Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos is a mineral that naturally occurs in the form of long, thin fibers. Workers who are exposed asbestos on a regular basis risk developing mesothelioma and other lung diseases.

Symptoms of these diseases may not show up for decades after exposure to asbestos. Different asbestos types can cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer of the lung's outer lining, also known as pleura. It is the most frequent mesothelioma that accounts for up between 70 and 79% of all diagnosed cases. Patients with this disease feel chest pain and shortness of breath, and they may feel an ache or heaviness in the chest.

This kind of cancer is typically caused by exposure to asbestos, which is a grouping of minerals that are composed of microscopic fibers. When inhaled, these fibers can cause irritation and DNA mutations. The pleura is the area that surrounds the chest cavity and lungs and therefore, these irritations could affect both the lungs as well as the heart of a person. Mesothelioma typically doesn't manifest until 30 to 50 year after exposure.

The most common symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include chest pain and shortness of breath. Patients may also experience difficulty breathing or chest tightness. People who suffer from this cancer usually have an history of exposure to asbestos in the workplace. Construction, manufacturing, and shipbuilding are the most common occupations that put people at high danger of developing pleural melanoma. Individuals who have been in the military could be at risk due to the widespread use of asbestos in Navy vessels and army bunkers.

The TNM (tumors, lymph nodes, and metastases staging system) is the most commonly used staging system for pleural adenocarcinoma. The stage a patient is in at the time of diagnosis will help determine what treatment plan they should follow. Patients suffering from pleural mesothelioma who is in stage three or stage four will suffer a more negative prognosis compared to those in a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma may be 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

As opposed to pleural mesothelioma that is a lung-lining cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma forms in the peritoneum -- an elongated membrane that covers the abdominal cavity and organs like the intestines and liver. Similar to pleural mesothelioma, exposure to asbestos is the cause of peritoneal msothelioma. Only 300-500 cases are diagnosed annually, which is less than the pleural asbestosis.

As with pleural asbestosis, symptoms can take a long time to show. Typically, patients are afflicted with abdominal pain as well as abdominal swelling. This type of mesothelioma may also cause nausea, weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms are similar to those experienced by digestive problems, which can cause incorrect diagnosis.

Typically, doctors can identify mesothelioma by conducting an extensive health history and physical exam. Imaging tests like X-rays and CT scans are a way to identify mesothelioma. These tests can identify tumors and other signs of cancer which 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 is determined by the type of cell and whether the tumor has spread.

Asbestos exposure is the main risk factor. People who have been exposed to asbestos attorney in professions, such as electrical or plumbing work, or in construction and manufacturing, are more likely to develop the disease. However, even if people do not work in these fields they may be exposed to asbestos compensation through family members or other sources. Anyone who suspects that they are at risk should talk to an expert. A mesothelioma specialist can assist those with a history with asbestos to learn more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos exposure is the main mesothelioma risk factor, making up as much as 80 percent of all cases. Exposure to asbestos can happen through work, military service or by living with a person who is exposed to asbestos or used to do the same. asbestos settlement particles are inhaled by people who are exposed to it. These particles irritate the linings of the abdomen, which causes cancerous cells to grow in the mesothelium. After exposure to asbestos mesothelioma is likely to be diagnosed between 15 and 60 year.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics, and the advancing age. People in their 40s and 50s are at greater risk of developing mesothelioma as compared to those younger or older. It takes mesothelioma between 20 and 60 years to manifest cancer symptoms after the first exposure. It is important to remember, too, that mesothelioma could occur in those who have been exposed to asbestos without having been directly exposed to it. This is known as secondary or indirect asbestos exposure. It can be as dangerous as direct asbestos exposure.

Smoking increases the risk of mesothelioma, as it damages the mesothelium. It also makes it more susceptible. In addition, mesothelioma may be caused by certain illnesses, such as pneumonia and asbestosis. It is also important to remember that mesothelioma occurs more frequently in men than women. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to Asbestos Case for a longer period of time and work with asbestos for longer durations and to work with it. Also, men are more likely to live with someone who has was exposed to asbestos and bring asbestos fibers from their workplace on their clothes. Women are less likely to come into exposure to asbestos and do not typically carry asbestos around on their clothing.

Diagnosis

It is difficult to recognize mesothelioma because its symptoms are often similar to other diseases. Due to this, patients are often wrongly diagnosed.

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

Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram, which examines the heart and blood vessels and magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI test that uses magnets and radio waves to make a series of detailed images of the inside of the body. A surgical biopsy is yet another way for doctors to diagnose mesothelioma. In a surgical biopsy, doctors remove a tiny piece of tissue from pleura or the peritoneum to be further examined. A pathologist is then able to look at the tissue under microscopes to determine if it contains cancerous cells.

Mesothelioma is classified according to the mesothelial type involved, whether these cells are benign or malignant and also the location of the tumor, its type, and the stage of the cancer. Some types of mesothelioma are more likely to develop metastasis or spread which is why it is crucial to establish a definitive diagnosis to ensure that doctors are able to treat the disease before it becomes 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 the characteristics of cancer and plan treatment. These results are referred to as staging.

Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnosis can be an incredibly frightening prospect. It is crucial to remember, however, that cancer can be treated especially at its early stages. Many people with mesothelioma live for many years without the disease spreading to other areas of their body.

Exposure to asbestos can trigger mesothelioma via many mechanisms. Asbestos fibers, which are too small to detect or feel through the naked eye, can become airborne and cause irritation to the lung's lining (pleura). In time the irritation causes the formation of scar tissue, which eventually lead to tumors.

The pleura is a protective covering that covers the abdomen, heart, and lungs. Mesothelium is made up of cells that respond when exposed to asbestos. They inflame the tissue and cause it to scar. These changes can lead to malignant mesothelioma tumours.

The symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are shortness of breath and chest pain, or a buildup of fluid in the lung (pleural effusion). In rare cases cancer may spread to the tissues that surround the reproductive organs and the heart.

A doctor will order a biopsy if imaging scans show a potential tumor in the lungs or stomach. During the procedure, doctors take tiny amounts of fluid or tumor for laboratory testing. The results can confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and help determine the most effective treatment plan.

There are a variety of mesothelioma treatment, including surgery, chemotherapy and immunotherapy. The majority of doctors employ a combination of these treatments. Patients could also benefit from taking part in a clinical trial of new mesothelioma treatment. Patients can learn more about the trials by consulting a mesothelioma specialist who has treated mesothelioma.