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Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos, a mineral that occurs naturally in the form of long, thin fibers. Workers who are exposed to asbestos regularly are at risk of developing mesothelioma or other lung diseases.

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

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma occurs in the lung's outer 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 usually caused through exposure to asbestos, which is a cluster of minerals that are composed of microscopic fibers. These fibers, when inhaled cause irritation and DNA mutations. Pleura covers both the chest cavity as well as the lungs, and so irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma symptoms are usually not apparent until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

The most common symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are chest discomfort and shortness of breath. Patients may also experience chest tightness and coughing, or breathing difficulties. People with this cancer often have an history of exposure to asbestos in the workplace. The most common jobs that expose workers to the risk of developing pleural mesothelioma are construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding. People who have worked in the military are at an especially high risk due to the frequent asbestos use in Navy ships and army bunkers.

The TNM (tumors lymph nodes, tumors, and metastases staging system) is the most common staging system for the pleural adenocarcinoma. The stage a patient is in at the time of diagnosis can help determine what treatment plan they should follow. For instance, patients suffering from mesothelioma that is pleural in stage three or four have a poorer prognosis than those with a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma often spreads to the liver, diaphragm or even the heart of a patient. This makes it more difficult to treat and increase the chance of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

As opposed to pleural mesothelioma that develops in the lung lining, peritoneal mesothelioma is found in the peritoneum -- it is a membrane that lines the abdominal cavity and organs such as the intestines and liver. Similar to pleural mesothelioma, asbestos exposure is the reason for peritoneal msothelioma. The disease is less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma, and only about 300-500 cases diagnosed each year.

Like pleural mesothelioma, symptoms can take years to show. Patients usually have abdominal pain, and could also experience a mass in their abdomen. This type of mesothelioma may cause nausea, weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms are similar to those experienced by gastrointestinal issues, which can lead to misdiagnosis.

Generally, doctors can find mesothelioma after an extensive health history and physical examination. They can also utilize imaging tests like X-rays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to help find mesothelioma. These tests can detect tumors and other cancer signs that aren't visible on X-rays.

These tests enable doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and determine the stage. They can also suggest treatment options. The stage is determined by the kind of cell and if the tumor has spread.

Asbestos exposure is the main risk factor. People who have worked in professions which require asbestos lawyer, like plumbing or manufacturing, electrical work or construction, are at increased risk of developing the disease. Even if they aren't employed in these areas they could be exposed to asbestos through relatives or other sources. For this reason, anyone who believes they could be at risk should talk to an expert. If they have an history of exposure to asbestos or mesothelioma, a specialist can assist them in learning more about the risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos is the primary risk factor in mesothelioma. It is responsible for up to 80% of all cases. Exposure to asbestos can happen as a result of work, military service, or by living with a person who works with asbestos or was previously exposed to doing such. When exposed to asbestos, the particles can be breathed into the abdomen and lungs. These particles can cause irritation to the linings and can cause cancerous cells to form in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma may take between 15 and 60 years to develop following exposure to asbestos.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and aging. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely be diagnosed with mesothelioma compared to those who are younger or more senior. It takes mesothelioma 20-60 years to manifest cancer symptoms after the first exposure. It is also important to know that mesothelioma can develop in people who were exposed to asbestos but did not deal with it directly. This is called indirect or secondary exposure to asbestos, and it can be just as dangerous as direct exposure.

Smoking increases the risk of getting mesothelioma because it causes mesothelium damage and makes it more vulnerable to asbestos. Furthermore, mesothelioma is exacerbated by certain illnesses like pneumonia and asbestosis. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma compared to women. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos law for a longer period of time and to work with it. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who had worked with asbestos and to carry asbestos fibers on their clothing. Women are less likely to be exposed to asbestos, and don't typically bring asbestos home on their clothing.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is a difficult cancer to diagnose because the symptoms are often similar to other diseases. This can result in patients being incorrectly diagnosed.

The first step to diagnose mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform an examination and write note of the medical history of the patient including asbestos lawyer exposure. Doctors can also order an X-ray chest or CT scan to check for lumps or other abnormalities, as well as evidence of asbestos case exposure in the past such as pleural plaques (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the buildup of fluid between the lung and 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, or MRI, test that uses radio waves and magnets to create precise images of the inside of the body. A surgical biopsy is yet another method doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma. A surgical biopsy is when doctors remove a small amount of tissue from the pleura or peritoneum for further testing. A pathologist then examines the tissue using an magnifying glass to determine if it contains cancerous cells.

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

Doctors may also conduct tests in the laboratory on tumors to determine particular proteins, genes or other elements which can help them identify the cancer's characteristics and plan treatment. These results are called staging.

Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnose can be frightening. It is crucial to remember that cancer can be treated especially at its early stages. Many patients with mesothelioma endure the disease for a long time, without spreading.

Asbestos exposure can trigger mesothelioma via a variety of mechanisms. Asbestos fibres, small enough to not be felt or seen through the naked eye, can become airborne, irritating the lung's lining (pleura). In time, the irritation leads to the formation of scar tissues that eventually result in tumors.

The Pleura is a covering that surrounds the abdomen, heart, and lungs. Mesothelium is composed of cells that react to asbestos, causing it to inflame and create scar tissue. Overtime, these changes cause the development of malignant mesothelioma tumors.

Breathing problems, chest discomfort, or the accumulation of fluid on the lungs are all signs of the pleural mesothelioma. In rare cases the cancer may spread to the tissues surrounding the heart and reproductive organs.

A doctor will order biopsy if scans reveal a possible mass in the lungs or stomach. During the procedure doctors remove small amounts of fluid or tumor for laboratory testing. The results can confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and indicate the best treatment plan.

There are many types of treatment for mesothelioma, including chemotherapy and surgery. Most doctors utilize a combination of these methods. Enrolling in clinical trials of mesothelioma treatments that are new could be beneficial to patients. Patients can learn more about the trials by speaking with a mesothelioma doctor who has treated mesothelioma.