Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos, a natural mineral, naturally forms in the form of long, thin fibers. Workers who are regularly exposed to asbestos are at risk of developing lung diseases like mesothelioma.

Symptoms of these diseases may not be evident for a long time after exposure to asbestos. Different types of asbestos can cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer that develops in the lung's outer the lining (pleura). It is the most prevalent form of mesothelioma and accounts for 70% to 79% of all diagnosed cases. This condition causes chest pain, breath shortness and a feeling heaviness.

Exposure to asbestos, a class of minerals made of microscopic fibers, typically causes this type of cancer. Once inhaled, these fibers are absorbed into the lungs and cause irritation that causes scarring and DNA mutations. The pleura covers the chest cavity and lungs, so these irritations can affect both the lungs and a person's heart. Mesothelioma symptoms are usually not apparent until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

Shortness of breath and chest pain are the most common symptoms. Patients may also experience chest tightness, coughing or difficulty breathing. Patients with this type of cancer have a history that includes asbestos settlement exposure at work. The most common jobs that expose workers to the risk of pleural mesothelioma include manufacturing, construction, and shipbuilding. People who have served in the military could be at an especially high risk due to the widespread asbestos claim usage in Navy ships and bunkers used by the army.

The TNM (tumors, lymph nodes, and metastases staging system) is the most popular staging system for the pleural cancer. The stage a patient is in upon diagnosis will aid their doctor in determining the most appropriate treatment plan for them. For instance, patients who have mesothelioma pleural stage three or four have a less favorable prognosis than patients with a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma can develop into the liver, heart, or diaphragm. This makes the cancer more difficult to treat and increase the chances of complications for patients.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Unlike pleural cancer, which forms in the lung's lining, peritoneal cancer develops in a membrane that covers the abdominal cavity, which includes organs such as the liver and intestines. Similar to pleural mesothelioma mesothelioma is triggered by asbestos exposure. It is estimated that only 300-500 cases are diagnosed annually, which is less than the pleural asbestosis.

As with pleural asbestosis, symptoms can take years to manifest. Patients typically suffer from abdominal pain and may also have a lump in their abdomen. This type of mesothelioma may cause nausea, weight loss and fever. A lot of these symptoms can be misinterpreted as digestive issues and can lead to a mistaken diagnosis.

Doctors can detect mesothelioma by reviewing the medical history of the patient and performing a physical examination. Imaging tests such as X-rays or CT scans can be used to identify mesothelioma. These tests can reveal cancerous tumors or other signs of cancer that aren't apparent on an X-ray.

The results of these tests allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and establish the stage. They can also suggest treatment options. Staging is determined based on the type of cells and whether or the cancer has spread to other areas of the body.

Asbestos exposure is the main risk factor. People who have worked in asbestos lawyer-containing occupations, like electrical or plumbing work or in construction and manufacturing, are more likely to develop the disease. Even if an individual is not employed in one of these areas they could be exposed to asbestos through family members and other sources. Therefore, anyone who is concerned that they might be at risk should speak to an experienced doctor. A mesothelioma specialist can assist those who have a history with asbestos to learn more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos is the most significant mesothelioma-related risk factor. It accounts for up to 80% of all cases. Exposure to asbestos can occur as a result of work, military service, or living with those who worked with asbestos. When exposed to asbestos, the particles can be breathed into the abdomen and lungs. These particles irritate the linings of the lungs, causing cancerous cells to form in the mesothelium. After exposure to asbestos, mesothelioma may occur between 15 and 60 years old.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and age. People in their 40s and 50s are more at risk of developing mesothelioma as compared to those who are younger or older. It takes mesothelioma between 20 and 60 years to show signs of cancer after the first exposure. It is important to keep in mind, too, that mesothelioma can develop in those who have been exposed to asbestos without having directly worked with it. This is known as indirect or secondary exposure to asbestos, and it could be as hazardous as direct exposure.

Smoking can increase the likelihood of developing mesothelioma due to the fact that it causes mesothelium damage and makes it more vulnerable to asbestos. Mesothelioma is also aggravated by certain diseases, such as asbestosis and pneumonia. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than females. This is because men are more likely to work with asbestos and experience a more exposure than women. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who has worked with asbestos, and to have asbestos lawsuit case (schmidt-bailey.Hubstack.net) fibers on their clothing. Women tend to be less in contact with asbestos, and they are less likely to carry asbestos on their clothes.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is difficult to recognize because the symptoms often resemble other diseases. Because of this, victims are often mistakenly diagnosed.

NYU Langone doctors will perform physical examinations and document the patient's medical history, 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 such as plaques on 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 an echocardiogram, which examines the heart and blood vessels and magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI, test that uses radio waves and magnets to make a series of detailed images of the interior of the body. A surgical biopsy is yet another method doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma. When a biopsy is performed doctors will remove a small piece of tissue from pleura or the peritoneum to be further examined. A pathologist can then examine the tissue with an magnifying glass to determine if it is a cancerous cell.

The type of mesothelial cell involved and the benign or malignant nature of those cells and the location and stage of the cancer are used to classify the disease. Certain types of mesothelioma are at a higher risk of metastasizing or spreading therefore it is essential to determine the type of mesothelioma to ensure that the doctors can treat it before it gets out of control.

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

Treatment

A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be a frightening prospect. It is important to remember, however, that cancer can be treated, particularly in its initial stages. Many people with mesothelioma can endure the disease for a long time, without expanding.

Asbestos exposure can cause mesothelioma through a variety of mechanisms. Asbestos fibers that are tiny enough to be felt or seen with the naked eyes can be airborne, irritating the lining of the lung (pleura). As time passes the irritation can lead to the formation of scar tissue, which eventually lead to tumors.

The Pleura is a covering that covers the lungs, heart and abdomen. Mesothelium consists of cells that react to asbestos which causes it to become inflamed and form scar tissue. These changes eventually result in malignant mesothelioma tumors.

The signs of pleural mesothelioma can include breathlessness and chest pain as well as the accumulation of fluid in the lungs (pleural effusion). In rare instances cancer can spread to the tissues surrounding the reproductive organs as well as the heart.

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

There are a variety of treatment for mesothelioma such as chemotherapy and surgery. Most doctors use a combination of these treatments. Patients could also benefit from enrolling in a clinical trial of new mesothelioma treatment. Patients can learn more about the trials by consulting a mesothelioma specialist who has treated the disease.