Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos, a natural mineral, naturally forms in the form of long, thin fibers. Workers who are exposed asbestos regularly risk developing mesothelioma and other lung diseases of different types.

Symptoms of these diseases may not show up for decades after exposure to asbestos. Different asbestos types can cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

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

This kind of cancer is usually caused through exposure to asbestos, which is a grouping of minerals comprised of microscopic fibres. When inhaled, these fibers stick inside the lungs and cause irritation that causes scarring and DNA mutations. Pleura covers both the chest cavity and the lungs, so irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma symptoms are usually not apparent until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

Shortness of breath and chest pain are the most frequently reported symptoms. Some patients may also feel tightness in their chest and coughing, or breathing difficulties. Patients with this type of cancer have a history of disease that includes asbestos settlement case [recommended site] exposure at work. The most frequent jobs that expose workers to the risk of pleural mesothelioma include construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding. People who were in the military are at greater risk due the frequent use of asbestos in Navy vessels and bunkers in the Army.

The TNM (tumors lymph nodes and metastases staging system) is the most popular staging system for the pleural cancer. The stage that a patient is in at the time of diagnosis can help determine what treatment plan they should follow. Patients who have pleural mesothelioma which is in stage three or four will have a worse prognosis compared to those who are in a lower stage. Mesothelioma in stage four is usually spread to the liver, diaphragm or even a person's heart. This can make it more difficult to treat and raises the risk of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

In contrast to pleural mesothelioma which develops in the lung lining, peritoneal mesothelioma develops in the peritoneum, an elongated membrane that covers the abdominal cavity and organs like the liver and intestines. As with pleural mesothelioma exposure to asbestos is the cause of peritoneal msothelioma. The disease is much less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma. There are only about 300-500 cases diagnosed each year.

As with pleural asbestosis, symptoms can take several years to show. Patients generally experience abdominal pain, and could also experience a mass in their abdomen. The symptoms of this kind of mesothelioma may also include nausea as well as weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms are similar to symptoms of digestive issues, which could cause confusion in diagnosis.

Doctors can detect mesothelioma by examining the patient's medical history 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 show tumors, as well as other signs of cancer that aren't visible on X-rays.

The results of these tests allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma, identify the stage and recommend treatment options. The stage is determined by the type of cell as well as whether the cancer has spread.

Asbestos exposure is the most important risk factor. People who have been in occupations which require asbestos claim, like plumbing manufacturing, electrical work or construction, are at increased risk of developing the disease. However, even if individuals do not work in these fields they may be exposed to asbestos through relatives or other sources. Therefore, anyone who is concerned that they might be at risk should talk to an experienced doctor. If they have an history of exposure to asbestos, a mesothelioma specialist can assist them in finding out more about the risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos exposure is the main mesothelioma risk factor, accounting for up to 80 percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos can happen as a result of work, military service, or living with someone who used to work with asbestos lawyer. When exposed to asbestos, particles can be inhaled into the abdomen and lungs. These irritate the linings and cause cancerous cells to develop in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma can take 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 more likely develop mesothelioma than those who are younger or older. This is because mesothelioma usually lasts between 20 and 60 years from the initial exposure before symptoms of cancer begin to manifest. It is important to remember that mesothelioma could be present in those who have been exposed to asbestos, but without having directly worked with it. This is referred to as indirect or secondary asbestos exposure, and is as hazardous as direct asbestos exposure.

Smoking increases the risk of mesothelioma, as it damages the mesothelium. It also makes it more susceptible. Mesothelioma can also be caused by certain illnesses, including asbestosis and pneumonia. It is also important to know that mesothelioma occurs more frequently in men than women. This is due to the fact that men are more likely to work with asbestos and have more exposure than women. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who been exposed to asbestos, and to carry asbestos fibers on their clothing. Women are less likely to come into contact with asbestos and do not typically carry asbestos home on their clothing.

Diagnosis

It is difficult to identify mesothelioma since its symptoms are often similar to other diseases. Due to this, patients are sometimes mistakenly diagnosed.

The first step in diagnosing mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform an examination of the body and take note of the medical history of the patient including asbestos law exposure. Doctors can also request a chest X-ray or CT scan to detect lumps or other abnormalities, as well as evidence of previous asbestos exposure such as pleural plaques (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the formation of fluid between the lung and chest wall (known as pleural effusion).

Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram which examines the blood vessels and the heart, and a magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI, test, which makes use of magnets and radio waves to make a series of detailed images of the inside of the body. A surgical biopsy is yet another method doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma. In a surgical biopsy, doctors remove a tiny piece of tissue from pleura or the peritoneum to be further examined. A pathologist is then able to look at the tissue under a microscope to see if it contains cancerous cells.

The type of mesothelial cell involved as well as the benign or malignant nature of these cells, as well as the location the cancer, its type and the stage of the cancer are used to classify the disease. Certain types of mesothelioma are at a higher chance of metastasizing or spreading, so it's important to establish a clear diagnosis to ensure that the doctors can treat it before it becomes out of control.

Doctors may also conduct laboratory tests on a tumor to find particular proteins, genes or other elements which can help them identify the characteristics of cancer and plan treatment. These results are referred to as staging.

Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnosis can be a frightening prospect. It is important to keep in mind that cancer can be treated, especially at its early stages. Many patients with mesothelioma survive for years with the disease, without spreading to other areas of their body.

Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma in many ways. Asbestos fibers, which are too small to detect or feel by the naked eye can become airborne and irritate the lung's lining (pleura). In time irritation can lead to formation of scar tissue, which causes changes in the cell structure that can eventually grow into tumors.

The Pleura is a covering that covers the abdomen, heart, and lungs. Mesothelium consists of cells that respond when exposed to asbestos. They cause inflammation to the tissue and cause it to scar. As time passes, these changes lead to the development of malignant mesothelioma tumors.

Shortness of breath, chest pain or fluid accumulation on the lungs are all signs of pleural mesothelioma. 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 a biopsies. During the procedure doctors remove small amounts of fluid or tumor for laboratory testing. The results will confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis, and provide the best treatment plan.

There are many types of treatment for mesothelioma, including chemotherapy and surgery. Most doctors rely on the combination of these methods. Patients may also benefit from enrolling in a clinical trial of new mesothelioma treatments. To learn more about the trials, patients should speak to mesothelioma specialists who have experience treating the condition.