Mesothelioma and Asbestos

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

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

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma occurs in the outer lung lining, also known as the pleura. It is the most common mesothelioma that accounts for up 70% to 79% of diagnosed cases. Patients with this disease suffer from chest pain and shortness of breath and may experience an ache or heaviness in the chest.

Exposure to asbestos, a group of minerals made of microscopic fibers causes this kind of cancer. These fibers, when inhaled can cause irritation and DNA mutations. Pleura surrounds both the chest cavity as well as the lungs, so irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma is usually not symptomatic until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

Chest pain and shortness breath are the most common symptoms. Patients may also experience chest tightness and coughing, or breathing difficulties. Patients with this type of cancer have a past that includes asbestos exposure at work. The most frequent jobs that expose workers to the risk of developing pleural cancer are manufacturing, construction and shipbuilding. People who have served in the military are at risk due to the widespread asbestos use in Navy ships and bunkers used by the army.

The most commonly used staging system for pleural mesothelioma is 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 the treatment plan they will receive. Patients suffering from pleural mesothelioma who is in stage three or stage four will have a worse prognosis compared to those in a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma can develop into the liver, heart, or diaphragm. This could make the cancer more difficult to treat, and increase the risk of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

In contrast to pleural cancer, that develops in the lung's lining, peritoneal cancer develops in a membrane that surrounds the abdominal cavity, including organs like the liver and intestines. As with pleural mesothelioma asbestos exposure is the primary cause of peritoneal mesothelioma. The disease is less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma, and just 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.

Like pleural mesothelioma, the symptoms can take years to show. Most patients are afflicted with abdominal pain as well as a mass in the abdomen. The symptoms of this kind of mesothelioma may also include nausea, weight loss and fever. A lot of these symptoms are similar to those experienced by digestive problems, which can result in incorrect diagnosis.

Generally speaking, doctors can detect mesothelioma through a thorough health history and physical exam. Imaging tests like X-rays and CT scans can be used to identify mesothelioma. These tests can reveal tumors and other signs of cancer that aren't visible on X-rays.

The results of these tests allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and determine the stage and recommend treatment options. The staging is determined by the cell type and whether or not the tumor has spread to other parts of the body.

Asbestos exposure is the biggest risk factor. People who have worked in professions that require asbestos, like plumbing, electrical work, manufacturing or construction, are at a higher risk of developing the disease. Even if a person does not work in any of these areas, he or she can still be exposed to asbestos through family members and other sources. This is why anyone who is concerned that they might be at risk should speak to a doctor. A mesothelioma specialist can help those with a experience with asbestos to understand more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos exposure is a major risk factor for mesothelioma, making up as much as 80 percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos may occur as a result of military service, work or living with people who have worked with asbestos. When exposed to asbestos case (this link), particles can be breathed into the lungs and abdomen. These particles can cause irritation to the linings, causing cancerous cells to develop in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma can take anywhere between 15 and 60 years to develop following exposure to asbestos.

Other risk factors include genetics, smoking and aging. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely to be diagnosed with mesothelioma compared to those who are younger or more senior. Mesothelioma can take between 20 and 60 years to manifest cancer symptoms after the first exposure. It is also important to know that mesothelioma may develop in those who were exposed to asbestos compensation but didn't engage directly with it. This is referred to as secondary or indirect asbestos exposure, and is as hazardous as direct asbestos 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 can also be aggravated by certain illnesses, including asbestosis and pneumonia. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma compared to women. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for a longer period of time and to work with asbestos for longer periods of time. Men are also more likely to live with someone who has had asbestos compensation exposure and bring stray asbestos fibers home on their clothing. Women tend to have less exposure to asbestos and rarely carry asbestos litigation around on their clothes.

Diagnosis

It is difficult to identify mesothelioma since its symptoms are often similar to other diseases. This is why patients are often misdiagnosed.

The first step in identifying mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform an examination and write notes on the medical history of a patient which includes asbestos exposure. Doctors can also request a chest X-ray or CT scan to look for lumps and other abnormalities as well as evidence of previous asbestos exposure like pleural plaques (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the formation of fluid between the lung and the chest wall (known as the pleural effusion).

Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram which examines the heart and blood vessels, and a magnetic resonance imaging, also known as MRI test, which makes use of magnets and radio waves to make a series of detailed images of the inside of the body. Another way doctors can diagnose mesothelioma is by performing an operation called a biopsy. During a surgery biopsy, doctors remove a tiny part of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum, to be examined further. A pathologist then examines the tissue under an magnifying glass to determine if it is a cancerous cell.

Mesothelioma is classified based on the type of mesothelial cells involved, whether those cells are malignant or benign and also the location of the tumor, the type, and the stage of the cancer. Certain types of mesothelioma may be more likely to spread or metastasize which is why it is crucial to establish a definitive diagnosis to ensure that doctors are able to treat the disease before it goes out of control.

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

Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnosis can be an incredibly frightening prospect. It is important to keep in mind that cancer can be treated particularly in its early stages. Many patients with mesothelioma live with the disease for a long time without spreading.

Asbestos exposure can cause mesothelioma by many mechanisms. Asbestos particles, which are too small to be able to see or feel through the naked eye, can be airborne and cause irritation to the lining of the lungs (pleura). In time the irritation causes the formation of scar tissues that eventually result in tumors.

The pleura is the area that surrounds the heart and lungs and also the abdomen. Mesothelium is composed of cells that react to exposure to asbestos which causes it to become inflamed and develop scar tissue. Overtime, these changes result in the growth of malignant mesothelioma tumors.

Breathing problems, chest discomfort or fluid buildup on the lungs are all symptoms of the pleural Msothelioma. In rare instances, the cancer can be spread to the tissues around the heart and reproductive organs.

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

There are many types of mesothelioma treatments, including chemotherapy, surgery and immunotherapy. The majority of doctors use the combination of these methods. Participating in clinical trials of mesothelioma treatments may be beneficial for patients. Patients can learn more about the trials by speaking with a mesothelioma doctor who has treated mesothelioma.