Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos is a natural mineral that is found in long, thin fibres. People who are regularly exposed to asbestos may develop lung diseases, such as mesothelioma.

It may take decades for symptoms to appear after exposure to asbestos case. Different asbestos legal (image source) types can cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma is a type of cancer that develops in the lung's outer liner (pleura). It is the most common form of mesothelioma and is responsible for 70 to 79% of all diagnosed cases. Patients with this disease suffer from chest pain and breath shortness, and they may feel the sensation of weight in the chest.

This kind of cancer is typically caused through exposure to asbestos, which is a grouping of minerals made up of microscopic fibres. When inhaled, these fibers cause irritation and DNA mutations. Pleura is the lining of both the chest cavity as well as the lungs, so irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma usually doesn't show symptoms until 30 to 50 year after exposure.

Shortness of breath and chest pain are the most common symptoms. Some patients may also experience chest tightness, coughing or difficulty breathing. Patients with this type of cancer have a history of disease that includes asbestos exposure at work. Construction, manufacturing, and shipbuilding are the most frequent occupations which put people at risk danger of developing pleural melanoma. People who were in the military are at greater risk due to the extensive use asbestos claim in Navy vessels and Army bunkers.

The TNM (tumors lymph nodes and metastases staging system) is the most commonly used staging system used to treat the pleural adenocarcinoma. The stage a patient is in when they are diagnosed will help their doctor determine the most appropriate treatment plan for them. For instance, patients who have 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 patients.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

In contrast to pleural mesothelioma which develops in the lung lining, peritoneal mesothelioma forms in the peritoneum - an elongated membrane that covers the abdominal cavity and organs like the liver and intestines. Similar to pleural mesothelioma and peritoneal mesothelioma is caused by asbestos exposure. It is estimated that only 300-500 cases are diagnosed annually, which is less than pleural asbestosis.

As with pleural asbestosis symptoms can take years to show. Most patients are afflicted with abdominal pain as well as abdominal swelling. The symptoms of this kind of mesothelioma may also include nausea as well as weight loss and fever. A lot of these symptoms can be misinterpreted as gastrointestinal issues, leading to a mistaken diagnosis.

The doctors can detect mesothelioma through reviewing the medical history of the patient and conducting a physical exam. Imaging tests like X-rays and CT scans are a way to identify mesothelioma. These tests can detect tumors as well as other signs of cancer that aren't visible on X-rays.

These tests enable doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and determine the stage and suggest treatment options. The staging is determined by the type of cell and whether or the cancer has spread to other parts of the body.

The most significant mesothelioma risk factor is asbestos exposure. People who have worked in professions that require asbestos, like plumbing electrical work, manufacturing or construction, are at greater risk of developing the disease. Even if they aren't employed in these areas they may be exposed to asbestos through family members or through other sources. Therefore, anyone who suspects they may be at risk should speak to a 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 the primary risk factor for mesothelioma, making up as much as 80 percent of all cases. Exposure to asbestos can happen as a result of work, military service, or living with those who worked with asbestos. When exposed to asbestos, particles can be inhaled into the abdomen and lungs. These irritate the linings and trigger cancerous cells to form in the mesothelium. Following exposure to asbestos mesothelioma is likely to develop between 15 and 60 years old.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics, and age. 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 typically occurs between 20 and 60 years from the first time of exposure before symptoms of cancer begin to manifest. It is important to remember that mesothelioma can develop in those who were exposed to asbestos but did not work with it directly. This is known as secondary or indirect asbestos exposure and can be as hazardous as direct asbestos exposure.

Smoking increases the risk of getting mesothelioma because it damages the mesothelium, which makes it more susceptible to asbestos. Mesothelioma is also aggravated by certain diseases, 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 longer periods of time and to work with asbestos for longer periods of time. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who had worked with asbestos, and to have asbestos-containing fibers on their clothing. Women tend to have less exposure to asbestos and don't typically carry asbestos on their clothes.

Diagnosis

It is difficult to identify mesothelioma because its symptoms are often similar to other diseases. This can lead to victims being wrongly diagnosed.

NYU Langone doctors will perform physical examinations and document the patient's medical background, including asbestos exposure. Doctors will also recommend a CT scan or chest X-ray to look for abnormalities, lumps and evidence of exposure to asbestos. These include pleural plaques, thickened pleura and calcium deposits.

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 through the procedure of a surgical biopsy. A surgical biopsy is when doctors remove a small piece of tissue from the pleura or peritoneum for further analysis. A pathologist will then look at the tissue under an magnifying glass to determine whether it contains cancerous cell.

Mesothelioma is classified based on the type of mesothelial cell involved, whether the cells are malignant or benign and also the location of the tumor, its type, and the stage of the tumor. Certain types of mesothelioma are at a higher chance of metastasizing or spreading, so it's important to determine the type of mesothelioma to ensure that the doctors can treat it before it gets out of control.

Doctors may also conduct laboratory tests on a tumor to identify specific genes, proteins and other factors that help them understand the characteristics of the cancer and determine a treatment. These results are referred to as staging.

Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnose can be terrifying. However, it is important to keep in mind that the cancer can be treated, particularly in its earlier stages. Many people with mesothelioma can endure the disease for a long time, without spreading.

Asbestos exposure can cause mesothelioma by many mechanisms. Asbestos fibers, which are too small to be felt or seen by naked eyes, can become airborne and irritate the lining of the lung (pleura). As time passes irritation can lead to formation of scar tissue which can cause changes in the structure of cells that can eventually grow into tumors.

The Pleura is a protective layer that covers the lungs, heart and abdomen. Mesothelium is made up of cells that respond when exposed to asbestos. They cause inflammation of the tissue and cause it to become scarred. Overtime, these changes cause the development of malignant mesothelioma cancers.

Breathing problems, chest discomfort or fluid buildup on the lungs are all symptoms of pleural mesothelioma. In rare cases, the cancer can grow to the tissues surrounding the heart and reproductive organs.

A doctor will request a biopsy if imaging scans reveal a possible lung tumor or stomach. The procedure involves the removal of a small amount of liquid or tumor for tests in the laboratory. The results will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and help determine the best treatment option.

There are a variety of treatment for mesothelioma, such as chemotherapy and surgery. The majority of doctors employ a combination of these treatments. Participating in clinical trials of mesothelioma treatments may be beneficial to patients. To learn more, patients should speak with mesothelioma experts who have experience treating the condition.