Mesothelioma and Asbestos

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

Symptoms of these diseases may not show up for decades after exposure to asbestos. Different asbestos types may cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma is a type of cancer that occurs in the outer lung the lining (pleura). It is the most frequent mesothelioma form and accounts for 70% to 79% of diagnosed cases. Patients suffering from this condition suffer from chest pain and breathlessness and may experience an ache or heaviness in the chest.

Exposure to asbestos, a class of minerals made of microscopic fibers, typically causes this type of cancer. These fibers, when inhaled, cause irritation and DNA mutations. Pleura is the lining of both the chest cavity as well as the lungs, so irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma typically doesn't manifest until 30 to 50 year after exposure.

Chest pain and shortness breath are the most common symptoms. Patients may also experience difficulty breathing or chest tightness. Patients with this cancer have a past that includes asbestos exposure at work. Construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding are the most prevalent jobs that put people at a high risk of developing pleural mesothelioma. People who served in the military are at a greater risk due to the extensive use asbestos litigation in Navy vessels and Army bunkers.

The TNM (tumors lymph nodes and metastases staging system) is the most common staging system used for pleural adenocarcinoma. The stage a patient is in at diagnosis will aid their doctor in determining the most appropriate treatment plan for them. For instance, patients suffering from a pleural mesothelioma in stage three or four have a poorer prognosis than those with a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma is often spread to the diaphragm, the liver and/or a person's heart. This could make the cancer 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 is found in the peritoneum - it is a membrane that lines the abdominal cavity as well as organs like the intestines and the liver. As with pleural mesothelioma asbestos exposure is the primary reason for peritoneal msothelioma. The disease is less common than pleural mesothelioma, with just 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.

As with pleural asbestosis, symptoms can take years to manifest. Patients typically suffer from abdominal pain and may have a mass in their abdomen. The symptoms of this type of mesothelioma may also include nausea as well as weight loss and fever. A lot of these symptoms can be misinterpreted as digestive issues which can lead to a misdiagnosis.

Doctors can detect mesothelioma by reviewing the medical history of the patient and performing a physical examination. They may also employ imaging tests like Xrays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to help find mesothelioma. These tests can reveal tumors and other signs of cancer that aren't visible on an X-ray.

These tests enable doctors to diagnose mesothelioma, identify the stage and suggest treatment options. The stage is determined by the type of cell as well as whether the cancer has spread.

The most significant mesothelioma risk factor is exposure to asbestos. People who have worked in asbestos settlement-containing professions, such as electrical or plumbing work or in construction, manufacturing and manufacturing, are more likely to develop the disease. Even if they do not work in these fields they may be exposed to asbestos through relatives or other sources. Anyone who thinks they're at risk should consult an expert. A mesothelioma expert can help those with a previous history of asbestos to find out more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos exposure is the primary risk factor for mesothelioma accounting for up to 80 percent of all cases. Exposure to asbestos law may occur through work, military service, or living with someone who used to work with asbestos. When exposed to asbestos, small particles can be inhaled into the lungs and abdomen. These irritate the linings and cause cancerous cells to grow in the mesothelium. Following exposure to asbestos, mesothelioma may develop between 15 and 60 years.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and the advancing age. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely develop mesothelioma than those who are younger or older. This is because mesothelioma typically occurs between 20 and 60 years from the first exposure before the first signs of cancer appear. It is important to keep in mind that mesothelioma can develop in people who have been exposed to asbestos, but without having directly worked with it. This is called secondary or indirect exposure to asbestos, and it is just as harmful as direct exposure.

Smoking increases the chance of mesothelioma developing, as it damages the mesothelium. It also makes it more susceptible. Mesothelioma can also be aggravated by certain diseases, such as 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 longer periods 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 have asbestos fibers on their clothing. Women are less likely to come into contact with asbestos and don't typically carry asbestos around on their clothing.

Diagnosis

It is difficult to diagnose mesothelioma due to its symptoms being frequently similar to other illnesses. Because of this, victims are sometimes wrongly diagnosed.

NYU Langone doctors will perform an examination of the body and document the patient's medical background including asbestos exposure. Doctors will also order a CT scan or chest X-ray to check for lumps, abnormalities and evidence of asbestos exposure. These include plaques in the pleura, thickened pleura and calcium deposits.

Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram, which examines the blood vessels and the heart as well as a magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI, test that uses radio waves and magnets to create detailed images of the interior of the body. A surgical biopsy is a different method for doctors to identify mesothelioma. During a surgical biopsy, doctors remove a small amount of tissue from the pleura or peritoneum to conduct further tests. A pathologist then examines the tissue with a magnifying glass to determine if it is a cancerous cells.

The type of mesothelial cell involved, the malignant or benign nature of those cells as well as the location, type and stage of the cancer are used to categorize the disease. Certain types of mesothelioma may be more likely to grow or spread which is why it is crucial to get a definite diagnosis so that doctors can treat the disease before it gets out of control.

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

Treatment

A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be a frightening prospect. It is crucial to remember that cancer can be treated, particularly in its initial stages. Many patients with mesothelioma survive for many years without the disease spreading to other organs of their body.

Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma through a variety of mechanisms. Asbestos fibers, which are too small to be able to see or feel by the naked eye can become airborne and irritate the lung's lining (pleura). In time irritation leads to formation of scar tissue, which causes changes in the structure of cells that can eventually grow into tumors.

The pleura is a protective covering that protects the lungs, heart and abdomen. Mesothelium is made up of cells that react to exposure to asbestos which causes it to become inflamed and form scar tissue. Overtime, these changes result in the growth of malignant mesothelioma cancers.

A shortness of breath, chest discomfort, or the accumulation of fluid on the lungs are all indications of the pleural Msothelioma. In rare instances cancer can spread to the tissues surrounding the reproductive organs and the heart.

A doctor will request biopsy if imaging scans reveal a possible lung tumor or stomach. During the procedure, doctors will remove small amounts of the tumor or fluid for lab tests. The results will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and help determine the best treatment plan.

There are a variety of mesothelioma treatment, which include chemotherapy, surgery, and immunotherapy. Most doctors utilize the combination of these methods. Patients may also benefit from enrolling in a clinical trial of new mesothelioma treatment. Patients can learn more about the trials by speaking with a mesothelioma doctor who has treated the condition.