Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos is a mineral that naturally forms in the form of thin, long fibers. People who are exposed to asbestos regularly are at risk of developing mesothelioma or other lung diseases of different types.

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

Pleural Mesothelioma

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

Exposure to asbestos compensation, a group of minerals composed of microscopic fibers, typically causes this kind of cancer. Once inhaled, the fibers stick inside the lungs and cause irritation that results in scarring and DNA mutations. Pleura surrounds both the chest cavity and the lungs, so irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma is usually not symptomatic until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

Chest pain and shortness breath are the most common symptoms. Some patients may also suffer from chest tightness or coughing. They may also experience difficulty breathing. Patients with this type of cancer have a history that includes asbestos exposure at work. Manufacturing, construction and shipbuilding are the most common jobs that put people at high chance of developing pleural mesothelioma. People who served in the military are at a greater risk due the frequent use of asbestos in Navy vessels and Army bunkers.

The most commonly used staging system for pleural mesothelioma is the TNM (tumor, lymph nodes and metastases) staging system. The stage a patient is in at the time of diagnosis can help determine what treatment plan they will receive. Patients who have pleural mesothelioma which is in stage three or stage four will have a less favorable outlook than those in a less advanced stage. Stage four mesothelioma often spreads to the diaphragm, liver and/or a person's heart. This can make the cancer more difficult to treat, and increase the chances of complications for patients.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

In contrast to 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. As with pleural mesothelioma asbestos exposure is the reason for peritoneal msothelioma. Only 300-500 cases are diagnosed each year which is lower than the pleural asbestosis.

Like pleural mesothelioma, symptoms may take years to appear. The majority of patients are afflicted with abdominal pain as well as abdominal swelling. The symptoms of this kind of mesothelioma could also include nausea as well as weight loss and fever. A lot of these symptoms can be mistaken for gastrointestinal problems which can lead to a misdiagnosis.

The doctors can detect mesothelioma through examining the patient's medical history and conducting a physical exam. They can also utilize imaging tests like Xrays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to identify mesothelioma. These tests can identify tumors and other cancer signs that are not evident on X-rays.

The results of these tests allow doctors to identify mesothelioma, and determine the stage. They can also suggest treatments. Staging is determined based on the cell type and whether or not the cancer has spread to other areas of the body.

The most significant mesothelioma risk factor is asbestos exposure. People who have worked in jobs which require asbestos, such as plumbing manufacturing, electrical work or construction, are at increased risk of developing the disease. Even if someone does not work in any of these areas, he or she can still be exposed to asbestos through family members and other sources. Anyone who suspects that they're at risk should talk to a doctor. A mesothelioma specialist can help those with a experience with asbestos to understand more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos is the main risk factor for mesothelioma. It is responsible for as much as the 80% of cases. Exposure to asbestos may occur due to military service, work or living with people who have worked with asbestos. Asbestos particles are inhaled by people who are exposed to it. They can cause irritation to the linings of the abdomen and trigger cancerous cells to form in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma can take anywhere between 15 and 60 years to develop following exposure to asbestos.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and age. The people in their 40s or 50s are at greater chance of developing mesothelioma to people who are younger or more. Mesothelioma can take between 20 and 60 years before it manifests cancer symptoms after the first exposure. It is important to remember that mesothelioma may occur in people who have been exposed to asbestos, but without having worked with it directly. This is called secondary or indirect exposure to asbestos, and it can be just as dangerous as direct exposure.

Smoking increases a person's chances of developing mesothelioma since it causes mesothelium damage and makes it more vulnerable to asbestos. Additionally, mesothelioma can be caused by certain illnesses, such as pneumonia and asbestosis. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than women. This is due to the fact that men are more likely to work with asbestos and have a longer period of exposure than women. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who had been exposed to asbestos case (moved here), and to carry asbestos fibers on their clothing. Women tend to be less in contact with asbestos, and they are less likely to bring asbestos home on their clothes.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is a difficult disease to diagnose because the symptoms are often similar to other conditions. This can result in patients being misdiagnosed.

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

Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram which examines the heart and blood vessels, and a magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI, test, which uses radio waves and magnets to make a series of precise images of the inside of the body. Another way doctors can diagnose mesothelioma is to perform an operation called a biopsy. In a surgical biopsy doctors remove a small amount of tissue from the pleura or peritoneum for further testing. A pathologist will then look at the tissue using a magnifying lens to determine if it contains cancerous cells.

Mesothelioma can be classified based on the mesothelial type involved, whether the cells are malignant or benign and the location of the tumor, its type, and the stage of the cancer. Some types of mesothelioma have a higher risk of metastasizing or spreading therefore it is essential to establish a clear diagnosis so doctors can treat it before it becomes out-of-control.

Doctors may also conduct tests in the laboratory on tumors to determine specific proteins, genes and other factors which can help them identify the cancer's characteristics and plan treatment. These results are known as staging.

Treatment

A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be terrifying. However, it's important to remember that the cancer is treatable, particularly in its early stages. Many mesothelioma patients live for a long time with the disease without it spreading to other organs of their body.

Exposure to asbestos may cause mesothelioma through a variety of ways. Asbestos fibers, which are too small to see or feel with the naked eye, can become airborne and cause irritation to the lung's lining (pleura). Over time, the irritation leads to the formation of scar tissue that eventually result in tumors.

The pleura covers the lungs and heart, as well as the abdomen. Mesothelium is made up of cells that react to exposure to asbestos compensation which causes it to become inflamed and form scar tissue. As time passes, these changes result in the growth of malignant mesothelioma tumors.

The symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are breathing problems and chest pain as well as an accumulation of fluid on the lung (pleural effusion). In rare instances cancer can spread to the tissues around the reproductive organs and the heart.

A doctor may request a biopsy if imaging scans reveal a possible tumor in the lungs or stomach. During the procedure doctors remove some of the liquid 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 surgery, chemotherapy and immunotherapy. Most doctors use combinations of these treatments. Enrolling in clinical trials of mesothelioma treatments that are new could be beneficial for patients. Patients can learn more about the trials by consulting a mesothelioma specialist who has treated mesothelioma.