Mesothelioma and Asbestos

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

Symptoms of these diseases may not show up for decades after exposure to asbestos Case (trademarketclassifieds.com). Different asbestos types can cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma occurs in the lung's outer lining also known as the pleura. It is the most prevalent type of mesothelioma, making up between 70 and 79% of diagnosed cases. The condition can cause chest discomfort, shortness of breath, and a feeling of weightiness.

This kind of cancer is often caused through exposure to asbestos, which is a collection of minerals that are composed of microscopic fibers. When inhaled, these fibers are absorbed into the lung and cause irritation which leads to scarring and DNA mutations. The pleura is the area that surrounds the lungs and chest cavity, so these irritations can affect both the lungs and a person's heart. Mesothelioma usually doesn't show symptoms until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

Chest pain and shortness breath are the most frequently reported symptoms. Patients may also experience chest tightness and coughing, or breathing difficulties. People who suffer from this cancer usually have previous exposure to asbestos in the workplace. Manufacturing, construction, and shipbuilding are the most frequent jobs that put people at high risk of developing pleural mesothelioma. People who have served in the military could be at risk because of the extensive use of asbestos in Navy vessels and bunkers for the army.

The TNM (tumors lymph nodes, tumors, and metastases staging system) is the most common staging system used to treat the pleural adenocarcinoma. The stage that a patient is at upon diagnosis will assist their doctor in determining the best treatment plan for them. Patients who have pleural mesothelioma which is in stage three or stage four will have a worse outlook than those in a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma may be spread to the liver, heart or diaphragm. This can make it more difficult to treat and increases the chance of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

In contrast to pleural mesothelioma which develops in the lung lining, peritoneal mesothelioma forms in the peritoneum -- it is a membrane that lines the abdominal cavity and organs like the intestines and the liver. Similar to pleural mesothelioma mesothelioma can be caused by asbestos lawsuit exposure. The disease is less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma, and around 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.

As with pleural mesothelioma symptoms may take years to appear. Typically, patients suffer from abdominal pain and an abdominal mass. This kind of mesothelioma can cause nausea, weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms are similar to symptoms of digestive issues, which could result in incorrect diagnosis.

Doctors can detect mesothelioma by reviewing the medical history of the patient and performing a physical examination. They can also utilize imaging tests like X-rays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to identify mesothelioma. These tests can reveal tumors and other signs of cancer that are not visible on X-rays.

These test results enable doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and determine the stage. They can also recommend treatment options. Staging is determined based on the type of cell and whether or not the cancer has spread to other parts of the body.

Asbestos exposure is the biggest risk factor. People who have been in occupations which require asbestos, like plumbing, electrical work, manufacturing or construction, are at a higher risk of developing the disease. However, even if people do not work in these areas they could be exposed to asbestos through relatives or other sources. Anyone who thinks they are at risk should consult an expert. If they have any history of exposure to asbestos and mesothelioma is a concern, a specialist will assist them in learning more about the risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos is the most significant risk factor for mesothelioma. It accounts for as much as the 80% of cases. Exposure to asbestos may occur as a result of work, military service or through living with a person who works with asbestos or used to do so. Asbestos particles can be breathed in by those who are exposed to it. These particles irritate the linings of the abdomen, which causes cancerous cells to form 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 to be diagnosed with mesothelioma compared to those who are younger or older. Mesothelioma can take between 20 and 60 years to show signs of cancer after the first exposure. It is important to note that mesothelioma could occur in people who have been exposed to asbestos, but without having directly worked with it. This is referred to as indirect or secondary exposure to asbestos and it can be just as dangerous as direct exposure.

Smoking increases the risk of mesothelioma, since it damages mesothelium. It also makes it more susceptible. Mesothelioma is also aggravated by certain illnesses such as asbestosis and pneumonia. It is also important to note that mesothelioma occurs more frequently in men than women. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for a longer period of time and to work with it. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who has been exposed to asbestos, and to have asbestos-containing fibers on their clothing. Women are less likely to be in contact with asbestos, and they are less likely to bring asbestos case home on their clothes.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is difficult to identify because the symptoms are often similar to other diseases. Because of this, victims are often misdiagnosed.

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

Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance image or MRI test, that uses radio waves and magnets in order to create a series of detailed images of the inside of the body. Another method doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma is to perform an operation called a biopsy. In a surgical biopsy doctors take a small amount of tissue from the pleura or peritoneum for further testing. A pathologist can then look at the tissue under microscopes to determine whether it contains cancerous cells.

The mesothelial type involved, the malignant or benign nature of the cells, as well as the location the cancer, its type and the stage of the cancer are used to classify the disease. Some types of mesothelioma are more likely to grow or spread which is why it is crucial to have a clear diagnosis so doctors can treat the disease before it goes out of control.

Doctors can also run tests in the lab on a tumor to find specific proteins, genes and other factors that can help them describe the cancer's characteristics and plan treatment. These results are known as staging.

Treatment

A diagnosis of mesothelioma may be frightening. However, it is important to remember that the disease is treatable, especially in its earlier stages. Many people with mesothelioma can be afflicted for a long time without expanding.

Exposure to asbestos may cause mesothelioma through a variety of ways. asbestos legal fibers that are tiny enough to be felt or viewed with the naked eyes can be airborne, causing irritation to the lining of the lung (pleura). Over time irritation leads to formation of scar tissue, which causes changes in the structure of cells which eventually lead to tumors.

The pleura surrounds the lungs and the heart and the abdomen. Mesothelium consists of cells that react when exposed to asbestos. They inflame the tissue and cause it to scar. These changes can cause mesothelioma cancers.

The symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are breathlessness and chest pain, or an accumulation of fluid in the lung (pleural effusion). In rare cases the cancer may grow to the tissues surrounding the heart and reproductive organs.

A doctor may request a biopsy if imaging scans show the possibility of a tumor in the lungs or stomach. During the procedure, doctors take tiny amounts of tumor or fluid for lab testing. The results will confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis, and provide the best treatment option.

There are many types of mesothelioma treatments, which include chemotherapy, surgery, and immunotherapy. Most doctors use the combination of these treatments. Patients can also benefit by participating in a clinical study of new mesothelioma treatment. To find out more, patients should speak to a mesothelioma specialist who has experience treating the condition.