Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos is a natural mineral that is found in long, thin fibres. People who are exposed to asbestos on a regular basis are at risk of developing mesothelioma or other lung diseases of different types.

The symptoms of these diseases may not manifest for years after exposure to asbestos. Different types of asbestos can cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer that occurs in the lung's outer the lining (pleura). It is the most frequent form of mesothelioma and accounts for 70% to 79% all diagnosed cases. This condition causes chest discomfort, shortness of breath and a feeling of heavyness.

This type of cancer usually caused through exposure to asbestos, which is a collection of minerals made up of microscopic fibres. The fibers, when inhaled can cause irritation and DNA mutations. The pleura surrounds the chest cavity and lungs, so these irritations can affect both the lungs and a person's heart. Mesothelioma is usually not symptomatic until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

Chest pain and shortness breath are the most frequent symptoms. Some patients have coughing problems, trouble breathing or chest tightness. Patients with this type of cancer typically have previous exposure to asbestos in the workplace. The most prevalent jobs that expose people to the risk of developing pleural mesothelioma are manufacturing, construction, and shipbuilding. People who have worked in the military may be at an especially high risk because of the extensive use of asbestos in Navy vessels and bunkers used by the army.

The TNM (tumors lymph nodes, tumors, and metastases staging system) is the most common staging system used to treat the pleural adenocarcinoma. The stage a patient is in at diagnosis will assist their doctor in determining the most effective treatment plan for them. Patients suffering from pleural mesothelioma who is in stage three or stage four will have a less favorable outlook than those who are in a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma may spread to the heart, liver or diaphragm. This makes it more difficult to treat and increases the likelihood of complications for patients.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

In contrast to pleural cancer, that develops in the lining of the lung it develops in the membrane that covers the abdominal cavity, which includes organs like the intestines and the liver. Like pleural mesothelioma, asbestos exposure is the cause of peritoneal msothelioma. 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 manifest. Patients generally suffer from abdominal pain and could also experience a mass in their abdomen. This type of mesothelioma may cause nausea, weight loss, and fever. Many of these symptoms can be mistaken for gastrointestinal problems, leading to a mistaken diagnosis.

Typically, doctors can identify mesothelioma after a thorough health history and physical examination. They may also employ imaging tests like X-rays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to detect mesothelioma. These tests can identify tumors and other signs of cancer that are not visible on X-rays.

These tests enable doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and establish the stage. They can also recommend treatment options. The stage is determined by the kind of cell and if the cancer has spread.

The most significant mesothelioma risk factor is exposure to asbestos. People who have been exposed to asbestos law in occupations, like electrical or plumbing work, or in manufacturing and construction, are more likely to contract the disease. Even if someone is not employed in one of these fields they could still be exposed to asbestos through family members and other sources. This is why anyone who believes they could be at risk should speak to a doctor. If they have a history of Asbestos case exposure and mesothelioma is a concern, a specialist will assist them in finding out more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos is the most significant mesothelioma-related risk factor. It accounts for as much as 80percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos can occur due to military service, work or living with those who worked with asbestos settlement. Asbestos particles can be breathed in by those who are exposed to it. These irritate the linings and trigger 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 genetics, smoking and age. People in their 40s and 50s are at a higher risk of developing mesothelioma as compared to those younger or older. It takes mesothelioma 20-60 years to show signs of cancer after the first exposure. It is also important to note that mesothelioma is a possibility in people who have been exposed to asbestos but did not engage directly with it. This is known as secondary or indirect exposure to asbestos and it could be as hazardous as direct exposure.

Smoking increases the chance of mesothelioma because it damages the mesothelium. It also makes it more prone to. Furthermore, mesothelioma is caused by certain illnesses, such as pneumonia and asbestosis. 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 period of time and to work with asbestos for longer periods of time. Men are also more likely to live with someone who has had asbestos exposure and bring stray asbestos fibers home on their clothing. Women are less likely to come into contact with asbestos and rarely carry asbestos around on their clothing.

Diagnosis

It is difficult to diagnose mesothelioma since its symptoms are often similar to other diseases. This can lead to victims being misdiagnosed.

The first step in identifying mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform an examination of the body and take down a patient's medical history including asbestos exposure. Doctors can also order a chest X-ray or CT scan to look for lumps and other abnormalities, and also to look for evidence of previous asbestos exposure like pleural plaques (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the accumulation 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 create a series detailed images of the inside of the body. A surgical biopsy is a different way for doctors to diagnose mesothelioma. When a biopsy is performed, doctors remove a tiny piece of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum, to be tested further. A pathologist can examine the tissue with microscopes to determine whether it has cancerous cells.

The type of mesothelial cell involved and the benign or malignant nature of those cells, as well as the location, type and stage of the cancer are used to classify the disease. Some types of mesothelioma have greater risk of spreading or metastasizing therefore it is essential to get a definitive diagnosis to ensure that the doctors can treat it prior to it becoming out of control.

Doctors can also perform laboratory tests on tumors to identify specific genes, proteins or other factors that can help them describe the characteristics of cancer and plan treatment. These results are referred to as staging.

Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnose can be frightening. However, it's important to remember that the disease can be treated, particularly in its earlier stages. Many patients with mesothelioma live with the disease for a long time, without spreading.

Asbestos exposure can trigger mesothelioma via many mechanisms. Asbestos particles, which are too small to see or feel with the naked eye, can become airborne and cause irritation to the lining of the lungs (pleura). Over time, the irritation causes the formation of scar tissue which leads to changes in the cell structure that eventually develop into tumors.

The pleura covers the lungs and the heart and also the abdomen. Mesothelium is composed of cells that react to asbestos claim which causes it to become inflamed and develop scar tissue. As time passes, these changes cause the development of malignant mesothelioma tumors.

The signs of pleural mesothelioma can include breathing problems and chest pain, or the accumulation of fluid in the lungs (pleural effusion). In rare instances the cancer may spread to the tissues surrounding the heart and reproductive organs.

If imaging scans reveal a possible mass in the stomach or lungs the doctor will request biopsies. The procedure involves the removal of some of the liquid or tumor for lab tests. The results can confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis and indicate the best treatment plan.

There are a variety of mesothelioma treatments, including surgery, chemotherapy and immunotherapy. The majority of doctors employ combinations of these treatments. Patients could also benefit from taking part in a clinical trial of new mesothelioma treatment. Patients can learn more by speaking with a mesothelioma doctor who has treated the disease.