Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos, a mineral that naturally forms in the form of thin, long fibers. People who are exposed to asbestos risk developing lung diseases, such as mesothelioma.

Symptoms of these diseases may not be evident for a long time after exposure to asbestos. Different types of asbestos can cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma can be found in the lung's outer lining or the pleura. It is the most frequent mesothelioma that accounts for up 70 to 79% of all diagnosed cases. Patients suffering from this condition feel chest pain and shortness of breath, and they may feel a sensation of heaviness in the chest.

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

Shortness of breath and chest pain are the most frequent symptoms. Some patients may also feel tightness in their chest or coughing. They may also experience difficulty breathing. Patients with this type of cancer typically have previous exposure to asbestos in the workplace. The most common jobs that expose workers to the risk of pleural mesothelioma include construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding. 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 and metastases staging system) is the most commonly used staging system used for the pleural adenocarcinoma. The stage that a patient is at when they are diagnosed will help their doctor determine the best treatment plan for them. Patients with pleural mesothelioma that is in stage three or four will suffer a more negative outlook than those who are in a less advanced stage. Stage four mesothelioma may develop into the liver, heart, or diaphragm. This makes the cancer more difficult to treat, and increase the chance of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Contrary to pleural cancer which is found in the lung's lining the peritoneal cancer is a result of a membrane that covers the abdominal cavity, which includes organs like the intestines and liver. As with pleural mesothelioma asbestos exposure is the primary cause of peritoneal msothelioma. Only 300-500 cases are diagnosed annually which is lower than the pleural asbestosis.

As with pleural mesothelioma symptoms can take a long time to manifest. Patients generally suffer from abdominal pain and could also experience a mass in their abdomen. The symptoms of this kind of mesothelioma may also include nausea or weight loss, as well as fever. A lot of these symptoms can be misinterpreted as digestive issues and can lead to a mistaken diagnosis.

Doctors can detect mesothelioma by examining the patient's medical history and performing a physical examination. They can also utilize imaging tests like X-rays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to detect mesothelioma. These tests can detect tumors and other cancer signs that are not evident on X-rays.

These test results enable doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and establish the stage. They can also recommend treatment options. The stage of the disease is determined based on the type of cells and whether or not the tumor has spread to other areas of the body.

The most significant risk factor for mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos legal. People who have been exposed to asbestos legal in occupations, like electrical or plumbing work or in manufacturing and construction are more likely to develop the disease. Even if a person isn't employed in one of these fields, he or she can be exposed to asbestos through family members or other sources. For this reason, anyone who believes they could be at risk should speak to an experienced doctor. If they have a history of asbestos compensation exposure, a mesothelioma specialist can help them 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 case may occur as a result of military service, work or living with those who worked with asbestos. Asbestos particles can be inhaled by people who are exposed to asbestos. These irritate the linings and cause cancerous cells to develop in the mesothelium. Following exposure to asbestos mesothelioma can occur between 15 and 60 years.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and the advancing age. The people in their 40s or 50s are more at chance of developing mesothelioma to people who are younger or more. Mesothelioma can take between 20 and 60 years to manifest cancer symptoms after the first exposure. It is also important to know that mesothelioma can develop in people who were exposed to asbestos, but did not deal with it directly. This is referred to as indirect or secondary asbestos exposure. It can be as dangerous as direct asbestos exposure.

Smoking increases the risk of developing mesothelioma since it damages the mesothelium, which makes it more vulnerable to asbestos. Mesothelioma can also be caused by certain diseases, such as asbestosis and pneumonia. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma compared to women. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for a longer time and to have worked with it. Men are also more likely to live with someone who has had asbestos exposure and bring asbestos fibers from their workplace on their clothes. Women tend to have less exposure to asbestos and do not typically carry asbestos on their clothing.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is a difficult cancer to diagnose because the symptoms can be similar to other conditions. This is why patients are sometimes wrongly diagnosed.

NYU Langone doctors will perform physical examinations and document the patient's medical history, including asbestos settlement exposure. Doctors can also order an X-ray chest or CT scan to look for lumps or other abnormalities, as well as evidence of asbestos exposure in the past such as pleural plaques (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the buildup of fluid between the lung and chest wall (known as the pleural effusion).

Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram which examines the blood vessels and the heart as well as a magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI, test, which uses radio waves and magnets to create detailed images of the interior of the body. Another method doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma is to perform a surgical biopsy. During a surgical biopsy, doctors remove a small amount of tissue from the peritoneum or pleura for further testing. A pathologist can then examine the tissue with an magnifying glass to determine if it is a cancerous cell.

Mesothelioma is classified according to the type of mesothelial cell involved, whether these cells are malignant or benign and also the location, type, and stage of the cancer. Certain mesothelioma types have greater chance of metastasizing or spreading and it's crucial to establish a clear diagnosis so that doctors can treat it before it becomes out-of-control.

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

Treatment

A diagnosis of mesothelioma may be frightening. It is important to keep in mind, however, that cancer can be treated, especially at its early stages. Many patients with mesothelioma survive for a long time with the disease without it spreading to other areas of their body.

Exposure to asbestos can trigger mesothelioma through a variety of ways. Asbestos fibres, small enough to not be felt or seen with the naked eyes are able to become airborne, causing irritation to the lung's lining (pleura). As time passes, the irritation leads to the formation of scar tissue that eventually result in tumors.

The Pleura is a covering that surrounds the abdomen, heart, and lungs. Mesothelium consists of cells that react to asbestos, causing it to inflame and create scar tissue. As time passes, these changes lead to the development of malignant mesothelioma tumors.

Symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include breathing problems, chest pain or the accumulation of fluid on the lungs (pleural effusion). In rare instances cancer can spread to the tissues that surround the reproductive organs and heart.

If imaging scans show a possible mass in the lungs or stomach doctors will recommend a biopsies. In the course of the procedure, doctors remove some of the fluid or tumor to allow for laboratory testing. The results can confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and determine the most effective treatment plan.

There are many types of treatment for mesothelioma including surgery and chemotherapy. Most doctors utilize an amalgamation of these techniques. Participating in clinical trials of mesothelioma treatments may be beneficial for patients. To learn more, patients should speak with mesothelioma experts who have experience treating the condition.