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Mesothelioma and Asbestos

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

It may take decades before symptoms begin to manifest after asbestos exposure. Different types of asbestos may cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma can be found in the lung's outer lining or pleura. It is the most prevalent mesothelioma type, accounting for up 70% to 79% of diagnosed cases. People with this condition feel chest pain and breath shortness, and they may feel a sensation of heaviness in the chest.

Exposure to asbestos, a class of minerals made of microscopic fibers, usually causes this kind of cancer. The fibers, when inhaled cause irritation and DNA mutations. The pleura covers the lungs and chest cavity and therefore, these irritations could affect both the lungs and the heart of a person. Mesothelioma symptoms usually don't appear until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

Chest pain and shortness breath are the most common symptoms. Some patients also experience difficulty breathing, or chest tightness. People with this cancer have a history of disease that includes asbestos litigation exposure at work. The most common jobs that put people at risk of developing pleural cancer are manufacturing, construction, and shipbuilding. People who served in the military are at greater risk due to the widespread use of asbestos in Navy vessels and bunkers in the Army.

The TNM (tumors, lymph nodes, and metastases staging system) is the most common staging system used to treat the pleural adenocarcinoma. The stage a patient is in at the moment of diagnosis will determine the treatment plan they should follow. Patients who have pleural mesothelioma which is in stage three or stage four will have a worse prognosis than those in a less advanced stage. Stage four mesothelioma can spread to the liver, heart or diaphragm. This makes it more difficult to treat and increase the risk 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 as well as organs like the liver and intestines. Similar to pleural mesothelioma and peritoneal mesothelioma is triggered by asbestos exposure. Only 300-500 cases are diagnosed each year this is less than pleural asbestosis.

As with pleural mesothelioma symptoms can take a long time to manifest. Patients usually experience abdominal pain, and may also have a lump in their abdomen. The symptoms of this kind of mesothelioma could also include nausea or weight loss, as well as fever. Many of these symptoms could be misinterpreted as digestive issues and can lead to a false diagnosis.

Doctors can detect mesothelioma by examining the patient's medical history and conducting a physical exam. Imaging tests like X-rays or CT scans can be used to detect mesothelioma. These tests can reveal tumors and other signs of cancer that aren't evident on X-rays.

The results of these tests allow doctors to identify mesothelioma, and determine the stage. They can also suggest treatment options. The stage is determined by the type of cell as well as whether the cancer has spread.

Asbestos exposure is the biggest risk factor. People who have worked in jobs that involve asbestos, like plumbing manufacturing, electrical work, or construction, are at greater risk of developing the disease. However, even if individuals aren't employed in these areas they may be exposed to asbestos through family members or other sources. For this reason, anyone who suspects they may be at risk should speak to an experienced doctor. If they have an history of exposure to asbestos, a mesothelioma specialist can assist them in learning more about the risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos is the most significant risk factor in mesothelioma. It is responsible for up to the 80% of cases. Exposure to asbestos may occur through military service, work, or living with someone who used to work with asbestos. Asbestos particles can be inhaled by people who are exposed to it. These irritate the linings and can cause cancerous cells to develop in the mesothelium. Following exposure to asbestos mesothelioma can develop between 15 and 60 years old.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics, and age. People in their 40s or 50s are more at chance of developing mesothelioma to those younger or older. Mesothelioma can take between 20 and 60 years before it manifests cancer symptoms after the first exposure. It is also important to note that mesothelioma is a possibility in people who have been exposed to asbestos attorney but did not engage directly with it. This is referred to as indirect or secondary asbestos exposure and can be just as harmful as direct asbestos exposure.

Smoking can increase the likelihood of developing mesothelioma due to the fact that it damages the mesothelium and makes it more susceptible to asbestos. Mesothelioma can also be caused by certain illnesses 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 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 clothes.

Diagnosis

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

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

Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram which examines the blood vessels and the heart, and a magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI, test that uses magnets and radio waves to create detailed images of the interior of the body. Another way doctors can diagnose mesothelioma is by performing a surgical biopsy. In a surgical biopsy, doctors remove a tiny piece of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum, to be further examined. A pathologist can then examine the tissue with microscopes to determine if it is contaminated with cancerous cells.

The mesothelial type involved, the malignant or benign nature of these cells as well as the location and stage of the tumor, are used to classify the disease. Certain types of mesothelioma are more likely to develop metastasis or spread, so it is important to have a clear diagnosis so that doctors can treat the disease before it becomes out of control.

Doctors may also conduct tests in the lab on a tumor to identify specific proteins, genes and 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 mesothelioma diagnosis can be terrifying. It is important to keep in mind that cancer can be treated particularly in its initial stages. Many patients with mesothelioma endure the disease for a long time, without spreading.

Exposure to asbestos may cause mesothelioma in a number of ways. Asbestos particles, which are too small to detect or feel with the naked eye, can be airborne and cause irritation to the lining of the lungs (pleura). In time the irritation causes the formation of scar tissue and eventually tumors.

The pleura is the area that surrounds the lungs and heart and also the abdomen. Mesothelium is made up of cells that respond when exposed to asbestos. They cause inflammation of the tissue and cause it to become scarred. These changes can eventually result in malignant mesothelioma tumors.

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

A doctor will request biopsy if imaging scans show the possibility of a lung tumor or stomach. The procedure involves the removal of some of the liquid or tumor for lab tests. The results can confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma, and also determine the most effective treatment plan.

There are a variety of treatment for mesothelioma, including chemotherapy and surgery. Most doctors rely on an amalgamation of these techniques. Enrolling in clinical trials of new mesothelioma treatment may also be beneficial for patients. To learn more about the trials, patients should speak to mesothelioma experts who have expertise in treating the condition.