Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos, a natural mineral, naturally forms in the form of thin, long fibers. People who are regularly exposed to asbestos claim risk developing lung diseases, such as mesothelioma.

It can take years for symptoms to show up after exposure to asbestos. Different types of asbestos can cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma occurs in the lung's outer lining or pleura. It is the most prevalent form of mesothelioma and is responsible for 70 to 79% of diagnosed cases. This condition causes chest discomfort, shortness of breath and a feeling heaviness.

This type of cancer is typically caused by exposure to asbestos which is a collection of minerals that are made up of microscopic fibres. When inhaled, these fibers stick inside the lung and cause irritation that leads to scarring and DNA mutations. The pleura is the area that surrounds the chest cavity and lungs This means that 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.

Chest pain and shortness breath are the most frequent symptoms. Some patients may also experience chest tightness, coughing or difficulty breathing. People with this cancer have a history that includes asbestos exposure at work. The most prevalent jobs that expose people to the risk of pleural mesothelioma include construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding. Individuals who have been in the military are at risk due to the frequent asbestos use in Navy vessels and bunkers used by the army.

The most popular 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 can help determine the treatment plan they should follow. Patients suffering from pleural mesothelioma who is in stage three or four will have a worse prognosis compared to those in a lower stage. Mesothelioma in stage four can spread to the liver, heart, or diaphragm. This can make the cancer more difficult to treat, and increase the chances of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

As opposed to pleural mesothelioma that is a lung-lining cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma develops in the peritoneum, an elongated membrane that covers the abdominal cavity and organs such as the intestines and liver. Like pleural mesothelioma, exposure to asbestos is the cause of 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 years to manifest. Patients generally have abdominal pain, and may have a mass in their abdomen. This type of mesothelioma may also cause nausea, weight loss, and fever. A lot of these symptoms are similar to symptoms of digestive issues, which could result in misdiagnosis.

Doctors can detect mesothelioma by looking over the medical history of the patient and conducting a physical exam. They can also utilize imaging tests like X-rays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to identify mesothelioma. These tests can identify tumors and other cancer signs which aren't evident on X-rays.

The results of these tests allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma, identify the stage and suggest treatment options. The staging is determined by the type of cell and whether or whether the cancer has spread to other areas of the body.

Asbestos exposure is the biggest risk factor. People who have worked in asbestos-related occupations, like electrical or plumbing work, or in manufacturing and construction, are more likely to develop the disease. Even if someone isn't employed in one of these fields however, they may still be exposed through family members and other sources. Anyone who thinks they may be at risk should speak with a doctor. A mesothelioma expert can help those who have had a experience with asbestos to understand more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos exposure is a major mesothelioma risk factor, which accounts for as much as 80 percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos may occur due to military service, work, or living with people who have worked with asbestos. Asbestos particles can be breathed in by people who are exposed to asbestos law. These particles can cause irritation to the linings and cause cancerous cells to grow in the mesothelium. Following exposure to asbestos mesothelioma can develop between 15 and 60 year.

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

Smoking increases the risk of developing mesothelioma due to the fact that it damages the mesothelium, which makes it more vulnerable to asbestos. Mesothelioma can also be aggravated by certain diseases, such as asbestosis and pneumonia. It is also important to remember that mesothelioma is more prevalent for men than women. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for longer periods of time and work with asbestos law for longer periods of time. Additionally, men are more likely to live with someone who has worked with asbestos and carry asbestos fibers that have escaped home on their clothes. Women are less likely to come exposed to asbestos legal (visit the website), and they are less likely to bring asbestos home on their clothes.

Diagnosis

It is difficult to identify mesothelioma due to its symptoms being often similar to other diseases. This can result in patients being wrongly diagnosed.

The first step in identifying mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform a physical exam and take notes on the medical history of a patient including asbestos exposure. Doctors may also request an CT scan or chest X-ray to check for lumps, abnormalities and evidence of exposure to asbestos claim. These include plaques in the pleura, thickened pleura and calcium deposits.

Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance scan, or MRI test, which uses magnets and radio waves to create a series of detailed images of the inside of the body. Another way doctors can diagnose mesothelioma is by performing a surgical biopsy. In a surgical biopsy, doctors remove a tiny piece of tissue from pleura or the peritoneum, to be examined further. A pathologist will then look at the tissue with a magnifying glass to determine if it is a cancerous cells.

Mesothelioma is classified according to the mesothelial type involved, whether those cells are benign or malignant, and the location of the tumor, its type, and the stage of the tumor. Certain types of mesothelioma are at a higher risk of spreading or metastasizing and it's crucial to get a definitive diagnosis so doctors can treat it prior to it becoming out of control.

Doctors may also conduct tests in the lab on a tumor to find specific genes, proteins or other elements which can help them identify the cancer's characteristics and plan treatment. These results are referred to as staging.

Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnosis is a frightening prospect. It is important to keep in mind, however, that cancer can be treated, particularly in its early stages. Many mesothelioma patients live for years without the disease spreading to other organs of their body.

Exposure to asbestos can trigger mesothelioma in a number of ways. Asbestos fibers that are small enough to not be felt or seen with the naked eyes can be airborne, causing irritation to the lung's lining (pleura). In time the irritation can lead to the formation of scar tissue that eventually result in tumors.

The pleura is a protective covering that protects the abdomen, heart, and lungs. Mesothelium consists of cells that respond when exposed to asbestos. They inflame the tissue and cause it to scar. These changes eventually cause mesothelioma cancers.

The signs of pleural mesothelioma can include shortness of breath, chest pain or a buildup of fluid on the lung (pleural effusion). In rare cases, the cancer can be spread to the tissues around the heart and reproductive organs.

If imaging scans reveal an area of concern in the stomach or lungs, a doctor will order biopsies. In the course of the procedure, doctors remove some of the liquid or tumor for lab tests. The results can confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and determine the best treatment plan.

There are a variety of treatment for mesothelioma, including chemotherapy and surgery. The majority of doctors employ a combination of these treatments. Patients could also benefit from participating in a clinical study of new mesothelioma treatments. Patients can learn more about the trials by speaking with a mesothelioma doctor who has treated mesothelioma.