Mesothelioma and Asbestos

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

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

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma is a type of cancer that develops in the lung's outer the lining (pleura). It is the most frequent mesothelioma type, accounting for up between 70 and 79% of all diagnosed cases. Patients suffering from this condition experience pain in the chest and breathlessness and may experience a sensation of heaviness in the chest.

Exposure to asbestos, a class of minerals made of microscopic fibers, usually causes this type of cancer. These fibers, when inhaled, cause irritation and DNA mutations. The pleura is the area that surrounds the chest cavity and lungs and therefore, these irritations could affect both the lungs as well as the heart of a person. Mesothelioma symptoms typically don't show until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

Chest pain and shortness breath are the most common symptoms. Patients may also suffer from chest tightness, coughing or difficulty breathing. Patients with this cancer have a history that includes asbestos exposure at work. The most frequent jobs that expose people to the risk of pleural mesothelioma include manufacturing, construction and shipbuilding. Individuals who have served in the military are at a higher risk due to the widespread use of asbestos in Navy vessels and bunkers for the Army.

The TNM (tumors lymph nodes, tumors, and metastases staging system) is the most popular staging system used for pleural adenocarcinoma. The stage that a patient is at when they are diagnosed will help their doctor determine the most effective treatment plan for them. Patients with pleural mesothelioma that is in stage three or four will have a less favorable prognosis compared to those who are in a less advanced stage. Stage four mesothelioma is often spread to the diaphragm, the liver and/or a person's heart. This can make it more difficult to treat and increase the chance of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Unlike pleural cancer, which is found in the lining of the lung it develops in a membrane that surrounds the abdominal cavity, which includes organs like the intestines and liver. Similar to pleural mesothelioma and peritoneal mesothelioma is triggered by asbestos exposure. Only 300-500 cases are diagnosed each year which is lower than pleural asbestosis.

As with pleural mesothelioma symptoms can take a long time to manifest. The majority of patients experience abdominal pain and an abdominal mass. This kind of mesothelioma can cause nausea, weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms can be mistaken for gastrointestinal problems which can lead to a false diagnosis.

Generally, doctors can find mesothelioma by conducting a thorough health history and physical exam. They may also employ imaging tests like X-rays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to detect mesothelioma. These tests can reveal tumors as well as other signs of cancer that aren't evident on X-rays.

These tests enable doctors to identify mesothelioma, and determine the stage. They can also suggest treatment options. The stage of the disease is determined based on the type of cells and whether or whether the tumor has spread to other areas of the body.

The most significant mesothelioma-related risk factor is asbestos exposure. People who have been in occupations that require asbestos, such as plumbing electrical work, manufacturing or construction, are at a higher risk of developing the disease. Even if they aren't employed in these fields they may be exposed to asbestos law through family members or other sources. Anyone who thinks they are at risk should consult an expert. A mesothelioma specialist can assist those who have had a history with asbestos to learn more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos is the most significant risk factor for mesothelioma. It is responsible for up to 80percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos may occur through work, military service, or by living with a person who is exposed to asbestos compensation legal (Recommended Web page) or used to do such. When exposed to asbestos, small particles can be inhaled into the abdomen and lungs. These irritate the linings and trigger cancerous cells to grow in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma can take anywhere between 15 and 60 years to develop following exposure to asbestos.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and age. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely get mesothelioma than people younger or older. It takes mesothelioma between 20 and 60 years to show signs of cancer after the first exposure. It is important to remember that mesothelioma is a possibility in people who were exposed to asbestos but did not work with it directly. This is known as indirect or secondary exposure to asbestos. It could be as hazardous as direct exposure.

Smoking increases the risk of mesothelioma, because it damages the mesothelium. It also makes it more susceptible. Additionally, mesothelioma can be exacerbated by certain illnesses like pneumonia and asbestosis. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than females. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for a longer period of time and work with asbestos for longer periods of time. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who worked with asbestos and to carry asbestos fibers on their clothing. Women tend to be less in contact with asbestos, and they don't usually bring asbestos case home on their clothing.

Diagnosis

It is difficult to diagnose mesothelioma because its symptoms are often similar to other diseases. Because of this, victims are sometimes wrongly diagnosed.

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

Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance imaging or MRI test, which uses magnets and radio waves in order to create a series of detailed images of the inside of the body. Another way doctors can diagnose mesothelioma is by performing a surgical biopsy. When a biopsy is performed doctors will remove a small piece of tissue from pleura or the peritoneum, to be tested further. A pathologist is then able to examine the tissue under microscopes to determine whether it has cancerous cells.

The type of mesothelial cells involved, the malignant or benign nature of the cells as well as the location the cancer, its type and the stage of the tumour, are used to classify the disease. Certain types of mesothelioma are more likely to grow or spread which is why it is crucial to have a clear diagnosis so doctors can treat the disease before it gets out of control.

Doctors can also run tests in the laboratory on a tumor to find specific genes, proteins, or other factors which can help them identify the cancer's characteristics and plan treatment. These results are known as staging.

Treatment

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

Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma through many mechanisms. Asbestos fibers, which are small enough to not be felt or seen by naked eyes are able to become airborne and irritate the lining of the lung (pleura). Over time, the irritation causes the formation of scar tissue, which can cause changes in the structure of cells that eventually develop into tumors.

The pleura is the area that surrounds the heart and lungs and also the abdomen. Mesothelium is made up of cells that respond when exposed to asbestos. They cause inflammation of the tissue and cause it to scar. As time passes, these changes lead to the development of malignant mesothelioma tumors.

Shortness of breath, chest discomfort, or the accumulation of fluid on the lungs are all symptoms of pleural msothelioma. In rare cases, cancer can spread into the tissues around the reproductive organs and heart.

A doctor will order a biopsy if imaging scans show a potential mass in the lungs or stomach. During the procedure, doctors will remove small amounts of the fluid or tumor for lab testing. The results will confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis and determine the most effective treatment plan.

There are many types of mesothelioma treatment options, including surgery, chemotherapy and immunotherapy. Most doctors rely on an amalgamation of these techniques. Patients may also benefit from enrolling in a clinical trial of new mesothelioma treatments. To learn more about the trials, patients should speak with mesothelioma specialists who have expertise in treating the condition.