Mesothelioma and Asbestos

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

The symptoms of these diseases might not be evident for a long time after exposure to asbestos law. Different types of asbestos case may cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma is a type of cancer that occurs in the outer lung liner (pleura). It is the most common mesothelioma type, accounting for up 70% to 79% of diagnosed cases. The condition can cause chest discomfort, shortness of breath and a feeling weightiness.

Exposure to asbestos, a class of minerals composed of microscopic fibers causes this kind of cancer. When inhaled, these fibers cling to the lung and cause irritation that causes scarring and DNA mutations. The pleura is the area that surrounds the chest cavity and lungs and therefore, these irritations could affect both the lungs and a person's heart. Mesothelioma symptoms are usually not apparent until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

The most frequent symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are chest pain and shortness of breath. Patients may also feel tightness in their chest and coughing, or breathing difficulties. Patients with this type of cancer typically have an history of exposure to asbestos in the workplace. The most frequent jobs that put people at risk of developing pleural mesothelioma are manufacturing, construction, and shipbuilding. People who have worked in the military could be at an especially high risk due to the frequent asbestos litigation use in Navy vessels and bunkers for the army.

The most popular staging system for pleural mysothelioma has been the TNM (tumor, lymph nodes and metastases) staging system. The stage a patient is in at the time of diagnosis can help determine the treatment plan they should receive. For instance, patients who have a pleural mesothelioma in stage three or four have a less favorable prognosis than those with lower stages. 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 the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

As opposed to pleural mesothelioma that develops in the lung lining, peritoneal mesothelioma develops in the peritoneum, a membrane that lines the abdominal cavity and organs like the intestines and liver. Like pleural mesothelioma, peritoneal mesothelioma is triggered by asbestos exposure. There are only 300-500 cases diagnosed annually this is less than pleural asbestosis.

As with pleural asbestosis, symptoms can take several years to manifest. Patients usually suffer from abdominal pain and may also have a lump in their abdomen. This mesothelioma type can also cause nausea, weight loss, and fever. A lot of these symptoms are similar to symptoms of digestive issues, which could result in confusion in diagnosis.

Generally, doctors can find mesothelioma by conducting a thorough health history and physical exam. They can also utilize imaging tests like Xrays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to help find mesothelioma. These tests can reveal tumors, as well as other signs of cancer that aren't apparent on an X-ray.

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

Asbestos exposure is the biggest risk factor. People who have worked in professions that require asbestos, such as plumbing or electrical work, manufacturing or construction, are at increased risk of developing the disease. Even if someone does not work in one of these areas, he or she can still be exposed through family members and other sources. This is why anyone who believes they could be at risk should talk to a doctor. A mesothelioma expert can help those who have a previous history of asbestos to find out more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos exposure is the main mesothelioma risk factor, making up as much as 80 percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos can happen as a result of military service, work or living with those who worked with asbestos. When exposed to asbestos, small particles are able to be inhaled into abdomen and lungs. These particles irritate the linings of the lungs, causing cancerous cells to form 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 age. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely to be diagnosed with mesothelioma compared to those who are younger or older. Mesothelioma can take between 20 and 60 years to show signs of cancer after the first exposure. It is important to remember that mesothelioma can develop in people who have been exposed to asbestos but didn't deal with it directly. This is referred to as secondary or indirect asbestos exposure and can be as dangerous as direct asbestos exposure.

Smoking increases the chance of mesothelioma developing, since it damages mesothelium. It can also make it more vulnerable. Mesothelioma is also aggravated by certain diseases, such as asbestosis and pneumonia. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma compared to women. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos settlement for longer periods of time and to have worked with it. Additionally, men are more likely to live with someone who worked with asbestos and carry asbestos fibers from their workplace on their clothing. Women tend to be less exposed to asbestos, and don't typically bring asbestos lawsuit home on their clothes.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is difficult to recognize because the symptoms often resemble other conditions. Due to this, patients are sometimes mistakenly diagnosed.

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

Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI test, that uses magnets and radio waves in order to create a series of detailed images of the insides of the body. Another way doctors can diagnose mesothelioma is by performing the procedure of a surgical biopsy. When a biopsy is performed doctors take a tiny part of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum, to be tested further. A pathologist can then look at the tissue under a microscope to see if it contains cancerous cells.

The mesothelial type involved as well as the benign or malignant nature of those cells as well as the location the cancer, its type and the stage of the cancer are used to classify the disease. Some types of mesothelioma have an increased risk of spreading or metastasizing, so it's important to establish a clear diagnosis to ensure that the doctors can treat it before it gets out of control.

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

Treatment

A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be a frightening prospect. However, it's important to keep in mind that the cancer is treatable, particularly in its initial stages. Many patients with mesothelioma live with the disease for many years without it spreading.

Exposure to asbestos can trigger mesothelioma in a number of ways. Asbestos particles, which are too small to be able to see or feel through the naked eye, can become airborne and irritate the lung's lining (pleura). As time passes irritation leads to formation of scar tissue, which can cause changes in the structure of cells that can eventually grow into tumors.

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

A shortness of breath, chest discomfort or fluid buildup on the lungs are all symptoms of pleural msothelioma. In rare cases, cancer can spread into the tissues around the reproductive organs as well as the heart.

If imaging scans show an underlying mass in the lungs or stomach doctors will recommend biopsies. The procedure involves the removal of a small amount of fluid or tumor for tests in the laboratory. The results can confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and provide the most effective treatment plan.

There are a variety of treatment for mesothelioma, such as chemotherapy and surgery. Most doctors utilize a combination of these methods. Patients may also benefit from taking part in a clinical trial of new mesothelioma treatments. Patients can find out more by consulting a mesothelioma specialist who has treated the disease.