Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that comes in long, thin fibres. People who are regularly exposed to asbestos risk developing lung diseases such as mesothelioma.

The symptoms of these diseases may not show up for decades after exposure to asbestos settlement. Different asbestos (related website) types may cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer that develops in the lung's outer lining (pleura). It is the most frequent type of mesothelioma, making up between 70 and 79% of all diagnosed cases. People with this condition feel chest pain and breath shortness and may experience an ache or heaviness in the chest.

This kind of cancer is usually caused by exposure to asbestos, which is a collection of minerals comprised of microscopic fibres. When inhaled, these fibers cling to the lungs and cause irritation that results in scarring and DNA mutations. Pleura covers both the chest cavity and the lungs, which means that irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma symptoms usually don't appear until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

Shortness of breath and chest pain are the most frequently reported symptoms. Patients may also experience difficulty breathing or chest tightness. Patients with this cancer have a history that includes asbestos litigation exposure at work. The most frequent jobs that expose workers to the risk of developing pleural mesothelioma are construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding. People who were in the military are at a greater risk due 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 common staging system used to treat pleural adenocarcinoma. The stage a patient is in at diagnosis will help their doctor determine the best treatment plan for them. For instance, patients who have mesothelioma that is pleural in stage three or four have a less favorable prognosis than those in lower stages. Mesothelioma in stage four can develop into the liver, heart, or diaphragm. This can make it more difficult to treat and increase the chance of complications for patients.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

As opposed to pleural mesothelioma that develops in the lung lining, peritoneal mesothelioma develops in the peritoneum - a membrane that lines the abdominal cavity and organs like the intestines and liver. Similar to pleural mesothelioma mesothelioma is triggered by asbestos exposure. The disease is less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma, with around 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.

As with pleural mesothelioma symptoms can take years to show. Most patients experience abdominal pain and abdominal swelling. The symptoms of this type of mesothelioma can also include nausea as well as weight loss and fever. A lot of these symptoms can be mistaken for gastrointestinal problems, leading to a false diagnosis.

Typically, doctors can identify mesothelioma by conducting a thorough medical history and physical exam. Imaging tests such as X-rays or CT scans are a way to identify mesothelioma. These tests can identify tumors as well as other signs of cancer which aren't visible on X-rays.

These tests enable doctors to diagnose mesothelioma, determine the stage and recommend treatment options. The stage is determined by the kind of cell and if the cancer has spread.

Asbestos exposure is the most important risk factor. People who have worked in asbestos-related professions, such as electrical or plumbing work, or in construction, manufacturing and manufacturing, are more likely to develop the disease. Even if someone is not employed in any of these areas however, they may still be exposed to asbestos through family members and other sources. For this reason, anyone who suspects they may be at risk should speak to an experienced doctor. If they have any history of exposure to asbestos and mesothelioma is a concern, a specialist will help them find out more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos exposure is the main mesothelioma risk factor, accounting for up to 80 percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos can occur due to work, military service, or through living with a person who is exposed to asbestos or used to do such. When exposed to asbestos, small particles can be breathed into the abdomen and lungs. These particles can cause irritation to the linings and cause cancerous cells to develop in the mesothelium. After asbestos exposure mesothelioma is likely to develop between 15 and 60 year.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and age. People in their 40s or 50s are at a higher chance of developing mesothelioma to people who are younger or more. It takes mesothelioma 20-60 years before it manifests cancer symptoms after the first exposure. It is also important to note that mesothelioma may develop in people who have been exposed to asbestos but did not deal with it directly. This is known as indirect or secondary asbestos exposure, and is just as harmful as direct asbestos exposure.

Smoking increases the chance of mesothelioma developing, as it damages the mesothelium. It also makes it more susceptible. Additionally, mesothelioma can be exacerbated by certain illnesses like 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 period of time and to work with asbestos for longer periods of time. Also, men are more likely to live with someone who worked with asbestos claim and carry stray asbestos fibers home on their clothes. Women are less likely to come exposed to asbestos and they are less likely to carry asbestos on their clothing.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is difficult to identify because the symptoms often resemble other conditions. This could lead to patients being incorrectly diagnosed.

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

Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI test, that uses radio waves and magnets in order to produce a series of precise images of inside the body. A surgical biopsy is a different method doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma. When a biopsy is performed doctors take a tiny part of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum, to be further examined. A pathologist can then examine the tissue with a microscope to see if it contains cancerous cells.

Mesothelioma is classified based on the type of mesothelial cell involved, whether the cells are benign or malignant, and the location of the tumor, the type, and the stage of the tumor. Certain types of mesothelioma may be more likely to spread or metastasize and spread, therefore it is essential to establish a definitive diagnosis so that doctors can treat the disease before it becomes out of control.

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

Treatment

A diagnosis of mesothelioma may be terrifying. It is crucial to remember, however, that cancer can be treated particularly in its initial stages. A lot of people suffering from mesothelioma endure the disease for a long time, without spreading.

Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma through a variety of ways. Asbestos fibers, which are too small to detect or feel by the naked eye can become airborne and irritate the lining of the lungs (pleura). In time, the irritation causes the formation of scar tissue, which causes changes in the structure of cells which eventually lead to tumors.

The pleura surrounds the heart and lungs, as well as the abdomen. Mesothelium is made up of cells that respond when exposed to asbestos. They cause inflammation to the tissue and cause it to scar. These changes can result in malignant mesothelioma tumors.

Symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include shortness of breath and chest pain, or the accumulation of fluid in the lung (pleural effusion). In rare cases cancer may spread to the tissues that surround the reproductive organs and heart.

If imaging scans show an area of concern in the stomach or lungs the doctor will request a biopsies. During the procedure, doctors take a small sample of the tumor or fluid for lab testing. The results can confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and provide the best treatment option.

There are several types of mesothelioma treatment options, which include chemotherapy, surgery, and immunotherapy. Most doctors utilize a combination of these methods. Patients may also benefit from taking part in a clinical trial of new mesothelioma therapies. To find out more, patients should speak with mesothelioma specialists who have had experience treating the disease.