Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that is found in long, thin fibres. People who are exposed to asbestos are at risk of developing lung diseases such as mesothelioma.

It can take years before symptoms begin to manifest after asbestos settlement exposure. Different asbestos types may cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma is a type of cancer that develops in the lung's outer lining (pleura). It is the most prevalent form of mesothelioma and is responsible for 70 to 79% all diagnosed cases. This condition causes chest pain, shortness of breathe and a feeling of heaviness.

Exposure to asbestos, a class of minerals composed of microscopic fibers, typically causes this type of cancer. Once inhaled, the fibers are absorbed into the lungs and cause irritation that leads to scarring and DNA mutations. The pleura surrounds the lungs and chest cavity and therefore, these irritations could affect both the lungs as well as a person's heart. Mesothelioma symptoms usually don't appear until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

The most common symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include chest pain and shortness of breath. Some patients may also experience chest tightness or coughing. They may also experience difficulty breathing. People with this cancer have a history of disease that includes asbestos exposure at work. The most frequent jobs that put people at risk of developing pleural mesothelioma are construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding. Individuals who have been in the military could be at risk because of the extensive asbestos settlement usage in Navy vessels and bunkers used by the army.

The most popular staging system for pleural mysothelioma has been the TNM (tumor lymph nodes, lymph nodes and metastases) staging system. The stage that a patient is at at diagnosis will help their doctor determine the most appropriate treatment plan for them. Patients who have pleural mesothelioma which is in stage three or stage four will have a worse prognosis than those who are in a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma can develop into the heart, liver or diaphragm. This makes it more difficult to treat and increases the likelihood of complications for patients.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Unlike pleural mesothelioma, which is a lung-lining cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma forms in the peritoneum, a membrane that lines the abdominal cavity as well as organs such as the intestines and liver. Like pleural mesothelioma, exposure to asbestos is the cause of peritoneal mesothelioma. The disease is less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma. There are just 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.

As with pleural asbestosis symptoms can take a long time to show. Most patients are afflicted with abdominal pain as well as a mass in the abdomen. The symptoms of this type of mesothelioma can also include nausea as well as weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms could be misinterpreted as gastrointestinal issues which can lead to a misdiagnosis.

The doctors can detect mesothelioma through looking over the medical history of the patient and conducting a physical exam. Imaging tests such as X-rays or CT scans are a way to detect mesothelioma. These tests can show tumors, as well as other symptoms of cancer that aren't apparent on an X-ray.

These tests enable doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and establish the stage. They also offer treatments. The stage is determined by the type of cell and whether the cancer has spread.

The most significant risk factor for mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos. People who have worked in asbestos-related occupations, like electrical or plumbing work, or in construction, manufacturing and manufacturing are more likely to develop the disease. Even if they aren't employed in these fields they may be exposed to asbestos through family members or other sources. Therefore, anyone who is concerned that they might be at risk should speak to an expert. A mesothelioma specialist can help those with a previous history of Asbestos case to find out more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos exposure is a major risk factor for mesothelioma which accounts for as much as 80 percent of all cases. Exposure to asbestos may occur as a result of military service, work, or living with those who worked with asbestos. Asbestos particles can be breathed in by those who are exposed to it. These particles can cause irritation to the linings of the abdomen, which causes cancerous cells to grow in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma may take between 15 and 60 years to develop after exposure to asbestos.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics, and age. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely get mesothelioma than people younger or more senior. It takes mesothelioma 20-60 years to show signs of cancer after the first exposure. It is important to note, too, that mesothelioma could be present in those who have been exposed to asbestos without having worked with it directly. This is called indirect or secondary exposure to asbestos, and it is just as harmful as direct exposure.

Smoking can increase the likelihood of developing mesothelioma due to the fact that it causes mesothelium damage and makes it more susceptible to asbestos. Mesothelioma can also be caused by certain illnesses such as asbestosis and pneumonia. It is also important to note that mesothelioma occurs more frequently in males than females. This is because men are more likely to work with asbestos and experience a an extended period of exposure than women. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who been exposed to asbestos, and to carry asbestos lawyer fibers on their clothing. Women are less likely to come into contact with asbestos and don't typically carry asbestos case on their clothing.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is a difficult cancer to identify because the symptoms are often similar to other diseases. This can result in patients being wrongly diagnosed.

The first step in diagnosing mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform an examination and write note of the medical history of the patient including asbestos exposure. Doctors will also order a CT scan or chest X-ray in order to look for lumps, abnormalities, and evidence of exposure to asbestos. These include plaques in the pleura, thickened pleura and calcium deposits.

Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram, which examines the heart and blood vessels as well as a magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI, test that uses radio waves and magnets to create detailed images of the interior of the body. A surgical biopsy is a different method doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma. When a biopsy is performed, doctors remove a tiny part of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum, to be further examined. A pathologist then examines the tissue with a magnifying glass to determine if it contains cancerous cell.

Mesothelioma can be classified based on the type of mesothelial cell involved, whether these cells are benign or malignant and the location of the tumor, the type, and the stage of the tumor. Certain mesothelioma types have an increased risk of metastasizing or spreading, so it's important to get a definitive diagnosis so that doctors can treat it prior to it becoming out-of-control.

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

Treatment

A diagnosis of mesothelioma may be terrifying. But, it is crucial to keep in mind that the cancer is treatable, particularly in its initial stages. Many patients with mesothelioma be afflicted for a long time, without spreading.

Asbestos exposure can cause mesothelioma by many mechanisms. Asbestos fibers, which are tiny enough to be felt or observed with the naked eyes can be airborne, causing irritation to the lung's lining (pleura). In time, the irritation causes the formation of scar tissue which causes changes in the structure of cells that eventually develop into tumors.

The Pleura is a protective layer that surrounds the abdomen, heart, and lungs. Mesothelium is composed of cells that react when exposed to asbestos. They inflame the tissue and cause it to become scarred. These changes can eventually cause mesothelioma cancers.

Breathing problems, chest discomfort, or the accumulation of fluid on the lungs are all signs of pleural msothelioma. In rare cases the cancer may spread to the tissues surrounding the heart and reproductive organs.

If imaging scans reveal a possible mass in the stomach or lungs doctors will recommend biopsies. During the procedure, doctors will remove tiny amounts of fluid or tumor for lab testing. The results will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma, and also determine the most effective treatment plan.

There are several types of mesothelioma treatments, which include chemotherapy, surgery, and immunotherapy. The majority of doctors employ the combination of these treatments. Participating in clinical trials of mesothelioma treatments that are new could be beneficial for patients. Patients can learn more about the trials by speaking with a mesothelioma doctor who has treated the disease.