Mesothelioma and Asbestos

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

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

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma occurs in the lung's outer lining, also known as the pleura. It is the most prevalent type of mesothelioma, making up 70 to 79% of diagnosed cases. This condition causes chest discomfort, shortness of breath and a feeling weightiness.

Exposure to asbestos, a group of minerals comprised of microscopic fibers, typically causes this kind of cancer. The fibers, when inhaled cause irritation and DNA mutations. The pleura is the area that surrounds the chest cavity and lungs This means that these irritations can affect both the lungs and a person's heart. Mesothelioma symptoms are usually not apparent until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

The most commonly reported symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include chest discomfort and shortness of breath. Some patients may also feel tightness in their chest and coughing, or breathing difficulties. People who suffer from this cancer usually have previous exposure to asbestos in the workplace. Construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding are the most prevalent occupations that put people at a high risk of developing pleural mesothelioma. Individuals who have been in the military could be at risk due to the widespread asbestos lawyer usage in Navy vessels and army bunkers.

The most popular staging system for pleural mesothelioma is the TNM (tumor lymph nodes, lymph nodes and metastases) staging system. The stage that a patient is in at the moment of diagnosis will determine what treatment plan they will receive. For example, patients with mesothelioma pleural stage three or four have a worse prognosis than those with lower stages. Stage four mesothelioma can spread to the heart, liver or diaphragm. This makes it more difficult to treat and increase the risk of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Contrary to pleural cancer which forms in the lung's lining, peritoneal cancer develops in a membrane that covers the abdominal cavity, including organs such as the intestines and liver. As with pleural mesothelioma exposure to asbestos is the reason for peritoneal msothelioma. The disease is much less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma, and only about 300-500 cases diagnosed each year.

As with pleural asbestosis, symptoms can take several years to show. Patients generally suffer from abdominal pain and may also have a lump in their abdomen. The symptoms of this type of mesothelioma may also include nausea, weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms are similar to those of gastrointestinal issues, which can result in incorrect diagnosis.

The doctors can detect mesothelioma through examining the patient's medical history and performing a physical exam. Imaging tests such as X-rays or CT scans are a way to detect mesothelioma. These tests can show tumors and other signs of cancer that aren't apparent on an X-ray.

The results of these tests allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and determine the stage. They can also recommend 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 been exposed to asbestos in occupations, like electrical or plumbing work or in construction, manufacturing and manufacturing are more likely to develop the disease. Even if an individual does not work in one of these areas, he or she can be exposed to asbestos through family members or other sources. Anyone who believes they are at risk should talk to a doctor. If they have a history of asbestos exposure, a mesothelioma specialist can assist them in finding out more about the risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos exposure is the primary risk factor for mesothelioma, which accounts for as much as 80 percent of all cases. Exposure to asbestos can happen as a result of military service, work or living with people who have worked with asbestos. When exposed to asbestos, the particles can be breathed into the lungs and abdomen. These particles can cause irritation to the linings and trigger cancerous cells to grow in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma can take between 15 and 60 years to develop following exposure to Asbestos case.

Other risk factors include genetics, smoking and age. The people in their 40s or 50s are at greater risk of developing mesothelioma compared to those younger or older. It is because mesothelioma generally occurs between 20 and 60 years after the initial time of exposure before cancer symptoms appear. It is also important to know that mesothelioma is a possibility in people who have been exposed to asbestos, but did not deal with it directly. This is referred to as secondary or indirect asbestos exposure, and is as hazardous 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 prone 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 law for longer periods of time and work with asbestos for longer periods of time. Additionally, men are more likely to live with someone who was exposed to asbestos and bring asbestos fibers that have escaped home on their clothes. Women are less likely to be exposed to asbestos, and they don't usually 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 incorrectly diagnosed.

The first step to diagnose mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform an examination and write down a patient's medical history, including asbestos exposure. Doctors can also order an X-ray of the chest or CT scan to check for lumps and other abnormalities and also to look for evidence of previous asbestos exposure such as plaques in the pleura (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the buildup of fluid between the lung and the chest wall (known as the pleural effusion).

Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram, which examines the blood vessels and the heart as well as a magnetic resonance imaging, also known as MRI test, which makes use of magnets and radio waves to create detailed images of the interior of the body. Another way for doctors to detect mesothelioma is by performing the procedure of a surgical biopsy. During a surgery biopsy doctors take a tiny part of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum, to be tested further. A pathologist can look at the tissue under microscopes to determine whether it contains cancerous cells.

The type of mesothelial cell involved, the malignant or benign nature of those cells and the location the cancer, its type and the stage of the tumor, are used to classify the disease. Certain types of mesothelioma may be more likely to grow or spread which is why it is crucial to have a clear diagnosis so that doctors can treat the disease before it goes out of control.

Doctors may also conduct laboratory tests on a tumor to identify specific genes, proteins and other factors that can help them describe the characteristics of the cancer and determine a treatment. These results are called staging.

Treatment

A diagnosis of mesothelioma may be terrifying. It is crucial to remember, however, that cancer can be treated, particularly in its early stages. Many patients with mesothelioma survive for many years without the disease spreading to other organs of their body.

Exposure to asbestos may cause mesothelioma through a variety of ways. Asbestos fibers, too small to be able to see or feel by the naked eye can become airborne and irritate the lung's lining (pleura). As time passes, the irritation leads to the formation of scar tissues and eventually tumors.

The Pleura is a protective layer that covers the lungs, heart and abdomen. Mesothelium consists of cells that react when exposed to asbestos. They cause inflammation to the tissue and cause it to become scarred. As time passes, these changes result in the growth of malignant mesothelioma tumors.

The signs of pleural mesothelioma can include shortness of breath, chest pain or a buildup of fluid on the lungs (pleural effusion). In rare cases the cancer may grow to the tissues surrounding the heart and reproductive organs.

If imaging scans reveal a possible mass in the lungs or stomach doctors will recommend a biopsies. During the procedure, doctors take tiny amounts of tumor or fluid for lab testing. The results will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma, and also determine the best treatment plan.

There are a variety of treatment for mesothelioma including chemotherapy and surgery. Most doctors use combinations of these treatments. Enrolling in clinical trials of mesothelioma treatments that are new could be beneficial for patients. To learn more, patients should speak to a mesothelioma specialist who has had experience treating the disease.