Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos is a natural mineral that is made up of long, thin fibres. People who are regularly exposed to asbestos are at risk of developing lung diseases such as mesothelioma.

It may take decades for symptoms to appear after asbestos exposure. Different asbestos types may cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma, a form of cancer, that affects the lung's outer lining (pleura). It is the most common mesothelioma type and accounts for 70% to 79% of all diagnosed cases. Patients with this disease experience pain in the chest and breath shortness, and they may feel the sensation of weight in the chest.

This type of cancer typically caused by exposure to asbestos, which is a cluster of minerals comprised of microscopic fibres. Once inhaled, these fibers stick inside the lungs and cause irritation that results in scarring and DNA mutations. Pleura surrounds both the chest cavity as well as the lungs, so irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma symptoms usually don't appear until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

Chest pain and shortness breath are the most frequent symptoms. Patients may also experience coughing, difficulty breathing, or chest tightness. Patients with this type of cancer have a history that includes asbestos exposure at work. Construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding are the most prevalent occupations that put people at a high risk of developing pleural mesothelioma. People who have worked in the military could be at risk due to the widespread use of asbestos in Navy ships and army bunkers.

The most common staging system for pleural mysothelioma has been the TNM (tumor, lymph nodes and metastases) staging system. The stage a patient has upon diagnosis will aid their doctor in determining the most effective treatment plan for them. For instance, patients suffering from mesothelioma pleural stage three or four have a poorer prognosis than those in a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma is often spread to the diaphragm, liver and/or a person's heart. This makes the cancer more difficult to treat, and increase the chance of complications for patients.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

In contrast to pleural cancer, which is found in the lining of the lung it develops in the membrane that covers the abdominal cavity, which includes organs such as the liver and intestines. Similar to pleural mesothelioma and peritoneal mesothelioma is caused by asbestos compensation exposure. The disease is less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma, with only about 300-500 cases diagnosed each year.

As with pleural mesothelioma symptoms can take a long time to manifest. The majority of patients suffer from abdominal pain and abdominal swelling. Symptoms of this type of mesothelioma may also include nausea or weight loss, as well as fever. Many of these symptoms can be misinterpreted as digestive issues, leading to a false diagnosis.

Doctors can identify mesothelioma by examining the patient's medical history and performing a physical exam. They can also utilize imaging tests such as X-rays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to identify mesothelioma. These tests can identify tumors as well as other signs of cancer that are not visible on X-rays.

These tests enable doctors to diagnose mesothelioma, determine the stage and suggest treatment options. The stage is determined by the kind of cell and if the cancer has spread.

The most important mesothelioma-related risk factor is exposure to asbestos. People who have been in occupations that require asbestos, such as plumbing or manufacturing, electrical work or construction, are at a higher risk of developing the disease. Even if a person does not work in one of these fields however, they may still be exposed through family members or other sources. For this reason, anyone who is concerned that they might be at risk should speak to an experienced doctor. A mesothelioma expert can help those with a previous history of asbestos to find out more about their risk.

Risk Factors

asbestos settlement is the most significant mesothelioma-related risk factor. It is responsible for as much as 80% of all cases. Exposure to asbestos can occur due to work, military service or by living with someone who works with asbestos or has previously done such. When exposed to asbestos, the particles can be inhaled into the lungs and abdomen. These irritate the linings and can cause cancerous cells to grow in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma can take anywhere between 15 and 60 years to develop after exposure to asbestos case (over here).

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and age. People in their 40s or 50s are at a higher risk of developing mesothelioma as compared to those who are younger or older. It takes mesothelioma 20-60 years before it manifests 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 engage directly with it. This is known as indirect or secondary exposure to asbestos and it is just as harmful as direct exposure.

Smoking increases the chance of mesothelioma developing, as it damages the mesothelium. It also makes it more prone to. Mesothelioma can also be aggravated by certain illnesses, including asbestosis and pneumonia. It is also important to know that mesothelioma is more common in males than females. This is due to men being more likely to work with asbestos and have more exposure than women. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who had worked with asbestos, and to carry asbestos fibers on their clothing. Women tend to have less contact with asbestos and don't typically carry asbestos around on their clothing.

Diagnosis

It is difficult to identify mesothelioma due to its symptoms being often similar to other conditions. This can result in patients being misdiagnosed.

NYU Langone doctors will perform physical examinations and document the patient's medical history including asbestos litigation exposure. Doctors will also recommend an CT scan or chest X-ray in order to look for lumps, abnormalities and evidence of asbestos exposure. These include plaques on the pleura, pleura that are thickened and calcium deposits.

Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance image, or MRI test, which uses magnets and radio waves in order to create a series of detailed images of the insides of the body. A surgical biopsy is yet another way for doctors to diagnose mesothelioma. In a surgical biopsy, doctors remove a tiny piece of tissue from pleura or the peritoneum, to be further examined. A pathologist is then able to examine the tissue under microscopes to determine if it contains cancerous cells.

Mesothelioma can be classified based on the mesothelial type involved, whether the cells are benign or malignant and also the location, type, and stage of the cancer. Some types of mesothelioma are more likely to grow or spread which is why it is crucial to have a clear diagnosis to ensure that doctors are able to treat the disease before it becomes out of control.

Doctors can also perform laboratory tests on tumors to identify specific genes, proteins or other elements that can aid in describing the characteristics of cancer and plan treatment. These results are known as staging.

Treatment

A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be frightening. It is important to keep in mind that cancer can be treated especially at its early stages. Many people with mesothelioma can live with the disease for a long time without expanding.

Asbestos exposure can cause mesothelioma through many mechanisms. Asbestos fibres, too small to be felt or seen through the naked eye can be airborne, causing irritation to the lining of the lung (pleura). In time irritation leads to formation of scar tissue, which leads to changes in the cell structure that can eventually grow into tumors.

The pleura covers the lungs and the heart and the abdomen. Mesothelium is composed of cells that respond 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.

A shortness of breath, chest discomfort or fluid buildup on the lungs are all indications of pleural Msothelioma. In rare cases cancer can spread to the tissues around the reproductive organs as well as the heart.

If imaging scans reveal an underlying mass in the lungs or stomach doctors will recommend biopsies. During the procedure, doctors remove tiny amounts of tumor or fluid for lab testing. The results will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and help determine the most effective treatment plan.

There are several types of mesothelioma treatments, including surgery, chemotherapy and immunotherapy. Most doctors utilize the combination of these methods. Participating in clinical trials of mesothelioma treatments may be beneficial for patients. Patients can learn more by consulting a mesothelioma expert who has treated mesothelioma.