enough to not be felt or observed through the naked eye can be airborne, irritating the lung's lining (pleura). In time irritation can lead to formation of scar tissue, which causes changes in the cell structure which eventually lead to tumors.

The pleura surrounds the lungs and heart, as well as the abdomen. Mesothelium is composed of cells that react to asbestos compensation which causes it to become inflamed and create scar tissue. In time, these changes can result in the growth of malignant mesothelioma tumors.

A shortness of breath, chest pain or fluid accumulation on the lungs are all symptoms of the pleural Msothelioma. In rare instances the cancer may be spread to the tissues around the heart and reproductive organs.

If imaging scans reveal a possible mass in the lungs or stomach the doctor will request biopsies. During the procedure, doctors will remove a small sample of the tumor or fluid for lab analysis. The results will confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis and determine the best treatment option.

There are a variety of mesothelioma treatment options, which include chemotherapy, surgery, and immunotherapy. The majority of doctors employ a combination of these treatments. Patients can also benefit by taking part in a clinical trial of new mesothelioma treatment. To learn more about the trials, patients should speak with mesothelioma experts who have experience treating the condition.