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Mesothelioma and Asbestos

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

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 is a cancer of the lung's outer lining, or the pleura. It is the most frequent mesothelioma type and is responsible for 70 to 79% 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 composed of microscopic fibers. Once inhaled, these fibers are absorbed into the lungs and cause irritation that results in scarring and DNA mutations. Pleura surrounds both the chest cavity as well as the lungs, and so irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma symptoms usually don't appear until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

The most commonly reported symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are chest pain and shortness of breath. Patients may also experience coughing, difficulty breathing or chest tightness. People with this cancer often have an history of exposure to asbestos in the workplace. The most prevalent jobs that expose workers to the risk of developing pleural cancer are manufacturing, construction, and shipbuilding. People who served in the military are at greater risk due to the widespread use of asbestos in Navy vessels and Army bunkers.

The TNM (tumors lymph nodes, tumors, and metastases staging system) is the most common staging system for the pleural cancer. The stage that a patient is in at the time of diagnosis will help determine what treatment plan they will receive. For instance, patients who have mesothelioma pleural stage three or four have a poorer prognosis than those with a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma may develop into the liver, heart or diaphragm. This makes it more difficult to treat and increases the likelihood of complications for patients.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Unlike pleural cancer, that develops in the lung's lining the peritoneal cancer is a result of a membrane that surrounds the abdominal cavity, which includes organs like the liver and intestines. Like pleural mesothelioma, Asbestos case exposure is the primary cause of peritoneal mesothelioma. The disease is less common than pleural mesothelioma, with just 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.

As with pleural asbestosis, symptoms can take a long time to show. Patients typically experience abdominal pain, and may also have a lump in their abdomen. The symptoms of this type of mesothelioma can also include nausea or weight loss, as well as fever. Many of these symptoms can be misinterpreted as gastrointestinal issues and can lead to a misdiagnosis.

Typically, doctors can identify mesothelioma by conducting an exhaustive health history and physical examination. Imaging tests like X-rays and CT scans are a way to identify mesothelioma. These tests can reveal tumors, as well as other symptoms of cancer that aren't visible on an X-ray.

These tests enable doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and establish the stage. They also offer treatment options. The stage of the disease is determined based on the type of cell and whether or the cancer has spread to other regions of the body.

Asbestos exposure is the most important risk factor. People who have worked in jobs that involve asbestos lawyer, like plumbing manufacturing, electrical work or construction, are at increased risk of developing the disease. Even if they aren't employed in these areas they could be exposed to asbestos through family members or other sources. This is why anyone who suspects they may be at risk should talk to an experienced doctor. A mesothelioma expert can help those who have a experience with asbestos lawyer to understand more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos exposure is the main risk factor for mesothelioma making up as much as 80 percent of all cases. Exposure to asbestos may occur as a result of military service, work, or living with people who have worked with asbestos. Asbestos particles are inhaled by people who are exposed to it. These particles can cause irritation to the linings and can cause cancerous cells to form in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma may take between 15 and 60 years to develop following exposure to asbestos.

Other risk factors include genetics, smoking and age. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely to get mesothelioma than people younger or older. This is because mesothelioma usually takes 20 to 60 years after the initial time of exposure before the first signs of cancer appear. It is important to note that mesothelioma can occur in people who have been exposed to asbestos without having been directly exposed to it. This is known as secondary or indirect asbestos litigation exposure. It can be as dangerous as direct asbestos exposure.

Smoking increases the risk of mesothelioma, since it damages mesothelium. It can also make it more vulnerable. Mesothelioma is also aggravated by certain diseases, such as asbestosis and pneumonia. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma compared to women. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for longer periods of time and to work with asbestos for longer periods of time. Men are also more likely to live with someone who has worked with asbestos and carry stray asbestos fibers home on their clothing. Women are less likely to come into contact with asbestos and rarely carry asbestos on their clothing.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is a difficult disease to diagnose because the symptoms often resemble other diseases. Because of this, victims are often mistakenly diagnosed.

NYU Langone doctors will perform a physical examination and record the patient's medical history including asbestos exposure. Doctors may also order an X-ray chest or CT scan to check for lumps and other abnormalities, and also to look for evidence of asbestos legal exposure in the past like plaques on the pleura (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the buildup of fluid between the lung and the chest wall (known as the pleural effusion).

Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram, which examines the heart and blood vessels as well as a magnetic resonance imaging, also known as MRI test, which makes use of magnets and radio waves to make a series of precise images of the inside of the body. Another way doctors can diagnose mesothelioma is by performing a surgical biopsy. When a biopsy is performed, doctors remove a tiny piece of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum to be further examined. A pathologist will then look at the tissue with a magnifying lens to determine whether it contains cancerous cells.

The type of mesothelial cell involved as well as the benign or malignant nature of the cells and the location and stage of the tumour, are used to categorize the disease. Certain mesothelioma types have greater chance of metastasizing or spreading therefore it is essential to determine the type of mesothelioma so that doctors can treat it before it gets out-of-control.

Doctors can also perform tests in the laboratory on tumors to determine 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 mesothelioma diagnosis is terrifying. However, it's important to keep in mind that the cancer can be treated, particularly in its early stages. Many patients with mesothelioma survive for many years without the disease spreading to other organs of their body.

Exposure to asbestos can trigger mesothelioma through a variety of ways. Asbestos fibers, too small to detect or feel by the naked eye can become airborne and irritate the lining of the lungs (pleura). Over time the irritation can lead to the formation of scar tissue and eventually tumors.

The pleura is a protective covering that covers the lungs, heart and abdomen. Mesothelium is made up of cells that react when exposed to asbestos. They inflame the tissue and cause it to scar. These changes eventually lead to malignant mesothelioma tumours.

The symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are shortness of breath and chest pain, or an accumulation of fluid in the lungs (pleural effusion). In rare instances cancer can spread to the tissues around the reproductive organs and heart.

A doctor will request biopsy if imaging scans show the possibility of a mass in the lungs or stomach. During the procedure, doctors take a small sample of the fluid or tumor for lab tests. The results will confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis and provide the best treatment option.

There are many types of treatment for mesothelioma including surgery and chemotherapy. Most doctors utilize the combination of these methods. Enrolling in clinical trials of new mesothelioma treatment may also be beneficial for patients. Patients can find out more by speaking with a mesothelioma doctor who has treated the disease.