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Mesothelioma and Asbestos

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

It can take years before symptoms begin to manifest after asbestos exposure. Different asbestos types can cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma, a form of cancer, that occurs in the lung's outer the lining (pleura). It is the most prevalent mesothelioma that accounts for up 70% to 79% of all diagnosed cases. Patients with this disease experience pain in the chest and breathlessness and may also feel an ache or heaviness in the chest.

Exposure to asbestos, a family of minerals made of microscopic fibers, typically causes this kind of cancer. Once inhaled, the fibers stick inside the lungs and cause irritation that causes scarring and DNA mutations. The pleura covers the lungs and chest cavity, so these irritations can affect both the lungs as well as a person's heart. Mesothelioma symptoms typically don't show until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

The most common symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are chest pain and shortness of breath. Patients may also experience coughing, difficulty breathing, or chest tightness. People who suffer from this cancer usually have an history of exposure to asbestos in the workplace. Construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding are the most prevalent occupations that put people at high chance of developing pleural mesothelioma. People who were in the military are at greater risk due the frequent use of asbestos in Navy vessels and bunkers for the Army.

The most commonly used staging method for pleural mesothelioma is the TNM (tumor lymph nodes, lymph nodes and metastases) staging system. The stage the patient is in at the moment of diagnosis will determine the treatment plan they should receive. Patients who have pleural mesothelioma which is in stage three or four will have a less favorable prognosis than those who are in a less advanced stage. Stage four mesothelioma often spreads to the diaphragm, liver and/or a person's heart. This could make the cancer more difficult to treat and increase the risk of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Unlike pleural cancer, that develops in the lung's lining, peritoneal cancer develops in a membrane that surrounds the abdominal cavity, which includes organs such as the liver and intestines. Like pleural mesothelioma, peritoneal mesothelioma is triggered by asbestos exposure. The disease is less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma. There are around 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.

Like pleural mesothelioma, the symptoms can take a long time to manifest. Typically, patients suffer from abdominal pain and abdominal swelling. 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 digestive issues, leading to a mistaken diagnosis.

Typically, doctors can identify mesothelioma after an exhaustive health history and physical examination. They may also employ imaging tests such as X-rays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to help find mesothelioma. These tests can reveal tumors and other signs of cancer which aren't evident on X-rays.

These tests enable doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and establish the stage. They also offer treatments. The stage is determined by the kind of cell and if the cancer has spread.

Asbestos exposure is the main risk factor. People who have been exposed to asbestos lawsuit in professions, such as electrical or plumbing work or in manufacturing and construction are more likely to develop the disease. However, even if individuals do not work in these fields they may be exposed to asbestos through family members or through other sources. Anyone who suspects that they're at risk should speak with a doctor. A mesothelioma specialist can assist those who have a history with asbestos claim to learn more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos is the main risk factor for mesothelioma. It accounts for up to 80percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos may occur due to work, military service or through living with a person who is exposed to asbestos or used to do so. Asbestos particles can be inhaled by people who are exposed to it. They can cause irritation to the linings of the abdomen and can cause cancerous cells to grow in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma may take between 15 and 60 years to develop after exposure to asbestos.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and age. People in their 40s or 50s are more at risk of developing mesothelioma as compared to those who are younger or older. It takes mesothelioma 20-60 years to show signs of cancer after the first exposure. It is also important to note that mesothelioma can develop in people who have been exposed to asbestos [you can find out more], but did not work with it directly. This is referred to as secondary or indirect exposure to asbestos. It can be just as dangerous as direct 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 remember that mesothelioma occurs more frequently in males than females. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for longer periods of time and to have worked with asbestos litigation for longer durations and to work with it. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who been exposed to asbestos, and to have asbestos-containing fibers on their clothing. Women are less likely to be in contact with asbestos, and don't typically carry asbestos on their clothing.

Diagnosis

It is difficult to recognize mesothelioma due to its symptoms being often similar to other conditions. Because of this, victims are sometimes misdiagnosed.

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

Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram, which examines the blood vessels and the heart, and a magnetic resonance imaging, also known as MRI test, which makes use of radio waves and magnets to create precise images of the inside of the body. Another method doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma is through an operation called a biopsy. In a surgical biopsy doctors take a small amount of tissue from the peritoneum or pleura to conduct further tests. A pathologist will then look at the tissue under a magnifying glass to determine whether it contains cancerous cells.

The type of mesothelial cells involved as well as the benign or malignant nature of those cells as well as the location and stage of the tumor, are used to classify the disease. Certain types of mesothelioma are at an increased risk of spreading or metastasizing therefore it is essential to determine the type of mesothelioma so doctors can treat it prior to it becoming out of control.

Doctors can also perform tests in the lab on tumors to identify specific proteins, genes or other factors that can aid in describing the characteristics of cancer and plan treatment. These results are referred to as staging.

Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnose can be terrifying. It is crucial to remember that cancer can be treated, particularly in its early stages. Many patients with mesothelioma survive for many years with the disease, without spreading to other parts of their body.

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

The pleura surrounds the lungs and heart, as well as the abdomen. Mesothelium consists of cells that react to asbestos, causing it to inflame and develop scar tissue. These changes can eventually result in malignant mesothelioma tumors.

A shortness of breath, chest discomfort, or the accumulation of fluid on the lungs are all symptoms of the pleural msothelioma. In rare cases, cancer can spread into the tissues surrounding the reproductive organs as well as the heart.

If imaging scans reveal an underlying mass in the lungs or stomach, a doctor will order a biopsies. In the course of the procedure, doctors remove some of the fluid or tumor for tests in the laboratory. The results can confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and help determine the best treatment option.

There are many types of treatment for mesothelioma including chemotherapy and surgery. Most doctors utilize the combination of these methods. Patients could also benefit from participating in a clinical study of new mesothelioma treatments. Patients can learn more by consulting a mesothelioma expert who has treated the disease.