Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos is a natural mineral that is made up of thin, long fibres. Workers who are exposed to asbestos regularly are at risk of developing mesothelioma as well as other types of lung diseases.

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

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma occurs in the lung's outer lining, also known as pleura. It is the most frequent mesothelioma form and is responsible for 70 to 79% of all diagnosed cases. Patients with this disease feel chest pain and breathlessness, and they may feel an ache or heaviness in the chest.

This kind of cancer is usually caused by exposure to asbestos which is a grouping of minerals that are made up of microscopic fibres. The fibers, when inhaled can cause irritation and DNA mutations. The pleura covers the lungs and chest cavity and therefore, these irritations could affect both the lungs as well as a person's heart. Mesothelioma symptoms usually don't appear until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

Shortness of breath and chest pain are the most frequent symptoms. Some patients have coughing problems, trouble breathing or chest tightness. Patients with this type of cancer have a past that includes asbestos exposure at work. The most prevalent jobs that put people at risk of developing pleural mesothelioma are manufacturing, construction, and shipbuilding. People who have served in the military could be at a higher risk because of the extensive use of asbestos in Navy vessels and bunkers used by the army.

The most common staging system for pleural mysothelioma has been the TNM (tumor lymph nodes, lymph nodes and metastases) staging system. The stage that a patient is in at the time of diagnosis will help determine what treatment plan they will receive. For example, patients with mesothelioma that is pleural in stage three or four have a less favorable prognosis than patients with a lower stage. Mesothelioma in stage four is usually spread to the liver, diaphragm or even the heart of a patient. This makes the cancer more difficult to treat, and increase the risk of complications for patients.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Unlike pleural mesothelioma, which is a lung-lining cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma develops in the peritoneum - a membrane that lines the abdominal cavity and organs such as the liver and intestines. Like pleural mesothelioma, exposure to asbestos is the reason for peritoneal msothelioma. The disease is less common than pleural mesothelioma. There are just 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.

As with pleural asbestosis symptoms can take a long time to show. Most patients are afflicted with abdominal pain as well as a mass in the abdomen. This kind of mesothelioma can also cause nausea, weight loss and fever. A lot of these symptoms are similar to those of digestive issues, which could lead to confusion in diagnosis.

Doctors can detect mesothelioma by examining the patient's medical history and conducting a physical exam. Imaging tests like X-rays and CT scans can be used to detect mesothelioma. These tests can reveal tumors and other cancer signs which aren't visible on X-rays.

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

Asbestos exposure is the main risk factor. People who have been in occupations that require asbestos, such as plumbing manufacturing, electrical work or construction, are at greater risk of developing the disease. Even if someone does not work in one of these fields however, they may still be exposed to asbestos through family members and other sources. Anyone who thinks they may be at risk should speak with a doctor. If they have any history of exposure to asbestos and mesothelioma is a concern, a specialist will help them find out more about the risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos exposure is a major risk factor for mesothelioma making up as much as 80 percent of all cases. Exposure to asbestos can occur as a result of military service, work, or living with people who have worked with asbestos. When exposed to asbestos, particles are able to be inhaled into lungs and abdomen. They can cause irritation to the linings of the abdomen and can cause cancerous cells to form in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma can take between 15 and 60 years to develop following exposure to asbestos.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and age. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely to get mesothelioma than people younger or more senior. It takes mesothelioma between 20 and 60 years before it manifests cancer symptoms after the first exposure. It is important to keep in mind that mesothelioma may occur in people who have been exposed to asbestos without having worked with it directly. This is known as secondary or indirect exposure to asbestos, and it can be just as dangerous as direct exposure.

Smoking increases the chance of mesothelioma because it damages the mesothelium. It also makes it more prone to. Furthermore, mesothelioma is worsened by certain diseases like asbestosis and pneumonia. It is also important to note that mesothelioma is more prevalent in men than women. This is because men are more likely to work with asbestos and experience a an extended period of exposure than women. Additionally, men are more likely to live with someone who was exposed to asbestos and bring asbestos fibers that have escaped home on their clothes. Women tend to have less contact with asbestos and don't typically carry asbestos legal around on their clothing.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is a difficult cancer to diagnose because the symptoms are often similar to other conditions. This can result in patients being incorrectly diagnosed.

The first step to diagnose mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform an examination and write note of the medical history of the patient which includes asbestos exposure. Doctors can also order an X-ray of the chest or CT scan to check for lumps and other abnormalities, and also to look for evidence of past asbestos exposure such as pleural plaques (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the formation of fluid between the lung and the chest wall (known as 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 create detailed images of the interior of the body. A surgical biopsy is a different method doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma. During a surgery biopsy, doctors remove a tiny part of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum to be further examined. A pathologist can then examine the tissue with microscopes to determine whether it contains cancerous cells.

The type of mesothelial cells involved as well as the benign or malignant nature of these cells and the location and stage of the cancer are used to categorize the disease. Certain types of mesothelioma are at an increased risk of spreading or metastasizing therefore it is essential to establish a clear diagnosis so that doctors can treat it before it becomes out of control.

Doctors may also conduct laboratory tests on tumors to determine specific genes, proteins or other factors that can aid in describing the characteristics of cancer and plan treatment. These results are known as staging.

Treatment

A diagnosis of mesothelioma may be frightening. It is important to remember that cancer can be treated especially at its early stages. Many patients with mesothelioma survive for a long time with the disease, without spreading to other parts of their body.

Exposure to asbestos law may cause mesothelioma in many ways. Asbestos fibers, which are too small to be felt or seen through the naked eye can be airborne, irritating the lining of the lung (pleura). Over time irritation can lead to formation of scar tissue which can cause changes in the structure of cells which eventually lead to tumors.

The Pleura is a protective layer that protects the abdomen, heart, and lungs. Mesothelium consists of cells that react to exposure to asbestos, causing it to inflame and develop scar tissue. As time passes, these changes result in the growth of malignant mesothelioma cancers.

The symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are breathlessness 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.

A doctor will order a biopsy if imaging scans reveal a possible mass in the lungs or stomach. During the procedure, doctors will remove a small sample of the fluid or tumor for lab analysis. The results can confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis and provide the best treatment plan.

There are several types of mesothelioma treatment options, which include chemotherapy, surgery, and immunotherapy. Most doctors use a combination of these treatments. Patients may also benefit from enrolling in a clinical trial of new mesothelioma therapies. To learn more, patients should speak to a mesothelioma specialist who has had experience treating the disease.