Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that is found in long, thin fibres. Workers who are exposed asbestos legal regularly risk developing mesothelioma and other lung diseases.

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

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer of the outer lung lining, or the pleura. It is the most prevalent type of mesothelioma, making up 70 to 79% of all diagnosed cases. The condition can cause chest pain, shortness of breathe, and a feeling of weightiness.

This kind of cancer is typically caused by exposure to asbestos which is a cluster of minerals composed of microscopic fibers. Once inhaled, the fibers stick inside the lung and cause irritation that causes scarring and DNA mutations. The pleura surrounds the chest cavity and lungs This means that these irritations can affect both the lungs as well as the heart of a person. Mesothelioma symptoms are usually not apparent until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

The most common symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are chest pain and breath shortness. Some patients have coughing problems, trouble breathing, or chest tightness. People who suffer from this cancer usually have a history of exposure to asbestos in the workplace. The most prevalent jobs that put people at risk of pleural mesothelioma include construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding. Individuals who have been in the military may be at an especially high risk due to the frequent asbestos use in Navy vessels and bunkers used by the army.

The most common staging system for pleural mesothelioma is the TNM (tumor lymph nodes, lymph nodes, and metastases) staging system. The stage the patient is in at the time of diagnosis will help determine the treatment plan they should follow. For instance, patients who have a pleural mesothelioma in stage three or four have a poorer prognosis than patients with a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma often spreads to the liver, diaphragm and/or a person's heart. This can make the cancer more difficult to treat and increase the risk of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Unlike 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 such as the liver and intestines. 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 years to show. Patients generally experience abdominal pain, and may also have a lump in their abdomen. Symptoms of this type of mesothelioma can also include nausea, weight loss and fever. A lot of these symptoms can be misinterpreted as gastrointestinal issues and can lead to a false diagnosis.

Generally, doctors can find mesothelioma through a thorough health history and physical examination. They may also employ imaging tests like Xrays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to identify mesothelioma. These tests can reveal tumors, as well as other signs of cancer that aren't visible on X-rays.

The results of these tests allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and determine the stage of the disease and suggest treatment options. The stage of the disease is determined based on the type of cell and whether or the cancer has spread to other regions of the body.

The most important risk factor for mesothelioma is asbestos exposure. People who have been exposed to asbestos in occupations, like electrical or plumbing work, or in construction and manufacturing, are more likely to develop the disease. Even if they aren't employed in these areas they may be exposed to asbestos through family members or other sources. Anyone who believes they are at risk should consult a doctor. If they have an history of exposure to asbestos, a mesothelioma specialist can assist them in finding out more about the risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos exposure is the primary risk factor for mesothelioma, which accounts for as much as 80 percent of all cases. Exposure to asbestos can happen through work, military service, or by living with someone who is exposed to asbestos or used to do so. Asbestos particles can be inhaled by people who are exposed to it. These particles irritate the linings, causing cancerous cells to form in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma may take 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 get mesothelioma than people younger or more senior. This is because mesothelioma usually takes 20 to 60 years from the first exposure to asbestos before symptoms of cancer begin to manifest. It is also important to know that mesothelioma can develop in those who were exposed to asbestos but didn't deal with it directly. This is known as indirect or secondary asbestos exposure, and is as hazardous as direct asbestos exposure.

Smoking increases the risk of getting mesothelioma because it damages the mesothelium, which makes it more susceptible to asbestos. Additionally, mesothelioma can be exacerbated by certain illnesses like asbestosis and pneumonia. It is also important to remember that mesothelioma is more prevalent in males than females. This is because men are more likely to work with asbestos and have an extended period of exposure than women. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who worked with asbestos litigation and to carry asbestos fibers on their clothing. Women tend to have less contact with asbestos and don't typically carry asbestos case home on their clothes.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is a difficult disease to recognize because the symptoms often resemble other diseases. Due to this, patients are often wrongly diagnosed.

The first step in diagnosing mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform an examination of the body and take down a patient's medical history including asbestos exposure. Doctors can also request an X-ray chest or CT scan to check for lumps and other abnormalities and also to look for evidence of asbestos exposure in the past such as pleural plaques (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the accumulation of fluid between the lung and the chest wall (known as the pleural effusion).

Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram which examines the heart and blood vessels, and a magnetic resonance imaging, also known as MRI, test that uses radio waves and magnets to make a series of detailed images of the inside of the body. A surgical biopsy is a different method doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma. When a biopsy is performed doctors take a tiny piece of tissue from pleura or the peritoneum to be further examined. A pathologist is then able to look at the tissue under a microscope to see if it has cancerous cells.

Mesothelioma is classified based on the type of mesothelial cells involved, whether these cells are malignant or benign and the location of the tumor, the type, and the stage of the tumor. Some types of mesothelioma are more likely to spread or metastasize and spread, therefore it is essential to have a clear diagnosis to ensure that doctors are able to treat the disease before it goes out of control.

Doctors may also conduct tests in the laboratory on tumors in order to determine specific proteins, genes, or other factors which can aid in describing cancer characteristics and determine the best treatment. These results are known as staging.

Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnosis can be an incredibly frightening prospect. It is important to keep in mind, however, that cancer can be treated, particularly in its initial stages. Many people with mesothelioma live for a long time without the disease spreading to other parts of their body.

Exposure to asbestos law can trigger mesothelioma through a variety of ways. Asbestos particles, which are too small to be able to see or feel with the naked eye, can be airborne and cause irritation to the lung's lining (pleura). As time passes irritation can lead to formation of scar tissue which causes changes in the structure of cells which eventually lead to tumors.

The Pleura is a protective layer that surrounds the lungs, heart and abdomen. Mesothelium is made up of cells that respond when exposed to asbestos. They cause inflammation of the tissue and cause it to scar. Overtime, these changes lead to the development of malignant mesothelioma tumors.

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

A doctor will request a biopsy if imaging scans show the possibility of a tumor in the lungs or stomach. During the procedure doctors remove small amounts of fluid or tumor for laboratory testing. The results will confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis and provide the most effective treatment plan.

There are a variety of mesothelioma treatment options, including surgery, chemotherapy and immunotherapy. The majority of doctors employ combinations of these treatments. Patients may also benefit from taking part in a clinical trial of new mesothelioma therapies. To learn more about the trials, patients should consult a mesothelioma specialist who has had experience treating the disease.