Mesothelioma and Asbestos

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

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

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma occurs in the lung's outer lining or pleura. It is the most prevalent mesothelioma form and is responsible for 70 to 79% of all diagnosed cases. This condition causes chest pain, breath shortness, and a feeling of heaviness.

Exposure to asbestos litigation, a group of minerals comprised of microscopic fibers, typically causes this kind of cancer. When inhaled, these fibers cling to the lung and cause irritation which results in scarring and DNA mutations. Pleura covers both the chest cavity as well as the lungs, so irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma symptoms are usually not apparent until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

Chest pain and shortness breath are the most common symptoms. Patients may also experience coughing, difficulty breathing, or chest tightness. Patients with this cancer have a history that includes asbestos exposure at work. Construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding are the most common jobs that put people at high danger of developing pleural melanoma. People who served in the military are at a greater risk due to the extensive use asbestos in Navy vessels and bunkers for the Army.

The TNM (tumors lymph nodes, tumors, and metastases staging system) is the most popular staging system used for the pleural adenocarcinoma. The stage a patient has upon diagnosis will help their doctor determine the most effective treatment plan for them. For instance, patients suffering from a pleural mesothelioma in stage three or four have a poorer prognosis than those in a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma may spread to the liver, heart or diaphragm. This makes it more difficult to treat and raises the likelihood of complications for patients.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Contrary to pleural cancer which is found in the lung's lining, peritoneal cancer develops in a membrane that covers the abdominal cavity, including organs like the intestines and the liver. Similar to pleural mesothelioma and peritoneal mesothelioma is triggered by asbestos exposure. The disease is less common than pleural mesothelioma, and just 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.

As with pleural asbestosis, symptoms can take years to manifest. Patients typically experience abdominal pain, and may also have a lump in their abdomen. The symptoms of this type of mesothelioma can also include nausea or weight loss, as well as fever. Many of these symptoms are similar to those of gastrointestinal issues, which can result in misdiagnosis.

Doctors can detect mesothelioma by reviewing the medical history of the patient and performing a physical examination. They can also utilize imaging tests such as X-rays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to detect mesothelioma. These tests can show tumors and other indications of cancer that aren't visible on X-rays.

These tests enable doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and determine the stage. They can also suggest treatments. The stage is determined by the type of cell as well as whether the tumor has spread.

Asbestos exposure is the most important risk factor. People who have worked in asbestos-related jobs, such as plumbing or electrical work, or in construction and manufacturing, are more likely to contract the disease. Even if a person does not work in any of these areas, he or she can still be exposed to asbestos through family members and other sources. For this reason, anyone who suspects they may be at risk should talk to a doctor. A mesothelioma expert can help those with a history with asbestos to learn more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos is the primary risk factor for mesothelioma. It accounts for up to 80percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos can happen due to work, military service, or living with people who have worked with asbestos. Asbestos particles are inhaled by those who are exposed to it. They can cause irritation to the linings of the abdomen and cause cancerous cells to develop 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. This is because mesothelioma typically occurs between 20 and 60 years from the initial time of exposure before symptoms of cancer begin to manifest. It is important to note that mesothelioma may be present in those who have been exposed to asbestos without having directly worked with it. This is known as indirect or secondary asbestos exposure, and is as hazardous as direct asbestos exposure.

Smoking increases the risk of getting mesothelioma because it causes mesothelium damage and makes it more prone to asbestos. Mesothelioma can also be aggravated by certain diseases, such as asbestosis and pneumonia. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than females. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos lawsuit for a longer time and to work with it. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who had worked with asbestos and to carry asbestos claim fibers on their clothing. Women are less likely to come into exposure to asbestos legal (click to find out more) and rarely carry asbestos around on their clothes.

Diagnosis

It is difficult to diagnose mesothelioma since its symptoms are frequently similar to other illnesses. This can lead to victims being wrongly diagnosed.

The first step to diagnose mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform an examination of the body and take note of the medical history of the patient which includes asbestos exposure. Doctors can also order a chest X-ray or CT scan to detect lumps and other abnormalities, and also to look for 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 a magnetic resonance scan, or MRI test, which makes use of radio waves and magnets in order to create a series detailed images of inside the body. Another way for doctors to detect mesothelioma is by performing the procedure of a surgical biopsy. During a surgical biopsy, doctors take a small amount of tissue from the pleura or peritoneum for further testing. A pathologist can examine the tissue with a microscope to see if it contains cancerous cells.

Mesothelioma is classified based on the type of mesothelial cell involved, whether these cells are malignant or benign and also the location, type, and stage of the cancer. Certain types of mesothelioma may be more likely to develop metastasis or spread and spread, therefore it is essential to get a definite diagnosis so doctors can treat the disease before it goes out of control.

Doctors may also conduct laboratory tests on a tumor to find specific proteins, genes and other factors that can help them describe the characteristics of the cancer and determine a treatment. These results are called staging.

Treatment

A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be a frightening prospect. But, it is crucial to remember that the cancer is treatable, particularly in its earlier stages. Many people with mesothelioma live for years with the disease without it spreading to other areas of their body.

Exposure to asbestos may cause mesothelioma in many ways. Asbestos particles, which are too small to be able to see or feel through the naked eye, can become airborne and irritate the lining of the lungs (pleura). In time the irritation causes the formation of scar tissues, which eventually lead to tumors.

The pleura is the area that surrounds the lungs and heart and also the abdomen. Mesothelium is composed of cells that react to asbestos and cause it to enflame and form scar tissue. These changes can result in malignant mesothelioma tumors.

A shortness of breath, chest pain or fluid accumulation on the lungs are all indications of pleural Msothelioma. In rare instances the cancer may be spread to the tissues around the heart and reproductive organs.

A doctor will request biopsy if imaging scans show the possibility of a mass in the lungs or stomach. During the procedure doctors remove some of the fluid or tumor for laboratory testing. The results can confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma, and also determine the best treatment option.

There are a variety of treatment for mesothelioma including chemotherapy and surgery. Most doctors utilize a combination of these methods. Patients can also benefit by participating in a clinical study of new mesothelioma treatments. To find out more, patients should speak with a mesothelioma specialist who has experience treating the condition.