Mesothelioma and Asbestos

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

It can take years before symptoms begin to manifest after asbestos exposure. Different asbestos types may cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma can be found in the outer lung lining, also known as pleura. It is the most frequent mesothelioma type, accounting for up 70 to 79% of all diagnosed cases. People with this condition feel chest pain and breath shortness and may experience the sensation of weight in the chest.

This type of cancer is often caused through exposure to asbestos, which is a grouping of minerals composed of microscopic fibers. These fibers, when inhaled can cause irritation and DNA mutations. The pleura surrounds the lungs and chest cavity and therefore, these irritations could affect both the lungs as well as a person's heart. Mesothelioma typically doesn't manifest until 30 to 50 year after exposure.

Shortness of breath and chest pain are the most frequently reported symptoms. Some patients may also feel tightness in their chest and coughing, or breathing difficulties. People with this cancer have a history of disease that includes asbestos exposure at work. The most frequent jobs that put people at risk of developing pleural mesothelioma are manufacturing, construction, and shipbuilding. Individuals who have served in the military are at greater risk due to the extensive use asbestos in Navy vessels and Army bunkers.

The most commonly used staging method for pleural mesothelioma is the TNM (tumor lymph nodes, lymph nodes and metastases) staging system. The stage that the patient is in at the moment of diagnosis will determine the treatment plan they should follow. Patients suffering from pleural mesothelioma who is in stage three or stage four will suffer a more negative prognosis compared to those in a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma can develop into 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 is a lung-lining cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma develops in the peritoneum - an elongated membrane that covers the abdominal cavity and organs like the intestines and liver. Like pleural mesothelioma, Asbestos case exposure is the primary cause of peritoneal msothelioma. The disease is less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma. There are just 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.

As with pleural mesothelioma symptoms can take a long time to manifest. Typically, patients suffer from abdominal pain and a mass in the abdomen. This mesothelioma type can also cause nausea, weight loss, and fever. Many of these symptoms can be mistaken for gastrointestinal problems and can lead to a misdiagnosis.

Generally speaking, doctors can detect mesothelioma after a thorough health history and physical exam. Imaging tests such as X-rays or CT scans can be used to detect mesothelioma. These tests can reveal tumors and other cancer signs which aren't evident on X-rays.

These tests enable doctors to diagnose mesothelioma, determine the stage of the disease and suggest treatment options. The stage is determined by the kind of cell and if the cancer has spread.

Asbestos exposure is the main risk factor. People who have been in occupations which require asbestos litigation, such as plumbing manufacturing, electrical work, or construction, are at increased risk of developing the disease. Even if an individual does not work in any of these areas they could still be exposed to asbestos through family members and other sources. For this reason, anyone who believes they could be at risk should speak to an experienced doctor. If they have any history of exposure to asbestos and mesothelioma is a concern, a specialist will help them find out more about the risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos is the primary risk factor for mesothelioma. It accounts for up to 80percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos may occur as a result of work, military service or by living with someone who is exposed to asbestos or has previously done the same. When exposed to asbestos attorney, particles are able to be inhaled into lungs and abdomen. The particles cause irritation to the linings, causing cancerous cells to develop in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma can take between 15 and 60 years to develop after exposure to asbestos.

Other risk factors include genetics, smoking and aging. The people in their 40s or 50s are at greater risk of developing mesothelioma as compared to those who are 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 remember that mesothelioma may develop in people who were exposed to asbestos, but did not engage directly with it. This is known as indirect or secondary asbestos exposure. It can be just as harmful as direct asbestos exposure.

Smoking can increase the likelihood of getting mesothelioma because it causes mesothelium damage and makes it more susceptible to asbestos. Furthermore, mesothelioma is caused by certain illnesses, such as pneumonia and asbestosis. It is also important to remember that mesothelioma is more common for men than women. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for longer periods of time and to have worked with asbestos for longer durations and to work with it. Men are also more likely to live with someone who has worked with asbestos and carry asbestos fibers that have escaped home on their clothing. Women tend to have less contact with asbestos and don't typically carry asbestos around on their clothes.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is a difficult cancer to diagnose because the symptoms can be similar to other conditions. This could lead to patients being 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 including asbestos exposure. Doctors can also request a chest X-ray or CT scan to look for lumps and other abnormalities, as well as evidence of asbestos exposure in the past like plaques on the pleura (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the formation of fluid between the lung and chest wall (known as pleural effusion).

Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance image 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 through the procedure of a surgical biopsy. A surgical biopsy is when doctors remove a small piece of tissue from the peritoneum or pleura for further testing. A pathologist can examine the tissue under microscopes to determine if it is contaminated with cancerous cells.

Mesothelioma is classified according to the type of mesothelial cells involved, whether those cells are benign or malignant and also the location of the tumor, the type, and the stage of the cancer. Some 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 run tests in the laboratory on tumors to determine specific proteins, genes or other elements that help them understand the characteristics of cancer and plan treatment. These results are called staging.

Treatment

A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be an incredibly frightening prospect. However, it's important to keep in mind that the cancer is treatable, particularly in its earlier stages. A lot of people suffering from mesothelioma be afflicted for a long time without spreading.

Exposure to asbestos compensation can cause mesothelioma in many ways. Asbestos particles, which are too small to detect or feel through the naked eye, can become airborne and cause irritation to the lining of the lungs (pleura). Over time, the irritation leads to the formation of scar tissues, which eventually lead to tumors.

The pleura is a protective covering that protects the lungs, heart and abdomen. Mesothelium consists of cells that react when exposed to asbestos compensation. They cause inflammation to the tissue and cause it to scar. As time passes, these changes lead to the development of malignant mesothelioma cancers.

Breathing problems, chest discomfort or fluid buildup on the lungs are all indications of pleural Msothelioma. In rare instances, cancer can spread into the tissues surrounding the reproductive organs as well as the heart.

If scans of imaging reveal an area of concern in the lungs or stomach the doctor will request biopsies. During the procedure doctors remove small amounts of fluid or tumor for lab tests. The results will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and determine the best treatment plan.

There are a variety of treatment for mesothelioma including surgery and chemotherapy. The majority of doctors employ combinations of these treatments. Participating in clinical trials of new mesothelioma treatment may also be beneficial to patients. To learn more about the trials, patients should speak with mesothelioma specialists who have expertise in treating the condition.