Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos is a natural mineral that is made up of thin, long fibres. People who are exposed to asbestos regularly are at risk of developing mesothelioma or other types of lung diseases.

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

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer that occurs in the lung's outer the lining (pleura). It is the most common mesothelioma type and is responsible for 70 to 79% of all diagnosed cases. This condition causes chest pain, shortness of breathe and a feeling heavyness.

Exposure to asbestos, a class of minerals composed of microscopic fibers causes this type of cancer. When inhaled, these fibers can cause irritation and DNA mutations. The pleura is the area that surrounds the lungs and chest cavity and therefore, these irritations could affect both the lungs and 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 common symptoms. Patients may also experience coughing, difficulty breathing, or chest tightness. Patients with this type of cancer have a history of disease that includes asbestos exposure at work. Manufacturing, construction and shipbuilding are among the most prevalent occupations that put people at high chance of developing pleural mesothelioma. People who were in the military are at higher risk due to the extensive use asbestos in Navy vessels and bunkers for the Army.

The most commonly used staging system for pleural mysothelioma has been the TNM (tumor lymph nodes, lymph nodes and metastases) staging system. The stage that the patient is in at the time of diagnosis will help determine the treatment plan they should receive. For instance, patients suffering from mesothelioma pleural stage three or four have a worse prognosis than those in a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma may be spread to the liver, heart or diaphragm. This can make the cancer more difficult to treat and increase the risk of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Unlike pleural cancer, which forms in the lining of the lung the peritoneal cancer is a result of a membrane that surrounds the abdominal cavity, which includes organs such as the intestines and the liver. Like pleural mesothelioma, exposure to asbestos is the reason for peritoneal msothelioma. It is estimated that only 300-500 cases are diagnosed annually which is lower than the pleural asbestosis.

As with pleural asbestosis symptoms can take years to show. Typically, patients suffer from abdominal pain and an abdominal mass. This mesothelioma type can cause nausea, weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms are similar to symptoms of digestive problems, which can cause confusion in diagnosis.

The doctors can detect mesothelioma through reviewing the medical history of the patient and performing a physical examination. They can also use imaging tests such as X-rays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to help find mesothelioma. These tests can show cancerous tumors or other indications of cancer that aren't visible on X-rays.

These test results allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma, determine the stage of the disease and suggest treatment options. The stage is determined by the type of cell and whether the tumor has spread.

asbestos litigation exposure is the most important risk factor. People who have been in occupations that involve asbestos, like plumbing or manufacturing, electrical work or construction, are at greater risk of developing the disease. However, even if individuals aren't employed in these areas they could be exposed to asbestos through family members or through other sources. This is why anyone who believes they could be at risk should speak to an expert. If they have a history of asbestos exposure or mesothelioma, a specialist can assist them in finding out more about the risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos is the most significant risk factor for mesothelioma. It is responsible for up to 80% of all cases. Exposure to asbestos can occur due to work, military service or by living with a person who works with asbestos or was previously exposed to doing so. When exposed to asbestos, particles can be breathed into the abdomen and lungs. These irritate the linings and can cause cancerous cells to grow in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma can take anywhere between 15 and 60 years to develop after exposure to asbestos.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics, and the advancing age. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely develop mesothelioma than those who are younger or more senior. Mesothelioma can take between 20 and 60 years to show signs of cancer after the first exposure. It is important to keep in mind, too, that mesothelioma may develop in people who have been exposed to asbestos without having directly worked with it. This is referred to as secondary or indirect asbestos exposure, and is as dangerous as direct asbestos exposure.

Smoking can increase the likelihood of developing mesothelioma due to the fact that it damages the mesothelium and makes it more prone to asbestos. Furthermore, mesothelioma is exacerbated by certain illnesses like asbestosis and pneumonia. It is also important to remember that mesothelioma is more common in males than females. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for a longer 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 has worked with asbestos, and to carry asbestos fibers on their clothing. Women tend to be less exposed to asbestos and they are less likely to carry asbestos on their clothing.

Diagnosis

It is difficult to recognize mesothelioma due to its symptoms being frequently similar to other illnesses. This is why patients are sometimes misdiagnosed.

The first step in identifying mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform a physical exam and take note of the medical history of the patient which includes asbestos exposure. Doctors can also order an X-ray chest or CT scan to check for lumps and other abnormalities and also to look for evidence of asbestos attorney exposure in the past like plaques in the pleura (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the accumulation of fluid between the lung and chest wall (known as pleural effusion).

Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance image or MRI test, which uses radio waves and magnets to create a series of detailed images of the insides of the body. A surgical biopsy is a different method for doctors to identify mesothelioma. In a surgical biopsy doctors take a tiny piece of tissue from pleura or the peritoneum to be tested further. A pathologist can then examine the tissue under an magnifying glass to determine if it is a cancerous cells.

The type of mesothelial cells involved and the benign or malignant nature of those cells and the location and stage of the cancer are used to categorize the disease. Certain mesothelioma types have a higher risk of spreading or metastasizing therefore it is essential to establish a clear diagnosis so that doctors can treat it prior to it becoming out of control.

Doctors can also perform tests in the lab on tumors to determine specific proteins, genes, or other factors which can help them describe cancer characteristics and determine the best treatment. These results are referred to as staging.

Treatment

A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be terrifying. It is important to keep in mind that cancer can be treated particularly in its early stages. Many people with mesothelioma can be afflicted for many years without it spreading.

Asbestos exposure can cause mesothelioma through many mechanisms. Asbestos fibers, which are tiny enough to be felt or observed through the naked eye are able to become airborne, irritating the lung's lining (pleura). In time the irritation causes the formation of scar tissues, which eventually lead to tumors.

The pleura surrounds the heart and lungs, as well as the abdomen. Mesothelium is composed of cells that react when exposed to asbestos lawyer. They cause inflammation of the tissue and cause it to become scarred. In time, these changes can cause the development of malignant mesothelioma tumors.

Shortness of breath, chest discomfort or fluid buildup on the lungs are all symptoms of pleural Msothelioma. In rare cases, the cancer can be spread to the tissues around the heart and reproductive organs.

A doctor will request biopsy if scans reveal a possible mass in the lungs or stomach. During the procedure, doctors will remove tiny amounts of fluid or tumor for lab tests. The results can confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and determine the best treatment plan.

There are many types of mesothelioma treatments, which include chemotherapy, surgery, and immunotherapy. Most doctors use combinations of these treatments. Patients may also benefit from participating in a clinical study of new mesothelioma therapies. To learn more about the trials, patients should consult mesothelioma experts who have expertise in treating the condition.