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Mesothelioma and Asbestos

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

It may take decades before symptoms begin to manifest after asbestos exposure. Different types of Asbestos case can cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

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

Exposure to asbestos, a class of minerals made of microscopic fibers, usually causes this type of cancer. Once inhaled, these fibers stick inside the lung and cause irritation that leads to scarring and DNA mutations. The pleura surrounds the lungs and chest cavity, so these irritations can affect both the lungs as well as the heart of a person. Mesothelioma usually doesn't show symptoms until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

The most commonly reported symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include chest discomfort and shortness of breath. Some patients also experience coughing, difficulty breathing or chest tightness. People with this cancer often have previous exposure to asbestos in the workplace. The most frequent jobs that expose people 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 extensive use asbestos in Navy vessels and Army bunkers.

The TNM (tumors lymph nodes and metastases staging system) is the most popular staging system used to treat pleural adenocarcinoma. The stage that a patient is in at the moment of diagnosis will determine the treatment plan they should follow. Patients who have pleural mesothelioma which is in stage three or stage four will suffer a more negative prognosis compared to those who are in a less advanced stage. Mesothelioma in stage four is usually spread to the diaphragm, the liver or even the heart of a patient. This can make the cancer more difficult to treat, and increase the chance of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

In contrast to pleural cancer, which forms in the lung's lining the peritoneal cancer is a result of the membrane that covers the abdominal cavity, which includes organs such as the liver and intestines. As with pleural mesothelioma asbestos exposure is the cause of peritoneal mesothelioma. Only 300-500 cases are diagnosed each year which is lower than pleural asbestosis.

As with pleural asbestosis symptoms can take several years to show. Most patients are afflicted with abdominal pain as well as abdominal swelling. The symptoms of this type of mesothelioma could also include nausea as well as weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms can be mistaken for gastrointestinal problems, leading to a mistaken diagnosis.

Doctors can identify mesothelioma by reviewing the medical history of the patient and performing a physical examination. Imaging tests such as X-rays or CT scans can be used to identify mesothelioma. These tests can show tumors, as well as other indications of cancer that aren't visible on an X-ray.

These test results allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma, identify the stage and suggest treatment options. The stage of the disease is determined based on the cell type and whether or the cancer has spread to other areas of the body.

The most significant mesothelioma risk factor is exposure to asbestos. People who have been exposed to asbestos in jobs, such as electrical or plumbing work, or in construction and manufacturing, are more likely to contract the disease. However, even if individuals do not work in these fields, they can still be exposed to asbestos through relatives or other sources. This is why anyone who suspects they may be at risk should talk to a doctor. If they have an history of exposure to asbestos case, a mesothelioma specialist can assist them in learning more about the risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos is the most significant mesothelioma-related risk factor. It accounts for as much as 80percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos litigation can occur through work, military service, or by living with someone who works with asbestos or has previously done so. When exposed to asbestos settlement, small particles can be breathed into the abdomen and lungs. These particles can cause irritation to the linings, causing cancerous cells to develop in the mesothelium. Following exposure to asbestos, mesothelioma may be diagnosed between 15 and 60 year.

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 typically takes 20 to 60 years after the initial time of exposure before the first signs of cancer appear. It is also important to note that mesothelioma is a possibility in people who were exposed to asbestos, but did not deal with it directly. This is known as secondary or indirect asbestos exposure and can be just as harmful as direct asbestos exposure.

Smoking increases the chance of mesothelioma as it damages the mesothelium. It also makes it more susceptible. Mesothelioma is also aggravated by certain illnesses, including asbestosis and pneumonia. It is also important to note that mesothelioma is more prevalent for men than women. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for a longer time and to work with it. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who worked with asbestos, and to carry asbestos fibers on their clothing. Women are less likely to be in contact with asbestos, and they are less likely to carry asbestos on their clothes.

Diagnosis

It is difficult to diagnose mesothelioma due to its symptoms being often similar to other conditions. Due to this, patients are often mistakenly diagnosed.

The first step in identifying mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform a physical exam and take down a patient's medical history which includes asbestos exposure. Doctors may also order an X-ray of the chest or CT scan to look for lumps and other abnormalities, and also to look for evidence of previous asbestos exposure like plaques on the pleura (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the accumulation of fluid between the lung and chest wall (known as pleural effusion).

Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI test, which uses magnets and radio waves to create a series of detailed images of inside the body. A surgical biopsy is a different method for doctors to identify mesothelioma. When a biopsy is performed doctors take a tiny part of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum, to be tested further. A pathologist can then look at the tissue under microscopes to determine if it contains cancerous cells.

Mesothelioma is classified based on the type of mesothelial cell involved, whether those cells are malignant or benign and also the location of the tumor, its type, and the stage of the cancer. Certain types of mesothelioma are at greater risk of spreading or metastasizing and it's crucial to establish a clear diagnosis so that doctors can treat it before it becomes out of control.

Doctors can also perform laboratory tests on tumors in order to determine specific genes, proteins or other factors that can help them describe cancer characteristics and plan treatment. These results are known 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 initial stages. Many people with mesothelioma live for a long time with the disease without it spreading to other areas of their body.

Asbestos exposure can trigger mesothelioma via various mechanisms. Asbestos fibers, which are too small to be felt or seen with the naked eyes can be airborne, causing irritation to the lung's lining (pleura). In time the irritation can lead to the formation of scar tissues and eventually tumors.

The pleura covers the lungs and heart, as well as the abdomen. Mesothelium is composed of cells that react to exposure to asbestos litigation, causing it to inflame and develop scar tissue. Overtime, these changes result in the growth of malignant mesothelioma tumors.

A shortness of breath, chest discomfort or fluid buildup on the lungs are all signs of the pleural msothelioma. In rare cases cancer can spread to the tissues surrounding the reproductive organs and the heart.

If imaging scans show an underlying mass in the stomach or lungs the doctor will request biopsies. The procedure involves the removal of some of the liquid or tumor for laboratory testing. The results will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and determine the best treatment option.

There are a variety of treatment for mesothelioma, including chemotherapy and surgery. Most doctors utilize a combination of these treatments. Participating in clinical trials of mesothelioma treatments may be beneficial to patients. To learn more, patients should speak to mesothelioma experts who have expertise in treating the condition.