Mesothelioma and Asbestos

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

It could take a long time for symptoms to show up after asbestos exposure. Different asbestos case (learn the facts here now) types may cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma, a form of cancer, that develops in the outer lung the lining (pleura). It is the most frequent mesothelioma that accounts for up between 70 and 79% of all diagnosed cases. The condition can cause chest discomfort, shortness of breath and a feeling of weightiness.

This kind of cancer is typically caused by exposure to asbestos which is a collection of minerals made up of microscopic fibres. The fibers, when inhaled cause irritation and DNA mutations. The pleura covers the lungs and chest cavity This means that these irritations can affect both the lungs and a person's heart. Mesothelioma symptoms are usually not apparent until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

Shortness of breath and chest pain are the most frequent symptoms. Some patients may also suffer from chest tightness or coughing. They may also experience difficulty breathing. People with this cancer often have an history of exposure to asbestos in the workplace. The most common jobs that put people at risk of developing pleural cancer are construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding. People who have served in the military could be at an especially high risk due to the frequent asbestos use in Navy ships and army bunkers.

The TNM (tumors lymph nodes, tumors, and metastases staging system) is the most common staging system used to treat the pleural adenocarcinoma. The stage that a patient is in at the moment of diagnosis will determine what treatment plan they should follow. Patients with pleural mesothelioma that is in stage three or stage four will have a worse prognosis compared to those in a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma may be spread to the liver, heart, or diaphragm. This can make it more difficult to treat and increase the risk of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

In contrast to pleural cancer, that develops in the lung's lining the peritoneal cancer is a result of a membrane that covers the abdominal cavity, which includes organs such as the intestines and the liver. Similar to pleural mesothelioma and peritoneal mesothelioma can be caused by asbestos exposure. There are only 300-500 cases diagnosed annually which is lower than pleural asbestosis.

As with pleural asbestosis, symptoms can take years to show. Patients generally suffer from abdominal pain and may also have a lump in their abdomen. This type of mesothelioma may cause nausea, weight loss and fever. A lot of these symptoms are similar to those experienced by digestive issues, which could cause confusion in diagnosis.

Generally speaking, doctors can detect mesothelioma after an exhaustive health history and physical exam. Imaging tests such as X-rays or CT scans can be used to identify mesothelioma. These tests can detect tumors and other signs of cancer that are not evident on X-rays.

These tests enable doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and determine the stage and recommend treatment options. Staging is determined based on the cell type and whether or not the tumor has spread to other regions of the body.

Asbestos exposure is the main risk factor. People who have been in occupations that require asbestos, such as plumbing or electrical work, manufacturing or construction, are at increased risk of developing the disease. However, even if people aren't employed in these areas, they can still be exposed to asbestos through family members or other sources. Anyone who thinks they are at risk should speak with a doctor. A mesothelioma specialist can assist those with a experience with asbestos to understand more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos exposure is the main mesothelioma risk factor, which accounts for as much as 80 percent of all cases. Exposure to asbestos may occur as a result of work, military service or through living with a person who is exposed to asbestos litigation or used to do so. When exposed to asbestos, the particles can be breathed into the abdomen and lungs. These irritate the linings and cause cancerous cells to grow in the mesothelium. After asbestos exposure, mesothelioma may develop between 15 and 60 years old.

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 before it manifests cancer symptoms after the first exposure. It is important to note that mesothelioma may develop in those who have been exposed to asbestos, but without having worked with it directly. This is referred to as secondary or indirect asbestos legal exposure, and is just as harmful as direct asbestos exposure.

Smoking can increase the likelihood of developing mesothelioma since it causes mesothelium damage and makes it more susceptible to asbestos attorney. Mesothelioma can also be aggravated by certain diseases, 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 for a longer period of time and to work with it. Additionally, men are more likely to live with someone who has worked with asbestos and carry stray asbestos fibers home on their clothing. Women are less likely to come into contact with asbestos and don't typically carry asbestos claim on their clothes.

Diagnosis

It is difficult to recognize mesothelioma since its symptoms are often similar to other diseases. This could lead to patients being misdiagnosed.

The first step in identifying mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform a physical exam and take note of the medical history of the patient which includes asbestos exposure. Doctors may also order an X-ray chest or CT scan to look for lumps or other abnormalities, and also to look for evidence of asbestos exposure in the past like plaques on the pleura (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the formation of fluid between the lung and chest wall (known as pleural effusion).

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 detailed images of the interior of the body. Another method doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma is to perform a surgical biopsy. In a surgical biopsy, doctors remove a tiny piece of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum to be further examined. A pathologist can look at the tissue under microscopes to determine if it has cancerous cells.

Mesothelioma can be classified based on the mesothelial type involved, whether these cells are malignant or benign and also the location of the tumor, its type, and the stage of the cancer. Certain types of mesothelioma are at greater risk of metastasizing or spreading, so it's important to get a definitive diagnosis to ensure that the doctors can treat it before it gets out of control.

Doctors can also perform laboratory tests on tumors to identify specific proteins, genes or other elements that can aid in describing cancer characteristics and plan treatment. These results are referred to as staging.

Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnose can be frightening. However, it's important to remember that the disease is treatable, especially in its initial stages. Many patients with mesothelioma survive for years with the disease, without spreading to other parts of their body.

Exposure to asbestos may cause mesothelioma in a number of ways. Asbestos particles, which are too small to be able to see or feel with the naked eye, can be airborne and cause irritation to the lining of the lungs (pleura). In time the irritation causes the formation of scar tissues that eventually result in tumors.

The Pleura is a protective layer that protects the lungs, heart and abdomen. Mesothelium is made up of cells that react when exposed to asbestos. They inflame the tissue and cause it to become scarred. As time passes, these changes result in the growth of malignant mesothelioma tumors.

The symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are breathlessness, chest pain or a buildup of fluid in the lungs (pleural effusion). In rare cases cancer can spread to the tissues around the reproductive organs as well as 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 tiny amounts of fluid or tumor for laboratory testing. The results will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and help determine the best treatment plan.

There are several types of mesothelioma treatment options, which include chemotherapy, surgery, and immunotherapy. The majority of doctors use the combination of these methods. Patients may also benefit from taking part in a clinical trial of new mesothelioma treatment. Patients can learn more about the trials by consulting a mesothelioma expert who has treated mesothelioma.