Mesothelioma and Asbestos

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

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

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma is a type of cancer that affects the outer lung the lining (pleura). It is the most common mesothelioma type and is responsible for 70 to 79% of diagnosed cases. Patients with this disease feel chest pain and shortness of breath and may experience the sensation of weight in the chest.

This type of cancer is usually caused through exposure to asbestos, which is a cluster of minerals that are comprised of microscopic fibres. When inhaled, these fibers cause irritation and DNA mutations. Pleura covers both the chest cavity and the lungs, and so irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma typically doesn't manifest until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

Chest pain and shortness breath are the most frequently reported symptoms. Patients may also suffer from chest tightness or coughing. They may also experience difficulty breathing. People with this cancer have a past that includes asbestos exposure at work. The most frequent jobs that expose workers to the risk of developing pleural mesothelioma are manufacturing, construction, and shipbuilding. People who have worked in the military may be at risk due to the frequent asbestos use in Navy ships and bunkers used by the army.

The most common staging system for pleural mysothelioma has been the TNM (tumor lymph nodes, lymph nodes, and metastases) staging system. The stage a patient is in when they are diagnosed will help their doctor determine the best treatment plan for them. For instance, patients suffering from mesothelioma pleural stage three or four have a poorer prognosis than those in lower stages. Mesothelioma in stage four 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

Unlike pleural cancer, which is found in the lung's lining, peritoneal cancer develops in the membrane that covers the abdominal cavity, including organs such as the liver and intestines. Like pleural mesothelioma, peritoneal mesothelioma can be caused by asbestos exposure. There are only 300-500 cases diagnosed annually, which is less than pleural asbestosis.

Like pleural mesothelioma, the symptoms may take years to appear. The majority of patients are afflicted with abdominal pain as well as a mass in the abdomen. The symptoms of this type of mesothelioma may also include nausea or weight loss, as well as fever. Many of these symptoms are similar to symptoms of gastrointestinal issues, which can result in misdiagnosis.

Generally, doctors can find mesothelioma after an exhaustive medical history and physical exam. They may also employ imaging tests such as X-rays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to detect mesothelioma. These tests can show tumors and other symptoms of cancer that aren't visible on an X-ray.

These tests enable doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and establish the stage. They also offer treatment options. The stage is determined by the type of cell and whether the tumor has spread.

Asbestos exposure is the main risk factor. People who have been in occupations that require asbestos, like plumbing manufacturing, electrical work, or construction, are at a higher risk of developing the disease. However, even if individuals aren't employed in these fields they may be exposed to asbestos through family members or other sources. Therefore, anyone who believes they could be at risk should talk to an expert. A mesothelioma specialist can assist those who have had a previous history of asbestos litigation to find out more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos exposure is the primary risk factor for mesothelioma making up as much as 80 percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos can happen through work, military service, or by living with a person who works with asbestos or has previously done so. When exposed to asbestos, the particles can be breathed into the lungs and abdomen. These particles irritate the linings, causing cancerous cells to form in the mesothelium. Following exposure to asbestos lawyer, mesothelioma may develop between 15 and 60 years old.

Other risk factors include genetics, smoking and aging. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely be diagnosed with mesothelioma compared to those who are younger or older. This is because mesothelioma usually occurs between 20 and 60 years from the initial exposure before cancer symptoms appear. It is also important to know that mesothelioma is a possibility in those who were exposed to asbestos but didn't engage directly with it. This is known as secondary or indirect exposure to asbestos. It could be as hazardous as direct exposure.

Smoking increases the risk of mesothelioma, as it damages the mesothelium. It also makes it more susceptible. Mesothelioma is also aggravated by certain illnesses such as asbestosis and pneumonia. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than females. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for a longer time and to work with it. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who had worked with asbestos and to have asbestos fibers on their clothing. Women are less likely to come into contact with asbestos and rarely carry asbestos compensation on their clothing.

Diagnosis

It is difficult to identify mesothelioma due to its symptoms being frequently similar to other illnesses. Due to this, patients are sometimes misdiagnosed.

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

Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance scan or MRI test, which uses magnets and radio waves in order to create a series detailed images of the insides of the body. A surgical biopsy is a different method doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma. A surgical biopsy is when doctors remove a small amount of tissue from the pleura or peritoneum for further analysis. A pathologist will then look at the tissue with an magnifying glass to determine whether it contains cancerous cell.

The type of mesothelial cell involved, the malignant or benign nature of those cells, as well as the location, type and stage of the tumor, are used to categorize the disease. Certain mesothelioma types have greater chance of metastasizing or spreading, so it's important to establish a clear diagnosis so doctors can treat it before it gets out of control.

Doctors may also conduct tests in the laboratory on tumors to identify specific genes, proteins or other elements that can aid in describing the characteristics of cancer and plan treatment. These results are known as staging.

Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnose can be frightening. However, it is important to keep in mind that the cancer is treatable, especially in its early stages. Many mesothelioma patients live for years with the disease, without spreading to other areas of their body.

Asbestos exposure can cause mesothelioma through various mechanisms. Asbestos fibers that are tiny enough to be felt or seen through the naked eye, can become airborne, irritating the lung's lining (pleura). Over time, the irritation causes the formation of scar tissue which can cause changes in the cell structure that eventually develop into tumors.

The Pleura is a protective layer that protects the lungs, heart and abdomen. Mesothelium consists of cells that react to asbestos and cause it to enflame and develop scar tissue. These changes can eventually result in malignant mesothelioma tumors.

The symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are breathlessness and chest pain, or an accumulation of fluid on the lungs (pleural effusion). In rare cases cancer may spread to the tissues around the reproductive organs and heart.

If scans of imaging reveal a possible mass in the lungs or stomach doctors will recommend biopsies. In the course of the procedure, doctors remove some of the fluid or tumor to allow for lab tests. The results will confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis and provide the best treatment option.

There are many types of mesothelioma treatment, which include chemotherapy, surgery, and immunotherapy. Most doctors use the combination of these treatments. Participating in clinical trials of new mesothelioma treatment may also be beneficial to patients. Patients can learn more about the trials by consulting a mesothelioma expert who has treated the condition.