Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos is a natural mineral that comes in thin, long fibres. Workers who are exposed to asbestos on a regular basis are at risk of developing mesothelioma as well as other lung diseases.

The symptoms of these diseases may not manifest for years after exposure to asbestos. Different asbestos types may cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma occurs in the lung's outer lining also known as the pleura. It is the most prevalent mesothelioma type, accounting for up 70% to 79% of all diagnosed cases. This condition causes chest pain, shortness of breathe and a feeling of weightiness.

This type of cancer often caused through exposure to asbestos, which is a collection of minerals that are composed of microscopic fibers. These fibers, when inhaled cause irritation and DNA mutations. Pleura covers both the chest cavity as well as the lungs, and so irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma typically doesn't manifest until 30 to 50 year after exposure.

Shortness of breath and chest pain are the most frequent symptoms. Patients may also experience chest tightness and coughing, or breathing difficulties. People who suffer from this cancer usually have an history of exposure to asbestos in the workplace. Construction, manufacturing, and shipbuilding are the most common jobs that put people at a high danger of developing pleural melanoma. People who have worked in the military could be at an especially high risk due to the widespread asbestos use in Navy ships and bunkers for the army.

The TNM (tumors lymph nodes, tumors, and metastases staging system) is the most common staging system used for the pleural adenocarcinoma. The stage a patient has upon diagnosis will aid their doctor in determining the best treatment plan for them. Patients suffering from pleural mesothelioma who is in stage three or four will have a worse prognosis than those who are in a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma may be spread to the heart, liver or diaphragm. This could make the cancer more difficult to treat and increase the chances of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

As opposed to pleural mesothelioma that develops in the lung lining, peritoneal mesothelioma forms in the peritoneum -- it is a membrane that lines the abdominal cavity and organs such as the liver and intestines. Like pleural mesothelioma, peritoneal mesothelioma is triggered by asbestos compensation exposure. It is estimated that only 300-500 cases are diagnosed annually which is lower than pleural asbestosis.

As with pleural asbestosis symptoms can take a long time to manifest. Patients usually have abdominal pain, and could also experience a mass in their abdomen. This kind of mesothelioma can cause nausea, weight loss, and fever. Many of these symptoms can be misinterpreted as digestive issues which can lead to a misdiagnosis.

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

These tests enable doctors to identify mesothelioma, and determine the stage. They can also suggest treatment options. The stage is determined by the kind of cell and if the tumor has spread.

Asbestos exposure is the biggest risk factor. People who have worked in professions that involve asbestos, like plumbing or manufacturing, electrical work, or construction, are at greater risk of developing the disease. However, even if individuals aren't employed in these areas, they can still be exposed to asbestos through family members or through other sources. Anyone who thinks they're at risk should speak with an expert. If they have any history of exposure to asbestos or mesothelioma, a specialist can assist them in learning more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos exposure is the primary risk factor for mesothelioma accounting for up to 80 percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos can happen through work, military service, or by living with someone who works with asbestos or was previously exposed to doing the same. Asbestos particles can be breathed in by people who are exposed to asbestos. They can cause irritation to the linings of the abdomen and trigger cancerous cells to form in the mesothelium. Following exposure to asbestos mesothelioma is likely to occur between 15 and 60 years old.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and age. People in their 40s or 50s are at greater chance of developing mesothelioma to those younger or older. This is because mesothelioma usually lasts between 20 and 60 years from the first exposure to asbestos before symptoms of cancer begin to manifest. It is important to remember that mesothelioma may develop in people who were exposed to asbestos but did not engage directly with it. This is known as secondary or indirect exposure to asbestos. It is just as harmful as direct exposure.

Smoking increases the risk of mesothelioma, because it damages the mesothelium. It also makes it more prone to. Mesothelioma is also aggravated by certain illnesses such as asbestosis and pneumonia. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than women. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for a longer period of time and work with asbestos for longer periods of time. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who has been exposed to Asbestos Legal, and to have asbestos-containing fibers on their clothing. Women tend to have less contact with asbestos and don't typically carry asbestos around on their clothes.

Diagnosis

It is difficult to recognize mesothelioma because its symptoms are often similar to other conditions. This is why patients are sometimes mistakenly diagnosed.

NYU Langone doctors will perform physical examinations and document the patient's medical background including asbestos exposure. Doctors may also request a CT scan or chest X-ray to look for lumps, abnormalities, and evidence of asbestos exposure. These include plaques on the pleura, pleura that are thickened and calcium deposits.

Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance imaging or MRI test, that uses radio waves and magnets to create a series of detailed images of inside the body. Another method doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma is through a surgical biopsy. During a surgery biopsy doctors take a tiny piece of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum to be examined further. A pathologist will then look at the tissue with a magnifying lens to determine if it contains cancerous cell.

The type of mesothelial cells involved, the malignant or benign nature of the cells as well as the location and stage of the tumour, are used to categorize the disease. Certain types of mesothelioma are more likely to spread or metastasize, so it is important to establish a definitive diagnosis to ensure that doctors are able to treat the disease before it becomes out of control.

Doctors may also conduct tests in the laboratory on a tumor to identify specific proteins, genes or other elements that help them understand the characteristics of the cancer and determine a treatment. These results are called staging.

Treatment

A diagnosis of mesothelioma may be frightening. It is crucial to remember, however, that cancer can be treated particularly in its early stages. Many patients with mesothelioma endure the disease for a long time, without spreading.

Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma through a variety of ways. Asbestos particles, which are too small to see or feel by the naked eye can become airborne and cause irritation to the lung's lining (pleura). In time irritation leads to formation of scar tissue which leads to changes in the cell structure that can eventually grow into tumors.

The pleura is the area that surrounds the lungs and the heart and also the abdomen. Mesothelium is made up of cells that react to exposure to asbestos and cause it to enflame and develop scar tissue. These changes can cause mesothelioma cancers.

A shortness of breath, chest discomfort or fluid buildup on the lungs are all indications of pleural mesothelioma. In rare instances cancer may spread to the tissues that surround the reproductive organs as well as the heart.

If imaging scans reveal an underlying mass in the stomach or lungs, a doctor will order a biopsies. The procedure involves the removal of a small amount of fluid or tumor for tests in the laboratory. The results will confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis and indicate the most effective treatment plan.

There are several types of mesothelioma treatment, including chemotherapy, surgery and immunotherapy. The majority of doctors use an amalgamation of these techniques. Participating in clinical trials for mesothelioma treatments that are new could be beneficial for patients. To learn more about the trials, patients should consult mesothelioma specialists who have expertise in treating the condition.