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Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that comes in thin, long fibres. Workers who are exposed to asbestos on a regular basis risk developing mesothelioma and other lung diseases of different types.

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

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer that affects the outer lung the lining (pleura). It is the most common mesothelioma form and accounts for 70% to 79% of diagnosed cases. This condition causes chest pain, breath shortness and a feeling heavyness.

This kind of cancer is usually caused through exposure to asbestos, which is a cluster of minerals that are comprised of microscopic fibres. When inhaled, these fibers can cause irritation and DNA mutations. The pleura surrounds the lungs and chest cavity, so these irritations can affect both the lungs as well as the heart of a person. Mesothelioma symptoms usually don't appear until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

Chest pain and shortness breath are the most common symptoms. Patients may also experience coughing, difficulty breathing or chest tightness. Patients with this type of cancer typically have an history of exposure to asbestos in the workplace. Construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding are the most frequent occupations that put people at a high danger of developing pleural melanoma. Individuals who have served in the military are at a greater risk due the widespread use of asbestos in Navy vessels and Army bunkers.

The most commonly used staging system for pleural mysothelioma has been the TNM (tumor, lymph nodes and metastases) staging system. The stage the patient is in at the time of diagnosis can help determine what treatment plan they should follow. Patients suffering from pleural mesothelioma who is in stage three or four will have a less favorable prognosis than those in a less advanced stage. Stage four mesothelioma may be spread to the liver, heart or diaphragm. This makes it more difficult to treat and increase the likelihood of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Unlike pleural mesothelioma, which is a lung-lining cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma is found in the peritoneum -- a membrane that lines the abdominal cavity as well as organs like the intestines and the liver. As with pleural mesothelioma asbestos exposure is the cause of peritoneal msothelioma. The disease is less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma. There are just 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.

Like pleural mesothelioma, symptoms can take years to show. Patients typically suffer from abdominal pain and could also experience a mass in their abdomen. Symptoms of this type of mesothelioma may also include nausea as well as weight loss and fever. A lot of these symptoms are similar to symptoms of digestive issues, which could cause misdiagnosis.

Doctors can detect mesothelioma by reviewing the medical history of the patient and performing a physical exam. Imaging tests such as X-rays or CT scans are a way to identify mesothelioma. These tests can show cancerous tumors or other symptoms of cancer that aren't apparent on an X-ray.

These test results enable doctors to identify mesothelioma, and determine the stage. They can also suggest treatment options. The staging is determined by the type of cells and whether or whether the tumor has spread to other areas of the body.

The most significant risk factor for mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos. People who have worked in professions that involve asbestos, like plumbing manufacturing, electrical work or construction, are at greater risk of developing the disease. However, even if individuals do not work in these areas they could be exposed to asbestos through relatives or other sources. For this reason, anyone who suspects they may be at risk should speak to a doctor. If they have an history of exposure to asbestos, a mesothelioma specialist can assist them in finding out more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos is the most significant risk factor for mesothelioma. It accounts for up to the 80% of cases. Exposure to asbestos can occur due to work, military service, or by living with a person who is exposed to asbestos or was previously exposed to doing the same. When exposed to asbestos, particles can be breathed into the lungs and abdomen. The particles cause irritation to the linings, causing cancerous cells to grow in the mesothelium. Following exposure to asbestos mesothelioma can be diagnosed 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 before it manifests cancer symptoms after the first exposure. It is important to note, too, that mesothelioma can 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 exposure and can be as dangerous as direct asbestos exposure.

Smoking can increase the likelihood of developing mesothelioma due to the fact that it causes mesothelium damage and makes it more vulnerable to asbestos. Mesothelioma can also be aggravated by certain illnesses such as asbestosis and pneumonia. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma compared to women. This is due to the fact that men are more likely to work with asbestos case (see this page) and have more exposure than women. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who has worked with asbestos case and to have asbestos-containing fibers on their clothing. Women tend to have less exposure to asbestos and don't typically carry asbestos lawyer on their clothes.

Diagnosis

It is difficult to recognize mesothelioma due to its symptoms being often similar to other conditions. This can lead to victims being incorrectly diagnosed.

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 to check for abnormalities, lumps 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 blood vessels and the heart and magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI test that uses radio waves and magnets to create detailed images of the interior of the body. A surgical biopsy is a different method doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma. During a surgical biopsy, doctors remove a small piece of tissue from the pleura or peritoneum for further testing. A pathologist will then look at the tissue using an magnifying glass to determine if it contains cancerous cells.

Mesothelioma is classified based on the type of mesothelial cell involved, whether these cells are malignant or benign and the location, type, and stage of the tumor. Some types of mesothelioma have greater risk of metastasizing or spreading and it's crucial to get a definitive diagnosis so that doctors can treat it prior to it becoming out-of-control.

Doctors can also perform tests in the lab on tumors to identify specific proteins, genes, or other factors which will help them identify cancer characteristics and plan treatment. These results are known as staging.

Treatment

A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be an incredibly frightening prospect. It is important to remember that cancer can be treated, particularly in its early stages. Many patients with mesothelioma survive for a long time without the disease spreading to other areas of their body.

Exposure to asbestos claim can trigger mesothelioma through a variety of ways. asbestos case fibres, too small to be felt or observed with the naked eyes are able to become airborne, causing irritation to the lung's lining (pleura). In time irritation leads to formation of scar tissue which leads to changes in the structure of cells that eventually develop into tumors.

The Pleura is a covering that surrounds the abdomen, heart, and lungs. Mesothelium is composed of cells that react to exposure to asbestos and cause it to enflame and develop scar tissue. As time passes, these changes lead to the development of malignant mesothelioma tumors.

Breathing problems, chest discomfort or fluid buildup on the lungs are all indications of the pleural Msothelioma. In rare instances, the cancer can grow to the tissues surrounding the heart and reproductive organs.

If imaging scans reveal a possible mass in the stomach or lungs the doctor will request biopsies. In the course of the procedure, doctors remove some of the fluid or tumor to allow for tests in the laboratory. The results can confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis and provide the best treatment plan.

There are many types of treatment for mesothelioma such as chemotherapy and surgery. The majority of doctors use a combination of these methods. Enrolling in clinical trials of mesothelioma treatments may be beneficial for patients. To find out more, patients should speak to mesothelioma experts who have experience treating the condition.