Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos is a natural mineral that is found in long, thin fibres. People who are exposed to asbestos are at risk of developing lung diseases, such as mesothelioma.

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

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma can be found in the lung's outer lining, also known as pleura. It is the most prevalent type of mesothelioma, making up 70% to 79% of all diagnosed cases. Patients with this disease suffer from chest pain and breath shortness and may also feel the sensation of weight in the chest.

This kind of cancer is usually caused by exposure to asbestos which is a cluster of minerals that are comprised of microscopic fibres. When inhaled, these fibers are absorbed into the lung and cause irritation that causes scarring and DNA mutations. The pleura surrounds the lungs and chest cavity, so these irritations can affect both the lungs as well as a person's heart. Mesothelioma typically doesn't manifest until 30 to 50 year after exposure.

Chest pain and shortness breath are the most common symptoms. Some patients also experience coughing, difficulty breathing, or chest tightness. People with this cancer have a past that includes asbestos exposure at work. The most frequent jobs that put people at risk of pleural mesothelioma include manufacturing, construction and shipbuilding. People who were in the military are at a greater risk due the frequent use of asbestos in Navy vessels and Army bunkers.

The TNM (tumors lymph nodes and metastases staging system) is the most common staging system used to treat the pleural adenocarcinoma. The stage that the patient is in at the time of diagnosis can help determine the treatment plan they should receive. Patients who have pleural mesothelioma which is in stage three or stage four will have a less favorable prognosis than those who are in a lower stage. Mesothelioma in stage four can develop into 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 is found in the lining of the lung, peritoneal cancer develops in a membrane that covers the abdominal cavity, which includes organs such as the intestines and the liver. Similar to pleural mesothelioma, asbestos exposure is the reason for peritoneal msothelioma. Only 300-500 cases are diagnosed annually this is less than pleural asbestosis.

As with pleural mesothelioma symptoms can take years to show. Typically, patients suffer from abdominal pain and abdominal swelling. Symptoms of this type of mesothelioma could also include nausea as well as weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms are similar to symptoms of digestive problems, which can result in misdiagnosis.

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

These test results enable doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and determine the stage. They can also recommend treatments. The stage of the disease is determined based on the cell type and whether or not the cancer has spread to other regions of the body.

The most significant risk factor for mesothelioma is asbestos exposure. People who have worked in professions that require asbestos settlement, like plumbing manufacturing, electrical work or construction, are at increased risk of developing the disease. However, even if people aren't employed in these areas, they can still be exposed to asbestos through family members or through other sources. This is why anyone who is concerned that they might be at risk should talk to an experienced doctor. A mesothelioma specialist can help those with a history with asbestos compensation to learn 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 occur due to work, military service or by living with someone who works with asbestos or used to do the same. Asbestos particles can be breathed in by those who are exposed to it. These irritate the linings and cause cancerous cells to develop in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma can take between 15 and 60 years to develop following exposure to asbestos.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and the advancing age. The people in their 40s or 50s are at a higher risk of developing mesothelioma as compared to those who are younger or older. This is because mesothelioma usually occurs between 20 and 60 years from the first exposure before the first signs of cancer appear. It is also important to note that mesothelioma is a possibility in people who have been exposed to asbestos but did not work with it directly. This is referred to as secondary or indirect asbestos exposure and can be as hazardous as direct asbestos exposure.

Smoking increases the chance of mesothelioma developing, as it damages the mesothelium. It also makes it more prone to. Mesothelioma is also aggravated by certain diseases, such as asbestosis and pneumonia. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma compared to women. This is due to men being more likely to work with asbestos and have a longer period of exposure than women. Additionally, men are more likely to live with someone who has worked with asbestos and carry asbestos fibers from their workplace on their clothing. Women tend to have less contact with asbestos and rarely carry asbestos home on their clothing.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is a difficult disease to diagnose because the symptoms often resemble other conditions. Due to this, patients are often misdiagnosed.

The first step in diagnosing mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform a physical exam and take notes on the medical history of a patient, including asbestos exposure. Doctors can also request a chest X-ray or CT scan to detect lumps and other abnormalities and also to look for evidence of asbestos exposure in the past like pleural plaques (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the accumulation of fluid between the lung and chest wall (known as pleural effusion).

Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram which examines the blood vessels and the heart and magnetic resonance imaging, also known as MRI test, which uses radio waves and magnets to make a series of precise images of the inside of the body. A surgical biopsy is a different method doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma. When a biopsy is performed, doctors remove a tiny part of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum, to be tested further. A pathologist is then able to examine the tissue under a microscope to see if it has cancerous cells.

The mesothelial type involved and the benign or malignant nature of those cells, as well as the location the cancer, its type and the stage of the tumour, are used to categorize the disease. Certain types of mesothelioma are at greater chance of metastasizing or spreading, so it's important to get a definitive diagnosis so that doctors can treat it before it becomes out of control.

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

Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnose can be frightening. However, it is important to remember that the disease is treatable, especially in its early stages. A lot of people suffering from mesothelioma live with the disease for a long time without spreading.

Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma through a variety of ways. asbestos lawyer fibers, which are tiny enough to be felt or seen by naked eyes, can become airborne, causing irritation to the lung's lining (pleura). As time passes irritation leads to formation of scar tissue which can cause changes in the structure of cells that eventually develop into tumors.

The pleura covers the heart and lungs and the abdomen. Mesothelium is composed of cells that respond when exposed to asbestos. They cause inflammation to the tissue and cause it to become scarred. These changes can eventually cause mesothelioma cancers.

Symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include breathing problems and chest pain, or an accumulation of fluid on the lungs (pleural effusion). In rare instances the cancer may grow to the tissues surrounding the heart and reproductive organs.

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

There are a variety of treatment for mesothelioma including chemotherapy and surgery. Most doctors utilize combinations of these treatments. Enrolling in clinical trials of new mesothelioma treatment may also be beneficial for patients. Patients can find out more by speaking with a mesothelioma doctor who has treated the disease.