Mesothelioma and Asbestos

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

It could take a long time for symptoms to appear after exposure to Asbestos Case. Different asbestos types can cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer of the outer lung lining, or the pleura. It is the most prevalent mesothelioma type, accounting for up 70% to 79% of diagnosed cases. This condition causes chest discomfort, shortness of breath and a feeling heavyness.

This type of cancer is usually caused by exposure to asbestos which is a collection of minerals that are comprised of microscopic fibres. Once inhaled, these fibers are absorbed into the lungs and cause irritation that causes scarring and DNA mutations. Pleura is the lining of both the chest cavity and the lungs, so irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma usually doesn't show symptoms until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

The most frequent symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are chest discomfort and shortness of breath. Some patients also experience difficulty breathing, or chest tightness. Patients with this type of cancer have a history that includes asbestos exposure at work. The most prevalent jobs that expose workers to the risk of pleural mesothelioma include manufacturing, construction, and shipbuilding. Individuals who have been in the military are at a higher risk due to the frequent use of asbestos in Navy ships and army bunkers.

The TNM (tumors, lymph nodes, and metastases staging system) is the most common staging system for pleural adenocarcinoma. The stage that the patient is in at the time of diagnosis can help determine what treatment plan they should follow. Patients who have pleural mesothelioma which is in stage three or stage four will have a worse prognosis compared to those who are in a less advanced stage. Stage four mesothelioma may develop into the heart, liver or diaphragm. This makes it more difficult to treat and increase the risk of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

In contrast to pleural cancer, that develops in the lung's lining the peritoneal cancer is a result of the membrane that covers the abdominal cavity, which includes organs such as the intestines and liver. Like pleural mesothelioma, peritoneal mesothelioma is triggered by asbestos exposure. The disease is less common than pleural mesothelioma. There are only about 300-500 cases diagnosed each year.

Like pleural mesothelioma, symptoms can take a long time to manifest. The majority of patients suffer from abdominal pain and an abdominal mass. Symptoms of this type of mesothelioma can also include nausea, weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms are similar to those experienced by digestive issues, which could result in misdiagnosis.

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

These test results enable doctors to identify mesothelioma, and determine the stage. They can also recommend treatment options. The staging is determined by the type of cell and whether or whether the tumor has spread to other regions of the body.

The most important risk factor for mesothelioma is asbestos exposure. People who have worked in jobs which require asbestos, like plumbing or manufacturing, electrical work, or construction, are at greater risk of developing the disease. However, even if people do not work in these fields they may be exposed to asbestos through family members or through other sources. Anyone who suspects that they may be at risk should consult a doctor. A mesothelioma expert can help those who have had a experience with asbestos to understand more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos exposure is a major mesothelioma risk factor, making up as much as 80 percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos can happen as a result of work, military service, or living with people who have worked with asbestos. Asbestos particles can be inhaled by people who are exposed to it. The particles cause irritation to the linings of the lungs, causing cancerous cells to develop in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma can take anywhere between 15 and 60 years to develop following exposure to asbestos.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and the advancing age. The people in their 40s or 50s are at a higher chance of developing mesothelioma to those younger or older. It takes mesothelioma 20-60 years to show signs of cancer after the first exposure. It is important to keep in mind, too, that mesothelioma could be present in people who have been exposed to asbestos without having directly worked with it. This is called secondary or indirect exposure to asbestos settlement and it can be just as dangerous as direct exposure.

Smoking increases the risk of mesothelioma, because it damages the mesothelium. It also makes it more susceptible. In addition, mesothelioma may be caused by certain illnesses, such as asbestosis and pneumonia. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma compared to women. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for a longer period of time and to work with asbestos for longer periods of time. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who had worked with asbestos, and to have asbestos-containing fibers on their clothing. Women tend to have less contact with asbestos and rarely carry asbestos on their clothes.

Diagnosis

It is difficult to recognize mesothelioma because its symptoms are often similar to other diseases. This can result in patients being misdiagnosed.

The first step to diagnose mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform an examination and write notes on the medical history of a patient, including asbestos legal exposure. Doctors can also request a chest X-ray or CT scan to detect lumps and other abnormalities, as well as evidence of asbestos exposure in the past such as plaques in the pleura (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the buildup of fluid between the lung and the chest wall (known as the pleural effusion).

Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance imaging or MRI test, which uses radio waves and magnets in order to produce a series of precise images of the inside of the body. A surgical biopsy is another method for doctors to identify mesothelioma. During a surgery biopsy doctors take a tiny piece of tissue from pleura or the peritoneum, to be further examined. A pathologist can examine the tissue under a microscope to see if it has cancerous cells.

Mesothelioma is classified based on the mesothelial type involved, whether the cells are benign or malignant, and the location of the tumor, the type, and the stage of the tumor. Certain types of mesothelioma may be more likely to develop metastasis or spread which is why it is crucial to get a definite diagnosis so doctors can treat the disease before it becomes out of control.

Doctors can also run laboratory tests on a tumor to identify specific genes, proteins or other elements that help them understand the characteristics of the cancer and determine a treatment. These results are referred to as staging.

Treatment

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

Exposure to asbestos lawsuit can cause mesothelioma in a number of ways. Asbestos fibers, which are too small to detect or feel with the naked eye, can become airborne and cause irritation to the lung's lining (pleura). In time the irritation causes the formation of scar tissue, which eventually lead to tumors.

The pleura covers the lungs and the heart and also the abdomen. Mesothelium consists of cells that respond when exposed to asbestos. They cause inflammation of the tissue and cause it to scar. These changes eventually result in malignant mesothelioma tumors.

Symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include breathing problems, chest pain or a buildup of fluid in the lung (pleural effusion). In rare instances the cancer may be spread to the tissues around the heart and reproductive organs.

If imaging scans reveal an area of concern in the lungs or stomach the doctor will request a biopsies. During the procedure doctors remove some of the liquid or tumor for tests in the laboratory. The results will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and help determine the best treatment plan.

There are many types of mesothelioma treatment, including surgery, chemotherapy and immunotherapy. Most doctors utilize a combination of these methods. Enrolling in clinical trials of mesothelioma treatments that are new could be beneficial to patients. To learn more about the trials, patients should consult mesothelioma specialists who have had experience treating the disease.