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Mesothelioma and Asbestos

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

Symptoms of these diseases may not show up for decades after exposure to asbestos. Different asbestos types may cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer of the lung's outer lining, or the pleura. It is the most frequent form of mesothelioma and is responsible for 70 to 79% of diagnosed cases. Patients suffering from this condition experience pain in the chest and breath shortness and may also feel the sensation of weight in the chest.

This type of cancer is typically caused by exposure to asbestos, which is a grouping of minerals composed of microscopic fibers. The fibers, when inhaled, cause irritation and DNA mutations. Pleura covers both the chest cavity as well as the lungs, which means that irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma symptoms typically don't show until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

Shortness of breath and chest pain are the most common symptoms. Some patients may also feel tightness in their chest or coughing. They may also experience difficulty breathing. Patients with this type of cancer have a past that includes asbestos exposure at work. Manufacturing, construction and shipbuilding are the most common jobs which put people at risk risk of developing pleural mesothelioma. People who have worked in the military may be at risk because of the extensive use of asbestos in Navy vessels and bunkers used by the army.

The TNM (tumors lymph nodes, tumors, and metastases staging system) is the most common staging system for pleural adenocarcinoma. The stage a patient has when they are diagnosed will aid their doctor in determining the best treatment plan for them. For example, patients with a pleural mesothelioma in stage three or four have a poorer prognosis than patients with lower stages. Mesothelioma in stage four is usually spread to the diaphragm, liver or even the heart of a patient. This makes it more difficult to treat and increase the chance of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Unlike pleural mesothelioma, which develops in the lung lining, peritoneal mesothelioma develops in the peritoneum -- an elongated membrane that covers the abdominal cavity and organs like the intestines and liver. As with pleural mesothelioma asbestos exposure is the cause of peritoneal mesothelioma. Only 300-500 cases are diagnosed each year which is lower than pleural asbestosis.

As with pleural asbestosis symptoms can take a long time to show. Patients generally experience abdominal pain, and could also experience a mass in their abdomen. The symptoms of this type of mesothelioma could also include nausea as well as weight loss and fever. A lot of these symptoms can be misinterpreted as digestive issues and can lead to a misdiagnosis.

Doctors can detect mesothelioma by reviewing the medical history of the patient and performing a physical examination. Imaging tests like X-rays or CT scans can be used to detect mesothelioma. These tests can reveal tumors and other indications of cancer that aren't visible on an X-ray.

The results of these tests allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and determine the stage. They can also recommend treatments. The stage of the disease is determined based on the cell type and whether or the cancer has spread to other parts of the body.

Asbestos exposure is the most important risk factor. People who have worked in jobs that involve asbestos, like plumbing manufacturing, electrical work, or construction, are at increased risk of developing the disease. Even if an individual isn't employed in one of these areas they could be exposed to asbestos to asbestos through family members and other sources. Therefore, anyone who suspects they may be at risk should talk to an expert. A mesothelioma specialist can assist those who have had a history with asbestos to learn more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos exposure is a major risk factor for mesothelioma making up as much as 80 percent of all cases. Exposure to asbestos can happen due to work, military service or by living with a person who is exposed to asbestos or used to do so. When exposed to asbestos, particles can be breathed into the abdomen and lungs. They can cause irritation to the linings of the abdomen and cause cancerous cells to grow in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma can take between 15 and 60 years to develop following exposure to asbestos.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics, and the advancing age. People in their 40s and 50s are at greater chance of developing mesothelioma to people who are younger or more. Mesothelioma can take between 20 and 60 years to show signs of cancer after the first exposure. It is important to keep in mind that mesothelioma can 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. It can be as hazardous as direct asbestos exposure.

Smoking increases a person's chances of developing mesothelioma due to the fact that it damages the mesothelium, which makes it more vulnerable to asbestos. Additionally, mesothelioma can be exacerbated by certain illnesses like pneumonia and asbestosis. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than women. This is due to men being more likely to work with asbestos and experience a a longer 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 do not typically carry asbestos lawsuit home on their clothes.

Diagnosis

It is difficult to recognize mesothelioma due to its symptoms being frequently similar to other illnesses. Because of this, victims are often mistakenly diagnosed.

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

Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI test, which makes use of magnets and radio waves to produce a series of precise images of inside the body. Another way doctors can diagnose mesothelioma is through the procedure of a surgical biopsy. During a surgery biopsy doctors take a tiny piece 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 cell.

Mesothelioma can be classified based on the type of mesothelial cells involved, whether those cells are benign or malignant and the location of the tumor, the type, and the stage of the cancer. Certain mesothelioma types have greater risk of metastasizing or spreading and it's crucial to get a definitive diagnosis so doctors can treat it before it becomes out-of-control.

Doctors can also run tests in the lab on tumors to determine particular proteins, genes or other elements that can help them describe the characteristics of cancer and plan treatment. These results are known as staging.

Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnose can be terrifying. It is important to keep in mind, however, that cancer can be treated, particularly in its early stages. Many people with mesothelioma live for a long time with the disease, without spreading to other areas of their body.

Exposure to asbestos lawsuit can cause mesothelioma through many mechanisms. Asbestos fibres, tiny enough to be felt or viewed with the naked eyes are able to become airborne, irritating the lining of the lung (pleura). Over time the irritation causes the formation of scar tissue and eventually tumors.

The pleura surrounds the lungs and the heart and the abdomen. Mesothelium consists of cells that respond when exposed to asbestos. They inflame the tissue and cause it to become scarred. These changes eventually lead to malignant mesothelioma tumours.

The symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are shortness of breath, chest pain or a buildup of fluid in the lung (pleural effusion). In rare instances cancer can spread to the tissues surrounding the reproductive organs and the heart.

A doctor will order a biopsy if imaging scans show the possibility of a lung tumor or stomach. During the procedure, doctors take a small sample of the fluid or tumor for lab analysis. The results will confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis, and provide the best treatment plan.

There are many types of treatment for mesothelioma, such as chemotherapy and surgery. Most doctors utilize the combination of these treatments. 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 mesothelioma.