Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that is made up of long, thin fibres. Workers who are regularly exposed to asbestos may develop lung diseases, such as mesothelioma.

It can take years before symptoms begin to manifest after exposure to asbestos litigation. Different asbestos types may cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma, a form of cancer, that develops in the outer lung lining (pleura). It is the most prevalent mesothelioma that accounts for up 70 to 79% of diagnosed cases. People with this condition feel chest pain and breathlessness and may experience the sensation of weight in the chest.

This type of cancer is often caused through exposure to asbestos, which is a cluster of minerals that are comprised of microscopic fibres. Once inhaled, these fibers cling to the lung and cause irritation which 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 typically doesn't manifest until 30 to 50 year after exposure.

The most common symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include chest pain and breath shortness. Some patients may also feel tightness in their chest and coughing, or breathing difficulties. People with this cancer often have an history of exposure to asbestos in the workplace. The most frequent jobs that expose workers to the risk of pleural mesothelioma include manufacturing, construction and shipbuilding. People who have served in the military are at risk due to the frequent use of Asbestos Case (Fromdust.Art) in Navy ships and bunkers used by the army.

The TNM (tumors lymph nodes and metastases staging system) is the most common staging system used to treat the pleural cancer. The stage that a patient is in at the moment of diagnosis will determine what treatment plan they should receive. Patients with pleural mesothelioma that is in stage three or four will suffer a more negative prognosis compared to those in a lower stage. Mesothelioma in stage four can spread to the liver, heart or diaphragm. This makes it more difficult to treat and raises the likelihood of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

In contrast to pleural cancer, which forms in the lung's lining the peritoneal cancer is a result of a membrane that covers the abdominal cavity, which includes organs such as the intestines and liver. Like pleural mesothelioma, asbestos exposure is the primary cause of peritoneal mesothelioma. The disease is much less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma, and around 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.

Like pleural mesothelioma, symptoms can take years to show. Patients typically experience abdominal pain, and may have a mass in their abdomen. The symptoms of this kind of mesothelioma can also include nausea as well as weight loss and fever. A lot of these symptoms are similar to those of gastrointestinal issues, which can result in misdiagnosis.

Generally speaking, doctors can detect mesothelioma through an extensive health history and physical examination. Imaging tests like X-rays or CT scans can be used to detect mesothelioma. These tests can show cancerous tumors or other signs of cancer that aren't apparent on an X-ray.

These test results enable doctors to identify mesothelioma, and determine the stage. They can also suggest treatments. The staging is determined by the cell type and whether or whether the tumor has spread to other parts of the body.

asbestos settlement exposure is the most important risk factor. People who have been in occupations that involve asbestos, such as plumbing or manufacturing, electrical work, or construction, are at increased risk of developing the disease. Even if a person is not employed in any of these areas they could still be exposed through family members or other sources. Therefore, anyone who suspects they may be at risk should speak to an experienced doctor. If they have a history of asbestos exposure, a mesothelioma specialist can help them find out more about the risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos exposure is the primary risk factor for mesothelioma, accounting for up to 80 percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos can occur due to work, military service, or by living with someone who is exposed to asbestos or used to do so. Asbestos particles can be inhaled by those who are exposed to it. The particles cause irritation to the linings of the lungs, causing cancerous cells to grow 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 the advancing age. The people in their 40s or 50s are at greater chance of developing mesothelioma to people who are younger or more. It takes mesothelioma between 20 and 60 years to show signs of cancer after the first exposure. It is also important to note that mesothelioma can develop in those who were exposed to asbestos, but did not deal with it directly. This is known as secondary or indirect asbestos exposure and can be just as harmful as direct asbestos exposure.

Smoking can increase the likelihood of getting mesothelioma because it damages the mesothelium and makes it more vulnerable to asbestos. Additionally, mesothelioma can be exacerbated by certain illnesses like asbestosis and pneumonia. It is also important to know that mesothelioma occurs more frequently in males than females. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for a longer time and work with asbestos for longer durations and to work with it. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who worked with asbestos and to have asbestos-containing fibers on their clothing. Women tend to have less exposure to asbestos and don't typically carry asbestos on their clothing.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is a difficult cancer to identify because the symptoms often resemble other diseases. This can result in patients being incorrectly diagnosed.

The first step to diagnose mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform a physical exam and take notes on the medical history of a patient, including asbestos exposure. Doctors will also recommend a CT scan or chest X-ray to check for lumps, abnormalities, and evidence of asbestos exposure. These include pleural plaques, thickened pleura and calcium deposits.

Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram, which examines the blood vessels and the heart, and a magnetic resonance imaging, also known as MRI test, which uses radio waves and magnets to make a series of precise images of the inside of the body. Another method doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma is through an operation called a biopsy. During a surgical biopsy, doctors take a small amount of tissue from the pleura or peritoneum for further testing. A pathologist can then examine the tissue with microscopes to determine whether it has cancerous cells.

The type of mesothelial cells involved, the malignant or benign nature of the cells as well as the location and stage of the tumor, are used to classify the disease. Certain types of mesothelioma are more likely to spread or metastasize, so it is important to establish a definitive diagnosis to ensure that doctors are able to treat the disease before it goes out of control.

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

Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnosis can be an incredibly frightening prospect. However, it's important to remember that the disease can be treated, particularly in its earlier stages. Many patients with mesothelioma survive for years with the disease without it spreading to other areas of their body.

Exposure to asbestos can trigger mesothelioma via a variety of mechanisms. Asbestos fibres, tiny enough to be felt or seen by naked eyes are able to become airborne and irritate the lining of the lung (pleura). Over time the irritation causes the formation of scar tissues that eventually result in tumors.

The pleura is the area that surrounds the lungs and the heart and also the abdomen. Mesothelium consists of cells that react to exposure to asbestos, causing it to inflame and form scar tissue. Overtime, these changes cause the development of malignant mesothelioma cancers.

The symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are breathing problems and chest pain, or an accumulation of fluid in the lung (pleural effusion). In rare cases cancer may spread to the tissues that surround the reproductive organs as well as the heart.

If imaging scans reveal an underlying mass in the lungs or stomach doctors will recommend biopsies. The procedure involves the removal of some of the fluid or tumor to allow for lab tests. The results will confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis and determine the best treatment plan.

There are many types of mesothelioma treatment, including chemotherapy, surgery and immunotherapy. The majority of doctors use the combination of these methods. Patients can also benefit by taking part in a clinical trial of new mesothelioma therapies. Patients can learn more about the trials by consulting a mesothelioma expert who has treated the condition.