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Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos, a natural mineral, naturally occurs in the form of thin, long fibers. People who are exposed to asbestos on a regular basis risk developing mesothelioma and other lung diseases of different types.

The symptoms of these diseases may not be evident for a long time after exposure to asbestos. Different types of asbestos may cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer that occurs in the outer lung the lining (pleura). It is the most common mesothelioma type, accounting for up 70% to 79% of diagnosed cases. Patients suffering from this condition experience pain in the chest and breath shortness, and they may feel the sensation of weight in the chest.

Exposure to asbestos, a class of minerals composed of microscopic fibers causes this kind of cancer. The fibers, when inhaled can cause irritation and DNA mutations. Pleura is the lining of both the chest cavity as well as the lungs, which means that 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 common symptoms. Patients may also experience coughing, difficulty breathing or chest tightness. People with this cancer often have a history of exposure to asbestos in the workplace. Manufacturing, construction, and shipbuilding are the most common jobs which put people at risk chance of developing pleural mesothelioma. People who have served in the military are at a higher risk because of the extensive asbestos usage in Navy vessels and bunkers for the army.

The most common staging system for pleural mysothelioma has been the TNM (tumor lymph nodes, lymph nodes and metastases) staging system. The stage a patient is in at the moment of diagnosis will determine what treatment plan they will receive. Patients suffering from pleural mesothelioma who is in stage three or four will have a worse outlook than those in a less advanced stage. Stage four mesothelioma is often spread to the diaphragm, liver and/or a person's heart. This can make it 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 develops in the peritoneum - it is a membrane that lines the abdominal cavity as well as organs like the intestines and liver. Similar to pleural mesothelioma and peritoneal mesothelioma can be caused by asbestos exposure. The disease is less common than pleural mesothelioma, and only about 300-500 cases diagnosed each year.

As with pleural asbestosis, symptoms can take several years to show. The majority of patients are afflicted with abdominal pain as well as abdominal swelling. The symptoms of this kind of mesothelioma can also include nausea, weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms could be misinterpreted as digestive issues, leading to a misdiagnosis.

Doctors can identify mesothelioma by examining the patient's medical history and conducting a physical exam. Imaging tests like X-rays and CT scans are a way to identify mesothelioma. These tests can show tumors, as well as other signs of cancer that aren't visible on an X-ray.

The results of these tests allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and determine the stage. They can also recommend treatment options. Staging is determined based on the type of cells and whether or not the tumor has spread to other regions of the body.

The most significant mesothelioma risk factor is asbestos exposure. People who have been exposed to asbestos in occupations, like plumbing or electrical work, or in construction and manufacturing, are more likely to contract the disease. However, even if people do not work in these fields, they can still be exposed to asbestos litigation through relatives or other sources. Anyone who believes they may be at risk should speak with an expert. A mesothelioma specialist can help those who have had a previous history of asbestos to find out more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos exposure is the main mesothelioma risk factor, accounting for up to 80 percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos can occur as a result of military service, work or living with those who worked with asbestos. Asbestos particles can be inhaled by people who are exposed to it. These particles can cause irritation to the linings of the abdomen, which causes cancerous cells to grow in the mesothelium. After asbestos exposure mesothelioma can be diagnosed between 15 and 60 year.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and age. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely to get mesothelioma than people younger or older. It takes mesothelioma 20-60 years to manifest cancer symptoms after the first exposure. It is important to remember that mesothelioma may develop in those who have been exposed to asbestos, but without having worked with it directly. This is known as indirect or secondary asbestos exposure, and is as dangerous as direct asbestos exposure.

Smoking can increase the likelihood of getting mesothelioma because it damages the mesothelium and makes it more prone to asbestos. Mesothelioma can also be caused by certain diseases, 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 a longer period of time and work with it. Additionally, men are more likely to live with someone who has worked with asbestos and carry stray asbestos settlement fibers home on their clothes. Women are less likely to come into contact with asbestos and don't typically carry asbestos around on their clothing.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is a difficult cancer to recognize because the symptoms are often similar to other conditions. This can result in patients being wrongly diagnosed.

NYU Langone doctors will perform a physical examination and record the patient's medical history, including asbestos exposure. Doctors will also recommend a CT scan or chest X-ray in order to look for lumps, abnormalities and evidence of exposure to asbestos. These include plaques in the pleura, thickened pleura and calcium deposits.

Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram which examines the blood vessels and the heart, and a magnetic resonance imaging, also known as MRI, test, which uses magnets and radio waves to make a series of precise images of the inside of the body. A surgical biopsy is a different method doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma. In a surgical biopsy doctors remove a small amount of tissue from the peritoneum or pleura to conduct further tests. A pathologist can then look at the tissue under a microscope to see if it is contaminated with cancerous cells.

The type of mesothelial cells involved as well as the benign or malignant nature of these cells as well as the location and stage of the cancer are used to categorize the disease. Certain mesothelioma types have a higher chance of metastasizing or spreading therefore it is essential to determine the type of mesothelioma so doctors can treat it before it gets out of control.

Doctors can also perform tests in the lab on tumors to determine specific proteins, genes, or other factors which can help them describe cancer characteristics and determine the best treatment. These results are referred to as staging.

Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnosis is terrifying. It is important to keep in mind, however, that cancer can be treated, particularly in its early stages. Many mesothelioma patients live for many years without the disease spreading to other organs of their body.

Exposure to Asbestos Case can trigger mesothelioma via a variety of mechanisms. Asbestos fibers, which are tiny enough to be felt or observed through the naked eye can be airborne and irritate the lining of the lung (pleura). In time irritation leads to formation of scar tissue, which leads to changes in the structure of cells that can eventually grow into tumors.

The pleura surrounds the lungs and heart and the abdomen. Mesothelium is composed of cells that react to exposure to asbestos, causing it to inflame and create scar tissue. As time passes, these changes result in the growth of malignant mesothelioma cancers.

The symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are shortness of breath and chest pain as well as a buildup of fluid on the lungs (pleural effusion). In rare instances, the cancer can grow to the tissues surrounding the heart and reproductive organs.

A doctor will request biopsy if scans reveal a possible lung tumor or stomach. In the course of the procedure, doctors remove small amounts of fluid or tumor to allow for lab tests. The results will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and help determine the best treatment plan.

There are a variety of treatment for mesothelioma, including surgery and chemotherapy. The majority of doctors employ combinations of these treatments. Enrolling in clinical trials of new mesothelioma treatment may also be beneficial for patients. To find out more, patients should speak with mesothelioma specialists who have experience treating the condition.