Mesothelioma and Asbestos

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

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

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma is a type of cancer that occurs in the outer lung lining (pleura). It is the most common mesothelioma that accounts for up between 70 and 79% of all diagnosed cases. This condition causes chest pain, shortness of breathe, and a feeling of heaviness.

This type of cancer typically caused by exposure to asbestos, which is a collection of minerals that are composed of microscopic fibers. These fibers, when inhaled can cause irritation and DNA mutations. The pleura covers the chest cavity and lungs This means that these irritations can affect both the lungs as well as the heart of a person. Mesothelioma usually doesn't show symptoms until 30 to 50 year after exposure.

Shortness of breath and chest pain are the most frequent symptoms. Patients may also feel tightness in their chest and coughing, or breathing difficulties. People with this cancer often have a history of exposure to asbestos in the workplace. The most frequent jobs that expose people to the risk of pleural mesothelioma include manufacturing, construction and shipbuilding. People who served in the military are at greater risk due the extensive use asbestos in Navy vessels and bunkers in the Army.

The TNM (tumors lymph nodes and metastases staging system) is the most common staging system for the pleural adenocarcinoma. The stage that the patient is in at the time of diagnosis can help determine the treatment plan they should receive. Patients who have pleural mesothelioma which is in stage three or stage four will have a worse prognosis than those who are in a lower stage. Mesothelioma in stage four can spread to the liver, heart, or diaphragm. This can make the cancer more difficult to treat and increase the risk of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Unlike pleural cancer, that develops in the lung's lining, peritoneal cancer develops in a membrane that surrounds the abdominal cavity, which includes organs such as the liver and intestines. Similar to pleural mesothelioma, exposure to asbestos is the reason for peritoneal msothelioma. There are only 300-500 cases diagnosed each year, which is less than the pleural asbestosis.

Like pleural mesothelioma, symptoms can take years to show. Patients usually suffer from abdominal pain and may also have a lump in their abdomen. The symptoms of this type of mesothelioma may also include nausea, weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms can be misinterpreted as gastrointestinal issues and can lead to a false diagnosis.

The doctors can detect mesothelioma through looking over the medical history of the patient and performing a physical exam. They can also use 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 aren't evident on X-rays.

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

Asbestos exposure is the main risk factor. People who have been exposed to asbestos case (please click the next document) in professions, such as plumbing or electrical work, or in manufacturing and construction, are more likely to develop the disease. Even if someone is not employed in one of these areas however, they may be exposed to asbestos to asbestos lawsuit through family members and other sources. This is why anyone who is concerned that they might be at risk should speak to a doctor. A mesothelioma specialist can assist those who have a experience with asbestos to understand more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos is the main risk factor for mesothelioma. It is responsible for up to 80% of all cases. Exposure to asbestos may occur as a result of work, military service, or living with someone who used to work with asbestos litigation. When exposed to asbestos, particles can be breathed into the lungs and abdomen. The particles cause irritation to the linings of the lungs, causing cancerous cells to develop in the mesothelium. After exposure to asbestos mesothelioma can develop between 15 and 60 years old.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics, and the advancing age. People in their 40s or 50s are at a higher chance of developing mesothelioma to those younger or older. Mesothelioma can take between 20 and 60 years before it manifests cancer symptoms after the first exposure. It is important to note that mesothelioma may develop in those who have been exposed to asbestos without having worked with it directly. This is called secondary or indirect exposure to asbestos, and it is just as harmful as direct exposure.

Smoking increases the risk of mesothelioma, since it damages mesothelium. It also makes it more susceptible. Mesothelioma can also be caused by certain illnesses, including asbestosis and pneumonia. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma compared to women. This is due to the fact that men are more likely to work with asbestos and have an extended period of exposure than women. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who been exposed to asbestos, and to have asbestos-containing fibers on their clothing. Women tend to have less contact with asbestos and don't typically carry asbestos home on their clothes.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is difficult to diagnose because the symptoms are often similar to other diseases. This is why patients are often mistakenly diagnosed.

NYU Langone doctors will perform a physical examination and record the patient's medical history, including asbestos exposure. Doctors may also order a chest X-ray or CT scan to check for lumps and other abnormalities, and also to look for evidence of asbestos exposure in the past such as plaques in 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 a magnetic resonance image or MRI test, which makes use of radio waves and magnets in order to produce a series of precise images of the inside of the body. A surgical biopsy is a different method for doctors to identify mesothelioma. A surgical biopsy is when doctors take a small amount of tissue from the peritoneum or pleura to conduct further tests. A pathologist can then examine the tissue under a microscope to see if it contains cancerous cells.

Mesothelioma is classified based on the type of mesothelial cell involved, whether the cells are malignant or benign, and the location of the tumor, its type, and the stage of the tumor. Certain types of mesothelioma are more likely to spread or metastasize which is why it is crucial to establish a definitive diagnosis so that doctors can treat the disease before it goes out of control.

Doctors can also run laboratory tests on tumors to determine specific proteins, genes or other elements that can help them describe the characteristics of the cancer and determine a treatment. These results are called staging.

Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnosis can be terrifying. It is crucial to remember, however, that cancer can be treated, especially at its early stages. Many patients with mesothelioma live with the disease for many years without it spreading.

Exposure to asbestos can trigger mesothelioma through a variety of ways. Asbestos fibers, which are too small to detect or feel with the naked eye, can become airborne and irritate the lung's lining (pleura). As time passes the irritation causes the formation of scar tissues and eventually tumors.

The pleura covers the lungs and heart and the abdomen. Mesothelium is composed of cells that react when exposed to asbestos. They cause inflammation of the tissue and cause it to scar. As time passes, these changes lead to the development of malignant mesothelioma tumors.

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

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 small amounts of the tumor or fluid for lab testing. The results can confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and determine the best treatment option.

There are several types of mesothelioma treatment, including surgery, chemotherapy and immunotherapy. Most doctors utilize an amalgamation of these techniques. Participating in clinical trials for new mesothelioma treatment may also be beneficial to patients. Patients can find out more by consulting a mesothelioma expert who has treated the disease.