Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos is a natural mineral that comes in thin, long fibres. Workers who are regularly exposed to asbestos litigation may develop lung diseases, such as mesothelioma.

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

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer of the lung's outer lining, also known as the pleura. It is the most frequent mesothelioma type and accounts for 70% to 79% of all diagnosed cases. This condition causes chest pain, breath shortness, and a feeling of heaviness.

This type of cancer is usually caused through exposure to asbestos, which is a cluster of minerals comprised of microscopic fibres. Once inhaled, these fibers stick inside the lungs and cause irritation that results in 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 is usually not symptomatic until 30 to 50 year after exposure.

The most commonly reported symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include chest discomfort and shortness of breath. Patients may also experience difficulty breathing, or chest tightness. People with this cancer have a history of disease that includes asbestos exposure at work. Construction, manufacturing, and shipbuilding are the most prevalent occupations which put people at risk danger of developing pleural melanoma. People who have worked in the military could be at an especially high risk because of the extensive use of asbestos in Navy ships and army bunkers.

The most popular staging system for pleural mysothelioma has been the TNM (tumor, lymph nodes and metastases) staging system. The stage that a patient is at at diagnosis will assist their doctor in determining the best treatment plan for them. Patients suffering from pleural mesothelioma who is in stage three or stage four will have a worse outlook than those in a less advanced stage. Stage four mesothelioma can be spread to the heart, liver or diaphragm. This could make the cancer more difficult to treat and increase the chances of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Unlike pleural cancer, that develops in the lining of the lung, peritoneal cancer develops in a membrane that covers the abdominal cavity, which includes organs like the intestines and the liver. Like pleural mesothelioma, peritoneal mesothelioma is triggered by asbestos exposure. The disease is less common than pleural mesothelioma. There are around 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.

As with pleural asbestosis symptoms can take several years to show. The majority of patients are afflicted with abdominal pain as well as an abdominal mass. Symptoms of this type of mesothelioma can also include nausea, weight loss and fever. A lot of these symptoms can be misinterpreted as digestive issues and can lead to a mistaken diagnosis.

Typically, doctors can identify mesothelioma through an extensive health history and physical exam. Imaging tests like X-rays or CT scans are a way to identify mesothelioma. These tests can detect tumors as well as other signs of cancer that aren't evident on X-rays.

These test results allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma, determine the stage and suggest treatment options. The stage is determined by the type of cell and whether the cancer has spread.

Asbestos exposure is the biggest risk factor. People who have worked in asbestos-containing jobs, such as electrical or plumbing work, or in construction, manufacturing and manufacturing are more likely to develop the disease. Even if a person does not work in any of these areas however, they may still be exposed through family members and other sources. Anyone who suspects that they may be at risk should consult a doctor. If they have any history of exposure to asbestos and mesothelioma is a concern, a specialist will assist them in finding out more about the risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos exposure is a major risk factor for mesothelioma, which accounts for as much as 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 inhaled by people who are exposed to asbestos law. They can cause irritation to the linings of the abdomen and cause cancerous cells to grow in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma can take between 15 and 60 years to develop following exposure to asbestos.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and aging. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely to get mesothelioma than people younger or more senior. This is because mesothelioma usually occurs between 20 and 60 years from the first exposure to asbestos legal before the first signs of cancer appear. It is important to remember, too, that mesothelioma could develop in people who have been exposed to asbestos without having been directly exposed to it. This is known as indirect or secondary exposure to asbestos, and it could be as hazardous as direct exposure.

Smoking increases the risk of getting mesothelioma because it damages the mesothelium, which makes it more prone to asbestos. Mesothelioma can also be caused by certain illnesses, including asbestosis and pneumonia. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than females. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos compensation for a longer time and to work with asbestos for longer periods of time. Also, men are more likely to live with someone who has worked with asbestos and carry stray asbestos fibers home on their clothes. Women are less likely to be in contact with asbestos, and don't typically bring asbestos lawsuit home on their clothes.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is a difficult disease to recognize because the symptoms often resemble other conditions. This can result in patients being wrongly diagnosed.

The first step in identifying mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform an examination and write notes on the medical history of a patient including asbestos exposure. Doctors may also request an CT scan or chest X-ray in order to look for lumps, abnormalities, and evidence of exposure to asbestos. 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 magnetic resonance imaging, also known as MRI test that uses magnets and radio waves to make a series of detailed images of the interior of the body. Another method doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma is by performing an operation called a biopsy. During a surgery biopsy doctors will remove a small piece of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum, to be examined further. A pathologist can look at the tissue under microscopes to determine whether it has cancerous cells.

The mesothelial type involved as well as the benign or malignant nature of the cells, as well as the location, type and stage of the tumour, are used to categorize the disease. Certain types of mesothelioma may be more likely to develop metastasis or spread which is why it is crucial to get a definite diagnosis so doctors can treat the disease before it gets out of control.

Doctors may also conduct tests in the lab on tumors to identify specific proteins, genes or other elements that will help them identify cancer characteristics and plan treatment. These results are referred to as staging.

Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnosis is an incredibly frightening prospect. It is important to remember, however, that cancer can be treated, particularly in its early stages. Many people with mesothelioma can endure the disease for a long time, without expanding.

Asbestos exposure can cause mesothelioma through many mechanisms. Asbestos fibers, too small to see or feel through the naked eye, can become airborne and irritate the lung's lining (pleura). Over time irritation leads to formation of scar tissue which causes changes in the structure of cells that can eventually grow into tumors.

The pleura is the area that surrounds the heart and lungs and the abdomen. Mesothelium is composed of cells that react to asbestos, causing it to inflame and develop scar tissue. In time, these changes can lead to the development of malignant mesothelioma cancers.

Shortness of breath, chest pain or fluid accumulation on the lungs are all signs of the pleural Msothelioma. In rare cases the cancer may grow to the tissues surrounding the heart and reproductive organs.

If imaging scans reveal a possible mass in the lungs or stomach the doctor will request a biopsies. The procedure involves the removal of a small amount of fluid or tumor for tests in the laboratory. The results can confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and provide the best treatment plan.

There are several types of mesothelioma treatment, which include chemotherapy, surgery, and immunotherapy. Most doctors use a combination of these treatments. Patients may also benefit from participating in a clinical study of new mesothelioma treatments. Patients can learn more by consulting a mesothelioma expert who has treated mesothelioma.