Mesothelioma and Asbestos

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

It could take a long time for symptoms to appear after asbestos exposure. Different asbestos types can cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma is a type of cancer that occurs in the lung's outer liner (pleura). It is the most common mesothelioma that accounts for up 70% to 79% of all diagnosed cases. The condition can cause chest discomfort, shortness of breath and a feeling of weightiness.

Exposure to asbestos, a group of minerals made of microscopic fibers, usually causes this type of cancer. These fibers, when inhaled cause irritation and DNA mutations. Pleura is the lining of both the chest cavity and the lungs, and so irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma symptoms are usually not apparent 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 with this cancer have a history of disease that includes asbestos exposure at work. The most common jobs that expose people to the risk of pleural mesothelioma include construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding. People who have served in the military may be at an especially high risk because of the extensive asbestos Case use in Navy vessels and army bunkers.

The TNM (tumors, lymph nodes, and metastases staging system) is the most commonly used staging system used to treat the pleural adenocarcinoma. The stage that a patient is at at diagnosis will assist their doctor in determining the most effective treatment plan for them. For instance, patients who have mesothelioma that is pleural in stage three or four have a worse prognosis than those in lower stages. Stage four mesothelioma often spreads to the diaphragm, the liver or even the heart of a patient. This could make the cancer more difficult to treat and increase the risk of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

In contrast to pleural mesothelioma which develops in the lung lining, peritoneal mesothelioma forms in the peritoneum - it is a membrane that lines the abdominal cavity and organs like the liver and intestines. Like pleural mesothelioma, exposure to asbestos is the cause of peritoneal msothelioma. Only 300-500 cases are diagnosed annually which is lower than pleural asbestosis.

As with pleural asbestosis symptoms can take several years to show. Typically, patients are afflicted with abdominal pain as well as abdominal swelling. This kind of mesothelioma can also cause nausea, weight loss, and fever. A lot of these symptoms are similar to those experienced by gastrointestinal issues, which can result in incorrect diagnosis.

Doctors can identify mesothelioma by reviewing the medical history of the patient and performing a physical exam. They can also utilize imaging tests such as X-rays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to detect mesothelioma. These tests can detect tumors as well as other signs of cancer which aren't evident on X-rays.

The results of these tests allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and determine the stage. They can also recommend treatment options. The stage of the disease is determined based on the type of cells and whether or whether the tumor has spread to other regions of the body.

Asbestos exposure is the most important risk factor. People who have worked in asbestos-containing occupations, like electrical or plumbing work or in construction and manufacturing, are more likely to develop the disease. Even if a person does not work in one of these fields they could be exposed to asbestos through family members and other sources. Therefore, anyone who suspects they may be at risk should talk to an expert. A mesothelioma specialist can assist those who have had a experience with asbestos to understand more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos is the main risk factor in mesothelioma. It is responsible for up to the 80% of cases. Exposure to asbestos can occur as a result of work, military service, or by living with a person who is exposed to asbestos or was previously exposed to doing so. When exposed to asbestos compensation, particles can be inhaled into the lungs and abdomen. These particles irritate the linings, causing cancerous cells to grow in the mesothelium. Following exposure to asbestos litigation, mesothelioma may occur between 15 and 60 year.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and aging. People in their 40s and 50s are more at risk of developing mesothelioma as compared to those who are younger or older. It takes mesothelioma 20-60 years before it manifests cancer symptoms after the first exposure. It is important to remember that mesothelioma could be present in those who have been exposed to asbestos, but without having worked with it directly. This is called indirect or secondary exposure to asbestos, and it could be as hazardous as direct exposure.

Smoking can increase the likelihood of getting mesothelioma because it causes mesothelium damage and makes it more susceptible to asbestos. Mesothelioma can also be aggravated by certain diseases, such as asbestosis and pneumonia. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma 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 periods of time. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who worked with asbestos compensation and to have asbestos-containing fibers on their clothing. Women tend to be less exposed to asbestos, and don't typically carry asbestos on their clothing.

Diagnosis

It is difficult to recognize mesothelioma since its symptoms are often similar to other conditions. This can result in patients being wrongly diagnosed.

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

Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram, which examines the heart and blood vessels as well as a magnetic resonance imaging, also known as MRI test that uses radio waves and magnets to make a series of detailed images of the inside of the body. Another method doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma is through the procedure of a surgical biopsy. When a biopsy is performed, doctors remove a tiny piece of tissue from pleura or the peritoneum to be tested further. A pathologist can then examine the tissue under an magnifying glass to determine whether it contains cancerous cell.

The type of mesothelial cell involved and the benign or malignant nature of these cells, as well as the location, type and stage of the cancer are used to classify the disease. Some types of mesothelioma have an increased risk of spreading or metastasizing therefore it is essential to establish a clear diagnosis so that doctors can treat it prior to it becoming out of control.

Doctors may also conduct tests in the lab on tumors to determine specific genes, proteins or other elements that can help them describe the cancer's characteristics and plan treatment. These results are referred to as staging.

Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnose can be frightening. It is crucial to remember, however, that cancer can be treated, especially at its early stages. A lot of people suffering from mesothelioma live with the disease for a long time, without spreading.

Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma in a number of ways. Asbestos fibers, which are too small to be felt or seen through the naked eye are able to become airborne and irritate the lung's lining (pleura). As time passes, the irritation leads to the formation of scar tissues, which eventually lead to tumors.

The Pleura is a protective layer that surrounds the lungs, heart and abdomen. Mesothelium is composed of cells that respond when exposed to asbestos. They cause inflammation to the tissue and cause it to scar. These changes can cause mesothelioma cancers.

The symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are shortness of breath and chest pain, or the accumulation of fluid on the lung (pleural effusion). In rare instances the cancer may be spread to the tissues around the heart and reproductive organs.

If imaging scans show a possible mass in the stomach or lungs, a doctor will order biopsies. During the procedure, doctors take small amounts of the fluid or tumor for lab analysis. The results can confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and help determine the most effective treatment plan.

There are many types of treatment for mesothelioma, including surgery and chemotherapy. Most doctors utilize combinations of these treatments. Patients may also benefit from taking part in a clinical trial of new mesothelioma therapies. Patients can learn more about the trials by speaking with a mesothelioma doctor who has treated the condition.