Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos is a natural mineral that is made up of long, thin fibres. People who are exposed to asbestos on a regular basis risk developing mesothelioma and other types of lung diseases.

The 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 can be found in the outer lung lining, also known as pleura. It is the most common mesothelioma type, accounting for up 70% to 79% of all diagnosed cases. Patients suffering from this condition feel chest pain and breath shortness and may also feel the sensation of weight in the chest.

This type of cancer typically caused by exposure to asbestos compensation which is a grouping of minerals made up of microscopic fibres. The fibers, when inhaled cause irritation and DNA mutations. The pleura surrounds the lungs and chest cavity, so these irritations can affect both the lungs as well as the heart of a person. Mesothelioma is usually not symptomatic until 30 to 50 year after exposure.

Shortness of breath and chest pain are the most frequent symptoms. Some patients also experience difficulty breathing or chest tightness. People with this cancer often have previous exposure to asbestos claim in the workplace. Manufacturing, construction and shipbuilding are among the most frequent jobs that put people at a high danger of developing pleural melanoma. Individuals who have served in the military are at a greater risk due the widespread use of asbestos in Navy vessels and bunkers in the Army.

The most common staging system for pleural mysothelioma has been the TNM (tumor lymph nodes, lymph nodes and metastases) staging system. The stage a patient is in at the time of diagnosis will help determine the treatment plan they should follow. Patients who have pleural mesothelioma which is in stage three or stage four will suffer a more negative prognosis than those in a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma may be spread to the liver, heart, or diaphragm. This can make the cancer more difficult to treat, and increase the risk of complications for patients.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

In contrast to pleural mesothelioma which is a lung-lining cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma develops in the peritoneum - it is a membrane that lines the abdominal cavity as well as organs such as the intestines and the liver. Like pleural mesothelioma, exposure to asbestos is the reason for peritoneal msothelioma. It is estimated that only 300-500 cases are diagnosed annually, which is less than pleural asbestosis.

As with pleural asbestosis symptoms can take a long time to show. The majority of patients are afflicted with abdominal pain as well as a mass in the abdomen. This type of mesothelioma may cause nausea, weight loss, and fever. A lot of these symptoms can be misinterpreted as gastrointestinal issues and can lead to a misdiagnosis.

Doctors can identify mesothelioma by examining the patient's medical history and conducting a physical exam. They can also utilize imaging tests like Xrays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to identify mesothelioma. These tests can reveal tumors as well as other signs of cancer that aren't evident on X-rays.

These test results allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma, determine the stage and recommend treatment options. The stage is determined by the type of cell and whether the cancer has spread.

The most significant mesothelioma-related risk factor is exposure to asbestos. People who have been exposed to asbestos in jobs, such as electrical or plumbing work or in manufacturing and construction, are more likely to contract the disease. However, even if people do not work in these areas they may be exposed to asbestos through relatives or other sources. Anyone who believes they're at risk should talk to an expert. A mesothelioma specialist can assist those with a history with asbestos to learn more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos exposure is the main risk factor for mesothelioma, making up as much as 80 percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos may occur due to work, military service, or by living with a person who is exposed to asbestos or has previously done the same. Asbestos particles can be breathed in by people who are exposed to asbestos. These irritate the linings and can cause cancerous cells to form in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma can take anywhere between 15 and 60 years to develop after exposure to asbestos.

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

Smoking increases the chance of mesothelioma because it damages the mesothelium. It also makes it more susceptible. Additionally, mesothelioma can be exacerbated by certain illnesses like asbestosis and pneumonia. It is also important to note that mesothelioma is more common in males than females. This is due to the fact that men are more likely to work with asbestos and have a longer period of exposure than women. Additionally, men are more likely to live with someone who had asbestos exposure and bring stray asbestos settlement fibers home on their clothes. Women are less likely to come into exposure to asbestos and rarely carry asbestos home on their clothes.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is a difficult disease to diagnose because the symptoms often resemble other diseases. This could lead to patients being incorrectly diagnosed.

NYU Langone doctors will perform an examination of the body and document the patient's medical background including asbestos exposure. Doctors may also request a CT scan or chest X-ray in order to look for abnormalities, lumps and evidence of asbestos exposure. These include plaques on the pleura, pleura that are thickened and calcium deposits.

Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance image, or MRI test, which makes use of radio waves and magnets to produce a series of precise images of the inside of the body. Another way doctors can diagnose mesothelioma is through a surgical biopsy. In a surgical biopsy doctors will remove a small piece of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum, to be examined further. A pathologist can then examine the tissue with a microscope to see if it is contaminated with cancerous cells.

Mesothelioma is classified according to the mesothelial type involved, whether those cells are benign or malignant and also the location of the tumor, its type, and the stage of the cancer. Some types of mesothelioma have a higher risk of spreading or metastasizing therefore it is essential to establish a clear diagnosis so doctors can treat it before it gets out of control.

Doctors can also run tests in the laboratory on tumors to determine specific proteins, genes, or other factors which can help them identify the cancer's characteristics and plan treatment. These results are referred to as staging.

Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnose can be terrifying. It is important to keep in mind that cancer can be treated, particularly in its early stages. Many mesothelioma patients live for many years with the disease, without spreading to other parts of their body.

Exposure to asbestos, advice here, can cause mesothelioma by various mechanisms. Asbestos fibers, too small to be able to see or feel through the naked eye, can become airborne and cause irritation to the lung's lining (pleura). As time passes the irritation causes the formation of scar tissues and eventually tumors.

The pleura surrounds the heart and lungs and also the abdomen. Mesothelium is made up of cells that react to exposure to asbestos, causing it to inflame and develop scar tissue. These changes eventually result in malignant mesothelioma tumors.

Shortness of breath, chest discomfort, or the accumulation of fluid on the lungs are all signs of the pleural mesothelioma. In rare instances the cancer may spread to the tissues surrounding the heart and reproductive organs.

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

There are a variety of treatment for mesothelioma such as chemotherapy and surgery. Most doctors rely on a combination of these methods. Patients can also benefit by participating in a clinical study of new mesothelioma therapies. Patients can learn more by speaking with a mesothelioma doctor who has treated mesothelioma.