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Mesothelioma and Asbestos

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

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

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer of the outer lung lining, also known as pleura. It is the most common mesothelioma type and is responsible for 70 to 79% of diagnosed cases. The condition can cause chest discomfort, shortness of breath and a feeling of heaviness.

Exposure to asbestos, a family of minerals made of microscopic fibers, typically causes this type of cancer. The fibers, when inhaled can cause irritation and DNA mutations. Pleura surrounds both the chest cavity as well as the lungs, which means that irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma is usually not symptomatic until 30 to 50 year after exposure.

Chest pain and shortness breath are the most frequently reported symptoms. Some patients also experience coughing, difficulty breathing, or chest tightness. People with this cancer have a past that includes asbestos exposure at work. Manufacturing, construction, and shipbuilding are the most prevalent jobs that put people at a high chance of developing pleural mesothelioma. People who served in the military are at greater risk due to the extensive use asbestos in Navy vessels and bunkers in the Army.

The TNM (tumors lymph nodes, tumors, and metastases staging system) is the most popular staging system used for the pleural cancer. The stage that a patient is in at the time of diagnosis can help determine what treatment plan they should receive. Patients who have pleural mesothelioma which is in stage three or four will suffer a more negative outlook than those in a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma may 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

In contrast to pleural mesothelioma which is a lung-lining cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma develops in the peritoneum -- an elongated membrane that covers the abdominal cavity as well as organs like the intestines and the liver. Similar to pleural mesothelioma and peritoneal mesothelioma can be caused by asbestos exposure. Only 300-500 cases are diagnosed each year which is lower than pleural asbestosis.

As with pleural asbestosis symptoms can take years to manifest. Typically, patients experience abdominal pain and abdominal swelling. This mesothelioma type can cause nausea, weight loss and fever. A lot of these symptoms can be misinterpreted as digestive issues which can lead to a false diagnosis.

Typically, doctors can identify mesothelioma by conducting a thorough health history and physical examination. Imaging tests like X-rays or CT scans can be used to identify mesothelioma. These tests can detect tumors as well as other signs of cancer which aren't evident on X-rays.

The results of these tests allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and determine the stage. They also offer treatments. The stage is determined by the kind of cell and if the tumor has spread.

Asbestos exposure is the most important risk factor. People who have worked in professions which require asbestos, such as plumbing or electrical work, manufacturing or construction, are at increased risk of developing the disease. Even if an individual does not work in any of these areas however, they may still be exposed through family members or other sources. For this reason, anyone who believes they could be at risk should speak to an expert. If they have any history of exposure to asbestos and mesothelioma is a concern, a specialist will help them find out more about the risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos Case is the main mesothelioma-related risk factor. It is responsible for up to the 80% of cases. Exposure to asbestos can happen through work, military service, or by living with someone who is exposed to asbestos or was previously exposed to doing the same. asbestos attorney particles can be breathed in by people who are exposed to asbestos. 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.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and age. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely be diagnosed with mesothelioma compared to those who are younger or older. Mesothelioma can take between 20 and 60 years before it manifests cancer symptoms after the first exposure. It is important to remember that mesothelioma may develop in people who were exposed to asbestos but didn't engage directly with it. This is referred to as indirect or secondary asbestos exposure, and is as hazardous as direct asbestos exposure.

Smoking increases the risk of mesothelioma, as it damages the mesothelium. It also makes it more susceptible. Additionally, mesothelioma can be exacerbated by certain illnesses like pneumonia and asbestosis. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma compared to women. This is due to the fact that men are more likely to be exposed to asbestos and endure a a longer period of exposure than women. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who worked with asbestos litigation and to have asbestos case-containing fibers on their clothing. Women are less likely to be in contact with asbestos, and they are less likely to carry asbestos on their clothing.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is a difficult disease to identify because the symptoms are often similar to other diseases. This is why patients are sometimes misdiagnosed.

NYU Langone doctors will perform an examination of the body and document the patient's medical history including asbestos 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 accumulation of fluid between the lung and the chest wall (known as pleural effusion).

Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram, which examines the blood vessels and the heart as well as a magnetic resonance imaging, also known as MRI test that uses radio waves and magnets to create detailed images of the interior of the body. A surgical biopsy is another method for doctors to identify mesothelioma. During a surgery biopsy, doctors remove a tiny part of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum, to be further examined. A pathologist then examines the tissue with a magnifying glass to determine if it contains cancerous cells.

The type of mesothelial cells involved as well as the benign or malignant nature of those cells and the location, type and stage of the tumour, are used to categorize the disease. Certain mesothelioma types have greater risk of spreading or metastasizing therefore it is essential to establish a clear diagnosis to ensure that the doctors can treat it before it gets out-of-control.

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

Treatment

A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be an incredibly frightening prospect. However, it is important to keep in mind that the cancer can be treated, particularly in its initial stages. Many patients with mesothelioma endure the disease for a long time, without spreading.

Asbestos exposure can cause mesothelioma through a variety of mechanisms. Asbestos fibers, which are too small to be able to see or feel by the naked eye can be airborne and cause irritation to the lung's lining (pleura). Over time, the irritation causes the formation of scar tissue, which leads to changes in the cell structure that eventually develop into tumors.

The pleura covers the lungs and the heart, as well as the abdomen. Mesothelium consists of cells that react when exposed to asbestos. They cause inflammation to the tissue and cause it to scar. Overtime, these changes cause the development of malignant mesothelioma tumors.

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

A doctor will request biopsy if scans show a potential lung tumor or stomach. During the procedure doctors remove small amounts of fluid or tumor to allow for laboratory testing. The results can confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis and indicate the most effective treatment plan.

There are many types of mesothelioma treatments, including surgery, chemotherapy and immunotherapy. Most doctors rely on an amalgamation of these techniques. Participating in clinical trials for mesothelioma treatments that are new could be beneficial to patients. Patients can learn more by speaking with a mesothelioma doctor who has treated the condition.