Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos is a natural mineral that is made up of thin, long fibres. Workers who are regularly exposed to asbestos are at risk of developing lung diseases such as mesothelioma.

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

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer of the lung's outer lining or the pleura. It is the most common mesothelioma form and is responsible for 70 to 79% of diagnosed cases. Patients with this disease experience pain in the chest and breathlessness and may also feel a sensation of heaviness in the chest.

Exposure to asbestos, a family of minerals made of microscopic fibers, typically causes this type of cancer. Once inhaled, the fibers cling to the lung and cause irritation that leads to scarring and DNA mutations. The pleura covers the lungs and chest cavity This means that these irritations can affect both the lungs and the heart of a person. Mesothelioma is usually not symptomatic until 30 to 50 year after exposure.

Chest pain and shortness breath are the most frequently reported symptoms. Patients may have coughing problems, trouble breathing, or chest tightness. Patients with this type of cancer have a past that includes asbestos exposure at work. The most frequent jobs that expose people to the risk of pleural mesothelioma include manufacturing, construction and shipbuilding. Individuals who have served in the military are at a greater risk due the widespread use of asbestos in Navy vessels and bunkers in the Army.

The most commonly used staging system for pleural mesothelioma is the TNM (tumor, lymph nodes and metastases) staging system. The stage that a patient is at at diagnosis will aid their doctor in determining the most effective treatment plan for them. For example, patients with a pleural mesothelioma in stage three or four have a less favorable prognosis than those with a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma often spreads to the diaphragm, the liver 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

In contrast to pleural cancer, which is found in the lung's lining, peritoneal cancer develops in a membrane that surrounds the abdominal cavity, including organs such as the intestines and the liver. Similar to pleural mesothelioma, asbestos exposure is the primary cause of peritoneal msothelioma. The disease is less common than pleural mesothelioma. There are around 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.

Like pleural mesothelioma, the symptoms can take years to show. Most patients experience abdominal pain and an abdominal mass. This mesothelioma type can cause nausea, weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms are similar to those experienced by digestive issues, which could result in misdiagnosis.

Generally, doctors can find mesothelioma through a thorough health history and physical examination. They can also use imaging tests like X-rays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to detect mesothelioma. These tests can reveal tumors and other signs of cancer which aren't evident on X-rays.

These test results enable doctors to identify mesothelioma, and determine the stage. They can also suggest treatments. 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 asbestos-related occupations, like electrical or plumbing work or in manufacturing and construction are more likely to contract the disease. Even if an individual does not work in any of these areas they could be exposed to asbestos through family members or other sources. Therefore, anyone who suspects they may be at risk should talk to a doctor. A mesothelioma specialist can assist those with a history with asbestos to learn more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos exposure is a major risk factor for mesothelioma making up as much as 80 percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos can occur due to military service, work or living with someone who used to work with asbestos. When exposed to asbestos legal, the particles can be inhaled into the abdomen and lungs. The particles cause irritation to the linings, causing cancerous cells to form in the mesothelium. Following exposure to asbestos mesothelioma can occur between 15 and 60 years.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and age. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely be diagnosed with mesothelioma compared to those who are younger or more senior. It takes mesothelioma between 20 and 60 years to show signs of cancer after the first exposure. It is important to remember that mesothelioma may develop in those who were exposed to asbestos but didn't engage directly with it. This is referred to as secondary or indirect exposure to asbestos, and it could be as hazardous as direct exposure.

Smoking increases the risk of mesothelioma, because it damages the mesothelium. It also makes it more susceptible. Mesothelioma can also be caused by certain illnesses such as asbestosis and pneumonia. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma compared to women. 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. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who has been exposed to asbestos, and to carry asbestos fibers on their clothing. Women are less likely to be exposed to asbestos, and they are less likely to bring asbestos home on their clothes.

Diagnosis

It is difficult to identify mesothelioma since its symptoms are frequently similar to other illnesses. This is why patients are sometimes mistakenly diagnosed.

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

Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram which examines the blood vessels and the heart, and a magnetic resonance imaging, also known as MRI test that uses magnets and radio waves to create precise images of the inside of the body. A surgical biopsy is yet another way for doctors to diagnose mesothelioma. During a surgical biopsy, doctors take a small amount of tissue from the pleura or peritoneum to conduct further tests. A pathologist will then look at the tissue using a magnifying glass to determine if it is a cancerous cell.

Mesothelioma can be classified based on the type of mesothelial cell involved, whether these cells are malignant or benign, and the location of the tumor, its type, and the stage of the tumor. Some types of mesothelioma are more likely to develop metastasis or spread and spread, therefore it is essential to establish a definitive diagnosis so that doctors can treat the disease before it goes out of control.

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

Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnose can be terrifying. However, it's important to keep in mind that the cancer can be treated, particularly in its initial stages. Many mesothelioma patients live for years without the disease spreading to other areas of their body.

Exposure to asbestos law may cause mesothelioma in a number of ways. Asbestos fibres, small enough to not be felt or observed with the naked eyes are able to become airborne, irritating the lung's lining (pleura). Over time the irritation can lead to the formation of scar tissue that eventually result in tumors.

The Pleura is a covering that covers the lungs, heart and abdomen. Mesothelium consists of cells that respond when exposed to asbestos. They inflame the tissue and cause it to scar. As time passes, these changes result in the growth of malignant mesothelioma cancers.

The signs of pleural mesothelioma can include shortness of breath, chest pain or a buildup of fluid in the lung (pleural effusion). In rare instances the cancer may grow to the tissues surrounding the heart and reproductive organs.

If scans of imaging reveal an area of concern in the lungs or stomach doctors will recommend a biopsies. The procedure involves the removal of small amounts of fluid or tumor to allow for tests in the laboratory. The results can confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis, and provide the best treatment option.

There are a variety of mesothelioma treatment, including surgery, chemotherapy and immunotherapy. Most doctors use the combination of these treatments. Patients can also benefit by enrolling in a clinical trial of new mesothelioma treatment. Patients can learn more by speaking with a mesothelioma doctor who has treated the disease.