Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos, a natural mineral, naturally forms in the form of thin, long fibers. People who are regularly exposed to asbestos may develop lung diseases, such as mesothelioma.

Symptoms of these diseases may not manifest for years after exposure to asbestos. Different types of asbestos may cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma can be found in the lung's outer lining, also known as the pleura. It is the most prevalent mesothelioma type, accounting for up 70 to 79% of all diagnosed cases. This condition causes chest pain, breath shortness and a feeling heaviness.

This type of cancer often caused by exposure to asbestos which is a collection of minerals that are composed of microscopic fibers. These fibers, when inhaled cause irritation and DNA mutations. The pleura surrounds the lungs and chest cavity, so these irritations can affect both the lungs and a person's heart. Mesothelioma usually doesn't show symptoms until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

The most common symptoms of pleural melanoma are chest pain and shortness of breath. Patients may also experience coughing, difficulty breathing, or chest tightness. People with this cancer often have an history of exposure to asbestos in the workplace. Manufacturing, construction and shipbuilding are among the most common jobs which put people at risk chance of developing pleural mesothelioma. People who were in the military are at greater risk due to the widespread use of asbestos in Navy vessels and Army bunkers.

The most popular staging system for pleural mysothelioma has been the TNM (tumor, lymph nodes and metastases) staging system. The stage the patient is in at the moment of diagnosis will determine the treatment plan they will receive. Patients suffering from pleural mesothelioma who is in stage three or four will have a worse prognosis compared to those in a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma may spread to the liver, heart or diaphragm. This makes it more difficult to treat and increases the risk of complications for patients.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

In contrast to pleural cancer, which forms in the lung's lining it develops in the membrane that covers the abdominal cavity, which includes organs such as the intestines and liver. Similar to pleural mesothelioma, asbestos exposure is the reason for peritoneal msothelioma. The disease is less common than pleural mesothelioma. There are only about 300-500 cases diagnosed each year.

Like pleural mesothelioma, the symptoms can take years to show. Patients usually have 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 could be misinterpreted as gastrointestinal issues, leading to a mistaken diagnosis.

Doctors can identify mesothelioma by reviewing the medical history of the patient and conducting a physical exam. They can also utilize imaging tests such as X-rays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to detect mesothelioma. These tests can reveal tumors, as well as other symptoms of cancer that aren't visible on an X-ray.

These test results enable doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and determine 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 most important risk factor. People who have been exposed to asbestos in jobs, such as plumbing or electrical work, or in construction and manufacturing, are more likely to develop the disease. Even if a person isn't employed in one of these fields however, they may be exposed to asbestos through family members or other sources. For this reason, anyone who believes they could be at risk should talk to an expert. A mesothelioma expert can help those who have had a history with asbestos to learn more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos exposure is the primary mesothelioma risk factor, accounting for up to 80 percent of all cases. Exposure to asbestos can happen due to work, military service, or by living with someone who is exposed to asbestos or has previously done the same. When exposed to asbestos, the particles can be breathed into the lungs and abdomen. They can cause irritation to the linings of the abdomen and cause cancerous cells to grow in the mesothelium. After asbestos case (More Information and facts) exposure mesothelioma can occur between 15 and 60 years old.

Other risk factors include genetics, smoking and aging. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely develop mesothelioma than those who are younger or older. It takes mesothelioma between 20 and 60 years before it manifests cancer symptoms after the first exposure. It is important to remember that mesothelioma may develop in those who were exposed to asbestos, but did not engage directly with it. This is known as indirect or secondary exposure to asbestos, and it is just as harmful as direct exposure.

Smoking increases a person's chances of developing mesothelioma due to the fact that it damages the mesothelium, which makes it more vulnerable to asbestos. Mesothelioma can also be caused by certain illnesses such as asbestosis and pneumonia. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than females. This is due to the fact that men are more likely to be exposed to asbestos and endure a an extended period of exposure than women. Additionally, men are more likely to live with someone who has was exposed to asbestos and bring stray asbestos fibers home on their clothing. Women are less likely to come into exposure to asbestos and rarely carry asbestos home on their clothing.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is a difficult cancer to recognize because the symptoms often resemble other diseases. This is why patients are sometimes mistakenly diagnosed.

NYU Langone doctors will perform physical examinations and document the patient's medical background, including asbestos lawyer exposure. Doctors can also order an X-ray chest or CT scan to check for lumps or other abnormalities, as well as evidence of previous asbestos lawsuit exposure like plaques in the pleura (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the accumulation of fluid between the lung and the chest wall (known as pleural effusion).

Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance image or MRI test, which makes use of magnets and radio waves to create a series detailed images of the insides of the body. A surgical biopsy is another way for doctors to diagnose mesothelioma. In a surgical biopsy doctors remove a small piece of tissue from the peritoneum or pleura for further testing. A pathologist is then able to examine the tissue under microscopes to determine if it contains cancerous cells.

The type of mesothelial cell 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. Certain mesothelioma types have a higher chance of metastasizing or spreading and it's crucial to get a definitive diagnosis so that doctors can treat it before it gets out of control.

Doctors can also perform tests in the lab on tumors to identify specific proteins, genes or other elements that will help them identify the characteristics of cancer and plan treatment. These results are referred to as staging.

Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnosis is terrifying. However, it's important to remember that the cancer is treatable, particularly in its early stages. Many patients with mesothelioma be afflicted for many years without it spreading.

Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma by various mechanisms. Asbestos fibers, too small to be able to see or feel through the naked eye, can be airborne and cause irritation to the lining of the lungs (pleura). As time passes irritation leads to formation of scar tissue, which causes changes in the cell structure that eventually develop into tumors.

The pleura is the area that surrounds the heart and lungs and also the abdomen. Mesothelium consists of cells that react to exposure to asbestos, causing it to inflame and create scar tissue. In time, these changes can result in the growth of malignant mesothelioma tumors.

Shortness of breath, chest pain or fluid accumulation on the lungs are all indications of the pleural mesothelioma. In rare cases, cancer can spread into the tissues surrounding the reproductive organs and heart.

A doctor will order biopsy if scans show the possibility of a lung tumor or stomach. During the procedure, doctors remove a small sample of the fluid or tumor for laboratory tests. The results can confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis, and determine the best treatment plan.

There are many types of mesothelioma treatment, including surgery, chemotherapy and immunotherapy. The majority of doctors use the 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 speak to mesothelioma experts who have expertise in treating the condition.