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Mesothelioma and Asbestos

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

The symptoms of these diseases might not show up for decades after exposure to asbestos. Different types of asbestos can cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer of the lung's outer lining, or the pleura. It is the most prevalent form of mesothelioma and accounts for 70% to 79% of diagnosed cases. This condition causes chest pain, breath shortness and a feeling heavyness.

Exposure to asbestos, a group of minerals composed of microscopic fibers, typically causes this kind of cancer. Once inhaled, the fibers are absorbed into the lungs and cause irritation that results in scarring and DNA mutations. Pleura is the lining of both the chest cavity as well as the lungs, and so irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma usually doesn't show symptoms until 30 to 50 year after exposure.

Shortness of breath and chest pain are the most frequent symptoms. Patients may also experience difficulty breathing, or chest tightness. People who suffer from this cancer usually have an history of exposure to asbestos in the workplace. The most frequent jobs that expose workers to the risk of pleural mesothelioma include manufacturing, construction and shipbuilding. People who served in the military are at a higher risk due to the extensive use asbestos in Navy vessels and Army bunkers.

The TNM (tumors, lymph nodes, and metastases staging system) is the most popular staging system used for the pleural cancer. The stage a patient is in at diagnosis will assist their doctor in determining the best treatment plan for them. For example, patients with a pleural mesothelioma in stage three or four have a poorer prognosis than those in a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma often spreads to the diaphragm, the liver or even the heart of a patient. This makes it more difficult to treat and increases the chance of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

In contrast to pleural mesothelioma which is a lung-lining cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma develops in the peritoneum -- a membrane that lines the abdominal cavity and organs like the intestines and the liver. Similar to pleural mesothelioma, exposure to asbestos is the cause of peritoneal mesothelioma. It is estimated that only 300-500 cases are diagnosed each year this is less than pleural asbestosis.

As with pleural mesothelioma symptoms may take years to appear. Patients usually have abdominal pain, and may have a mass in their abdomen. This kind of mesothelioma can cause nausea, weight loss, and fever. A lot of these symptoms are similar to symptoms of digestive issues, which could result in incorrect diagnosis.

Generally speaking, doctors can detect mesothelioma through an exhaustive medical history and physical exam. Imaging tests such as X-rays or CT scans can be used to identify mesothelioma. These tests can reveal tumors and other signs of cancer that are not visible on X-rays.

The results of these tests allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and determine the stage and suggest 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.

Asbestos exposure is the biggest risk factor. People who have worked in professions that require asbestos compensation, like plumbing or manufacturing, electrical work, or construction, are at increased risk of developing the disease. However, even if people do not work in these fields they may be exposed to asbestos through relatives or other sources. For this reason, anyone who is concerned that they might be at risk should speak to a doctor. If they have a history of asbestos exposure, a mesothelioma specialist can assist them in learning more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos exposure is the primary mesothelioma risk factor, which accounts for as much as 80 percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos can happen as a result of work, military service or by living with a person who is exposed to asbestos or was previously exposed to doing the same. When exposed to asbestos, the particles can be inhaled into the lungs and abdomen. These particles irritate the linings of the lungs, causing cancerous cells to grow in the mesothelium. After exposure to asbestos mesothelioma can occur between 15 and 60 years.

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

Smoking increases the risk of developing mesothelioma due to the fact that it causes mesothelium damage and makes it more susceptible to asbestos. In addition, mesothelioma may be worsened by certain diseases 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 for a longer 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 lawyer and to have asbestos-containing fibers on their clothing. Women are less likely to come exposed to asbestos and don't typically carry asbestos on their clothes.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is difficult to diagnose because the symptoms often resemble other conditions. Because of this, victims are often misdiagnosed.

The first step in identifying mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform an examination of the body and take down a patient's medical history which includes asbestos exposure. Doctors may also request a CT scan or chest X-ray to look for abnormalities, lumps and evidence of asbestos exposure. These include plaques in the pleura, thickened pleura and calcium deposits.

Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance scan or MRI test, which makes use of magnets and radio waves to create a series detailed images of the inside of the body. A surgical biopsy is yet another method for doctors to identify mesothelioma. During a surgical biopsy, doctors take a small amount of tissue from the peritoneum or pleura to conduct further tests. A pathologist can then examine the tissue under an magnifying glass to determine if it contains cancerous cells.

Mesothelioma is classified based on the mesothelial type involved, whether these cells are benign or malignant and also the location of the tumor, the type, and the stage of the tumor. Some types of mesothelioma have a higher 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 can also perform laboratory tests on tumors to identify specific genes, proteins, or other factors which can aid in describing cancer characteristics and determine the best treatment. These results are referred to as staging.

Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnose can be frightening. It is important to keep in mind that cancer can be treated, especially at its early stages. Many patients with mesothelioma live with the disease for a long time without spreading.

Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma by various mechanisms. Asbestos Case fibers that are tiny enough to be felt or viewed through the naked eye, can become airborne, causing irritation to the lining of the lung (pleura). As time passes irritation leads to formation of scar tissue which can cause changes in the structure of cells that can eventually grow into tumors.

The pleura is a protective covering that protects the lungs, heart and abdomen. Mesothelium consists of cells that react to exposure to asbestos, causing it to inflame and develop scar tissue. These changes can eventually cause mesothelioma cancers.

Shortness of breath, chest pain or fluid accumulation on the lungs are all indications of pleural Msothelioma. In rare cases, the cancer can be spread to the tissues around the heart and reproductive organs.

If scans of imaging reveal an underlying mass in the stomach or lungs doctors will recommend biopsies. The procedure involves the removal of a small amount of liquid or tumor for laboratory testing. The results will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and help determine the best treatment plan.

There are a variety of treatment for mesothelioma, such as chemotherapy and surgery. The majority of doctors use the combination of these methods. Participating in clinical trials of mesothelioma treatments may be beneficial for patients. To find out more, patients should consult mesothelioma specialists who have experience treating the condition.