Mesothelioma and Asbestos

asbestos, Suggested Reading, is a naturally occurring mineral that comes in thin, long fibres. People who are exposed to asbestos risk developing lung diseases such as mesothelioma.

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

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer that occurs in the lung's outer liner (pleura). It is the most prevalent mesothelioma that accounts for up 70 to 79% of diagnosed cases. Patients with this disease experience pain in the chest and shortness of breath and may also feel a sensation of heaviness in the chest.

This type of cancer is often caused by exposure to asbestos which is a cluster of minerals made up of microscopic fibres. The fibers, when inhaled cause irritation and DNA mutations. Pleura is the lining of both the chest cavity and 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. Some patients have coughing problems, trouble breathing, or chest tightness. Patients with this type of cancer typically have previous exposure to asbestos in the workplace. The most frequent jobs that expose people to the risk of pleural mesothelioma include construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding. Individuals who have served in the military are at a higher risk due to the extensive use asbestos in Navy vessels and bunkers in the Army.

The TNM (tumors lymph nodes and metastases staging system) is the most commonly used staging system for pleural adenocarcinoma. The stage that a patient is in at the time of diagnosis can help determine the treatment plan they should receive. Patients who have pleural mesothelioma which is in stage three or stage four will have a less favorable prognosis than those in a less advanced stage. Stage four mesothelioma often spreads to the diaphragm, liver and/or a person's heart. This can make the cancer more difficult to treat and increase the chances 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 and organs like the intestines and the liver. Similar to pleural mesothelioma mesothelioma can be caused by asbestos exposure. The disease is less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma, and around 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.

As with pleural asbestosis, symptoms can take several years to show. Patients generally have abdominal pain, and may also have a lump in their abdomen. This mesothelioma type can cause nausea, weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms are similar to symptoms of digestive problems, which can result in confusion in diagnosis.

Doctors can detect mesothelioma by reviewing the medical history of the patient and conducting a physical exam. They can also use imaging tests like Xrays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to help find mesothelioma. These tests can reveal tumors and other signs of cancer which aren't evident on X-rays.

These tests enable doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and establish the stage. They also offer treatment options. The stage of the disease is determined based on the type of cells and whether or the tumor has spread to other parts of the body.

Asbestos exposure is the most important risk factor. People who have worked in professions that involve asbestos, such as plumbing, manufacturing, electrical work or construction, are at greater risk of developing the disease. However, even if people do not work in these areas, they can still be exposed to asbestos through family members or through other sources. This is why anyone who is concerned that they might be at risk should talk to an experienced doctor. A mesothelioma specialist can help those who have had a previous history of asbestos to find out more about their risk.

Risk Factors

asbestos law is the primary risk factor in mesothelioma. It accounts for as much as 80percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos can happen through work, military service, or living with someone who used to work with asbestos. Asbestos particles are inhaled by those who are exposed to asbestos. These irritate the linings and trigger cancerous cells to form in the mesothelium. Following exposure to asbestos mesothelioma can develop between 15 and 60 year.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics, and age. People in their 40s and 50s are more at risk of developing mesothelioma as compared to people who are younger or more. This is because mesothelioma usually occurs between 20 and 60 years after the initial exposure before symptoms of cancer begin to manifest. It is also important to note that mesothelioma may develop in people who were exposed to asbestos but didn't work with it directly. This is called indirect or secondary exposure to asbestos, and it could be as hazardous as direct exposure.

Smoking increases the risk of mesothelioma, as it damages the mesothelium. It can also make it more vulnerable. Additionally, mesothelioma can be caused by certain illnesses, such as asbestosis and pneumonia. It is also important to know that mesothelioma occurs more frequently in men than women. This is due to men being more likely to work with asbestos and experience a a longer period of exposure than women. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who has worked with asbestos and to have asbestos fibers on their clothing. Women tend to be less exposed to asbestos, and they are less likely to bring asbestos settlement home on their clothing.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is a difficult disease to diagnose because the symptoms can be similar to other conditions. This can result in patients being misdiagnosed.

NYU Langone doctors will perform an examination of the body and document the patient's medical history, including asbestos exposure. Doctors can also request an X-ray chest or CT scan to check for lumps or other abnormalities, as well as evidence of past asbestos exposure such as plaques on 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 a magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI test, that uses magnets and radio waves in order to create a series detailed images of the inside of the body. Another method doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma is through the procedure of a surgical biopsy. In a surgical biopsy doctors remove a small amount of tissue from the peritoneum or pleura for further testing. A pathologist is then able to look at the tissue under microscopes to determine if it contains cancerous cells.

Mesothelioma is classified according to the type of mesothelial cell involved, whether these cells are malignant or benign, and the location of the tumor, the type, and the stage of the tumor. Certain mesothelioma types have an increased chance of metastasizing or spreading therefore it is essential to get a definitive 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 identify specific proteins, genes, or other factors which can aid in describing cancer characteristics and determine the best treatment. These results are known as staging.

Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnosis is terrifying. However, it is important to keep in mind that the cancer is treatable, particularly in its initial stages. Many people with mesothelioma live for many years with the disease without it spreading to other areas of their body.

Exposure to asbestos may cause mesothelioma in many ways. Asbestos fibers, which are too small to be felt or observed by naked eyes are able to become airborne and irritate 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 covering that surrounds the lungs, heart and abdomen. Mesothelium is made up of cells that react to asbestos, causing it to inflame and create scar tissue. In time, these changes can lead to the development of malignant mesothelioma tumors.

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

If scans of imaging reveal an underlying mass in the lungs or stomach doctors will recommend biopsies. During the procedure, doctors remove tiny amounts of fluid or tumor for laboratory testing. The results can confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and indicate the most effective treatment plan.

There are several types of mesothelioma treatment options, including surgery, chemotherapy and immunotherapy. Most doctors utilize a combination of these treatments. Participating in clinical trials for new mesothelioma treatment may also be beneficial to patients. Patients can find out more by consulting a mesothelioma specialist who has treated the disease.