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Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos, a natural mineral, naturally occurs in the form of long, thin fibers. Workers who are exposed asbestos on a regular basis are at risk of developing mesothelioma or other lung diseases.

It can take years for symptoms to show up after exposure to asbestos. Different types of asbestos can cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

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

Exposure to asbestos, a group of minerals composed of microscopic fibers, usually causes this type of cancer. When inhaled, these fibers cause irritation and DNA mutations. Pleura is the lining of both the chest cavity and the lungs, which means that 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 frequently reported symptoms. Some patients may also feel tightness in their chest, coughing or difficulty breathing. People with this cancer often have an history of exposure to asbestos in the workplace. Manufacturing, construction, and shipbuilding are the most common jobs that put people at a high chance of developing pleural mesothelioma. People who have worked in the military are at an especially high risk because of the extensive asbestos use in Navy vessels and bunkers for the army.

The most popular staging method for pleural mesothelioma is the TNM (tumor lymph nodes, lymph nodes, and metastases) staging system. The stage that a patient is in at the time of diagnosis can help determine the treatment plan they will receive. For example, patients with mesothelioma that is pleural in stage three or four have a less favorable prognosis than those with a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma is often spread to the diaphragm, the liver or even a person's heart. This makes the cancer more difficult to treat and increase the chance of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

As opposed to pleural mesothelioma that is a lung-lining cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma is found in the peritoneum -- an elongated membrane that covers the abdominal cavity and organs like the liver and intestines. Like pleural mesothelioma, peritoneal mesothelioma is caused by asbestos exposure. It is estimated that only 300-500 cases are diagnosed annually, which is less than the pleural asbestosis.

As with pleural asbestosis, symptoms can take several years to manifest. Patients typically experience abdominal pain, and could also experience a mass in their abdomen. The symptoms of this type of mesothelioma may also include nausea, weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms are similar to those experienced by digestive issues, which could lead to incorrect diagnosis.

Typically, doctors can identify mesothelioma through an exhaustive health history and physical examination. They can also use imaging tests such as X-rays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to help find mesothelioma. These tests can identify tumors and other cancer signs which aren't evident on X-rays.

These tests enable doctors to diagnose mesothelioma, identify the stage and suggest treatment options. Staging is determined based on the type of cells and whether or the tumor has spread to other parts of the body.

Asbestos exposure is the main risk factor. People who have worked in asbestos-containing jobs, such as electrical or plumbing work, or in manufacturing and construction, are more likely to develop the disease. Even if a person is not employed in any of these areas, he or she can still be exposed through family members or other sources. For this reason, anyone who believes they could be at risk should speak to an experienced doctor. If they have an history of exposure to asbestos, a mesothelioma specialist can assist them in finding out more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos is the main mesothelioma-related risk factor. It is responsible for as much as 80percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos can occur as a result of work, military service or through living with a person who works with asbestos or has previously done the same. When exposed to asbestos, small particles are able to be inhaled into abdomen and lungs. These particles can cause irritation to the linings and trigger cancerous cells to grow in the mesothelium. After exposure to asbestos mesothelioma can occur between 15 and 60 year.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics, and age. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely develop mesothelioma than those who are younger or older. This is because mesothelioma usually lasts between 20 and 60 years after the initial time of exposure before cancer symptoms appear. It is important to remember that mesothelioma may develop in people who were exposed to asbestos, but did not deal with it directly. This is called indirect or secondary exposure to asbestos, and it can be just as dangerous as direct exposure.

Smoking increases a person's chances of developing mesothelioma due to the fact that it damages the mesothelium and makes it more vulnerable to asbestos. Mesothelioma can also be aggravated by certain illnesses, including asbestosis and pneumonia. It is also important to note that mesothelioma is more prevalent in men than women. This is because men are more likely to work with asbestos case and have a longer period of exposure than women. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who worked with asbestos, and to have asbestos fibers on their clothing. Women are less likely to come exposed to Asbestos Legal, and they don't usually carry asbestos on their clothing.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is a difficult disease to identify because the symptoms are often similar to other conditions. Because of this, victims are sometimes misdiagnosed.

The first step in diagnosing mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform an examination and write note of the medical history of the patient including asbestos settlement exposure. Doctors may also request an CT scan or chest X-ray in order to look for abnormalities, lumps and evidence of asbestos exposure. These include pleural plaques, thickened pleura and calcium deposits.

Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance image or MRI test, that uses radio waves and magnets to produce a series of precise images of the insides of the body. Another way doctors can diagnose mesothelioma is by performing an operation called a biopsy. During a surgical biopsy, doctors take a small amount of tissue from the peritoneum or pleura for further analysis. A pathologist will then look at the tissue using a magnifying lens to determine whether it contains cancerous cells.

The type of mesothelial cells involved and the benign or malignant nature of those cells, as well as the location and stage of the cancer are used to classify the disease. Certain types of mesothelioma are more likely to grow or spread, so it is important to establish a definitive diagnosis so that doctors can treat the disease before it gets out of control.

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

Treatment

A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be terrifying. However, it is important to remember that the cancer can be treated, particularly in its earlier stages. A lot of people suffering from mesothelioma live with the disease for many years without it spreading.

Asbestos exposure can cause mesothelioma by a variety of mechanisms. Asbestos fibers, which are tiny enough to be felt or viewed by naked eyes are able to become airborne and irritate the lining of the lung (pleura). As time passes the irritation can lead to the formation of scar tissue, which eventually lead to tumors.

The pleura surrounds the lungs and heart and also the abdomen. Mesothelium is made up of cells that react to exposure to asbestos, causing it to inflame and create scar tissue. These changes can eventually lead to malignant mesothelioma tumours.

The symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are shortness of breath and chest pain, or a buildup of fluid on the lung (pleural effusion). In rare instances cancer may spread to the tissues around the reproductive organs and the heart.

If imaging scans show an area of concern in the stomach or lungs doctors will recommend a biopsies. The procedure involves the removal of some of the fluid or tumor to allow for lab tests. The results will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma, and also determine the best treatment plan.

There are a variety of treatment for mesothelioma, including surgery and chemotherapy. The majority of doctors use a combination of these methods. Patients may also benefit from participating in a clinical study of new mesothelioma treatment. To learn more about the trials, patients should consult mesothelioma specialists who have expertise in treating the condition.