Mesothelioma and Asbestos

asbestos law is a naturally occurring mineral that is found in long, thin fibres. Workers who are exposed asbestos on a regular basis risk developing mesothelioma and other lung diseases of different types.

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

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma occurs in the outer lung lining, or the pleura. It is the most common type of mesothelioma, making up 70% to 79% of diagnosed cases. The condition can cause chest pain, shortness of breathe, and a feeling of weightiness.

Exposure to asbestos, a class of minerals made of microscopic fibers causes this kind of cancer. Once inhaled, these fibers are absorbed into the lung and cause irritation which results in scarring and DNA mutations. The pleura covers the chest cavity and lungs, so these irritations can affect both the lungs and the heart of a person. Mesothelioma symptoms usually don't appear until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

The most commonly reported symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are chest discomfort and shortness of breath. Patients may also experience chest tightness or coughing. They may also experience difficulty breathing. People with this cancer often have previous exposure to asbestos in the workplace. The most prevalent jobs that expose workers to the risk of pleural mesothelioma include manufacturing, construction, and shipbuilding. People who have served in the military are at a higher risk because of the extensive use of asbestos in Navy ships and bunkers for the army.

The most commonly used staging system for pleural mesothelioma is the TNM (tumor, lymph nodes and metastases) staging system. The stage that the patient is in at the moment of diagnosis will determine what treatment plan they will receive. For instance, patients who have a pleural mesothelioma in stage three or four have a less favorable prognosis than those in lower stages. Stage four mesothelioma often spreads to the diaphragm, liver and/or a person's heart. This makes the cancer more difficult to treat, and increase the risk of complications for patients.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Unlike pleural mesothelioma, which is a lung-lining cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma is found in the peritoneum -- a membrane that lines the abdominal cavity as well as organs such as the intestines and the liver. Like pleural mesothelioma, peritoneal mesothelioma is caused by asbestos exposure. The disease is less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma. There are only about 300-500 cases diagnosed each year.

Like pleural mesothelioma, symptoms can take a long time to manifest. Patients typically experience abdominal pain, and may have a mass in their abdomen. The symptoms of this kind of mesothelioma may also include nausea, weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms are similar to those experienced by gastrointestinal issues, which can result in misdiagnosis.

Generally speaking, doctors can detect mesothelioma by conducting an exhaustive health history and physical examination. They can also use imaging tests like X-rays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to identify mesothelioma. These tests can reveal tumors, as well as other signs of cancer that aren't visible on an X-ray.

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

The most important risk factor for mesothelioma is asbestos exposure. People who have worked in asbestos-containing occupations, like electrical or plumbing work or in manufacturing and construction, are more likely to contract the disease. Even if an individual does not work in one of these areas they could still be exposed to asbestos through family members and other sources. Anyone who believes they may be at risk should consult an expert. If they have an history of exposure to asbestos, a mesothelioma specialist can assist them in finding out more about the 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 occur as a result of work, military service, or through living with a person who is exposed to asbestos or was previously exposed to doing such. Asbestos particles can be breathed in by those who are exposed to it. They can cause irritation to the linings of the abdomen and can cause cancerous cells to develop in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma can take anywhere between 15 and 60 years to develop following exposure to asbestos.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and the advancing age. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely get mesothelioma than people younger or more senior. This is because mesothelioma usually occurs between 20 and 60 years after the initial time of exposure before cancer symptoms appear. It is also important to note that mesothelioma can develop in people who have been exposed to asbestos lawyer but did not work with it directly. This is known as secondary or indirect asbestos exposure. It can be just as harmful as direct asbestos case exposure.

Smoking can increase the likelihood of getting mesothelioma because it damages the mesothelium and makes it more susceptible to asbestos. Additionally, mesothelioma can be worsened by certain diseases like pneumonia and asbestosis. It is also important to remember that mesothelioma occurs more frequently in men than women. This is due to the fact that men are more likely to work with asbestos and experience a an extended period of exposure than women. Also, men are more likely to live with someone who has was exposed to asbestos and bring stray asbestos fibers home on their clothing. Women are less likely to come into contact with asbestos and don't typically carry asbestos home on their clothes.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is a difficult cancer to diagnose because the symptoms can be similar to other diseases. This could lead to patients being wrongly diagnosed.

The first step to diagnose mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform an examination of the body and take note of the medical history of the patient including asbestos exposure. Doctors can also request an X-ray chest or CT scan to check for lumps or other abnormalities, and also to look for evidence of previous asbestos exposure such as plaques on the pleura (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the buildup of fluid between the lung and chest wall (known as 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, which uses radio waves and magnets to create detailed images of the interior of the body. A surgical biopsy is another method for doctors to identify mesothelioma. When a biopsy is performed doctors will remove a small piece of tissue from 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 mesothelial type involved, whether the cells are malignant or benign and also the location of the tumor, its type, and the stage of the cancer. Some types of mesothelioma are more likely to spread or metastasize and spread, therefore it is essential to get a definite diagnosis so doctors can treat the disease before it becomes out of control.

Doctors can also run tests in the lab on a tumor to identify specific genes, proteins or other elements that help them understand the cancer's characteristics and plan treatment. These results are known as staging.

Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnosis can be a frightening prospect. However, it is important to keep in mind that the cancer is treatable, particularly in its initial stages. Many people with mesothelioma live for years with the disease, without spreading to other areas of their body.

Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma in many ways. Asbestos particles, which are too small to detect or feel through the naked eye, can be airborne and cause irritation to the lining of the lungs (pleura). As time passes the irritation causes the formation of scar tissue, which eventually lead to tumors.

The pleura is the area that surrounds the lungs and the heart, as well as the abdomen. Mesothelium is made up of cells that react to asbestos, causing it to inflame and create scar tissue. In time, these changes can result in the growth of malignant mesothelioma tumors.

Symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include breathing problems and chest pain, or the accumulation of fluid in the lung (pleural effusion). In rare cases, cancer can spread into the tissues around the reproductive organs and the heart.

A doctor may request a biopsy if imaging scans reveal a possible tumor in the lungs or stomach. During the procedure, doctors remove small amounts of the fluid or tumor for laboratory testing. The results will confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis and determine the best treatment option.

There are many types of mesothelioma treatment options, which include chemotherapy, surgery, and immunotherapy. The majority of doctors employ combinations of these treatments. Patients may also benefit from participating in a clinical study of new mesothelioma treatment. To learn more, patients should consult a mesothelioma specialist who has had experience treating the disease.