Mesothelioma and Asbestos

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

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

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer of the outer lung lining, also known as the pleura. It is the most frequent form of mesothelioma and is responsible for 70 to 79% of all diagnosed cases. The condition can cause chest pain, shortness of breathe and a feeling heaviness.

Exposure to asbestos, a group of minerals comprised of microscopic fibers, typically causes this type of cancer. These fibers, when inhaled, cause irritation and DNA mutations. The pleura surrounds the lungs and chest cavity and therefore, these irritations could affect both the lungs as well as the heart of a person. Mesothelioma symptoms typically don't show until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

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

The most commonly used staging system for pleural mysothelioma has been the TNM (tumor lymph nodes, lymph nodes, and metastases) staging system. The stage a patient is in at the moment of diagnosis will determine the treatment plan they should follow. Patients suffering from pleural mesothelioma who is in stage three or stage four will have a worse outlook than those who are in a lower stage. Mesothelioma in stage four is usually spread to the diaphragm, the liver or even the heart of a patient. This makes the cancer more difficult to treat and increase the risk of complications for patients.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

In contrast to pleural mesothelioma which develops in the lung lining, peritoneal mesothelioma is found in the peritoneum, an elongated membrane that covers the abdominal cavity and organs like the intestines and liver. Similar to pleural mesothelioma and peritoneal mesothelioma is caused by asbestos exposure. The disease is less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma, and around 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.

As with pleural asbestosis symptoms can take years to manifest. Most patients experience abdominal pain and a mass in the abdomen. This mesothelioma type can cause nausea, weight loss, and fever. A lot of these symptoms are similar to symptoms of digestive issues, which could result in incorrect diagnosis.

The doctors can detect mesothelioma through looking over the medical history of the patient and performing a physical examination. They can also utilize imaging tests like Xrays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to help find mesothelioma. These tests can detect tumors as well as other signs of cancer that are not visible on X-rays.

The results of these tests allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma, determine the stage and recommend treatment options. The stage of the disease is determined based on the type of cells and whether or the tumor has spread to other regions of the body.

The most significant risk factor for mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos. People who have worked in jobs which require asbestos, such as plumbing or electrical work, manufacturing or construction, are at a higher risk of developing the disease. Even if they aren't employed in these fields they could be exposed to asbestos through relatives or other sources. For this reason, anyone who suspects they may be at risk should talk to an expert. If they have an history of exposure to asbestos or mesothelioma, a specialist can assist them in finding out more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos is the primary risk factor for mesothelioma. It accounts for up to 80percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos can happen through work, military service or by living with someone who is exposed to asbestos or used to do so. When exposed to asbestos, small particles are able to be inhaled into lungs and abdomen. The particles cause irritation to the linings of the abdomen, which causes cancerous cells to develop in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma can take between 15 and 60 years to develop following exposure to asbestos.

Other risk factors include genetics, smoking and age. The people in their 40s or 50s are at greater chance of developing mesothelioma to those younger or older. It takes mesothelioma 20-60 years to manifest cancer symptoms after the first exposure. It is important to remember that mesothelioma may occur in those who have been exposed to asbestos, but without having directly worked with it. This is known as indirect or secondary exposure to asbestos claim, and it is just as harmful as direct exposure.

Smoking increases the chance of mesothelioma developing, because it damages the mesothelium. It also makes it more susceptible. Mesothelioma is also aggravated by certain illnesses such as asbestosis and pneumonia. It is also important to note that mesothelioma is more prevalent in males than females. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos (view it) for a longer period of time and to work with asbestos for longer periods of time. Men are also more likely to live with someone who had asbestos exposure and bring asbestos case fibers that have escaped home on their clothing. Women tend to have less exposure to asbestos and don't typically carry asbestos attorney on their clothing.

Diagnosis

It is difficult to identify mesothelioma due to its symptoms being often similar to other diseases. This can lead to victims being wrongly diagnosed.

NYU Langone doctors will perform an examination of the body and document the patient's medical history, including asbestos exposure. Doctors can also request an X-ray chest or CT scan to detect lumps or other abnormalities, and also to look for evidence of asbestos exposure in the past like plaques in the pleura (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the buildup of fluid between the lung and the chest wall (known as the pleural effusion).

Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance image, or MRI test, which uses radio waves and magnets in order to produce a series of precise images of inside the body. A surgical biopsy is a different method doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma. In a surgical biopsy doctors remove a small amount of tissue from the peritoneum or pleura for further analysis. A pathologist is then able to examine the tissue under a microscope to see if it has cancerous cells.

The type of mesothelial cell involved and the benign or malignant nature of the cells and the location the cancer, its type and the stage of the cancer are used to categorize the disease. Certain types of mesothelioma may be more likely to grow or spread which is why it is crucial to establish a definitive diagnosis so that doctors can treat the disease before it goes out of control.

Doctors can also run tests in the lab on a tumor to find particular proteins, genes, or other factors that can help them describe the characteristics of the cancer and determine a treatment. These results are known as staging.

Treatment

A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be frightening. But, it is crucial to keep in mind that the cancer is treatable, particularly in its early stages. Many people with mesothelioma can be afflicted for many years without it spreading.

Exposure to asbestos may cause mesothelioma in many ways. Asbestos fibers, which are too small to detect or feel with the naked eye, can be airborne and cause irritation to the lining of the lungs (pleura). In time the irritation can lead to the formation of scar tissue and eventually tumors.

The pleura is the area that surrounds the lungs and heart and the abdomen. Mesothelium is made up of cells that react to exposure to asbestos which causes it to become inflamed and create scar tissue. In time, these changes can lead to the development of malignant mesothelioma tumors.

Breathing problems, chest discomfort or fluid buildup on the lungs are all signs of the pleural mesothelioma. In rare cases, cancer can spread into the tissues around the reproductive organs and the heart.

If scans of imaging reveal an underlying mass in the stomach or lungs the doctor will request biopsies. During the procedure, doctors take a small sample of the tumor or fluid for lab tests. The results will confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis, and provide the best treatment plan.

There are many types of mesothelioma treatment options, which include chemotherapy, surgery, and immunotherapy. The majority of doctors use the combination of these methods. Participating in clinical trials of mesothelioma treatments that are new could be beneficial for patients. Patients can find out more by consulting a mesothelioma expert who has treated mesothelioma.