Mesothelioma and Asbestos

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

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

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer of the outer lung lining, also known as the pleura. It is the most common form of mesothelioma and is responsible for 70 to 79% of all diagnosed cases. Patients suffering from this condition suffer from chest pain and breath shortness and may experience an ache or heaviness in the chest.

This type of cancer is typically caused by exposure to asbestos, which is a grouping of minerals composed of microscopic fibers. Once inhaled, the fibers cling to the lung and cause irritation which leads to scarring and DNA mutations. The pleura is the area that surrounds the chest cavity and lungs, so these irritations can affect both the lungs as well as a person's heart. Mesothelioma usually doesn't show symptoms until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

Chest pain and shortness breath are the most frequent symptoms. Some patients may also experience chest tightness, coughing or difficulty breathing. People with this cancer have a history of disease that includes asbestos exposure at work. The most frequent jobs that expose workers to the risk of developing pleural mesothelioma are manufacturing, construction and shipbuilding. People who served in the military are at greater risk due the widespread use of asbestos in Navy vessels and bunkers for the Army.

The most common staging system for pleural mesothelioma is the TNM (tumor, lymph nodes and metastases) staging system. The stage that a patient is at upon diagnosis will help their doctor determine the best treatment plan for them. Patients who have pleural mesothelioma which is in stage three or four will have a worse prognosis than those in a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma often spreads to the liver, diaphragm or even the heart of a patient. This makes it more difficult to treat and raises the chance of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

In contrast to pleural mesothelioma which develops in the lung lining, peritoneal mesothelioma forms in the peritoneum -- it is a membrane that lines the abdominal cavity as well as organs like the liver and intestines. As with pleural mesothelioma asbestos exposure is the reason for peritoneal msothelioma. There are only 300-500 cases diagnosed annually, which is less than pleural asbestosis.

Like pleural mesothelioma, symptoms can take years to show. The majority of patients are afflicted with abdominal pain as well as a mass in the abdomen. The symptoms of this kind of mesothelioma may also include nausea, weight loss and fever. A lot of these symptoms can be misinterpreted as digestive issues which can lead to a mistaken diagnosis.

Generally, doctors can find mesothelioma after an exhaustive health history and physical examination. They can also utilize imaging tests like X-rays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to help find mesothelioma. These tests can detect tumors and other cancer signs which aren't visible on X-rays.

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

Asbestos exposure is the most important risk factor. People who have been exposed to asbestos legal in occupations, like electrical or plumbing work, or in construction, manufacturing and manufacturing are more likely to develop the disease. Even if an individual does not work in any of these areas, he or she can be exposed to asbestos through family members and other sources. Anyone who thinks they're at risk should speak with an expert. If they have a history of asbestos exposure and mesothelioma is a concern, a specialist will assist them in finding out more about their risk.

Risk Factors

asbestos lawsuit is the most significant risk factor for mesothelioma. It is responsible for up to 80% of all cases. Exposure to asbestos may occur as a result of work, military service or by living with someone who is exposed to asbestos or was previously exposed to doing the same. Asbestos particles are inhaled by those who are exposed to asbestos. These particles can cause irritation to the linings of the abdomen, which causes cancerous cells to form in the mesothelium. After asbestos exposure, mesothelioma may occur between 15 and 60 year.

Other risk factors include genetics, smoking and aging. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely get mesothelioma than people younger or older. It takes mesothelioma 20-60 years to show signs of cancer after the first exposure. It is important to remember that mesothelioma may develop in those who were exposed to asbestos, but did not deal with it directly. This is known as secondary or indirect exposure to asbestos. It is just as harmful as direct exposure.

Smoking increases the chance of mesothelioma developing, because it damages the mesothelium. It also makes it more susceptible. Mesothelioma can also be aggravated by certain diseases, such as asbestosis and pneumonia. It is also important to note that mesothelioma is more common in men than women. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for a longer period of time and work with it. Additionally, men are more likely to live with someone who had asbestos exposure and bring asbestos attorney fibers from their workplace 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 identify mesothelioma since its symptoms are 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 an examination of the body and take note of the medical history of the patient which includes asbestos claim exposure. Doctors may also request an CT scan or chest X-ray to check for lumps, abnormalities, and evidence of exposure to asbestos. These include plaques in the pleura, thickened pleura and calcium deposits.

Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance image, or MRI test, that uses radio waves and magnets to create a series of detailed images of the insides of the body. A surgical biopsy is a different method for doctors to identify mesothelioma. During a surgery biopsy doctors take a tiny part of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum to be tested further. A pathologist will then look at the tissue under an magnifying glass to determine whether it contains cancerous cells.

The type of mesothelial cell involved, the malignant or benign nature of the cells as well as the location, type and stage of the tumor, are used to categorize the disease. Certain types of mesothelioma are at greater risk of metastasizing or spreading, so it's important to determine the type of mesothelioma so doctors can treat it prior to it becoming out of control.

Doctors can also perform tests in the laboratory on tumors in order to determine specific genes, proteins or other elements that will help them identify cancer characteristics and plan treatment. These results are referred to as staging.

Treatment

A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be frightening. However, it is important to remember that the cancer can be treated, particularly in its initial stages. Many mesothelioma patients live for years with the disease without it spreading to other parts of their body.

Exposure to asbestos may cause mesothelioma through a variety of ways. Asbestos fibres, too small to be felt or observed by naked eyes are able to become airborne and irritate the lung's lining (pleura). In time the irritation can lead to the formation of scar tissue and eventually tumors.

The pleura is a protective covering that covers the abdomen, heart, and lungs. Mesothelium is composed of cells that react to exposure to asbestos, causing it to inflame and form scar tissue. These changes can cause mesothelioma cancers.

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

If imaging scans show an underlying mass in the stomach or lungs doctors will recommend biopsies. The procedure involves the removal of some of the fluid or tumor for laboratory testing. The results can confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis and indicate the best treatment option.

There are several types of mesothelioma treatment options, including surgery, chemotherapy and immunotherapy. The majority of doctors use an amalgamation of these techniques. Participating in clinical trials of new mesothelioma treatment may also be beneficial to patients. Patients can learn more about the trials by consulting a mesothelioma specialist who has treated mesothelioma.