Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos, a natural mineral, naturally occurs in the form of thin, long fibers. People who are exposed to asbestos may develop lung diseases, such as mesothelioma.

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

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma is a type of cancer that affects the outer lung lining (pleura). It is the most common type of mesothelioma, making up 70 to 79% of diagnosed cases. The condition can cause chest pain, breath shortness and a feeling of heavyness.

This type of cancer is usually caused by exposure to asbestos, which is a grouping of minerals that are comprised 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 are usually not apparent until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

Shortness of breath and chest pain are the most common symptoms. Some patients have coughing problems, trouble breathing, or chest tightness. People who suffer from this cancer usually have a history of exposure to asbestos in the workplace. Manufacturing, construction and shipbuilding are the most frequent occupations that put people at high danger of developing pleural melanoma. People who served in the military are at a higher risk due to the widespread use of asbestos settlement in Navy vessels and bunkers in the Army.

The TNM (tumors lymph nodes, tumors, and metastases staging system) is the most commonly used staging system used to treat the pleural cancer. The stage a patient is in at diagnosis will help their doctor determine the most effective treatment plan for them. Patients suffering from pleural mesothelioma who is in stage three or stage four will have a less favorable prognosis than those in a less advanced stage. Stage four mesothelioma is often spread to the diaphragm, liver or even the heart of a patient. This could make the cancer more difficult to treat and increase the chance of complications for patients.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Unlike pleural mesothelioma, which develops in the lung lining, peritoneal mesothelioma develops in the peritoneum -- a membrane that lines the abdominal cavity and organs such as the liver and intestines. Like pleural mesothelioma, peritoneal mesothelioma is caused by asbestos litigation exposure. The disease is much less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma. There are only about 300-500 cases diagnosed each year.

As with pleural mesothelioma symptoms may take years to appear. Patients typically suffer from abdominal pain and may have a mass in their abdomen. The symptoms of this type of mesothelioma could also include nausea or weight loss, as well as fever. A lot of these symptoms are similar to those experienced by digestive problems, which can result in incorrect diagnosis.

Doctors can detect mesothelioma by reviewing the medical history of the patient and performing a physical exam. Imaging tests like X-rays and CT scans can be used to identify mesothelioma. These tests can identify tumors as well as other signs of cancer which aren't visible on X-rays.

The results of these tests allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and determine the stage. They can also suggest treatments. The staging is determined by the cell type and whether or whether the tumor has spread to other regions of the body.

Asbestos exposure is the biggest risk factor. People who have been in occupations which require asbestos, like plumbing or manufacturing, electrical work or construction, are at increased risk of developing the disease. However, even if people do not work in these areas they may be exposed to asbestos through relatives or other sources. For this reason, anyone who is concerned that they might be at risk should speak to an experienced doctor. If they have a history of asbestos exposure or mesothelioma, a specialist can help them find out more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos is the most significant risk factor for mesothelioma. It is responsible for up to the 80% of cases. Exposure to asbestos may occur through work, military service, or through living with a person who is exposed to asbestos or was previously exposed to doing the same. Asbestos particles can be inhaled by people who are exposed to it. They can cause irritation to the linings of the abdomen and trigger cancerous cells to form in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma may take between 15 and 60 years to develop after exposure to asbestos.

Other risk factors include genetics, smoking and aging. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely be diagnosed with mesothelioma compared to those who are younger or older. This is because mesothelioma usually takes 20 to 60 years from the first exposure to asbestos case before symptoms of cancer begin to manifest. It is important to remember that mesothelioma can develop in people who were exposed to asbestos lawyer but did not engage directly with it. This is referred to as indirect or secondary exposure to asbestos. It is just as harmful as direct exposure.

Smoking increases a person's chances of developing mesothelioma due to the fact that it damages the mesothelium, which makes it more prone to asbestos. Mesothelioma can also be aggravated by certain illnesses, including asbestosis and pneumonia. It is also important to know that mesothelioma occurs more frequently in men than women. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for longer periods of time and to work with it. Men are also more likely to live with someone who worked with asbestos and carry asbestos fibers that have escaped home on their clothes. Women tend to be less exposed to asbestos and they don't usually carry asbestos attorney on their clothing.

Diagnosis

It is difficult to recognize mesothelioma since its symptoms are often similar to other diseases. This can result in patients being misdiagnosed.

The first step to diagnose mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform a physical exam and take down a patient's medical history which includes asbestos exposure. Doctors can also request an X-ray chest or CT scan to detect lumps and other abnormalities as well as evidence of asbestos exposure in the past like plaques in 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 a magnetic resonance image, or MRI test, that uses radio waves and magnets to produce a series of precise images of the inside of the body. A surgical biopsy is another method doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma. In a surgical biopsy doctors remove a small amount of tissue from the pleura or peritoneum to conduct further tests. A pathologist is then able to look at the tissue under microscopes to determine whether it contains cancerous cells.

The mesothelial type involved, the malignant or benign nature of the cells as well as the location and stage of the cancer are used to categorize the disease. Certain types of mesothelioma are at greater risk of spreading or metastasizing, so it's important to get a definitive diagnosis so doctors can treat it prior to it becoming out-of-control.

Doctors can also perform laboratory tests on tumors to identify specific proteins, genes or other elements that can help them describe cancer characteristics and plan treatment. These results are referred to as staging.

Treatment

A diagnosis of mesothelioma may be terrifying. It is important to keep in mind that cancer can be treated particularly in its initial stages. Many patients with mesothelioma endure the disease for many years without it expanding.

Asbestos exposure can cause mesothelioma by various mechanisms. Asbestos fibers that are small enough to not be felt or viewed with the naked eyes, can become airborne, irritating the lining of the lung (pleura). Over time, the irritation causes the formation of scar tissue, which causes changes in the structure of cells which eventually lead to tumors.

The pleura covers the lungs and heart, as well as the abdomen. Mesothelium is composed of cells that react to asbestos which causes it to become inflamed and develop scar tissue. These changes eventually result in malignant mesothelioma tumors.

A shortness of breath, chest discomfort, or the accumulation of fluid on the lungs are all signs of the pleural Msothelioma. In rare instances cancer may spread to the tissues around the reproductive organs as well as the heart.

A doctor will order biopsy if scans show the possibility of a mass in the lungs or stomach. In the course of the procedure, doctors remove some of the fluid or tumor to allow for lab tests. The results can confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis and indicate the best treatment option.

There are many types of mesothelioma treatment options, which include chemotherapy, surgery, and immunotherapy. The majority of doctors employ the combination of these treatments. Patients may also benefit from participating in a clinical study of new mesothelioma therapies. To find out more, patients should speak to mesothelioma specialists who have had experience treating the disease.