Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that is found in long, thin fibres. People who are regularly exposed to asbestos risk developing lung diseases like mesothelioma.

Symptoms of these diseases may not show up for decades after exposure to asbestos. Different asbestos types may cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer that occurs in the outer lung lining (pleura). It is the most frequent type of mesothelioma, making up 70 to 79% of all diagnosed cases. People with this condition experience pain in the chest and breath shortness and may also feel a sensation of heaviness in the chest.

Exposure to asbestos, a group of minerals made of microscopic fibers causes this type of cancer. When inhaled, these fibers 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 symptoms typically don't show until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

Chest pain and shortness breath are the most common symptoms. Patients may also experience difficulty breathing, or chest tightness. People who suffer from this cancer usually have a history of exposure to asbestos in the workplace. Manufacturing, construction and shipbuilding are among the most common jobs which put people at risk risk of developing pleural mesothelioma. People who were in the military are at greater risk due to the widespread use of asbestos in Navy vessels and Army bunkers.

The TNM (tumors lymph nodes, tumors, and metastases staging system) is the most common staging system used to treat the pleural adenocarcinoma. The stage the patient is in at the time of diagnosis will help determine the 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 lower stages. Mesothelioma in stage four is usually spread to the diaphragm, liver or even a person's heart. This can make the cancer more difficult to treat, and increase the risk of complications for patients.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Unlike pleural cancer, that develops in the lining of the lung, peritoneal cancer develops in the membrane that covers the abdominal cavity, including organs like the liver and intestines. Like pleural mesothelioma, peritoneal mesothelioma is triggered by asbestos exposure. The disease is less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma, and only about 300-500 cases diagnosed each year.

As with pleural mesothelioma symptoms can take years to show. Patients usually have abdominal pain, and could also experience a mass in their abdomen. Symptoms of this type of mesothelioma may also include nausea or weight loss, as well as fever. Many of these symptoms could be mistaken for gastrointestinal problems, leading to a misdiagnosis.

Generally speaking, doctors can detect mesothelioma by conducting a thorough health history and physical exam. They can also utilize imaging tests like X-rays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to identify mesothelioma. These tests can reveal cancerous tumors or other indications of cancer that aren't apparent on an X-ray.

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

Asbestos exposure is the biggest risk factor. People who have worked in asbestos-related occupations, like plumbing or electrical work, or in construction, manufacturing and manufacturing, are more likely to develop the disease. However, even if people aren't employed in these areas, they can still be exposed to asbestos through relatives or other sources. Anyone who thinks they are at risk should consult a doctor. If they have an history of exposure to asbestos or mesothelioma, a specialist can help them find out more about the risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos exposure is the main risk factor for mesothelioma making up as much as 80 percent of all cases. Exposure to asbestos can occur through work, military service, or by living with someone who works with asbestos or was previously exposed to doing so. When exposed to asbestos settlement, particles are able to be inhaled into abdomen and lungs. These particles can cause irritation to the linings and cause cancerous cells to grow in the mesothelium. Following exposure to asbestos, mesothelioma may occur between 15 and 60 year.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and the advancing age. People in their 40s and 50s are at a higher chance of developing mesothelioma to people who are younger or more. It is because mesothelioma generally takes 20 to 60 years from the initial exposure before cancer symptoms appear. It is important to remember, too, that mesothelioma can develop in people who have been exposed to asbestos litigation without having directly worked with it. This is known as indirect or secondary exposure to asbestos. It is just as harmful as direct exposure.

Smoking increases the chance of mesothelioma developing, since it damages mesothelium. It also makes it more prone to. In addition, mesothelioma may be worsened by certain diseases like pneumonia and asbestosis. It is also important to note that mesothelioma is more prevalent in men than women. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for a longer period of time and to work with asbestos for longer durations and to work with it. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who worked with asbestos and to have asbestos fibers on their clothing. Women tend to have less contact with asbestos and don't typically carry asbestos on their clothes.

Diagnosis

It is difficult to recognize mesothelioma due to its symptoms being often similar to other conditions. This can lead to victims being incorrectly diagnosed.

The first step to diagnose mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform an examination and write notes on the medical history of a patient which includes asbestos exposure. Doctors may also request an CT scan or chest X-ray to check for lumps, abnormalities, and evidence of exposure to asbestos. These include pleural plaques, thickened pleura and calcium deposits.

Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI test, which makes use of radio waves and magnets in order to create a series detailed images of inside the body. A surgical biopsy is another method doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma. In a surgical biopsy doctors will remove a small part of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum to be tested further. A pathologist then examines the tissue under a magnifying lens to determine if it is a cancerous cells.

Mesothelioma is classified according to the type of mesothelial cells involved, whether these cells are malignant or benign and also the location of the tumor, its type, and the stage of the cancer. Certain types of mesothelioma are more likely to develop metastasis or spread and spread, therefore it is essential to have a clear diagnosis to ensure that doctors are able to treat the disease before it gets out of control.

Doctors may also conduct tests in the laboratory on tumors to determine particular proteins, genes, or other factors that can help them describe the characteristics of cancer and plan treatment. These results are called staging.

Treatment

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

Exposure to asbestos can trigger mesothelioma in many ways. Asbestos fibers, too small to see or feel by the naked eye can become airborne and cause irritation to the lining of the lungs (pleura). Over time the irritation can lead to the formation of scar tissues, which eventually lead to tumors.

The pleura is the area that surrounds the lungs and the heart, as well as the abdomen. Mesothelium is made up of cells that react to asbestos and cause it to enflame and create scar tissue. These changes eventually cause mesothelioma cancers.

The signs of pleural mesothelioma can include shortness of breath and chest pain, or an accumulation of fluid in the lung (pleural effusion). In rare instances cancer may spread to the tissues surrounding the reproductive organs and the heart.

A doctor may request biopsy if scans show the possibility of a lung tumor or stomach. During the procedure, doctors take tiny amounts of tumor or fluid for lab analysis. The results will confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis, and determine the best treatment plan.

There are many types of treatment for mesothelioma, including surgery and chemotherapy. The majority of doctors employ a combination of these treatments. Participating in clinical trials of mesothelioma treatments that are new could be beneficial for patients. To find out more, patients should speak to mesothelioma specialists who have experience treating the condition.