Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos is a natural mineral that is made up of long, thin fibres. People who are regularly exposed to asbestos may develop lung diseases, such as mesothelioma.

Symptoms of these diseases may not be evident for a long time after exposure to asbestos. Different types of asbestos can cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

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

Exposure to asbestos, a group of minerals comprised of microscopic fibers, usually causes this type of cancer. Once inhaled, the fibers are absorbed into the lungs and cause irritation that 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 and a person's heart. Mesothelioma symptoms typically don't show until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

Shortness of breath and chest pain are the most frequently reported symptoms. Patients may also experience coughing, difficulty breathing, or chest tightness. Patients with this type of cancer have a history that includes asbestos exposure at work. Construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding are the most prevalent jobs which put people at risk danger of developing pleural melanoma. People who have served in the military could be at an especially high risk because of the extensive asbestos usage in Navy ships and bunkers used by the army.

The most popular staging system for pleural mesothelioma is the TNM (tumor lymph nodes, lymph nodes, and metastases) staging system. The stage a patient has at diagnosis will aid their doctor in determining the best treatment plan for them. Patients suffering from pleural mesothelioma who is in stage three or four will suffer a more negative prognosis compared to those in a less advanced stage. Mesothelioma in stage four can develop into the liver, heart, or diaphragm. This can make it more difficult to treat and raises the chance of complications for patients.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

In contrast to 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 like the intestines and liver. Similar to pleural mesothelioma and peritoneal mesothelioma is caused by asbestos exposure. The disease is less common than pleural mesothelioma. There are only about 300-500 cases diagnosed each year.

As with pleural asbestosis symptoms can take years to show. Most patients are afflicted with abdominal pain as well as an abdominal mass. The symptoms of this type of mesothelioma can also include nausea as well as weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms could be mistaken for gastrointestinal problems and can lead to a false diagnosis.

The doctors can detect mesothelioma through examining the patient's medical history and performing a physical exam. Imaging tests like X-rays and CT scans are a way to identify mesothelioma. These tests can identify 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 and determine the stage. They also offer treatments. The stage of the disease is determined based on the type of cells and whether or not the tumor has spread to other parts of the body.

The most significant mesothelioma-related risk factor is asbestos exposure. People who have been in occupations that require asbestos law, such as plumbing electrical work, manufacturing or construction, are at a higher risk of developing the disease. However, even if people do not work in these fields they could be exposed to asbestos through family members or other sources. This is why anyone who is concerned that they might be at risk should speak to an experienced doctor. If they have an history of exposure to asbestos or mesothelioma, a specialist can help them find out more about their risk.

Risk Factors

asbestos attorney is the most significant mesothelioma-related risk factor. It accounts for as much as 80percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos can happen through military service, work, or living with those who worked with asbestos. When exposed to asbestos, small particles can be inhaled into the lungs and abdomen. The particles cause irritation to the linings of the lungs, causing cancerous cells to form in the mesothelium. After exposure to Asbestos Legal, mesothelioma may be diagnosed between 15 and 60 years old.

Other risk factors include genetics, smoking and aging. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely develop mesothelioma than those who are younger or older. It is because mesothelioma generally takes 20 to 60 years from the first exposure before cancer symptoms appear. It is also important to note that mesothelioma may develop in people who have been exposed to asbestos but didn't deal with it directly. This is known as indirect or secondary asbestos exposure, and is just as harmful as direct asbestos exposure.

Smoking can increase the likelihood of getting mesothelioma because it damages the mesothelium and makes it more vulnerable to asbestos. Mesothelioma is also aggravated by certain illnesses such as asbestosis and pneumonia. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than women. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for a longer period of time and to have worked with asbestos for longer periods of time. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who had worked with asbestos, and to have asbestos fibers on their clothing. Women are less likely to come into contact with asbestos and don't typically carry asbestos around on their clothing.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is a difficult disease to recognize because the symptoms are often similar to other diseases. This can lead to victims being wrongly diagnosed.

NYU Langone doctors will perform physical examinations and document the patient's medical background, including asbestos exposure. Doctors can also order a chest X-ray or CT scan to check for lumps or other abnormalities, and also to look for evidence of previous asbestos exposure like pleural plaques (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the buildup of fluid between the lung and chest wall (known as the pleural effusion).

Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram which examines the heart and blood vessels, and 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 yet another method doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma. In a surgical biopsy doctors remove a small amount of tissue from the pleura or peritoneum for further analysis. A pathologist then examines the tissue under an magnifying glass to determine if it is a cancerous cells.

The mesothelial type involved, the malignant or benign nature of the cells as well as the location, type and stage of the tumor, are used to classify the disease. Some types of mesothelioma have greater chance of metastasizing or spreading therefore it is essential to determine the type of mesothelioma so doctors can treat it before it gets out of control.

Doctors may also conduct tests in the lab on a tumor to find specific genes, proteins and other factors that can help them describe the cancer's characteristics and plan treatment. These results are known as staging.

Treatment

A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be frightening. However, it's important to remember that the cancer is treatable, especially in its early stages. Many people with mesothelioma can live with the disease for many years without it spreading.

Exposure to asbestos may cause mesothelioma through a variety of ways. Asbestos particles, which are too small to be able to see or feel by the naked eye can be airborne and cause irritation to the lung's lining (pleura). As time passes, the irritation causes the formation of scar tissue, which leads to changes in the structure of cells that can eventually grow into tumors.

The Pleura is a covering that covers the lungs, heart and abdomen. Mesothelium consists of cells that react when exposed to asbestos. They cause inflammation of the tissue and cause it to scar. Overtime, these changes lead to the development of malignant mesothelioma tumors.

A shortness of breath, chest discomfort, or the accumulation of fluid on the lungs are all signs of the pleural msothelioma. In rare instances, cancer can spread into the tissues around the reproductive organs and the heart.

If imaging scans show a possible mass in the stomach or lungs the doctor will request a biopsies. During the procedure, doctors remove a small sample of the fluid or tumor for lab tests. The results will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and determine the most effective treatment plan.

There are many types of treatment for mesothelioma, including surgery and chemotherapy. Most doctors use combinations of these treatments. Enrolling in clinical trials of mesothelioma treatments that are new could be beneficial for patients. To find out more, patients should speak with mesothelioma experts who have had experience treating the disease.