Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that is made up of long, thin fibres. Workers who are regularly exposed to asbestos may develop lung diseases, such as mesothelioma.

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

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma, a form of cancer, that occurs in the lung's outer liner (pleura). It is the most frequent mesothelioma form and is responsible for 70 to 79% of all diagnosed cases. Patients suffering from this condition feel chest pain and breath shortness and may also feel the sensation of weight in the chest.

This type of cancer is often caused by exposure to asbestos compensation which is a grouping of minerals that are composed of microscopic fibers. The fibers, when inhaled cause irritation and DNA mutations. Pleura covers both the chest cavity and the lungs, which means that irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma symptoms usually don't appear until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

Shortness of breath and chest pain are the most frequent symptoms. Some patients may also feel tightness in their chest, coughing or difficulty breathing. Patients with this type of cancer typically have an history of exposure to asbestos in the workplace. The most prevalent jobs that expose people to the risk of developing pleural cancer are manufacturing, construction, and shipbuilding. People who have worked in the military could be at risk due to the frequent asbestos case usage in Navy ships and bunkers used by the army.

The most common staging method for pleural mesothelioma is the TNM (tumor lymph nodes, lymph nodes, and metastases) staging system. The stage a patient has upon diagnosis will aid their doctor in determining the most appropriate treatment plan for them. Patients with pleural mesothelioma that is in stage three or four will suffer a more negative prognosis compared to those who are in a less advanced stage. Stage four mesothelioma may spread to the liver, heart or diaphragm. This can make the cancer more difficult to treat and increase the chance of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Unlike pleural mesothelioma, which develops in the lung lining, peritoneal mesothelioma forms in the peritoneum, an elongated membrane that covers the abdominal cavity as well as organs like the intestines and liver. Like pleural mesothelioma, peritoneal mesothelioma is caused by asbestos exposure. There are only 300-500 cases diagnosed annually which is lower than pleural asbestosis.

Like pleural mesothelioma, the symptoms can take years to show. Patients generally suffer from abdominal pain and may also have a lump in their abdomen. The symptoms of this type of mesothelioma could also include nausea as well as weight loss and fever. A lot of these symptoms can be mistaken for gastrointestinal problems, leading to a misdiagnosis.

Typically, doctors can identify mesothelioma after an exhaustive health history and physical exam. Imaging tests like X-rays and CT scans can be used to detect mesothelioma. These tests can reveal tumors and other signs of cancer which aren't visible on X-rays.

These tests enable doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and determine the stage. They can also recommend treatments. The staging is determined by the type of cell and whether or whether the tumor has spread to other regions of the body.

The most important risk factor for mesothelioma is asbestos litigation exposure. People who have worked in asbestos-containing jobs, such as electrical or plumbing work or in manufacturing and construction, are more likely to contract the disease. Even if an individual is not employed in one of these areas they could be exposed to asbestos through family members or other sources. For this reason, anyone who is concerned that they might be at risk should speak to an experienced doctor. A mesothelioma expert can help those who have had a experience with asbestos to understand more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos exposure is a major risk factor for mesothelioma, which accounts for as much as 80 percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos may occur as a result of work, military service or through living with a person who works with asbestos or used to do so. When exposed to asbestos, particles can be breathed into the abdomen and lungs. These particles can cause irritation to the linings of the abdomen, which causes cancerous cells to form in the mesothelium. Following exposure to asbestos mesothelioma can be diagnosed between 15 and 60 year.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics, and the advancing age. People in their 40s or 50s are more at risk of developing mesothelioma compared to those younger or older. This is because mesothelioma usually lasts between 20 and 60 years from the first time of exposure before the first signs of cancer appear. It is also important to know that mesothelioma can develop in people who have been exposed to asbestos, but did not work with it directly. This is called indirect or secondary exposure to asbestos, and it is just as harmful as direct exposure.

Smoking increases the risk of mesothelioma, since it damages mesothelium. It also makes it more susceptible. Additionally, mesothelioma can be worsened by certain diseases like pneumonia and asbestosis. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma compared to women. This is due to men being more likely to work with asbestos and experience a more exposure than women. Additionally, men are more likely to live with someone who has worked with asbestos and carry asbestos fibers from their workplace on their clothing. Women are less likely to be exposed to Asbestos case, and they are less likely to carry asbestos on their clothes.

Diagnosis

It is difficult to diagnose mesothelioma due to its symptoms being often similar to other diseases. This could lead to patients being wrongly diagnosed.

NYU Langone doctors will perform an examination of the body and document the patient's medical history, including asbestos exposure. Doctors can also request an X-ray chest or CT scan to check for lumps and other abnormalities, and also to look for evidence of past asbestos lawsuit exposure such as plaques in the pleura (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the formation of fluid between the lung and chest wall (known as the pleural effusion).

Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance scan, or MRI test, that uses radio waves and magnets in order to create a series of detailed images of inside the body. Another way for doctors to detect mesothelioma is by performing an operation called a biopsy. A surgical biopsy is when doctors take a small amount of tissue from the peritoneum or pleura to conduct further tests. A pathologist can then examine the tissue with a magnifying lens to determine whether it contains cancerous cells.

The type of mesothelial cell involved as well as the benign or malignant nature of the cells and the location the cancer, its type and the stage of the tumour, are used to categorize the disease. Certain types of mesothelioma are at an increased risk of spreading or metastasizing and it's crucial to determine the type of mesothelioma so doctors can treat it before it gets out-of-control.

Doctors can also run laboratory tests on a tumor to identify specific genes, proteins or other elements that help them understand the characteristics of cancer and plan treatment. These results are known as staging.

Treatment

A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be an incredibly frightening prospect. It is important to keep in mind that cancer can be treated, particularly in its initial stages. A lot of people suffering from mesothelioma live with the disease for many years without it expanding.

Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma through a variety of ways. Asbestos fibers, which are tiny enough to be felt or viewed through the naked eye, can become airborne and irritate the lining of the lung (pleura). In time irritation can lead to formation of scar tissue which can cause changes in the cell structure which eventually lead to tumors.

The pleura is a protective covering that protects the abdomen, heart, and lungs. Mesothelium consists of cells that react when exposed to asbestos. They cause inflammation of the tissue and cause it to become scarred. These changes can result in malignant mesothelioma tumors.

The signs of pleural mesothelioma can include breathlessness and chest pain as well as an accumulation of fluid on the lung (pleural effusion). In rare instances, cancer can spread into the tissues that surround the reproductive organs and the heart.

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

There are a variety of mesothelioma treatments, which include chemotherapy, surgery, and immunotherapy. Most doctors utilize an amalgamation of these techniques. Participating in clinical trials of mesothelioma treatments that are new could be beneficial for patients. Patients can learn more about the trials by consulting a mesothelioma specialist who has treated the condition.