Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos is a mineral that occurs naturally in the form of long, thin fibers. Workers who are regularly exposed to asbestos settlement are at risk of developing lung diseases such as mesothelioma.

It could take a long time for symptoms to appear after asbestos exposure. Different types of asbestos may cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer that affects the lung's outer liner (pleura). It is the most common mesothelioma form and accounts for 70% to 79% all diagnosed cases. Patients suffering from this condition suffer from chest pain and breath shortness and may also feel an ache or heaviness in the chest.

This kind of cancer is typically caused by exposure to asbestos which is a collection of minerals that are composed of microscopic fibers. Once inhaled, the fibers stick inside the lungs and cause irritation that causes scarring and DNA mutations. Pleura covers both the chest cavity as well as the lungs, and so irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma symptoms are usually not apparent until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

Chest pain and shortness breath are the most frequent symptoms. Patients may also suffer from chest tightness and coughing, or breathing difficulties. People who suffer from this cancer usually have previous exposure to asbestos in the workplace. The most frequent jobs that put people at risk of pleural mesothelioma include manufacturing, construction, and shipbuilding. People who were in the military are at a greater risk due to the frequent use of asbestos in Navy vessels and bunkers for the Army.

The most popular staging method for pleural mesothelioma is the TNM (tumor, lymph nodes and metastases) staging system. The stage a patient is in when they are diagnosed will help their doctor determine the most effective treatment plan for them. Patients with pleural mesothelioma that is in stage three or four will have a worse prognosis than those in a lower stage. Mesothelioma in stage four can be spread to the heart, liver or diaphragm. This makes the cancer more difficult to treat, and increase the risk of complications for patients.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Contrary to pleural cancer which is found in the lung's lining it develops in a membrane that covers the abdominal cavity, including organs such as the intestines and the liver. Similar to pleural mesothelioma mesothelioma is triggered by asbestos exposure. The disease is much less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma. There are just 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.

As with pleural asbestosis, symptoms can take a long time to show. Patients generally suffer from abdominal pain and could also experience a mass in their abdomen. This mesothelioma type can cause nausea, weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms are similar to those experienced by digestive issues, which could cause incorrect diagnosis.

Generally, doctors can find mesothelioma by conducting an exhaustive health history and physical examination. Imaging tests such as X-rays or CT scans can be used to detect mesothelioma. These tests can reveal tumors and other signs of cancer that aren't visible on X-rays.

These tests enable doctors to diagnose mesothelioma, determine the stage and suggest treatment options. Staging is determined based on the type of cells and whether or whether the cancer has spread to other regions of the body.

Asbestos exposure is the main risk factor. People who have worked in professions that involve asbestos, such as plumbing manufacturing, electrical work or construction, are at increased risk of developing the disease. Even if they do not work in these areas they may be exposed to asbestos through relatives or other sources. This is why anyone who suspects they may be at risk should talk to an expert. If they have any history of exposure to asbestos and mesothelioma is a concern, a specialist will help them find out more about the risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos is the most significant risk factor for mesothelioma. It accounts for as much as 80percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos can occur through work, military service, or by living with someone who is exposed to asbestos or has previously done such. When exposed to asbestos, particles are able to be inhaled into abdomen and lungs. These irritate the linings and can cause cancerous cells to grow in the mesothelium. After asbestos exposure, mesothelioma may 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 be diagnosed with mesothelioma compared to those who are younger or more senior. Mesothelioma can take between 20 and 60 years to manifest cancer symptoms after the first exposure. It is important to note, too, that mesothelioma could develop in people who have been exposed to asbestos, but without having worked with it directly. This is referred to as indirect or secondary asbestos exposure, and is just as harmful as direct asbestos exposure.

Smoking increases the chance of mesothelioma since it damages mesothelium. It can also make it more vulnerable. Mesothelioma is also aggravated by certain illnesses, including 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 longer periods of time and work with it. 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 tend to have less contact with asbestos and rarely carry asbestos on their clothing.

Diagnosis

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

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

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 radio waves and magnets to make a series of precise images of the inside of the body. A surgical biopsy is another method doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma. When a biopsy is performed doctors will remove a small part of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum, to be examined further. A pathologist can then examine the tissue with a magnifying lens to determine if it is a cancerous cell.

The type of mesothelial cells involved, the malignant or benign nature of those cells as well as the location and stage of the tumour, are used to categorize the disease. Certain mesothelioma types have an increased risk of spreading or metastasizing, so it's important to get a definitive diagnosis to ensure that the doctors can treat it before it gets out of control.

Doctors may also conduct laboratory tests on tumors to determine specific proteins, genes or other elements that can aid in describing the characteristics of cancer and plan treatment. These results are referred to as staging.

Treatment

A diagnosis of mesothelioma may be frightening. However, it's important to remember that the cancer is treatable, especially in its initial stages. Many patients with mesothelioma live with the disease for many years without it expanding.

Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma by various mechanisms. Asbestos fibers that are tiny enough to be felt or observed through the naked eye can be airborne, irritating the lining of the lung (pleura). As time passes, the irritation causes the formation of scar tissue which causes changes in the cell structure which eventually lead to tumors.

The pleura surrounds the heart and lungs and also the abdomen. Mesothelium consists of cells that respond when exposed to asbestos. They cause inflammation to the tissue and cause it to become scarred. In time, these changes can result in the growth of malignant mesothelioma tumors.

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

A doctor may request biopsy if scans show the possibility of a lung tumor or stomach. In the course of the procedure, doctors remove a small amount of liquid or tumor for tests in the laboratory. The results will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and provide the best treatment option.

There are several types of mesothelioma treatment options, including chemotherapy, surgery and immunotherapy. The majority of doctors use a combination of these methods. Patients may also benefit from participating in a clinical study of new mesothelioma treatments. Patients can learn more about the trials by consulting a mesothelioma specialist who has treated the disease.