Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos, a mineral that occurs naturally in the form of thin, long fibers. Workers who are exposed asbestos regularly are at risk of developing mesothelioma or other lung diseases of different types.

Symptoms of these diseases may not show up for decades after exposure to asbestos. Different asbestos types may cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma, a form of cancer, that affects the lung's outer liner (pleura). It is the most common mesothelioma type and is responsible for 70 to 79% all diagnosed cases. This condition causes chest discomfort, shortness of breath, and a feeling of heavyness.

Exposure to asbestos Legal, a family of minerals made of microscopic fibers, typically causes this type of cancer. When inhaled, these fibers cause irritation and DNA mutations. Pleura is the lining of both the chest cavity and the lungs, which means that irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma symptoms typically don't show until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

Chest pain and shortness breath are the most frequently reported symptoms. Patients may also experience chest tightness and coughing, or breathing difficulties. Patients with this cancer have a history of disease that includes asbestos exposure at work. Construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding are the most prevalent occupations which put people at risk risk of developing pleural mesothelioma. People who have worked in the military could be at an especially high risk due to the frequent asbestos usage in Navy vessels and bunkers used by the army.

The TNM (tumors lymph nodes and metastases staging system) is the most commonly used staging system used for the pleural adenocarcinoma. The stage that the patient is in at the time of diagnosis can help determine what treatment plan they should follow. For instance, patients who have a pleural mesothelioma in stage three or four have a poorer prognosis than patients with lower stages. Mesothelioma in stage four is usually spread to the diaphragm, the liver or even the heart of a patient. This makes it more difficult to treat and increase the risk of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Unlike pleural mesothelioma, which is a lung-lining cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma is found in the peritoneum, an elongated membrane that covers the abdominal cavity and organs such as the intestines and the liver. Like pleural mesothelioma, asbestos exposure is the primary cause of peritoneal msothelioma. It is estimated that only 300-500 cases are diagnosed each year this is less than the pleural asbestosis.

As with pleural asbestosis symptoms can take years to show. Typically, patients suffer from abdominal pain and a mass in the abdomen. This kind of mesothelioma can also cause nausea, weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms could be misinterpreted as gastrointestinal issues and can lead to a false diagnosis.

Doctors can identify mesothelioma by reviewing the medical history of the patient and performing a physical exam. They can also use imaging tests like X-rays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to help find mesothelioma. These tests can show cancerous tumors or other signs of cancer that aren't visible on an X-ray.

The results of these tests allow doctors to identify mesothelioma, and determine the stage. They can also 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.

Asbestos exposure is the biggest risk factor. People who have worked in asbestos-related occupations, like electrical or plumbing work or in construction, manufacturing and manufacturing, are more likely to contract the disease. Even if a person is not employed in one of these fields however, they may be exposed to asbestos attorney through family members or other sources. This is why anyone who suspects they may be at risk should speak to a doctor. A mesothelioma expert can help those with a history with asbestos to learn more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos exposure is the primary mesothelioma risk factor, making up as much as 80 percent of all cases. Exposure to asbestos may occur as a result of work, military service, or through living with a person who works with asbestos or was previously exposed to doing the same. Asbestos particles can be inhaled by people who are exposed to asbestos. They can cause irritation to the linings of the abdomen and trigger cancerous cells to form in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma may take between 15 and 60 years to develop following exposure to asbestos.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and age. People in their 40s or 50s are more at chance of developing mesothelioma to those younger or older. It is because mesothelioma generally lasts between 20 and 60 years after the initial time of exposure before the first signs of cancer appear. It is also important to know that mesothelioma can develop in those who were exposed to asbestos but did not work with it directly. This is referred to as secondary or indirect asbestos exposure. It can be as hazardous as direct asbestos exposure.

Smoking increases the chance of mesothelioma developing, as it damages the mesothelium. It also makes it more susceptible. Mesothelioma can also be aggravated by certain illnesses such as asbestosis and pneumonia. It is also important to remember that mesothelioma is more prevalent in males than females. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos legal for a longer time and to work with asbestos for longer periods of time. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who has worked with asbestos law, and to have asbestos-containing fibers on their clothing. Women tend to be less in contact with asbestos, and don't typically bring asbestos home on their clothing.

Diagnosis

It is difficult to identify mesothelioma since its symptoms are often similar to other conditions. Because of this, victims are often wrongly diagnosed.

NYU Langone doctors will perform a physical examination and record the patient's medical background, including asbestos exposure. Doctors will also order a CT scan or chest X-ray to look for abnormalities, lumps and evidence of asbestos exposure. These include pleural plaques, thickened pleura and calcium deposits.

Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI test, which uses radio waves and magnets to create a series detailed images of the insides of the body. A surgical biopsy is yet another way for doctors to diagnose mesothelioma. In a surgical biopsy doctors take a tiny piece of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum, to be tested further. A pathologist can examine the tissue with microscopes to determine if it is contaminated with cancerous cells.

Mesothelioma is classified based on the type of mesothelial cell involved, whether those cells are malignant or benign and the location, type, and stage of the cancer. Some types of mesothelioma have greater risk of spreading or metastasizing, so it's important to determine the type of mesothelioma so that doctors can treat it before it becomes out-of-control.

Doctors can also run tests in the laboratory on tumors to determine particular proteins, genes or other elements which can help them identify the characteristics of cancer and plan treatment. These results are referred to as staging.

Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnosis can be terrifying. It is important to keep in mind that cancer can be treated, especially at its early stages. Many mesothelioma patients live for many years with the disease, without spreading to other areas of their body.

Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma through many mechanisms. Asbestos fibers that are tiny enough to be felt or observed through the naked eye can be airborne, causing irritation to the lung's lining (pleura). In time the irritation causes the formation of scar tissues and eventually tumors.

The pleura surrounds the lungs and the heart and also the abdomen. Mesothelium is made up of cells that react to exposure to asbestos legal which causes it to become inflamed and form scar tissue. In time, these changes can result in the growth of malignant mesothelioma tumors.

The signs of pleural mesothelioma can include shortness of breath and chest pain as well as an accumulation of fluid on the lungs (pleural effusion). In rare cases, cancer can spread into the tissues surrounding the reproductive organs and the heart.

A doctor will request biopsy if scans reveal a possible mass in the lungs or stomach. The procedure involves the removal of some of the fluid or tumor for lab tests. The results will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and determine the best treatment plan.

There are several types of mesothelioma treatment options, which include chemotherapy, surgery, and immunotherapy. Most doctors utilize a combination of these treatments. Enrolling in clinical trials of mesothelioma treatments that are new could be beneficial for patients. To learn more about the trials, patients should consult mesothelioma specialists who have had experience treating the disease.