Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos, a mineral that occurs naturally in the form of long, thin fibers. People who are exposed to asbestos risk developing lung diseases such as mesothelioma.

Symptoms of these diseases may not be evident for a long time after exposure to asbestos. Different asbestos types may cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma can be found in the lung's outer lining, or the pleura. It is the most common mesothelioma type, accounting for up 70% to 79% of all diagnosed cases. This condition causes chest discomfort, shortness of breath and a feeling weightiness.

This type of cancer is usually caused by exposure to asbestos which is a grouping of minerals comprised of microscopic fibres. These fibers, when inhaled, cause irritation and DNA mutations. Pleura covers both the chest cavity and the lungs, so irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma symptoms are usually not apparent until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

Chest pain and shortness breath are the most frequently reported symptoms. Some patients may also experience chest tightness, coughing or difficulty breathing. Patients with this type of cancer typically have a history of exposure to Asbestos Legal in the workplace. The most frequent jobs that put people at risk of developing pleural cancer are manufacturing, construction and shipbuilding. Individuals who have served in the military are at a greater risk due the frequent use of asbestos case in Navy vessels and bunkers for the Army.

The TNM (tumors lymph nodes, tumors, and metastases staging system) is the most commonly used staging system used for pleural adenocarcinoma. The stage a patient has upon diagnosis will aid their doctor in determining the best treatment plan for them. Patients with pleural mesothelioma that is in stage three or stage four will have a less favorable prognosis than those who are in a less advanced stage. Stage four mesothelioma can develop into the liver, heart or diaphragm. This makes it more difficult to treat and increases the risk of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Unlike pleural mesothelioma, which is a lung-lining cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma is found in the peritoneum, it is a membrane that lines the abdominal cavity and organs like the liver and intestines. Similar to pleural mesothelioma and peritoneal mesothelioma can be caused by asbestos exposure. The disease is much less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma, with only about 300-500 cases diagnosed each year.

As with pleural asbestosis, symptoms can take several years to manifest. Patients usually experience abdominal pain, and may have a mass in their abdomen. The symptoms of this type of mesothelioma can also include nausea as well as weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms could be misinterpreted as gastrointestinal issues, leading to a mistaken diagnosis.

Doctors can identify mesothelioma by looking over the medical history of the patient and performing a physical examination. They may also employ imaging tests such as X-rays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to identify mesothelioma. These tests can show cancerous tumors or other signs of cancer that aren't visible on an X-ray.

The results of these tests allow 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 tumor has spread.

Asbestos exposure is the most important risk factor. People who have worked in jobs which require asbestos, such as plumbing or manufacturing, electrical work or construction, are at increased risk of developing the disease. Even if a person does not work in one of these areas they could still be exposed to asbestos through family members and other sources. Anyone who suspects that they may be at risk should talk to a doctor. A mesothelioma expert can help those who have a experience with asbestos to understand more about their risk.

Risk Factors

asbestos legal is the primary mesothelioma-related risk factor. It is responsible for up to 80percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos can occur through work, military service or through living with a person who is exposed to asbestos or used to do the same. Asbestos particles can be inhaled by those who are exposed to it. These irritate the linings and can cause cancerous cells to develop in the mesothelium. After asbestos exposure mesothelioma can occur between 15 and 60 years.

Other risk factors include genetics, smoking and aging. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely to be diagnosed with mesothelioma compared to those who are younger or more senior. Mesothelioma can take between 20 and 60 years to show signs of cancer after the first exposure. It is important to note, too, that mesothelioma can be present in those who have been exposed to asbestos without having directly worked with it. This is known as secondary or indirect asbestos exposure, and is as dangerous as direct asbestos exposure.

Smoking increases the chance of mesothelioma since it damages mesothelium. It can also make it more vulnerable. Mesothelioma can also be caused by certain illnesses, including asbestosis and pneumonia. It is also important to note that mesothelioma occurs more frequently in men than women. This is due to the fact that men are more likely to work with asbestos and have more exposure than women. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who had worked with asbestos, and to carry asbestos claim fibers on their clothing. Women tend to be less in contact with asbestos, and they are less likely to bring asbestos home on their clothing.

Diagnosis

It is difficult to identify mesothelioma because its symptoms are often similar to other diseases. This could lead to patients being misdiagnosed.

NYU Langone doctors will perform physical examinations and document the patient's medical history including asbestos exposure. Doctors can also request an X-ray of the chest or CT scan to check for lumps or other abnormalities, as well as evidence of asbestos litigation exposure in the past like plaques on 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 an echocardiogram, which examines the blood vessels and the heart, and a magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI test that uses radio waves and magnets to make a series of detailed images of the inside of the body. A surgical biopsy is another method for doctors to identify mesothelioma. In a surgical biopsy doctors take a tiny piece of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum, to be further examined. A pathologist is then able to examine the tissue under microscopes to determine whether it has cancerous cells.

Mesothelioma is classified according to the type of mesothelial cell involved, whether these cells are malignant or benign, and the location of the tumor, the type, and the stage of the cancer. Certain mesothelioma types have an increased risk of metastasizing or spreading therefore it is essential to establish a clear diagnosis so that doctors can treat it before it becomes out-of-control.

Doctors can also perform laboratory tests on tumors to identify specific proteins, genes, or other factors which can aid in describing cancer characteristics and determine the best treatment. These results are known as staging.

Treatment

A diagnosis of mesothelioma may be frightening. However, it's important to remember that the cancer is treatable, especially in its initial stages. Many patients with mesothelioma survive for a long time with the disease, without spreading to other areas of their body.

Asbestos exposure can cause mesothelioma by a variety of mechanisms. Asbestos fibers, which are tiny enough to be felt or viewed with the naked eyes are able to become airborne and irritate the lung's lining (pleura). As time passes, the irritation causes the formation of scar tissue, which leads to changes in the structure of cells that can eventually grow into tumors.

The Pleura is a covering that surrounds the lungs, heart and abdomen. Mesothelium is composed of cells that react to exposure to asbestos, causing it to inflame and create scar tissue. These changes can eventually cause mesothelioma cancers.

Symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include breathing problems, chest pain or a buildup of fluid on the lung (pleural effusion). In rare instances, the cancer can grow to the tissues surrounding the heart and reproductive organs.

A doctor will request biopsy if imaging scans reveal a possible mass in the lungs or stomach. During the procedure, doctors take tiny amounts of fluid or tumor for laboratory tests. The results can confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis, and provide the best treatment option.

There are many types of treatment for mesothelioma, including surgery and chemotherapy. Most doctors use a combination of these treatments. Enrolling in clinical trials of mesothelioma treatments that are new could be beneficial to patients. Patients can find out more by speaking with a mesothelioma doctor who has treated the condition.