Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that is found in thin, long fibres. Workers who are regularly exposed to asbestos may develop lung diseases such as mesothelioma.

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

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer of the lung's outer lining or the pleura. It is the most frequent mesothelioma that accounts for up between 70 and 79% of all diagnosed cases. Patients suffering from this condition feel chest pain and breath shortness and may also feel the sensation of weight in the chest.

Exposure to asbestos, a family of minerals composed of microscopic fibers, typically causes this type of cancer. When inhaled, these fibers can 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 usually doesn't show symptoms until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

The most commonly reported symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are chest pain and shortness of breath. Some patients also experience coughing, difficulty breathing or chest tightness. Patients with this cancer have a history of disease that includes asbestos exposure at work. The most prevalent jobs that expose workers to the risk of developing pleural cancer are construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding. People who served in the military are at a greater risk due the widespread use of asbestos in Navy vessels and Army bunkers.

The TNM (tumors lymph nodes and metastases staging system) is the most common staging system for pleural adenocarcinoma. The stage a patient is in at the moment of diagnosis will determine the treatment plan they should receive. For instance, patients who have mesothelioma that is pleural in stage three or four have a poorer prognosis than patients with a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma often spreads to the liver, diaphragm and/or a person's heart. This can make the cancer more difficult to treat, and increase the risk of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Unlike pleural cancer, which is found in the lung's lining, peritoneal cancer develops in a membrane that covers the abdominal cavity, which includes organs like the intestines and the liver. Like pleural mesothelioma, peritoneal mesothelioma is caused by asbestos exposure. The disease is less common than pleural mesothelioma, with just 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.

As with pleural asbestosis symptoms can take several years to show. Patients usually experience abdominal pain, and may also have a lump in their abdomen. This mesothelioma type can also cause nausea, weight loss, and fever. Many of these symptoms are similar to those experienced by digestive issues, which could cause misdiagnosis.

Doctors can identify mesothelioma by reviewing the medical history of the patient and performing a physical exam. Imaging tests like X-rays or CT scans are a way to identify mesothelioma. These tests can reveal tumors as well as other signs of cancer that aren't evident on X-rays.

These tests enable doctors to diagnose mesothelioma, identify the stage and recommend treatment options. The staging is determined by the type of cells and whether or not the cancer has spread to other parts of the body.

The most significant risk factor for mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos. People who have worked in professions which require asbestos, like plumbing or manufacturing, electrical work, or construction, are at greater risk of developing the disease. Even if a person is not employed in any of these areas, he or she can be exposed to asbestos to asbestos through family members and other sources. Anyone who suspects that they're at risk should speak with a doctor. A mesothelioma specialist can assist those with a previous history of asbestos to find out more about their 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 happen as a result of military service, work or living with people who have worked with asbestos. When exposed to asbestos (mouse click the next document), the particles can be breathed into the lungs and abdomen. These particles can cause irritation to the linings and can cause cancerous cells to develop in the mesothelium. Following exposure to asbestos, mesothelioma may develop between 15 and 60 years old.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and the advancing age. People in their 40s and 50s are more at risk of developing mesothelioma as compared to those who are younger or older. This is because mesothelioma usually lasts between 20 and 60 years from the initial exposure to asbestos compensation before cancer symptoms appear. It is important to remember that mesothelioma can develop in people who were exposed to asbestos but didn't work with it directly. This is referred to as secondary or indirect asbestos exposure and can be as dangerous as direct asbestos exposure.

Smoking increases a person's chances of developing mesothelioma due to the fact that it damages the mesothelium, which makes it more vulnerable to asbestos. Mesothelioma is also aggravated by certain illnesses 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 compensation for a longer period of time and work with it. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who been exposed to asbestos, and to have asbestos fibers on their clothing. Women are less likely to be exposed to asbestos and don't typically bring asbestos home 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 often wrongly diagnosed.

NYU Langone doctors will perform physical examinations and document the patient's medical background, including asbestos exposure. Doctors may also order an X-ray chest or CT scan to look for lumps and other abnormalities, as well as evidence of previous asbestos compensation exposure like plaques on the pleura (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the accumulation of fluid between the lung and chest wall (known as pleural effusion).

Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance image, or MRI test, that uses radio waves and magnets in order to create a series detailed images of inside the body. Another way for doctors to detect mesothelioma is to perform a surgical biopsy. In a surgical biopsy doctors remove a small amount of tissue from the pleura or peritoneum for further analysis. A pathologist can then examine the tissue using a magnifying lens to determine whether it contains cancerous cells.

Mesothelioma is classified according to the mesothelial type involved, whether the cells are malignant or benign and the location of the tumor, the type, and the stage of the tumor. Certain types of mesothelioma may be more likely to develop metastasis or spread, so it is important to establish a definitive diagnosis so that doctors can treat the disease before it gets out of control.

Doctors can also run laboratory tests on tumors to determine particular proteins, genes, or other factors which can help them identify the characteristics of cancer and plan treatment. These results are referred to as staging.

Treatment

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

Asbestos exposure can trigger mesothelioma via a variety of mechanisms. asbestos claim fibers, which are too small to be felt or viewed by naked eyes, can become airborne, causing irritation to the lung's lining (pleura). Over 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 layer that protects the abdomen, heart, and lungs. Mesothelium is made up of cells that react to exposure to asbestos and cause it to enflame and develop scar tissue. These changes can lead to malignant mesothelioma tumours.

Symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include breathing problems and chest pain as well as an accumulation of fluid in the lung (pleural effusion). In rare cases cancer may spread to the tissues surrounding the reproductive organs as well as the heart.

A doctor may request biopsy if scans reveal a possible tumor in the lungs or stomach. During the procedure, doctors take small amounts of the fluid or tumor for laboratory testing. The results will confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis, and provide the best treatment option.

There are a variety of treatment for mesothelioma including chemotherapy and surgery. Most doctors use the combination of these treatments. Patients can also benefit by participating in a clinical study of new mesothelioma therapies. To learn more, patients should consult a mesothelioma specialist who has expertise in treating the condition.