Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos, a natural mineral, naturally occurs in the form of long, thin fibers. People who are exposed to asbestos regularly risk developing mesothelioma and other lung diseases of different types.

It may take decades for symptoms to show up after asbestos claim exposure. Different types of asbestos can cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma is a type of cancer that affects the outer lung the lining (pleura). It is the most frequent mesothelioma type and is responsible for 70 to 79% of diagnosed cases. Patients with this disease feel chest pain and breathlessness and may experience an ache or heaviness in the chest.

Exposure to asbestos litigation, a family of minerals made of microscopic fibers, typically causes this type of cancer. These fibers, when inhaled, cause irritation and DNA mutations. The pleura surrounds the lungs and chest cavity and therefore, these irritations could affect both the lungs as well as a person's heart. Mesothelioma usually doesn't show symptoms until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

The most commonly reported symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are chest pain and breath shortness. Patients may have coughing problems, trouble breathing, or chest tightness. People with this cancer have a history that includes asbestos exposure at work. The most prevalent jobs that expose people to the risk of pleural mesothelioma include manufacturing, construction, and shipbuilding. People who have served in the military may be at risk because of the extensive asbestos compensation usage in Navy ships and bunkers used by the army.

The most popular staging system for pleural mesothelioma is the TNM (tumor lymph nodes, lymph nodes and metastases) staging system. The stage that a patient is in at the time of diagnosis can help determine what treatment plan they will receive. For example, patients with mesothelioma pleural stage three or four have a less favorable prognosis than those in lower stages. 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 patients.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Unlike pleural cancer, that develops in the lining of the lung the peritoneal cancer is a result of a membrane that covers the abdominal cavity, including organs such as the liver and intestines. As with pleural mesothelioma asbestos exposure is the cause of peritoneal mesothelioma. It is estimated that only 300-500 cases are diagnosed annually this is less than pleural asbestosis.

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

Typically, doctors can identify mesothelioma through an exhaustive health history and physical exam. Imaging tests like X-rays or CT scans are a way to identify mesothelioma. These tests can show tumors and other symptoms of cancer that aren't apparent on an X-ray.

The results of these tests allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and determine the stage. They also offer treatments. The stage is determined by the kind of cell and if the tumor has spread.

Asbestos exposure is the most important risk factor. People who have been exposed to asbestos in occupations, like electrical or plumbing work or in construction and manufacturing, are more likely to develop the disease. Even if an individual isn't employed in one of these fields however, they may still be exposed through family members or other sources. For this reason, anyone who believes they could be at risk should talk to a doctor. If they have a history of asbestos exposure and mesothelioma is a concern, a specialist will assist them in learning more about the risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos is the most significant risk factor for mesothelioma. It is responsible for up to 80% of all cases. Exposure to asbestos can happen as a result of work, military service, or living with someone who used to work with asbestos. Asbestos particles are inhaled by people who are exposed to it. The particles cause irritation to the linings, causing 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 age. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely develop mesothelioma than those who are younger or older. It takes mesothelioma 20-60 years to show signs of cancer after the first exposure. It is important to note that mesothelioma can occur in those who have been exposed to asbestos, but without having been directly exposed to it. This is referred to as secondary or indirect asbestos exposure and can be as hazardous as direct asbestos litigation exposure.

Smoking increases a person's chances of developing mesothelioma due to the fact that it damages the mesothelium, which makes it more vulnerable to asbestos. Mesothelioma is also aggravated by certain diseases, such as asbestosis and pneumonia. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than women. This is due to the fact that men are more likely to work with asbestos and experience a a longer period of exposure than women. Also, men are more likely to live with someone who was exposed to asbestos lawyer and bring asbestos Case fibers from their workplace on their clothing. Women are less likely to come into exposure to asbestos and rarely carry asbestos home on their clothes.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is difficult to recognize because the symptoms can be similar to other diseases. Due to this, patients are sometimes mistakenly diagnosed.

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

Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram, which examines the heart and blood vessels, and a magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI, test, which makes use of radio waves and magnets to create precise images of the inside of the body. A surgical biopsy is yet another method doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma. In a surgical biopsy doctors take a tiny piece of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum to be tested further. A pathologist is then able to examine the tissue under microscopes to determine if it has cancerous cells.

The type of mesothelial cell involved as well as the benign or malignant nature of these cells as well as the location and stage of the tumour, are used to classify the disease. Some types of mesothelioma are more likely to spread or metastasize, so it is important to get a definite diagnosis so doctors can treat the disease before it becomes out of control.

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

Treatment

A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be frightening. However, it is important to remember that the disease is treatable, particularly in its early stages. A lot of people suffering from mesothelioma live with the disease for a long time, without spreading.

Exposure to asbestos can trigger mesothelioma through a variety of ways. Asbestos particles, which are too small to see or feel with the naked eye, can become airborne and cause irritation to the lung's lining (pleura). In time irritation can lead to formation of scar tissue which can cause changes in the cell structure that can eventually grow into tumors.

The pleura surrounds the lungs and the heart and also the abdomen. Mesothelium consists of cells that react to exposure to asbestos which causes it to become inflamed and develop scar tissue. These changes eventually lead to malignant mesothelioma tumours.

Breathing problems, chest pain or fluid accumulation on the lungs are all signs of the pleural msothelioma. In rare instances, cancer can spread into the tissues surrounding the reproductive organs and the heart.

A doctor will request biopsy if imaging scans show the possibility of a tumor in the lungs or stomach. During the procedure, doctors will remove tiny amounts of fluid or tumor for lab testing. The results will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma, and also determine the best treatment plan.

There are many types of treatment for mesothelioma including chemotherapy and surgery. Most doctors rely on the combination of these methods. Patients can also benefit by participating in a clinical study of new mesothelioma treatment. To learn more about the trials, patients should speak to mesothelioma specialists who have expertise in treating the condition.