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Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos is a natural mineral that is found in long, thin fibres. Workers who are regularly exposed to asbestos may develop lung diseases like mesothelioma.

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

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma can be found in the lung's outer lining, also known as the pleura. It is the most frequent mesothelioma form and is responsible for 70 to 79% of diagnosed cases. Patients with this disease suffer from chest pain and breathlessness and may experience an ache or heaviness in the chest.

Exposure to asbestos, a class of minerals comprised of microscopic fibers, usually causes this type of cancer. When inhaled, these fibers can cause irritation and DNA mutations. Pleura covers both the chest cavity and the lungs, and so 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 common symptoms. Patients may also experience difficulty breathing or chest tightness. People with this cancer often have a history of exposure to asbestos litigation in the workplace. The most frequent jobs that put people at risk of developing pleural mesothelioma are manufacturing, construction, and shipbuilding. People who have worked in the military are at a higher risk due to the widespread asbestos use in Navy vessels and bunkers used by the army.

The most common staging system for pleural mysothelioma has been the TNM (tumor, lymph nodes and metastases) staging system. The stage that the patient is in at the time of diagnosis will help determine the treatment plan they should receive. For instance, patients suffering from mesothelioma that is pleural in stage three or four have a poorer prognosis than those with lower stages. Stage four mesothelioma can be spread to the liver, heart, or diaphragm. This makes the cancer more difficult to treat and increase the chances of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

In contrast to pleural mesothelioma which is a lung-lining cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma develops in the peritoneum -- an elongated membrane that covers the abdominal cavity as well as organs like the liver and intestines. Similar to pleural mesothelioma and peritoneal mesothelioma is triggered by asbestos exposure. Only 300-500 cases are diagnosed each year, which is less than the pleural asbestosis.

Like pleural mesothelioma, symptoms can take years to show. Typically, patients suffer from abdominal pain and abdominal swelling. The symptoms of this kind of mesothelioma can also include nausea as well as weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms are similar to those experienced by digestive issues, which could cause misdiagnosis.

The doctors can detect mesothelioma through looking over the medical history of the patient and performing a physical exam. Imaging tests like X-rays and CT scans can be used to identify mesothelioma. These tests can show tumors, as well as other indications of cancer that aren't visible on X-rays.

These test results allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma, determine the stage of the disease and suggest treatment options. The staging is determined by the type of cells and whether or not the tumor has spread to other regions of the body.

Asbestos exposure is the biggest risk factor. People who have been in occupations which require asbestos settlement, such as plumbing or manufacturing, electrical work, or construction, are at increased risk of developing the disease. Even if someone does not work in any of these areas however, they may be exposed to asbestos through family members and other sources. Anyone who thinks they may be at risk should speak with an expert. If they have an history of exposure to asbestos, a mesothelioma specialist can assist them in finding out more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos exposure is the main risk factor for mesothelioma, making up as much as 80 percent of all cases. Exposure to asbestos attorney can occur due to work, military service or by living with a person who is exposed to asbestos or used to do such. When exposed to asbestos, the particles can be breathed into the lungs and abdomen. The particles cause irritation to the linings, causing cancerous cells to develop in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma can take between 15 and 60 years to develop after exposure to asbestos.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics, and age. People in their 40s and 50s are at greater risk of developing mesothelioma compared to people who are younger or more. Mesothelioma can take between 20 and 60 years to show signs of cancer after the first exposure. It is also important to know that mesothelioma may develop in people who were exposed to asbestos but didn't work with it directly. This is called indirect or secondary exposure to asbestos, and it can be just as dangerous as direct exposure.

Smoking increases the chance of mesothelioma as it damages the mesothelium. It also makes it more susceptible. Mesothelioma is also aggravated by certain illnesses such as asbestosis and pneumonia. It is also important to note that mesothelioma is more common in males than females. This is due to men being more likely to work with asbestos and have an extended period of exposure than women. Also, men are more likely to live with someone who was exposed to asbestos and bring stray asbestos fibers home on their clothes. Women tend to have less contact with asbestos and rarely carry asbestos around on their clothing.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is a difficult disease to recognize because the symptoms can be similar to other diseases. This is why patients are sometimes wrongly diagnosed.

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

Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance scan, or MRI test, which uses radio waves and magnets in order to produce a series of precise images of the insides of the body. Another method doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma is to perform a surgical biopsy. In a surgical biopsy, doctors remove a tiny piece of tissue from pleura or the peritoneum, to be further examined. A pathologist will then look at the tissue with a magnifying glass to determine if it is a cancerous cell.

The mesothelial type involved as well as the benign or malignant nature of these cells and the location, type and stage of the cancer are used to categorize the disease. Certain types of mesothelioma are more likely to spread or metastasize and spread, therefore it is essential to get a definite diagnosis to ensure that doctors are able to treat the disease before it becomes out of control.

Doctors can also perform tests in the laboratory on tumors to identify specific proteins, genes, or other factors which can help them describe cancer characteristics and determine the best treatment. These results are referred to as staging.

Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnosis is an incredibly frightening prospect. However, it is important to keep in mind that the cancer is treatable, especially in its initial stages. Many patients with mesothelioma be afflicted for many years without it spreading.

Exposure to asbestos may cause mesothelioma in many ways. asbestos attorney fibers, which are too small to be able to see or feel with the naked eye, can be airborne and cause irritation to the lining of the lungs (pleura). Over time, the irritation leads to the formation of scar tissue and eventually tumors.

The pleura covers the lungs and heart and also the abdomen. Mesothelium is composed of cells that react when exposed to asbestos. They cause inflammation of the tissue and cause it to become scarred. These changes eventually lead to malignant mesothelioma tumours.

Symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include breathing problems and chest pain as well as a buildup of fluid in the lung (pleural effusion). In rare cases the cancer may spread to the tissues surrounding the heart and reproductive organs.

If imaging scans reveal an underlying mass in the lungs or stomach, a doctor will order biopsies. During the procedure, doctors take a small sample of the fluid or tumor for laboratory testing. The results can confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma, and also determine the best treatment option.

There are many types of treatment for mesothelioma including chemotherapy and surgery. Most doctors utilize the combination of these treatments. Enrolling in clinical trials of new mesothelioma treatment may also be beneficial to patients. To learn more about the trials, patients should consult mesothelioma specialists who have had experience treating the disease.