Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that is found in long, thin fibres. Workers who are exposed to asbestos regularly are at risk of developing mesothelioma or other lung diseases of different types.

It can take years for symptoms to show up after exposure to asbestos. Different asbestos types can cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma is a type of cancer that affects the lung's outer lining (pleura). It is the most prevalent type of mesothelioma, making up between 70 and 79% of all diagnosed cases. Patients with this disease experience pain in the chest and breath shortness, and they may feel an ache or heaviness in the chest.

Exposure to asbestos, a group of minerals comprised of microscopic fibers causes this type of cancer. When inhaled, these fibers cling to the lung and cause irritation that causes scarring and DNA mutations. The pleura surrounds the lungs and chest cavity This means that these irritations can affect both the lungs as well as the heart of a person. Mesothelioma usually doesn't show symptoms until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

Chest pain and shortness breath are the most frequently reported symptoms. Some patients also experience difficulty breathing, or chest tightness. Patients with this cancer have a history that includes asbestos exposure at work. The most prevalent jobs that expose people to the risk of developing pleural cancer are manufacturing, construction and shipbuilding. People who have worked in the military may be at a higher risk due to the widespread asbestos use in Navy ships and bunkers used by the army.

The TNM (tumors lymph nodes and metastases staging system) is the most common staging system used for the pleural adenocarcinoma. The stage that a patient is at when they are diagnosed will help their doctor determine the best treatment plan for them. Patients who have pleural mesothelioma which is in stage three or four will suffer a more negative outlook than those who are in a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma may spread to the liver, heart, or diaphragm. This can make it more difficult to treat and increases the risk of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Unlike pleural mesothelioma, which is a lung-lining cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma forms in the peritoneum -- a membrane that lines the abdominal cavity as well as organs such as the intestines and the liver. Similar to pleural mesothelioma and peritoneal mesothelioma is caused by asbestos exposure. Only 300-500 cases are diagnosed each year which is lower than pleural asbestosis.

Like pleural mesothelioma, the symptoms may take years to appear. Patients usually suffer from abdominal pain and may also have a lump in their abdomen. This kind of mesothelioma can also cause nausea, weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms are similar to symptoms of digestive issues, which could lead to confusion in diagnosis.

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

These tests enable doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and determine the stage and suggest treatment options. The staging is determined by the type of cell and whether or the tumor has spread to other areas of the body.

The most significant mesothelioma risk factor is exposure to asbestos. People who have been in occupations that require asbestos, such as plumbing manufacturing, electrical work, or construction, are at increased risk of developing the disease. Even if a person isn't employed in one of these areas they could still be exposed through family members or other sources. For this reason, anyone who believes they could be at risk should speak to a doctor. A mesothelioma specialist can assist those with a previous history of asbestos settlement to find out more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos exposure is a major risk factor for mesothelioma, accounting for up to 80 percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos may occur through military service, work, or living with someone who used to work with asbestos. When exposed to asbestos legal, the particles are able to be inhaled into abdomen and lungs. They can cause irritation to the linings of the abdomen and trigger cancerous cells to grow in the mesothelium. After exposure to asbestos mesothelioma is likely to develop between 15 and 60 year.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and the advancing age. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely get mesothelioma than people younger or older. It is because mesothelioma generally takes 20 to 60 years from the first exposure to asbestos before symptoms of cancer begin to manifest. It is important to keep in mind that mesothelioma can be present in people who have been exposed to asbestos, but without having worked with it directly. This is known as indirect or secondary asbestos exposure, and is as dangerous as direct asbestos attorney exposure.

Smoking increases the chance of mesothelioma developing, as it damages the mesothelium. It can also make it more vulnerable. Mesothelioma can also be aggravated by certain diseases, such as asbestosis and pneumonia. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than females. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for longer periods of time and to work with asbestos for longer periods of time. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who has worked with asbestos and to carry asbestos 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 cancer to identify because the symptoms are often similar to other conditions. Because of this, victims are sometimes misdiagnosed.

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

Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram, which examines the heart and blood vessels and magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI, test, which makes use of radio waves and magnets to make a series of detailed images of the interior of the body. Another way doctors can diagnose mesothelioma is through an operation called a biopsy. During a surgical biopsy, doctors take a small amount of tissue from the peritoneum or pleura to conduct further tests. A pathologist is then able to examine the tissue with a microscope to see if it contains cancerous cells.

The mesothelial type involved and the benign or malignant nature of these cells, as well as the location the cancer, its type and the stage of the tumour, are used to classify the disease. Some types of mesothelioma have an increased risk of metastasizing or spreading, so it's important to get a definitive diagnosis so doctors can treat it before it becomes out of control.

Doctors can also perform tests in the laboratory on tumors to identify specific proteins, genes, or other factors which can help them describe cancer characteristics and determine the best treatment. These results are known as staging.

Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnose can be terrifying. It is important to remember that cancer can be treated especially at its early stages. Many people with mesothelioma can be afflicted for a long time without spreading.

Exposure to asbestos case (my sources) can cause mesothelioma through a variety of ways. Asbestos fibres, small enough to not be felt or viewed with the naked eyes can be airborne and irritate the lung's lining (pleura). Over time, the irritation leads to the formation of scar tissues and eventually tumors.

The pleura is the area that surrounds the lungs and heart and the abdomen. Mesothelium is made up of cells that react to exposure to asbestos which causes it to become inflamed and create scar tissue. These changes can lead to malignant mesothelioma tumours.

A shortness of breath, chest discomfort, or the accumulation of fluid on the lungs are all symptoms of the pleural msothelioma. In rare cases the cancer may spread to the tissues surrounding the heart and reproductive organs.

A doctor may request biopsy if scans show the possibility of a mass in the lungs or stomach. During the procedure, doctors will remove tiny amounts of tumor or fluid for lab testing. The results can confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and determine the most effective treatment plan.

There are many types of mesothelioma treatment, which include chemotherapy, surgery, and immunotherapy. The majority of doctors use a combination of these methods. Participating in clinical trials of mesothelioma treatments may be beneficial to patients. Patients can learn more about the trials by speaking with a mesothelioma doctor who has treated mesothelioma.