Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos, a natural mineral, naturally forms in the form of long, thin fibers. Workers who are regularly exposed to asbestos risk developing lung diseases such as mesothelioma.

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

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma is a type of cancer that occurs in the outer lung liner (pleura). It is the most common type of mesothelioma, making up 70% to 79% of all diagnosed cases. The condition can cause chest pain, breath shortness and a feeling of heaviness.

Exposure to asbestos, a family of minerals composed of microscopic fibers, typically causes this type of cancer. These fibers, when inhaled can cause irritation and DNA mutations. Pleura is the lining of both the chest cavity as well as the lungs, and so irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma symptoms typically don't show until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

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

The most commonly used staging system for pleural mesothelioma is the TNM (tumor lymph nodes, lymph nodes, and metastases) staging system. The stage the patient is in at the time of diagnosis will help determine the treatment plan they should receive. Patients with pleural mesothelioma that is in stage three or four will have a less favorable prognosis than those in a lower stage. Mesothelioma in stage four can spread to the heart, liver or diaphragm. This could make the cancer more difficult to treat and increase the risk of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Unlike pleural cancer, which forms in the lining of the lung it develops in a membrane that surrounds the abdominal cavity, including organs such as the intestines and the liver. Like pleural mesothelioma, peritoneal mesothelioma is triggered by Asbestos Legal exposure. Only 300-500 cases are diagnosed each year, which is less than pleural asbestosis.

Like pleural mesothelioma, the symptoms can take years to show. Typically, patients suffer from abdominal pain and a mass in the abdomen. Symptoms of this type of mesothelioma may also include nausea or weight loss, as well as fever. Many of these symptoms could 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. They can also utilize imaging tests like Xrays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to identify mesothelioma. These tests can detect tumors as well as other signs of cancer that aren't visible on X-rays.

The results of these tests allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma, identify the stage and recommend treatment options. Staging is determined based on the type of cells and whether or the cancer has spread to other parts of the body.

Asbestos exposure is the biggest risk factor. People who have been exposed to asbestos in professions, such as plumbing or electrical work, or in construction and manufacturing are more likely to contract the disease. Even if they aren't employed in these areas, they can still be exposed to asbestos through relatives or other sources. Anyone who believes they are at risk should speak with a doctor. If they have an history of exposure to asbestos lawyer and mesothelioma is a concern, a specialist will help them find out more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos exposure is the main risk factor for mesothelioma, which accounts for as much as 80 percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos may occur due to work, military service, or through living with a person who works with asbestos or used to do so. When exposed to asbestos settlement, small particles can be inhaled into the abdomen and lungs. These particles can cause irritation to the linings of the abdomen, which causes cancerous cells to develop in the mesothelium. Following exposure to asbestos lawyer mesothelioma is likely to occur between 15 and 60 year.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics, and age. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely get mesothelioma than people younger or more senior. It takes mesothelioma 20-60 years to manifest cancer symptoms after the first exposure. It is important to note that mesothelioma can develop in people who have been exposed to asbestos, but without having directly worked with it. This is known as secondary or indirect exposure to asbestos legal, and it is just as harmful as direct exposure.

Smoking can increase the likelihood of developing mesothelioma since it causes mesothelium damage and makes it more prone to asbestos. Furthermore, mesothelioma is exacerbated by certain illnesses like pneumonia and asbestosis. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than women. This is due to the fact that men are more likely to work with asbestos and experience a a longer period of exposure than women. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who has worked with asbestos, and to have asbestos lawsuit-containing fibers on their clothing. Women are less likely to be in contact with asbestos, and don't typically carry asbestos on their clothing.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is difficult to recognize because the symptoms are often similar to other conditions. Because of this, victims are often mistakenly diagnosed.

The first step to diagnose mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform a physical exam and take notes on the medical history of a patient, including asbestos exposure. Doctors can also order an X-ray of the chest or CT scan to look for lumps or other abnormalities, as well as evidence of past asbestos exposure such as plaques in the pleura (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the buildup of fluid between the lung and the chest wall (known as pleural effusion).

Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram which examines the heart and blood vessels and magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI, test that uses magnets and radio waves to make a series of detailed images of the inside of the body. Another way for doctors to detect mesothelioma is to perform the procedure of a surgical biopsy. A surgical biopsy is when doctors remove a small amount of tissue from the peritoneum or pleura for further testing. A pathologist can look at the tissue under a microscope to see if it is contaminated with cancerous cells.

The type of mesothelial cell involved and the benign or malignant nature of the cells and the location the cancer, its type and the stage of the cancer are used to categorize the disease. Certain types of mesothelioma are at greater chance of metastasizing or spreading, so it's important to determine the type of mesothelioma so doctors can treat it before it gets out of control.

Doctors may also conduct tests in the laboratory on tumors to determine specific proteins, genes, or other factors which can aid in describing the characteristics of cancer and plan treatment. These results are called staging.

Treatment

A diagnosis of mesothelioma may be frightening. It is important to remember, however, that cancer can be treated especially at its early stages. A lot of people suffering from mesothelioma live with the disease for many years without it spreading.

Exposure to asbestos can trigger mesothelioma via various mechanisms. Asbestos fibers, which are too small to be felt or viewed with the naked eyes are able to become airborne, causing irritation to the lining of the lung (pleura). As time passes the irritation causes the formation of scar tissues that eventually result in tumors.

The pleura is a protective covering that surrounds the lungs, heart and abdomen. 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.

The signs of pleural mesothelioma can include breathlessness and chest pain as well as the accumulation of fluid on the lung (pleural effusion). In rare instances, cancer can spread into the tissues surrounding the reproductive organs and heart.

If imaging scans reveal a possible mass in the lungs or stomach doctors will recommend a biopsies. In the course of the procedure, doctors remove small amounts of fluid or tumor for lab tests. The results will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and determine the most effective treatment plan.

There are several types of mesothelioma treatment options, including surgery, chemotherapy and immunotherapy. Most doctors utilize a combination of these methods. Patients can also benefit by taking part in a clinical trial of new mesothelioma treatments. Patients can learn more about the trials by consulting a mesothelioma specialist who has treated mesothelioma.