Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that is made up of long, thin fibres. People who are exposed to asbestos claim regularly are at risk of developing mesothelioma or other lung diseases of different types.

Symptoms of these diseases may not be evident for a long time after exposure to asbestos. Different asbestos types can cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer of the outer lung lining, or pleura. It is the most frequent mesothelioma form and is responsible for 70 to 79% of diagnosed cases. The condition can cause chest pain, shortness of breathe and a feeling heaviness.

Exposure to asbestos, a group of minerals composed of microscopic fibers, typically causes this type of cancer. Once inhaled, these fibers cling to the lung and cause irritation that results in scarring and DNA mutations. Pleura is the lining of both the chest cavity as well as the lungs, and so irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma typically doesn't manifest until 30 to 50 year after exposure.

The most common symptoms of pleural melanoma are chest discomfort and shortness of breath. Patients may have coughing problems, trouble breathing or chest tightness. People who suffer from this cancer usually have previous exposure to asbestos in the workplace. The most frequent jobs that put people at risk of developing pleural mesothelioma are manufacturing, construction and shipbuilding. Individuals who have been in the military could be at risk due to the frequent asbestos claim use in Navy ships and bunkers used by the army.

The most common staging method for pleural mesothelioma is the TNM (tumor lymph nodes, lymph nodes and metastases) staging system. The stage a patient has when they are diagnosed will help their doctor determine the most effective treatment plan for them. For instance, patients suffering from a pleural mesothelioma in stage three or four have a poorer prognosis than those in lower stages. Mesothelioma in stage four is usually spread to the diaphragm, liver and/or a person's heart. This can make the cancer more difficult to treat, and increase the chance of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

As opposed to pleural mesothelioma that develops in the lung lining, peritoneal mesothelioma forms in the peritoneum - a membrane that lines the abdominal cavity as well as organs like the intestines and liver. Like pleural mesothelioma, asbestos exposure is the primary reason for peritoneal msothelioma. The disease is less common than pleural mesothelioma, and just 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.

Like pleural mesothelioma, symptoms can take a long time to manifest. The majority of patients are afflicted with abdominal pain as well as an abdominal mass. This kind of mesothelioma can cause nausea, weight loss, and fever. A lot of these symptoms can be misinterpreted as digestive issues which can lead to a misdiagnosis.

Doctors can detect mesothelioma by looking over the medical history of the patient and performing a physical examination. Imaging tests such as X-rays or CT scans can be used to identify mesothelioma. These tests can reveal tumors and other indications of cancer that aren't visible on X-rays.

These tests enable doctors to diagnose mesothelioma, identify the stage of the disease and suggest treatment options. The stage of the disease is determined based on the type of cell and whether or not the tumor has spread to other parts of the body.

The most significant mesothelioma-related risk factor is exposure to asbestos. People who have worked in jobs that require asbestos, like plumbing, manufacturing, electrical work, or construction, are at increased risk of developing the disease. Even if someone isn't employed in one of these fields, he or she can be exposed to asbestos to asbestos through family members and other sources. For this reason, anyone who suspects they may be at risk should talk to a doctor. If they have an history of exposure to asbestos and mesothelioma is a concern, a specialist will assist them in learning more about the risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos is the main risk factor for mesothelioma. It accounts for up to the 80% of cases. Exposure to asbestos can occur through work, military service or by living with someone who works with asbestos or used to do the same. When exposed to asbestos, small particles can be breathed into the lungs and abdomen. These irritate the linings and can cause cancerous cells to form in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma can take anywhere between 15 and 60 years to develop after exposure to asbestos.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and aging. The people in their 40s or 50s are at a higher chance of developing mesothelioma to those younger or older. Mesothelioma can take between 20 and 60 years to show signs of cancer after the first exposure. It is also important to know that mesothelioma is a possibility in people who have been exposed to Asbestos Legal, but did not engage directly with it. This is called secondary or indirect exposure to asbestos. It could be as hazardous as direct exposure.

Smoking increases the risk of developing mesothelioma due to the fact that it damages the mesothelium and makes it more prone to asbestos. Furthermore, mesothelioma is exacerbated by certain illnesses like pneumonia and asbestosis. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma compared to women. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for longer periods of time and to have worked with asbestos for longer periods of time. Also, men are more likely to live with someone who has worked with asbestos claim and carry asbestos fibers that have escaped home on their clothing. Women tend to have less exposure to asbestos and don't typically carry asbestos on their clothes.

Diagnosis

It is difficult to identify mesothelioma because its symptoms are often similar to other conditions. This can result in patients being wrongly diagnosed.

NYU Langone doctors will perform an examination of the body and document the patient's medical background including asbestos exposure. Doctors can also order an X-ray of the chest or CT scan to detect lumps and other abnormalities and also to look for evidence of past asbestos exposure such as pleural plaques (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the formation of fluid between the lung and the chest wall (known as pleural effusion).

Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram, which examines the blood vessels and the heart as well as a magnetic resonance imaging, also known as MRI, test, which uses magnets and radio waves to create precise images of the inside of the body. Another way for doctors to detect mesothelioma is to perform the procedure of a surgical biopsy. During a surgery biopsy doctors take a tiny piece of tissue from pleura or the peritoneum, to be examined further. A pathologist then examines the tissue under a magnifying lens to determine if it contains cancerous cells.

Mesothelioma can be classified based on the type of mesothelial cell involved, whether the cells are malignant or benign and also the location, type, and stage of the cancer. Certain types of mesothelioma are at a higher risk of spreading or metastasizing therefore it is essential to establish a clear 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 determine specific genes, proteins or other factors that can help them describe cancer characteristics and plan treatment. These results are referred to as staging.

Treatment

A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be terrifying. However, it is important to remember that the cancer can be treated, particularly in its early stages. Many mesothelioma patients live for years without the disease spreading to other organs of their body.

Exposure to asbestos may cause mesothelioma through a variety of ways. Asbestos fibers, which are tiny enough to be felt or observed through the naked eye are able to become airborne and irritate the lining of the lung (pleura). As time passes irritation can lead to formation of scar tissue which can cause changes in the structure of cells that can eventually grow into tumors.

The Pleura is a covering that covers the abdomen, heart, and lungs. Mesothelium consists of cells that react to exposure to asbestos which causes it to become inflamed and develop scar tissue. In time, these changes can cause the development of malignant mesothelioma cancers.

The symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are shortness of breath and chest pain as well as an accumulation of fluid in the lungs (pleural effusion). In rare cases, cancer can spread into the tissues that surround the reproductive organs and heart.

If imaging scans reveal a possible mass in the lungs or stomach the doctor will request a biopsies. During the procedure, doctors take small amounts of the fluid or tumor for laboratory tests. The results can confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis and indicate the best treatment option.

There are several types of mesothelioma treatment options, including surgery, chemotherapy and immunotherapy. Most doctors utilize the combination of these treatments. Participating in clinical trials for new mesothelioma treatment may also be beneficial to patients. To learn more, patients should speak to mesothelioma specialists who have expertise in treating the condition.