Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that comes in long, thin fibres. People who are exposed to asbestos on a regular basis risk developing mesothelioma and other lung diseases of different types.

It can take years for symptoms to appear after Asbestos legal exposure. Different asbestos types can cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma is a type of cancer that develops in the outer lung lining (pleura). It is the most prevalent mesothelioma type, accounting for up 70% to 79% of all diagnosed cases. People with this condition suffer from chest pain and breathlessness and may also feel a sensation of heaviness in the chest.

This type of cancer is typically caused by exposure to asbestos, which is a cluster of minerals composed of microscopic fibers. When inhaled, these fibers, cause irritation and DNA mutations. Pleura covers both the chest cavity and the lungs, so irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma symptoms are usually not apparent until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

Chest pain and shortness breath are the most frequently reported symptoms. Patients may also experience coughing, difficulty breathing or chest tightness. People with this cancer have a history that includes asbestos exposure at work. Construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding are the most frequent jobs that put people at high danger of developing pleural melanoma. People who were in the military are at a higher risk due to the extensive use asbestos in Navy vessels and Army bunkers.

The most commonly used staging method 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 what treatment plan they should follow. Patients who have pleural mesothelioma which is in stage three or stage four will suffer a more negative outlook than those in a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma may spread to the liver, heart, or diaphragm. This could make 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 forms in the peritoneum, an elongated membrane that covers the abdominal cavity and 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 each year, which is less than pleural asbestosis.

Like pleural mesothelioma, the symptoms can take a long time to manifest. Patients generally suffer from abdominal pain and may also have a lump in their abdomen. This type of mesothelioma may also cause nausea, weight loss, and fever. Many of these symptoms are similar to those of digestive problems, which can lead to incorrect diagnosis.

Generally, doctors can find mesothelioma by conducting a thorough medical history and physical exam. They may also employ imaging tests like X-rays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to help find mesothelioma. These tests can reveal cancerous tumors or other signs of cancer that aren't visible on an X-ray.

These tests enable doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and establish the stage. They can also suggest treatments. The staging is determined by the type of cell and whether or the cancer has spread to other areas of the body.

The most important mesothelioma-related risk factor is exposure to asbestos. People who have worked in jobs that require asbestos, such as plumbing, manufacturing, electrical work, or construction, are at a higher risk of developing the disease. Even if a person does not work in one of these areas however, they may still be exposed through family members or other sources. Therefore, anyone who is concerned that they might be at risk should speak to a doctor. If they have any history of exposure to asbestos, a mesothelioma specialist can assist them in learning more about the risk.

Risk Factors

asbestos law is the primary risk factor in mesothelioma. It is responsible for as much as the 80% of cases. Exposure to asbestos can occur as a result of work, military service or through living with a person who is exposed to asbestos or used to do such. When exposed to asbestos, small particles are able to be inhaled into lungs and abdomen. These particles can cause irritation to the linings of the lungs, causing cancerous cells to form in the mesothelium. After asbestos exposure mesothelioma can be diagnosed between 15 and 60 years old.

Other risk factors include genetics, smoking and age. People in their 40s and 50s are at a higher chance of developing mesothelioma to those younger or older. It is because mesothelioma generally occurs between 20 and 60 years from the first exposure before symptoms of cancer begin to manifest. It is also important to know that mesothelioma is a possibility in people who have been exposed to asbestos, but did not engage directly with it. This is referred to as indirect or secondary asbestos exposure, and is just as harmful as direct asbestos exposure.

Smoking increases the risk of getting mesothelioma because it damages the mesothelium, which makes it more vulnerable to asbestos. Mesothelioma is also aggravated by certain illnesses, including asbestosis and pneumonia. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than females. 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 durations and to work with it. Also, men are more likely to live with someone who has had asbestos compensation exposure and bring asbestos fibers that have escaped home on their clothes. Women tend to be less exposed to asbestos and they are less likely to carry asbestos on their clothes.

Diagnosis

It is difficult to diagnose mesothelioma since its symptoms are frequently similar to other illnesses. Because of this, victims are sometimes mistakenly diagnosed.

The first step to diagnose mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform an examination and write down a patient's medical history including asbestos exposure. Doctors may also order an X-ray of the chest or CT scan to detect lumps and other abnormalities and also to look for evidence of previous asbestos legal exposure like pleural plaques (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the buildup of fluid between the lung and the chest wall (known as pleural effusion).

Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram, which examines the blood vessels and the heart and magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI test that uses magnets and radio waves to create precise images of the inside of the body. A surgical biopsy is a different method for doctors to identify mesothelioma. During a surgical biopsy, doctors remove a small amount of tissue from the peritoneum or pleura for further analysis. A pathologist is then able to look at the tissue under microscopes to determine whether it is contaminated with cancerous cells.

The type of mesothelial cell involved and the benign or malignant nature of the cells and the location, type and stage of the tumor, are used to classify the disease. Certain types of mesothelioma may be more likely to spread or metastasize, so it is important to have a clear diagnosis so doctors can treat the disease before it gets out of control.

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

Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnosis is a frightening prospect. However, it's important to remember that the cancer is treatable, especially in its earlier stages. Many people with mesothelioma can be afflicted for a long time without spreading.

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

The pleura is the area that surrounds the heart and lungs, as well as the abdomen. Mesothelium consists of cells that respond when exposed to asbestos. They cause inflammation of the tissue and cause it to become scarred. These changes can eventually result in malignant mesothelioma tumors.

A shortness of breath, chest discomfort or fluid buildup on the lungs are all symptoms of the pleural mesothelioma. In rare cases, cancer can spread into the tissues surrounding the reproductive organs and heart.

A doctor will request biopsy if imaging scans reveal a possible lung tumor or stomach. During the procedure doctors remove some of the fluid or tumor to allow for laboratory testing. The results will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and determine the most effective treatment plan.

There are a variety of treatment for mesothelioma, including chemotherapy and surgery. Most doctors utilize an amalgamation of these techniques. Participating in clinical trials for mesothelioma treatments that are new could be beneficial to patients. To learn more about the trials, patients should speak to mesothelioma experts who have expertise in treating the condition.