Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that is made up of thin, long fibres. People who are regularly exposed to asbestos claim risk developing lung diseases like mesothelioma.

It could take a long time before symptoms begin to manifest after asbestos exposure. Different asbestos types may 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 common form of mesothelioma and accounts for 70% to 79% of diagnosed cases. Patients with this disease feel chest pain and shortness of breath, and they may feel a sensation of heaviness in the chest.

Exposure to asbestos, a class of minerals comprised of microscopic fibers, usually causes this kind of cancer. When inhaled, these fibers are absorbed into the lung and cause irritation which leads to scarring and DNA mutations. Pleura is the lining of both the chest cavity as well as the lungs, so irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma symptoms typically don't show until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

Shortness of breath and chest pain are the most frequent symptoms. Some patients have coughing problems, trouble breathing or chest tightness. People with this cancer have a history of disease that includes asbestos exposure at work. The most frequent jobs that expose workers to the risk of pleural mesothelioma include manufacturing, construction and shipbuilding. People who served in the military are at greater risk due to the widespread use of asbestos in Navy vessels and Army bunkers.

The TNM (tumors lymph nodes, tumors, and metastases staging system) is the most popular staging system for the pleural adenocarcinoma. The stage a patient is in when they are diagnosed will help their doctor determine the most appropriate treatment plan for them. Patients suffering from pleural mesothelioma who is in stage three or stage four will have a less favorable outlook than those in a less advanced stage. Stage four mesothelioma may develop into the heart, liver or diaphragm. This can make it more difficult to treat and raises the risk of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Unlike pleural cancer, which forms in the lining of the lung, peritoneal cancer develops in a membrane that surrounds the abdominal cavity, which includes organs like the intestines and the liver. Like pleural mesothelioma, exposure to asbestos is the reason for peritoneal msothelioma. The disease is less common than pleural mesothelioma, and around 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.

As with pleural mesothelioma symptoms may take years to appear. Typically, patients suffer from abdominal pain and an abdominal mass. This type of mesothelioma may cause nausea, weight loss, and fever. Many of these symptoms are similar to those experienced by gastrointestinal issues, which can result in incorrect diagnosis.

Typically, doctors can identify mesothelioma through a thorough health history and physical examination. Imaging tests such as X-rays or CT scans are a way to detect mesothelioma. These tests can reveal 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 and suggest treatment options. The stage is determined by the kind of cell and if the tumor has spread.

The most significant mesothelioma-related risk factor is exposure to asbestos. People who have been exposed to asbestos in professions, such as electrical or plumbing work, or in manufacturing and construction are more likely to develop the disease. However, even if people do not work in these areas, they can still be exposed to asbestos through family members or through other sources. This is why anyone who suspects they may be at risk should talk to a doctor. If they have an history of exposure to asbestos 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 the 80% of cases. Exposure to asbestos can happen due to work, military service or through living with a person who is exposed to asbestos case or has previously done such. When exposed to asbestos, particles can be inhaled 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 following exposure to asbestos.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and age. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely get mesothelioma than people younger or more senior. It takes mesothelioma between 20 and 60 years before it manifests cancer symptoms after the first exposure. It is important to remember, too, that mesothelioma could occur in those who have been exposed to asbestos without having directly worked with it. This is referred to as secondary or indirect exposure to asbestos. It can be just as dangerous as direct exposure.

Smoking can increase the likelihood of getting mesothelioma because it damages the mesothelium and makes it more prone to asbestos. Mesothelioma can also be aggravated by certain illnesses such as asbestosis and pneumonia. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than women. This is because men are more likely to be exposed to asbestos and endure a an extended period of exposure than women. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who has worked with asbestos and to carry asbestos lawsuit fibers on their clothing. Women are less likely to come in contact with asbestos litigation, and they are less likely to bring asbestos home on their clothing.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is a difficult disease to recognize because the symptoms often resemble other diseases. Because of this, victims are sometimes mistakenly diagnosed.

The first step in diagnosing mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform an examination and write notes on the medical history of a patient which includes asbestos exposure. Doctors may also order an X-ray of the chest or CT scan to look for lumps and other abnormalities as well as evidence of asbestos exposure in the past like plaques in the pleura (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the accumulation 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, which makes use of magnets and radio waves to create a series detailed images of the inside of the body. A surgical biopsy is another method doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma. During a surgery biopsy doctors will remove a small piece of tissue from pleura or the peritoneum, to be further examined. A pathologist will then look at the tissue with a magnifying lens to determine if it contains cancerous cells.

Mesothelioma is classified based on the type of mesothelial cell involved, whether the cells are benign or malignant and also the location, type, and stage of the cancer. Certain types of mesothelioma are more likely to spread or metastasize which is why it is crucial to have a clear diagnosis so that doctors can treat the disease before it goes out of control.

Doctors may also conduct tests in the lab on tumors to determine specific proteins, genes or other elements which can help them identify the cancer's characteristics and plan treatment. These results are called staging.

Treatment

A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be an incredibly frightening prospect. But, it is crucial to remember that the cancer can be treated, particularly in its earlier stages. Many patients with mesothelioma survive for a long time without the disease spreading to other parts of their body.

Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma in many ways. Asbestos fibers, too small to see or feel through the naked eye, can be airborne and cause irritation to the lung's lining (pleura). As time passes irritation leads to formation of scar tissue, which causes changes in the cell structure that can eventually grow into tumors.

The pleura surrounds the lungs and the heart and the abdomen. Mesothelium is made up of cells that respond when exposed to asbestos. They cause inflammation to the tissue and cause it to scar. These changes can lead to malignant mesothelioma tumours.

Shortness of breath, chest discomfort, or the accumulation of fluid on the lungs are all symptoms of pleural msothelioma. In rare instances, the cancer can grow to the tissues surrounding the heart and reproductive organs.

A doctor will request biopsy if imaging scans show a potential tumor in the lungs or stomach. During the procedure, doctors will remove small amounts of the fluid or tumor for laboratory testing. The results will confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis and determine the best treatment plan.

There are a variety of mesothelioma treatment options, which include chemotherapy, surgery, and immunotherapy. The majority of doctors use a combination of these methods. Patients may also benefit from participating in a clinical study of new mesothelioma treatments. Patients can learn more about the trials by consulting a mesothelioma specialist who has treated the disease.