Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that is found in thin, long fibres. Workers who are exposed asbestos regularly are at risk of developing mesothelioma or other lung diseases of different types.

It may take decades for symptoms to show up after exposure to asbestos. Different asbestos types may cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma occurs in the lung's outer lining, or pleura. It is the most prevalent mesothelioma form and accounts for 70% to 79% of diagnosed cases. This condition causes chest discomfort, shortness of breath and a feeling heaviness.

This type of cancer is usually caused through exposure to asbestos, which is a cluster of minerals that are composed of microscopic fibers. When inhaled, these fibers cling to the lungs and cause irritation that causes scarring and DNA mutations. Pleura is the lining of both the chest cavity as well as the lungs, so irritations can also affect the 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. Patients may also feel tightness in their chest and coughing, or breathing difficulties. Patients with this cancer have a history of disease that includes asbestos exposure at work. Manufacturing, construction and shipbuilding are among the most prevalent occupations that put people at high risk of developing pleural mesothelioma. People who have worked in the military could be at risk because of the extensive use of asbestos in Navy ships and bunkers for the army.

The most popular staging system for pleural mesothelioma is the TNM (tumor lymph nodes, lymph nodes, and metastases) staging system. The stage the patient is in at the moment of diagnosis will determine the treatment plan they should receive. Patients with pleural mesothelioma that is in stage three or four will have a less favorable prognosis than those in a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma may spread to the liver, heart, or diaphragm. This could make the cancer more difficult to treat and increase the risk of complications for patients.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

In contrast to pleural cancer, which is found in the lung's lining it develops in a membrane that covers the abdominal cavity, including organs like the intestines and the liver. Similar to pleural mesothelioma mesothelioma is triggered by asbestos exposure. The disease is less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma, with only about 300-500 cases diagnosed each year.

Like pleural mesothelioma, the symptoms can take years to show. The majority of patients experience abdominal pain and an abdominal mass. The symptoms of this kind of mesothelioma could also include nausea, weight loss and fever. A lot of these symptoms are similar to those of gastrointestinal issues, which can cause incorrect diagnosis.

Doctors can detect mesothelioma by examining the patient's medical history and performing a physical examination. They can also utilize imaging tests like Xrays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to detect mesothelioma. These tests can identify tumors as well as other signs of cancer that aren't visible on X-rays.

The results of these tests allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma, identify the stage and suggest treatment options. The stage of the disease is determined based on the type of cells and whether or not the tumor has spread to other regions of the body.

Asbestos exposure is the biggest risk factor. People who have been in occupations that require asbestos, like plumbing or electrical work, manufacturing or construction, are at a higher risk of developing the disease. Even if a person does not work in one of these fields they could be exposed to asbestos through family members and other sources. For this reason, anyone who suspects they may be at risk should speak to a doctor. A mesothelioma expert can help those who have a history with asbestos to learn more about their risk.

Risk Factors

asbestos claim exposure is a major risk factor for mesothelioma, accounting for up to 80 percent of all cases. Exposure to asbestos can occur due to military service, work or living with someone who used to work with asbestos. Asbestos particles can be breathed in by those who are exposed to asbestos. These particles can cause irritation to the linings and trigger cancerous cells to develop in the mesothelium. Following exposure to asbestos, mesothelioma may occur between 15 and 60 years old.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and age. The people in their 40s or 50s are more at risk of developing mesothelioma compared to people who are younger or more. It is because mesothelioma generally occurs between 20 and 60 years from the initial exposure before symptoms of cancer begin to manifest. 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 called indirect or secondary exposure to asbestos. It can be just as dangerous as direct exposure.

Smoking can increase the likelihood of getting mesothelioma because it causes mesothelium damage and makes it more vulnerable to asbestos. Mesothelioma can also be caused by certain illnesses, including asbestosis and pneumonia. It is also important to note that mesothelioma occurs more frequently in males than females. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for a longer period of time and to have worked with asbestos for longer periods of time. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who had been exposed to asbestos, and to have asbestos fibers on their clothing. Women tend to have less exposure to asbestos settlement and rarely carry asbestos around on their clothes.

Diagnosis

It is difficult to identify mesothelioma due to its symptoms being often similar to other diseases. Because of this, victims are often wrongly diagnosed.

NYU Langone doctors will perform a physical examination and record the patient's medical background including asbestos exposure. Doctors will also order a 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 magnetic resonance imaging, also known as MRI, test, which uses magnets and radio waves to make a series of detailed images of the inside of the body. A surgical biopsy is another method doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma. In a surgical biopsy doctors remove a small amount of tissue from the pleura or peritoneum for further analysis. A pathologist will then look at the tissue using a magnifying glass to determine whether it contains cancerous cells.

The type of mesothelial cell involved and the benign or malignant nature of the cells as well as the location the cancer, its type and the stage of the tumour, are used to classify the disease. Certain types of mesothelioma are at a higher chance of metastasizing or spreading and it's crucial to establish a clear diagnosis so doctors can treat it before it becomes out-of-control.

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

Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnosis can be an incredibly frightening prospect. However, it's important to remember that the disease can be treated, particularly in its early stages. Many people with mesothelioma can endure the disease for a long time, without spreading.

Exposure to asbestos can trigger mesothelioma in a number of ways. Asbestos particles, which are too small to detect or feel with the naked eye, can become airborne and cause irritation to the lining of the lungs (pleura). In time, the irritation leads to the formation of scar tissues and eventually tumors.

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

A shortness of breath, chest pain or fluid accumulation 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.

A doctor will order biopsy if imaging scans show the possibility of a tumor in the lungs or stomach. During the procedure, doctors will remove small amounts of the fluid or tumor for lab tests. The results can confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis, and determine the best treatment option.

There are many types of treatment for mesothelioma such as chemotherapy and surgery. The majority of doctors use the combination of these methods. Patients can also benefit by participating in a clinical study of new mesothelioma treatments. Patients can learn more by speaking with a mesothelioma doctor who has treated the disease.