Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos is a natural mineral that is found in thin, long fibres. Workers who are exposed to Asbestos case on a regular basis are at risk of developing mesothelioma as well as other lung diseases of different types.

It can take years for symptoms to appear after asbestos exposure. Different asbestos types can cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma can be found in the lung's outer lining, also known as pleura. It is the most common form of mesothelioma and accounts for 70% to 79% of diagnosed cases. This condition causes chest pain, shortness of breathe and a feeling of heaviness.

Exposure to asbestos, a group of minerals comprised of microscopic fibers, typically causes this kind of cancer. When inhaled, these fibers can cause irritation and DNA mutations. The pleura is the area that surrounds the chest cavity and lungs, so these irritations can affect both the lungs and a person's heart. Mesothelioma usually doesn't show symptoms until 30 to 50 year after exposure.

Chest pain and shortness breath are the most common symptoms. Some patients have coughing problems, trouble breathing or chest tightness. Patients with this type of cancer typically have previous exposure to asbestos in the workplace. The most frequent jobs that put people at risk of developing pleural cancer are construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding. People who were in the military are at a higher risk due to the extensive use asbestos law in Navy vessels and Army bunkers.

The most commonly used staging method for pleural mesothelioma is the TNM (tumor lymph nodes, lymph nodes and metastases) staging system. The stage that a patient is at when they are diagnosed will assist their doctor in determining the best treatment plan for them. For instance, patients suffering from a pleural mesothelioma in stage three or four have a less favorable prognosis than patients with lower stages. Stage four mesothelioma is often spread to the liver, diaphragm and/or a person's heart. This can make the cancer more difficult to treat and increase the chances of complications for patients.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

In contrast to pleural cancer, that develops in the lung's lining it develops in the membrane that covers the abdominal cavity, including organs like the liver and intestines. As with pleural mesothelioma exposure to asbestos is the cause of peritoneal msothelioma. The disease is less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma, and just 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.

Like pleural mesothelioma, symptoms can take years to show. Typically, patients experience abdominal pain and abdominal swelling. This type of mesothelioma may cause nausea, weight loss, and fever. Many of these symptoms are similar to symptoms of digestive problems, which can result in incorrect diagnosis.

Doctors can identify mesothelioma by reviewing the medical history of the patient and performing a physical examination. They may also employ imaging tests like Xrays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to identify mesothelioma. These tests can show tumors and other signs of cancer that aren't visible on X-rays.

These test results allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and determine 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 biggest risk factor. People who have been exposed to asbestos in professions, such as electrical or plumbing work, or in construction and manufacturing are more likely to contract the disease. Even if someone is not employed in one of these areas they could be exposed to asbestos through family members or other sources. For this reason, anyone who is concerned that they might be at risk should speak 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 their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos is the primary mesothelioma-related risk factor. It is responsible for as much as 80percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos lawsuit can occur due to work, military service, or living with people who have worked with asbestos. Asbestos particles can be breathed in by people who are exposed to asbestos. They can cause irritation to the linings of the abdomen and cause cancerous cells to grow in the mesothelium. Following exposure to asbestos mesothelioma is likely to develop between 15 and 60 years old.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and age. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely get mesothelioma than people younger or older. It is because mesothelioma generally occurs between 20 and 60 years after the initial exposure before symptoms of cancer begin to manifest. It is important to remember that mesothelioma may develop in those who were exposed to asbestos lawyer but did not deal with it directly. This is known as secondary or indirect asbestos exposure, and is just as harmful as direct asbestos exposure.

Smoking increases the chance of mesothelioma developing, because it damages the 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 than women. This is due to the fact that men are more likely to be exposed to asbestos case and endure a an extended period of exposure than women. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who worked with asbestos and to have asbestos fibers on their clothing. Women are less likely to come into 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. Due to this, patients are sometimes wrongly diagnosed.

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

Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram, which examines the heart and blood vessels and magnetic resonance imaging, also known as MRI test that uses radio waves and magnets to make a series of detailed images of the inside of the body. Another way for doctors to detect mesothelioma is through an operation called a biopsy. In a surgical biopsy doctors take a small amount of tissue from the peritoneum or pleura for further testing. A pathologist can then examine the tissue under microscopes to determine whether it has cancerous cells.

The mesothelial type involved, the malignant or benign nature of the cells as well as the location, type and stage of the cancer are used to categorize the disease. Certain types of mesothelioma are more likely to spread or metastasize, so it is important to have a clear diagnosis to ensure that doctors are able to treat the disease before it goes out of control.

Doctors may also conduct tests in the laboratory on a tumor to find specific genes, proteins, or other factors which can help them identify the cancer's characteristics and plan treatment. These results are referred to as staging.

Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnosis is an incredibly frightening prospect. However, it's important to remember that the disease is treatable, especially in its early stages. Many patients with mesothelioma survive for many years with the disease, without spreading to other organs of their body.

Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma through a variety of ways. Asbestos fibers that are small enough to not be felt or viewed by naked eyes can be airborne, causing irritation to the lung's lining (pleura). In time, the irritation leads to the formation of scar tissue, which eventually lead to tumors.

The pleura is a protective covering that surrounds the abdomen, heart, and lungs. Mesothelium is made up of cells that respond when exposed to asbestos. They cause inflammation to the tissue and cause it to scar. In time, these changes can cause the development of malignant mesothelioma tumors.

Breathing problems, chest discomfort, or the accumulation of fluid on the lungs are all signs of the pleural mesothelioma. In rare cases, the cancer can spread to the tissues surrounding the heart and reproductive organs.

If imaging scans show an underlying mass in the lungs or stomach the doctor will request biopsies. The procedure involves the removal of a small amount of fluid or tumor to allow for laboratory testing. The results will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and determine the most effective treatment plan.

There are several types of mesothelioma treatments, including chemotherapy, surgery and immunotherapy. The majority of doctors use the combination of these methods. 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 condition.