Mesothelioma and Asbestos

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

Symptoms of these diseases may not manifest for years after exposure to asbestos. Different asbestos types can cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma occurs in the outer lung lining, or the pleura. It is the most prevalent form of mesothelioma and is responsible for 70 to 79% of all diagnosed cases. The condition can cause chest discomfort, shortness of breath, and a feeling of heaviness.

This kind of cancer is usually caused by exposure to asbestos which is a cluster of minerals that are made up of microscopic fibres. Once inhaled, the fibers cling to the lungs and cause irritation that results in scarring and DNA mutations. The pleura surrounds the chest cavity and lungs and therefore, these irritations could affect both the lungs and the heart of a person. Mesothelioma typically doesn't manifest until 30 to 50 year after exposure.

The most commonly reported symptoms of pleural melanoma are chest pain and shortness of breath. Some patients may also feel tightness in their chest, coughing or difficulty breathing. People with this cancer often have previous exposure to asbestos in the workplace. The most common jobs that put people at risk of developing pleural mesothelioma are manufacturing, construction, and shipbuilding. Individuals who have served in the military are at a higher risk due to the widespread use of asbestos in Navy vessels and bunkers for the Army.

The most popular staging system for pleural mesothelioma is the TNM (tumor, lymph nodes and metastases) staging system. The stage a patient has when they are diagnosed will assist their doctor in determining the best treatment plan for them. For instance, patients who have mesothelioma that is pleural in stage three or four have a worse prognosis than patients with a lower stage. Mesothelioma in stage four can develop into the liver, heart, or diaphragm. This can make the cancer more difficult to treat, and increase the chances of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

As opposed to pleural mesothelioma that develops in the lung lining, peritoneal mesothelioma is found in the peritoneum, a membrane that lines the abdominal cavity and organs such as the intestines and the liver. Similar to pleural mesothelioma and peritoneal mesothelioma can be caused by asbestos exposure. The disease is less common than pleural mesothelioma. There are just 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.

As with pleural mesothelioma symptoms may take years to appear. Most patients experience abdominal pain and a mass in the abdomen. The symptoms of this kind of mesothelioma can also include nausea, weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms are similar to symptoms of gastrointestinal issues, which can lead to misdiagnosis.

Generally speaking, doctors can detect mesothelioma after an extensive health history and physical exam. Imaging tests such as X-rays or CT scans can be used to identify mesothelioma. These tests can detect tumors and other signs of cancer that aren't evident on X-rays.

These tests enable doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and determine the stage. They also offer treatments. Staging is determined based on the cell type and whether or the cancer has spread to other parts of the body.

asbestos legal (go to website) exposure is the main risk factor. People who have worked in asbestos-containing occupations, like electrical or plumbing work, or in manufacturing and construction are more likely to develop the disease. Even if an individual isn't employed in one of these areas, he or she can still be exposed to asbestos through family members and other sources. For this reason, anyone who is concerned that they might be at risk should talk to an expert. If they have a history of asbestos exposure or mesothelioma, a specialist can assist them in learning more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos is the primary mesothelioma-related risk factor. It is responsible for as much as 80% of all cases. Exposure to asbestos can happen due to military service, work, or living with someone who used to work with asbestos. Asbestos particles can be inhaled by those who are exposed to it. These particles irritate the linings, causing cancerous cells to form in the mesothelium. After exposure to asbestos, mesothelioma may be diagnosed between 15 and 60 years old.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and aging. People in their 40s and 50s are at greater risk of developing mesothelioma compared to those younger or older. This is because mesothelioma usually lasts between 20 and 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 without having worked with it directly. This is known as indirect or secondary exposure to asbestos and it can be just as dangerous as direct exposure.

Smoking can increase the likelihood of developing mesothelioma due to the fact that it damages the mesothelium, which makes it more prone to asbestos settlement. 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 longer periods of time and to have worked with asbestos for longer periods of time. Men are also more likely to live with someone who worked with asbestos and carry asbestos fibers from their workplace on their clothing. Women tend to have less exposure to asbestos and don't typically carry asbestos around on their clothing.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is difficult to diagnose because the symptoms are often similar to other diseases. Due to this, patients are often misdiagnosed.

NYU Langone doctors will perform an examination of the body and document the patient's medical background, including asbestos attorney exposure. Doctors may also order an X-ray chest or CT scan to look for lumps or other abnormalities, as well as evidence of previous asbestos exposure like plaques on the pleura (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the formation of fluid between the lung and chest wall (known as the pleural effusion).

Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram, which examines the heart and blood vessels, and a magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI, test that uses radio waves and magnets to make a series of precise images of the inside of the body. A surgical biopsy is yet another method for doctors to identify mesothelioma. In a surgical biopsy doctors take a tiny piece of tissue from pleura or the peritoneum, to be tested further. A pathologist can examine the tissue under microscopes to determine whether it is contaminated with cancerous cells.

Mesothelioma is classified based on the type of mesothelial cell involved, whether these cells are malignant or benign and also the location of the tumor, its type, and the stage of the tumor. Certain types of mesothelioma may be more likely to grow or spread, so it is important to get a definite diagnosis so that doctors can treat the disease before it gets out of control.

Doctors can also perform laboratory tests on tumors in order to determine specific proteins, genes or other elements that will help them identify cancer characteristics and determine the best treatment. These results are referred to as staging.

Treatment

A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be an incredibly frightening prospect. It is important to remember that cancer can be treated especially at its early stages. Many people with mesothelioma live for a long time without the disease spreading to other parts of their body.

Exposure to asbestos can trigger mesothelioma in many ways. Asbestos particles, which are too small to detect or feel with the naked eye, can become airborne and irritate the lung's lining (pleura). Over time the irritation can lead to the formation of scar tissue that eventually result in tumors.

The pleura surrounds the heart and lungs, as well as the abdomen. Mesothelium is composed of cells that respond when exposed to asbestos. They cause inflammation of the tissue and cause it to become scarred. As time passes, these changes cause the development of malignant mesothelioma tumors.

Breathing problems, chest discomfort or fluid buildup on the lungs are all symptoms of pleural mesothelioma. In rare cases, the cancer can grow to the tissues surrounding the heart and reproductive organs.

If imaging scans reveal an underlying mass in the stomach or lungs, a doctor will order a biopsies. In the course of the procedure, doctors remove a small amount of liquid or tumor for lab tests. The results can confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and provide the best treatment plan.

There are many types of treatment for mesothelioma, including surgery and chemotherapy. Most doctors use a combination of these treatments. Patients could also benefit from participating in a clinical study of new mesothelioma treatments. Patients can learn more by speaking with a mesothelioma doctor who has treated mesothelioma.