Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos is a mineral that naturally occurs in the form of thin, long fibers. People who are exposed to asbestos are at risk of developing lung diseases such as mesothelioma.

Symptoms of these diseases may not manifest for years after exposure to asbestos. Different asbestos types may cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma occurs in the outer lung lining, or the pleura. It is the most frequent mesothelioma type and is responsible for 70 to 79% all diagnosed cases. Patients with this disease suffer from chest pain and breathlessness and may also feel a sensation of heaviness in the chest.

Exposure to asbestos, a group of minerals comprised of microscopic fibers, typically causes this kind of cancer. Once inhaled, these fibers cling to the lungs and cause irritation that causes scarring and DNA mutations. Pleura surrounds both the chest cavity as well as the lungs, and 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 also experience coughing, difficulty breathing or chest tightness. Patients with this cancer have a history that includes asbestos legal exposure at work. The most common jobs that put people at risk of developing pleural mesothelioma are manufacturing, construction and shipbuilding. People who have worked in the military may be at a higher risk due to the frequent asbestos usage in Navy ships and bunkers used by 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 the patient is in at the time of diagnosis can help determine what treatment plan they should receive. For example, patients with a pleural mesothelioma in stage three or four have a worse prognosis than those with a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma can be spread to the liver, heart, or diaphragm. 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 lung's lining, peritoneal cancer develops in the membrane that covers the abdominal cavity, which includes organs like the intestines and the liver. Like pleural mesothelioma, peritoneal mesothelioma is caused by asbestos exposure. The disease is less common than pleural mesothelioma. There are around 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.

As with pleural asbestosis, symptoms can take years to manifest. Patients typically experience abdominal pain, and may have a mass in their abdomen. This type of mesothelioma may cause nausea, weight loss, and fever. A lot of these symptoms are similar to those of gastrointestinal issues, which can lead to misdiagnosis.

Generally, doctors can find mesothelioma by conducting a thorough medical history and physical exam. Imaging tests like X-rays or CT scans can be used to detect mesothelioma. These tests can reveal tumors as well as other signs of cancer that aren't evident on X-rays.

These tests enable doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and determine the stage. They can also recommend treatment options. The stage is determined by the kind of cell and if the tumor has spread.

The most important mesothelioma risk factor is exposure to asbestos. People who have worked in jobs which require asbestos, such as plumbing or electrical work, manufacturing or construction, are at greater risk of developing the disease. Even if a person isn't employed in any of these areas they could still be exposed through family members and other sources. This is why anyone who is concerned that they might be at risk should talk to an expert. A mesothelioma specialist can assist those who have had a previous history of asbestos to find out more about their risk.

Risk Factors

asbestos settlement exposure is the primary risk factor for mesothelioma which accounts for as much as 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 breathed in by those who are exposed to it. These particles irritate the linings, causing cancerous cells to form in the mesothelium. Following exposure to asbestos mesothelioma is likely to develop between 15 and 60 years old.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and aging. People in their 40s or 50s are more at risk of developing mesothelioma as compared to those younger or older. It is because mesothelioma generally takes 20 to 60 years after the initial exposure before the first signs of cancer appear. It is important to keep in mind that mesothelioma can occur in those who have been exposed to asbestos without having been directly exposed to it. This is called indirect or secondary exposure to asbestos. It can be just as dangerous as direct exposure.

Smoking increases the risk of developing mesothelioma due to the fact that it damages the mesothelium and makes it more susceptible to asbestos. Additionally, mesothelioma can be worsened by certain diseases like asbestosis and pneumonia. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than women. This is because men are more likely to work with asbestos and have a longer period of exposure than women. Men are also more likely to live with someone who had asbestos exposure and bring Asbestos Case fibers from their workplace on their clothes. Women are less likely to come into exposure to asbestos and don't typically carry asbestos home on their clothing.

Diagnosis

It is difficult to recognize mesothelioma due to its symptoms being frequently similar to other illnesses. Because of this, victims are often wrongly diagnosed.

The first step in identifying mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform an examination and write down a patient's medical history, including asbestos exposure. Doctors can also order an X-ray chest or CT scan to check for lumps or other abnormalities, as well as evidence of past asbestos exposure like plaques on 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 an echocardiogram, which examines the blood vessels and the heart as well as a magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI test, which uses magnets and radio waves to create detailed images of the interior of the body. A surgical biopsy is yet another method for doctors to identify mesothelioma. In a surgical biopsy doctors take a tiny piece of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum, to be examined further. A pathologist is then able to examine the tissue under microscopes to determine whether it contains cancerous cells.

The type of mesothelial cells involved, the malignant or benign nature of those cells as well as the location the cancer, its type and the stage of the tumour, are used to categorize the disease. Certain types of mesothelioma are more likely to spread or metastasize, so it is important to have a clear diagnosis so doctors can treat the disease before it gets out of control.

Doctors can also perform laboratory tests on tumors to identify specific proteins, genes or other factors that will help them identify the characteristics of cancer and plan treatment. These results are known as staging.

Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnosis can be a frightening prospect. It is crucial to remember that cancer can be treated, especially at its early stages. Many people with mesothelioma live for a long time with the disease, without spreading to other organs of their body.

Exposure to asbestos litigation can cause mesothelioma in many ways. Asbestos fibres, too small to be felt or seen with the naked eyes, can become airborne, irritating the lining of the lung (pleura). As time passes the irritation can lead to the formation of scar tissue that eventually result in tumors.

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

The signs of pleural mesothelioma can include breathlessness, chest pain or an accumulation of fluid on the lung (pleural effusion). In rare cases, the cancer can be spread to the tissues around the heart and reproductive organs.

A doctor will order biopsy if scans show a potential tumor in the lungs or stomach. During the procedure, doctors will remove tiny amounts of tumor or fluid for lab tests. The results will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma, and also determine the best treatment option.

There are many types of mesothelioma treatment options, including chemotherapy, surgery and immunotherapy. Most doctors rely on the combination of these methods. Patients can also benefit by taking part in a clinical trial of new mesothelioma treatment. Patients can learn more about the trials by consulting a mesothelioma expert who has treated the disease.