Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos, 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.

It could take a long time before symptoms begin to manifest after exposure to asbestos. Different types of asbestos 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 prevalent mesothelioma that accounts for up between 70 and 79% of diagnosed cases. Patients suffering from this condition feel chest pain and shortness of breath and may also feel an ache or heaviness in the chest.

This kind of cancer is typically caused by exposure to asbestos compensation which is a grouping of minerals that are made up of microscopic fibres. The fibers, when inhaled, cause irritation and DNA mutations. The pleura is the area that surrounds the lungs and chest cavity and therefore, these irritations could affect both the lungs as well as the heart of a person. Mesothelioma is usually not symptomatic until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

The most frequent symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are chest pain and breath shortness. Some patients also experience coughing, difficulty breathing or chest tightness. People with this cancer often have an history of exposure to asbestos in the workplace. Construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding are the most frequent jobs that put people at a high chance of developing pleural mesothelioma. Individuals who have served in the military are at a greater risk due the widespread use of asbestos in Navy vessels and bunkers for the Army.

The TNM (tumors lymph nodes, tumors, and metastases staging system) is the most popular staging system for pleural adenocarcinoma. The stage that a patient is at when they are diagnosed will help their doctor determine the most appropriate treatment plan for them. Patients who have pleural mesothelioma which is in stage three or four will have a worse outlook than those in a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma is often spread to the diaphragm, the liver or even the heart of a patient. This can make it more difficult to treat and raises the likelihood of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

As opposed to pleural mesothelioma that is a lung-lining cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma forms in the peritoneum -- a membrane that lines the abdominal cavity as well as organs such as the liver and intestines. Like pleural mesothelioma, asbestos exposure is the cause of peritoneal mesothelioma. There are only 300-500 cases diagnosed each year, which is less than pleural asbestosis.

As with pleural asbestosis, symptoms can take years to manifest. Typically, patients are afflicted with abdominal pain as well as abdominal swelling. The symptoms of this type of mesothelioma could also include nausea, weight loss and fever. A lot of these symptoms are similar to symptoms of digestive problems, which can cause confusion in diagnosis.

Doctors can identify mesothelioma by examining the patient's medical history and performing a physical exam. They may also employ imaging tests like Xrays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to detect mesothelioma. These tests can reveal tumors and other cancer signs that aren't evident on X-rays.

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

Asbestos exposure is the biggest risk factor. People who have been in occupations that require asbestos, like plumbing electrical work, manufacturing or construction, are at a higher risk of developing the disease. Even if an individual is not employed in one of these fields however, they may be exposed to asbestos through family members and other sources. Anyone who thinks they may be at risk should consult an expert. 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 is the most significant mesothelioma-related risk factor. It accounts for as much as the 80% of cases. Exposure to asbestos can happen through military service, work or living with someone who used to work with asbestos. When exposed to asbestos, the particles can be inhaled into the abdomen and lungs. These irritate the linings and cause cancerous cells to develop in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma may take between 15 and 60 years to develop following exposure to asbestos.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and the advancing age. The people in their 40s or 50s are at a higher risk of developing mesothelioma as compared to people who are younger or more. 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 were exposed to asbestos, but did not engage directly with it. This is known as indirect or secondary asbestos exposure, and is as hazardous as direct asbestos exposure.

Smoking increases the risk of mesothelioma, since it damages mesothelium. It also makes it more prone to. Mesothelioma can also be aggravated by certain diseases, such as asbestosis and pneumonia. It is also important to remember that mesothelioma is more common in males than females. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for a longer time and to have worked with it. Additionally, men are more likely to live with someone who has worked with asbestos and carry stray asbestos fibers home on their clothes. Women tend to have less contact with asbestos legal (Jibangjachinews official) and rarely carry asbestos on their clothing.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is a difficult disease to diagnose because the symptoms often resemble other conditions. Due to this, patients are often misdiagnosed.

NYU Langone doctors will perform an examination of the body and document the patient's medical history, 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 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 a magnetic resonance image or MRI test, that uses radio waves and magnets in order to produce a series of precise images of the insides of the body. Another way for doctors to detect mesothelioma is to perform the procedure of a surgical biopsy. During a surgical biopsy, doctors remove a small piece of tissue from the pleura or peritoneum for further testing. A pathologist is then able to examine the tissue with microscopes to determine whether it has cancerous cells.

The type of mesothelial cell involved, the malignant or benign nature of these cells and the location the cancer, its type and the stage of the tumor, are used to classify the disease. Certain types of mesothelioma are at greater risk of spreading or metastasizing, so it's important to get a definitive diagnosis so doctors can treat it prior to it becoming out of control.

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

Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnosis can be terrifying. However, it's important to remember that the disease is treatable, particularly in its initial stages. Many people with mesothelioma can live with the disease for a long time, without spreading.

Asbestos exposure can trigger mesothelioma via various mechanisms. asbestos case fibers, which are small enough to not be felt or viewed through the naked eye, can become airborne, irritating the lining of the lung (pleura). As time passes the irritation can lead to the formation of scar tissues and eventually tumors.

The pleura surrounds the lungs and heart and also the abdomen. Mesothelium is made up of cells that react to asbestos case, causing it to inflame and create scar tissue. These changes can eventually lead to malignant mesothelioma tumours.

Shortness of breath, chest discomfort or fluid buildup on the lungs are all signs of pleural msothelioma. In rare cases, the cancer can be spread to the tissues around the heart and reproductive organs.

If scans of imaging reveal an underlying mass in the stomach or lungs, a doctor will order a biopsies. The procedure involves the removal of some of the fluid or tumor to allow for laboratory testing. The results will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and provide the most effective treatment plan.

There are many types of treatment for mesothelioma including surgery and chemotherapy. The majority of doctors employ combinations of these treatments. Participating in clinical trials for new mesothelioma treatment may also be beneficial for patients. Patients can learn more by consulting a mesothelioma expert who has treated the condition.