Mesothelioma and Asbestos

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

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

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer that develops in the outer lung lining (pleura). It is the most common mesothelioma that accounts for up 70% to 79% of all diagnosed cases. The condition can cause chest discomfort, shortness of breath and a feeling weightiness.

This type of cancer often caused through exposure to asbestos, which is a collection of minerals that are comprised of microscopic fibres. When inhaled, these fibers are absorbed into the lungs and cause irritation that leads to scarring and DNA mutations. Pleura surrounds both the chest cavity and 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. Some patients also experience difficulty breathing, or chest tightness. People who suffer from this cancer usually have an history of exposure to asbestos in the workplace. Manufacturing, construction and shipbuilding are the most prevalent jobs that put people at a high danger of developing pleural melanoma. Individuals who have served in the military are at greater risk due to the extensive use asbestos in Navy vessels and bunkers for the Army.

The TNM (tumors, lymph nodes, and metastases staging system) is the most commonly used staging system used for pleural adenocarcinoma. The stage a patient is in at the moment of diagnosis will determine the treatment plan they will receive. For example, patients with mesothelioma pleural stage three or four have a less favorable prognosis than those in lower stages. Stage four mesothelioma can spread to the heart, liver or diaphragm. This can make the cancer more difficult to treat and increase the chance of complications for patients.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Contrary to pleural cancer which forms in the lung's lining the peritoneal cancer is a result of the membrane that covers the abdominal cavity, including organs such as the intestines and the liver. Similar to pleural mesothelioma and peritoneal mesothelioma is triggered by asbestos exposure. There are only 300-500 cases diagnosed annually this is less than pleural asbestosis.

As with pleural asbestosis, symptoms can take years to manifest. Patients generally experience abdominal pain, and could also experience a mass in their abdomen. Symptoms of this type of mesothelioma can also include nausea as well as weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms are similar to symptoms of digestive issues, which could result in misdiagnosis.

Generally speaking, doctors can detect mesothelioma by conducting an exhaustive medical history and physical exam. They may also employ imaging tests like Xrays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to help find mesothelioma. These tests can show cancerous tumors or other signs of cancer that aren't visible on X-rays.

These test results enable doctors to identify mesothelioma, and determine the stage. They also offer treatment options. The stage is determined by the kind of cell and if the cancer has spread.

Asbestos exposure is the most important risk factor. People who have worked in jobs that require Asbestos legal, like plumbing, manufacturing, electrical work, or construction, are at increased risk of developing the disease. Even if someone is not employed in any of these areas they could still be exposed through family members and other sources. Therefore, anyone who is concerned that they might be at risk should speak to an expert. If they have an history of exposure to asbestos, a mesothelioma specialist can assist them in learning more about the risk.

Risk Factors

asbestos legal exposure is the primary risk factor for mesothelioma, which accounts for as much as 80 percent of all cases. Exposure to asbestos can occur as a result of work, military service or through living with a person who works with asbestos or has previously done such. Asbestos particles can be inhaled by those who are exposed to it. They can cause irritation to the linings of the abdomen and cause cancerous cells to form in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma can take between 15 and 60 years to develop after exposure to asbestos.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and age. The people in their 40s or 50s are more at chance of developing mesothelioma to those who are younger or older. It is because mesothelioma generally lasts between 20 and 60 years from the initial time of exposure before symptoms of cancer begin to manifest. It is important to remember that mesothelioma can develop in those who have been exposed to asbestos without having directly worked with it. This is called secondary or indirect exposure to asbestos claim. It could be as hazardous as direct exposure.

Smoking increases the chance of mesothelioma as it damages the mesothelium. It also makes it more prone to. Mesothelioma can also be aggravated by certain illnesses such as asbestosis and pneumonia. It is also important to remember that mesothelioma is more common for men than women. This is because men are more likely to work with asbestos case and have more exposure than women. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who has worked with asbestos, and to have asbestos law fibers on their clothing. Women tend to have less contact with asbestos and rarely carry asbestos claim around on their clothing.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is a difficult cancer to identify because the symptoms often resemble other diseases. This can lead to victims being incorrectly diagnosed.

NYU Langone doctors will perform a physical examination and record the patient's medical background including asbestos exposure. Doctors may also request a CT scan or chest X-ray in order to look for abnormalities, lumps 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, that uses magnets and radio waves in order to create a series of detailed images of the inside of the body. A surgical biopsy is yet another method for doctors to identify mesothelioma. When a biopsy is performed, doctors remove a tiny part of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum, to be examined further. A pathologist is then able to look at the tissue under microscopes to determine whether it has cancerous cells.

Mesothelioma is classified based on the type of mesothelial cells involved, whether the cells are benign or malignant, and the location of the tumor, its type, and the stage of the cancer. Certain types of mesothelioma are more likely to grow or spread which is why it is crucial to establish a definitive diagnosis so that doctors can treat the disease before it gets out of control.

Doctors may also conduct tests in the laboratory on a tumor to identify specific genes, proteins, or other factors which can help them identify the characteristics of the cancer and determine a treatment. These results are referred to as staging.

Treatment

A diagnosis of mesothelioma may be terrifying. But, it is crucial to remember that the disease is treatable, especially in its initial stages. Many patients with mesothelioma survive for years without the disease spreading to other areas of their body.

Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma through a variety of ways. Asbestos fibers, which are small enough to not be felt or viewed through the naked eye, can become airborne, irritating the lining of the lung (pleura). Over time irritation leads to formation of scar tissue, which leads to changes in the structure of cells that can eventually grow into tumors.

The pleura is the area that surrounds the lungs and 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 eventually lead to malignant mesothelioma tumours.

Breathing problems, chest pain or fluid accumulation on the lungs are all symptoms of pleural msothelioma. In rare cases the cancer may grow to the tissues surrounding the heart and reproductive organs.

If imaging scans reveal a possible mass in the lungs or stomach, a doctor will order biopsies. During the procedure, doctors take tiny amounts of fluid or tumor for lab testing. The results will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and determine the most effective treatment plan.

There are a variety of mesothelioma treatment, which include chemotherapy, surgery, and immunotherapy. Most doctors utilize combinations of these treatments. Participating in clinical trials for mesothelioma treatments that are new could be beneficial for patients. To learn more about the trials, patients should speak to mesothelioma specialists who have expertise in treating the condition.