Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos is a mineral that naturally forms in the form of thin, long fibers. People who are exposed to asbestos on a regular basis are at risk of developing mesothelioma as well as other lung diseases of different types.

It may take decades for symptoms to show up after asbestos exposure. Different types of asbestos may cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma can be found in the lung's outer lining or pleura. It is the most prevalent mesothelioma form and is responsible for 70 to 79% of diagnosed cases. Patients suffering from this condition feel chest pain 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 grouping of minerals made up of microscopic fibres. When inhaled, these fibers cause irritation and DNA mutations. Pleura covers both the chest cavity as well as the lungs, which means that irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma symptoms typically don't show until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

Shortness of breath and chest pain are the most common symptoms. Some patients may also experience chest tightness, coughing or difficulty breathing. People with this cancer have a history that includes asbestos exposure at work. The most common jobs that expose people to the risk of pleural mesothelioma include manufacturing, construction and shipbuilding. People who were in the military are at greater risk due 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 used to treat pleural adenocarcinoma. The stage that a patient is at at diagnosis will assist their doctor in determining the best treatment plan for them. Patients who have pleural mesothelioma which is in stage three or four will have a worse prognosis than those in a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma often spreads to the diaphragm, the liver and/or a person's heart. This can make it more difficult to treat and increase the likelihood of complications for patients.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Unlike pleural cancer, which forms in the lining of the lung it develops in the membrane that covers the abdominal cavity, including organs like the intestines and liver. Like pleural mesothelioma, exposure to asbestos is the cause of peritoneal msothelioma. There are only 300-500 cases diagnosed annually, which is less than the pleural asbestosis.

Like pleural mesothelioma, symptoms can take a long time to manifest. Most patients experience abdominal pain and an abdominal mass. This mesothelioma type can cause nausea, weight loss and fever. A lot of these symptoms are similar to those of gastrointestinal issues, which can result in misdiagnosis.

The doctors can detect mesothelioma through reviewing the medical history of the patient and performing a physical exam. Imaging tests like X-rays or CT scans can be used to identify mesothelioma. These tests can show cancerous tumors or other signs of cancer that aren't visible on X-rays.

These test results allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma, determine the stage and suggest treatment options. Staging is determined based on the cell type and whether or the tumor has spread to other parts of the body.

The most important mesothelioma risk factor is asbestos exposure. People who have worked in professions that require asbestos, like plumbing, manufacturing, electrical work or construction, are at increased risk of developing the disease. However, even if people aren't employed in these areas, they can still be exposed to asbestos through relatives or other sources. Anyone who believes they're at risk should speak with a doctor. A mesothelioma expert can help those who have a previous history of asbestos to find out more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos exposure is a major mesothelioma risk factor, which accounts for as much as 80 percent of all cases. Exposure to asbestos may occur as a result of work, military service or by living with someone who works with asbestos or has previously done the same. Asbestos particles can be inhaled by those who are exposed to asbestos. These particles can cause irritation to the linings, causing cancerous cells to develop in the mesothelium. Following exposure to asbestos mesothelioma is likely to occur between 15 and 60 years old.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and aging. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely to develop mesothelioma than those who are younger or older. This is because mesothelioma typically takes 20 to 60 years from the initial exposure to asbestos before the first signs of cancer appear. It is important to remember that mesothelioma can develop in those who were exposed to asbestos, but did not engage directly with it. This is referred to as indirect or secondary exposure to asbestos legal. It is just as harmful as direct exposure.

Smoking increases the risk of developing mesothelioma since it damages the mesothelium, which makes it more susceptible to asbestos. Mesothelioma can also be aggravated 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 for a longer period of time and to work with asbestos for longer periods of time. Additionally, men are more likely to live with someone who has worked with asbestos and carry asbestos fibers from their workplace on their clothing. Women are less likely to come exposed to asbestos, and they are less likely to carry asbestos on their clothing.

Diagnosis

It is difficult to recognize mesothelioma since its symptoms are often similar to other conditions. Due to this, patients are often wrongly diagnosed.

The first step to diagnose mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform a physical exam and take notes on the medical history of a patient, including asbestos exposure. Doctors may also request a CT scan or chest X-ray to check for lumps, abnormalities and evidence of exposure to asbestos. These include pleural plaques, thickened pleura and calcium deposits.

Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance image, or MRI test, that uses magnets and radio waves in order to produce a series of precise images of the insides of the body. A surgical biopsy is another method doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma. A surgical biopsy is when doctors remove a small piece of tissue from the pleura or peritoneum to conduct further tests. A pathologist will then look at the tissue with an magnifying glass to determine if it is a cancerous cell.

Mesothelioma is classified according to the type of mesothelial cells involved, whether the cells are malignant or benign, and the location of the tumor, the type, and the stage of the tumor. Some types of mesothelioma have an increased chance of metastasizing or spreading and it's crucial to determine the type of mesothelioma so that doctors can treat it before it gets out-of-control.

Doctors can also run laboratory tests on a tumor to identify particular proteins, genes and other factors that can help them describe the characteristics of the cancer and determine a treatment. These results are known as staging.

Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnosis is a frightening prospect. But, it is crucial to remember that the disease can be treated, particularly in its initial stages. Many people with mesothelioma live for years with the disease without it spreading to other organs of their body.

asbestos claim case (the original source) exposure can trigger mesothelioma via a variety of mechanisms. Asbestos fibers, which are small enough to not be felt or seen through the naked eye are able to become airborne and irritate the lining of the lung (pleura). In time irritation can lead to formation of scar tissue which leads to changes in the structure of cells that can eventually grow into tumors.

The Pleura is a protective layer that surrounds the lungs, heart and abdomen. Mesothelium consists of cells that react to exposure to asbestos, causing it to inflame and create scar tissue. Overtime, these changes cause the development of malignant mesothelioma cancers.

Symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include shortness of breath and chest pain as well as the accumulation of fluid in the lungs (pleural effusion). In rare instances the cancer may spread to the tissues surrounding the heart and reproductive organs.

A doctor will order a biopsy if imaging scans show the possibility of a lung tumor or stomach. The procedure involves the removal of a small amount of fluid or tumor to allow for laboratory testing. The results will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and help determine the best treatment option.

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