Mesothelioma and Asbestos

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

It could take a long time for symptoms to show up after asbestos exposure. Different asbestos law types can cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer that develops in the lung's outer liner (pleura). It is the most common form of mesothelioma and is responsible for 70 to 79% all diagnosed cases. This condition causes chest pain, shortness of breathe and a feeling heaviness.

Exposure to asbestos, a group of minerals comprised of microscopic fibers causes this type of cancer. Once inhaled, these fibers cling to the lung and cause irritation which leads to scarring and DNA mutations. The pleura is the area that surrounds the lungs and chest cavity This means that these irritations can affect both the lungs and a person's 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 have coughing problems, trouble breathing, or chest tightness. Patients with this cancer have a past that includes asbestos compensation exposure at work. Manufacturing, construction and shipbuilding are the most frequent occupations that put people at high risk of developing pleural mesothelioma. People who served in the military are at a higher risk due to the frequent use of asbestos in Navy vessels and Army bunkers.

The most popular staging method for pleural mesothelioma is the TNM (tumor lymph nodes, lymph nodes and metastases) staging system. The stage the patient is in at the time of diagnosis will help determine the treatment plan they will receive. Patients suffering from pleural mesothelioma who is in stage three or four will have a worse prognosis than those who are in a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma often spreads to the diaphragm, liver and/or a person's heart. This can make the cancer more difficult to treat and increase the chance of complications for patients.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

In contrast to pleural mesothelioma which develops in the lung lining, peritoneal mesothelioma forms in the peritoneum, an elongated membrane that covers the abdominal cavity as well as organs like the liver and intestines. Like pleural mesothelioma, asbestos exposure is the primary cause of peritoneal mesothelioma. Only 300-500 cases are diagnosed each year, which is less than pleural asbestosis.

As with pleural asbestosis symptoms can take several years to show. The majority of patients experience abdominal pain and a mass in the abdomen. This kind of mesothelioma can cause nausea, weight loss and fever. A lot of these symptoms can be misinterpreted as gastrointestinal issues which can lead to a misdiagnosis.

Doctors can detect mesothelioma by looking over the medical history of the patient and performing a physical examination. Imaging tests like X-rays and CT scans are a way to detect mesothelioma. These tests can show tumors, as well as other signs of cancer that aren't apparent on an X-ray.

These tests enable doctors to diagnose mesothelioma, identify the stage and recommend treatment options. The stage is determined by the type of cell and whether the tumor has spread.

Asbestos exposure is the main risk factor. People who have been in occupations which require asbestos litigation, such as plumbing, manufacturing, electrical work, or construction, are at a higher risk of developing the disease. Even if they do not work in these fields, they can still be exposed to asbestos through relatives or other sources. Anyone who thinks they are at risk should talk to an expert. If they have an history of exposure to asbestos and mesothelioma is a concern, a specialist will help them find out more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos exposure is the primary risk factor for mesothelioma, making up as much as 80 percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos can happen due to work, military service or by living with a person who works with asbestos or has previously done so. Asbestos particles can be breathed in by those who are exposed to it. These particles can cause irritation to the linings and can 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 the advancing age. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely to be diagnosed with mesothelioma compared to those who are younger or older. This is because mesothelioma usually occurs between 20 and 60 years from the initial time of exposure before cancer symptoms appear. It is important to remember, too, that mesothelioma may develop in those who have been exposed to asbestos without having worked with it directly. This is known as secondary or indirect asbestos attorney exposure. It can be as dangerous as direct asbestos Case exposure.

Smoking increases the risk of getting mesothelioma because it causes mesothelium damage and makes it more vulnerable to asbestos. In addition, mesothelioma may be exacerbated by certain illnesses like asbestosis and pneumonia. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than women. This is due to the fact that men are more likely to be exposed to asbestos and endure a an extended period of exposure than women. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who has been exposed to asbestos, and to have asbestos-containing fibers on their clothing. Women tend to be less exposed to asbestos, and they are less likely to carry asbestos on their clothing.

Diagnosis

It is difficult to recognize mesothelioma because its symptoms are often similar to other diseases. This could lead to patients being wrongly diagnosed.

NYU Langone doctors will perform physical examinations and document the patient's medical history, including asbestos exposure. Doctors will also recommend 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 an echocardiogram which examines the blood vessels and the heart as well as a magnetic resonance imaging, also known as MRI, test that uses magnets and radio waves to create detailed images of the inside of the body. Another way for doctors to detect mesothelioma is by performing an operation called a biopsy. In a surgical biopsy doctors remove a small piece of tissue from the pleura or peritoneum for further testing. A pathologist can then examine the tissue using an magnifying glass to determine whether it contains cancerous cells.

Mesothelioma can be classified based on the mesothelial type involved, whether those cells are benign or malignant, and the location of the tumor, the type, and the stage of the cancer. Certain types of mesothelioma may be more likely to spread or metastasize and spread, therefore it is essential to have a clear diagnosis to ensure that doctors are able to treat the disease before it gets out of control.

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

Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnosis is a frightening prospect. However, it's important to remember that the cancer can be treated, particularly in its earlier stages. Many patients with mesothelioma survive for a long time with the disease, without spreading to other organs of their body.

Asbestos exposure can cause mesothelioma through many mechanisms. Asbestos fibres, small enough to not be felt or viewed by naked eyes are able to become airborne, causing irritation to the lung's lining (pleura). In time, the irritation leads to the formation of scar tissues and eventually tumors.

The Pleura is a covering that surrounds the lungs, heart and abdomen. Mesothelium is made up of cells that respond when exposed to asbestos. They cause inflammation of the tissue and cause it to scar. These changes eventually lead to malignant mesothelioma tumours.

Shortness of breath, chest discomfort, or the accumulation of fluid on the lungs are all indications of the pleural msothelioma. In rare cases cancer can spread to the tissues that surround the reproductive organs as well as the heart.

If imaging scans reveal an area of concern in the lungs or stomach doctors will recommend biopsies. The procedure involves the removal of a small amount of fluid or tumor to allow for lab tests. The results will confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis, and determine the most effective treatment plan.

There are a variety of treatment for mesothelioma including surgery and chemotherapy. Most doctors use combinations of these treatments. Participating in clinical trials of new mesothelioma treatment may also be beneficial to patients. Patients can learn more by consulting a mesothelioma expert who has treated the disease.