Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that is made up of thin, long fibres. People who are exposed to asbestos risk developing lung diseases like mesothelioma.

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

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma, a form of cancer, that occurs in the lung's outer the lining (pleura). It is the most prevalent mesothelioma type and accounts for 70% to 79% of diagnosed cases. People with this condition experience pain in the chest and breathlessness and may also feel an ache or heaviness in the chest.

This type of cancer often caused through exposure to asbestos, which is a grouping of minerals that are made up of microscopic fibres. When inhaled, these fibers stick inside the lungs and cause irritation that results in scarring and DNA mutations. Pleura covers both the chest cavity as well as the lungs, and so irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma symptoms typically don't show until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

The most commonly reported symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are chest pain and shortness of breath. Patients may also experience chest tightness and coughing, or breathing difficulties. Patients with this type of cancer have a past that includes asbestos exposure at work. The most common jobs that expose workers to the risk of developing pleural cancer are manufacturing, construction and shipbuilding. People who have worked in the military are at risk due to the widespread asbestos lawyer usage in Navy ships and bunkers used by the army.

The most commonly used staging system for pleural mysothelioma has been the TNM (tumor lymph nodes, lymph nodes and metastases) staging system. The stage 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 stage four will have a worse prognosis compared to those in a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma may be spread to the liver, heart, or diaphragm. This could make the cancer more difficult to treat and increase the chance of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Unlike pleural mesothelioma, which is a lung-lining cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma forms in the peritoneum -- an elongated membrane that covers the abdominal cavity as well as organs like the intestines and the liver. Like pleural mesothelioma, asbestos exposure is the primary reason for peritoneal msothelioma. The disease is less common than pleural mesothelioma, with only about 300-500 cases diagnosed each year.

As with pleural asbestosis symptoms can take a long time to show. Patients usually suffer from abdominal pain and may have a mass in their abdomen. This type of mesothelioma may cause nausea, weight loss, and fever. Many of these symptoms could be mistaken for gastrointestinal problems which can lead to a false diagnosis.

Doctors can identify mesothelioma by reviewing the medical history of the patient and conducting a physical exam. Imaging tests like X-rays and CT scans can be used to detect mesothelioma. These tests can show tumors, as well as other symptoms of cancer that aren't apparent on an X-ray.

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

The most significant risk factor for mesothelioma is asbestos exposure. People who have worked in asbestos-related jobs, such as electrical or plumbing work or in manufacturing and construction are more likely to develop the disease. However, even if people do not work in these areas they could be exposed to asbestos through family members or other sources. Anyone who suspects that they're at risk should speak with an expert. A mesothelioma expert can help those who have had a previous history of asbestos to find out more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos exposure is the main risk factor for mesothelioma, which accounts for as much as 80 percent of all cases. Exposure to asbestos may occur through military service, work or living with those who worked with asbestos. When exposed to asbestos, particles can be breathed into the abdomen and lungs. These irritate the linings and cause 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. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely get mesothelioma than people younger or more senior. 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 may develop in people who were exposed to asbestos but did not work with it directly. This is referred to as indirect or secondary asbestos exposure and can be just as harmful as direct asbestos lawsuit exposure.

Smoking increases the risk of developing mesothelioma since it causes mesothelium damage and makes it more vulnerable to asbestos. In addition, mesothelioma may be worsened by certain diseases like pneumonia and asbestosis. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than women. This is due to men being more likely to work with asbestos and experience a an extended period of exposure than women. Men are also more likely to live with someone who has was exposed to asbestos legal and bring asbestos fibers that have escaped home on their clothes. Women are less likely to come into contact with asbestos and don't typically carry asbestos around on their clothes.

Diagnosis

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

The first step in diagnosing mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform an examination and write down a patient's medical history, including Asbestos Legal exposure. Doctors may also order a chest X-ray or CT scan to detect lumps or other abnormalities, as well as evidence of asbestos exposure in the past like plaques on the pleura (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the formation of fluid between the lung and chest wall (known as the pleural effusion).

Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram, which examines the heart and blood vessels as well as a magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI test that uses radio waves and magnets to create detailed images of the inside of the body. Another way doctors can diagnose mesothelioma is through the procedure of a surgical biopsy. During a surgery biopsy doctors take a tiny part of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum to be further examined. A pathologist can then look at the tissue under a microscope to see if it contains cancerous cells.

The type of mesothelial cells involved and the benign or malignant nature of the cells as well as the location the cancer, its type and the stage of the cancer are used to categorize the disease. Certain mesothelioma types have greater risk of metastasizing or spreading and it's crucial to get a definitive diagnosis so doctors can treat it before it gets out of control.

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

Treatment

A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be an incredibly frightening prospect. It is crucial to remember that cancer can be treated particularly in its early stages. Many people with mesothelioma live for a long time without the disease spreading to other parts of their body.

Exposure to asbestos can trigger mesothelioma in many ways. Asbestos fibers, which are too small to detect or feel through the naked eye, can become airborne and irritate the lining of the lungs (pleura). In time the irritation can lead to the formation of scar tissues that eventually result in tumors.

The Pleura is a covering that surrounds the lungs, heart and abdomen. Mesothelium consists of cells that react when exposed to asbestos. They inflame the tissue and cause it to become scarred. In time, these changes can cause the development of malignant mesothelioma tumors.

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

A doctor will request biopsy if scans show a potential tumor in the lungs or stomach. The procedure involves the removal of a small amount of fluid or tumor to allow for laboratory testing. The results can confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and indicate the best treatment option.

There are a variety of treatment for mesothelioma, including surgery and chemotherapy. Most doctors rely on an amalgamation of these techniques. Enrolling in clinical trials of mesothelioma treatments that are new could be beneficial to patients. To learn more about the trials, patients should speak to a mesothelioma specialist who has had experience treating the disease.