Mesothelioma and Asbestos

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

It can take years for symptoms to show up after exposure to asbestos. Different asbestos compensation types can cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma, a form of cancer, that affects the outer lung the lining (pleura). It is the most frequent mesothelioma type, accounting for up 70 to 79% of all diagnosed cases. Patients suffering from this condition feel chest pain and breathlessness and may also feel an ache or heaviness in the chest.

This type of cancer is often caused by exposure to asbestos, which is a collection of minerals that are composed of microscopic fibers. Once inhaled, these fibers are absorbed into the lung and cause irritation which results in scarring and DNA mutations. Pleura is the lining of both the chest cavity as well as the lungs, so irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma usually doesn't show symptoms until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

Shortness of breath and chest pain are the most frequently reported symptoms. Some patients may also experience chest tightness, coughing or difficulty breathing. People who suffer from this cancer usually have previous exposure to asbestos in the workplace. The most common jobs that expose people to the risk of pleural mesothelioma include manufacturing, construction and shipbuilding. People who have worked in the military could be at a higher risk due to the frequent asbestos usage in Navy vessels and bunkers for the army.

The TNM (tumors lymph nodes, tumors, and metastases staging system) is the most popular staging system used for the pleural cancer. The stage the patient is in at the time of diagnosis will help determine what treatment plan they should follow. Patients suffering from pleural mesothelioma who is in stage three or four will have a less favorable outlook than those in a less advanced stage. Stage four mesothelioma can spread to the liver, heart or diaphragm. This can make the cancer more difficult to treat, and increase the chance of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

In contrast to pleural cancer, which is found in the lung's lining it develops in a membrane that surrounds the abdominal cavity, including organs like the liver and intestines. Like pleural mesothelioma, asbestos exposure is the primary reason for peritoneal msothelioma. The disease is less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma, with just 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.

Like pleural mesothelioma, symptoms can take years to show. Patients generally have abdominal pain, and could also experience a mass in their abdomen. This type of mesothelioma may cause nausea, weight loss, and fever. A lot of these symptoms can be misinterpreted as gastrointestinal issues, leading to a misdiagnosis.

Generally, doctors can find mesothelioma after an exhaustive medical history and physical exam. Imaging tests like X-rays and CT scans can be used to identify mesothelioma. These tests can reveal tumors and other signs 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 stage is determined by the kind of cell and if the cancer has spread.

Asbestos exposure is the biggest risk factor. People who have worked in jobs that require asbestos lawsuit, like plumbing or manufacturing, electrical work or construction, are at increased risk of developing the disease. Even if they do not work in these areas they may be exposed to asbestos through relatives or other sources. Anyone who believes they're at risk should speak with a doctor. If they have a history of asbestos exposure, a mesothelioma specialist can assist them in finding out more about the risk.

Risk Factors

asbestos compensation is the primary mesothelioma-related risk factor. It is responsible for up to 80percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos can occur due to work, military service, or living with someone who used to work with asbestos. Asbestos particles can be breathed in by people who are exposed to it. These irritate the linings and trigger cancerous cells to develop in the mesothelium. After exposure to asbestos (Read Olderworkers) mesothelioma can occur between 15 and 60 year.

Other risk factors include genetics, smoking and aging. People in their 40s or 50s are more at risk of developing mesothelioma as compared to those younger or older. This is because mesothelioma usually takes 20 to 60 years after the initial exposure before symptoms of cancer begin to manifest. It is important to note that mesothelioma could be present in those who have been exposed to asbestos, but without having worked with it directly. This is referred to as secondary or indirect asbestos exposure. It can be as dangerous as direct asbestos exposure.

Smoking increases the risk of getting mesothelioma because it causes mesothelium damage and makes it more vulnerable to asbestos. Mesothelioma can also be 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 time and to have worked with it. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who had worked with asbestos, and to have asbestos-containing fibers on their clothing. Women are less likely to come into exposure to asbestos and don't typically carry asbestos lawsuit around on their clothing.

Diagnosis

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

The first step in identifying mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform an examination of the body and take notes on the medical history of a patient including asbestos exposure. Doctors can also request a chest X-ray or CT scan to check for lumps or other abnormalities, and also to look for evidence of previous 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 a magnetic resonance scan, or MRI test, that uses radio waves and magnets to create a series of detailed images of the inside of the body. A surgical biopsy is another way for doctors to diagnose mesothelioma. In a surgical biopsy, doctors remove a tiny piece of tissue from pleura or the peritoneum, to be tested further. A pathologist can then examine the tissue using an magnifying glass to determine if it contains cancerous cell.

The mesothelial type involved, the malignant or benign nature of those cells, as well as 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 risk of metastasizing or spreading and it's crucial to determine the type of mesothelioma so that doctors can treat it before it becomes out-of-control.

Doctors can also perform tests in the lab on tumors to identify specific proteins, genes or other factors that can aid in describing cancer characteristics and determine the best treatment. These results are called staging.

Treatment

A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be terrifying. However, it is important to remember that the disease is treatable, particularly in its earlier stages. A lot of people suffering from mesothelioma live with the disease for many years without it expanding.

Exposure to asbestos can trigger mesothelioma through a variety of ways. Asbestos particles, which are too small to see or feel by the naked eye can become 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 the area that surrounds the lungs and heart and the abdomen. Mesothelium is composed of cells that respond when exposed to asbestos. They cause inflammation to the tissue and cause it to scar. In time, these changes can cause the development of malignant mesothelioma tumors.

A shortness of breath, chest pain or fluid accumulation on the lungs are all symptoms of pleural mesothelioma. In rare cases the cancer may be spread to the tissues around the heart and reproductive organs.

A doctor will order biopsy if scans show a potential mass in the lungs or stomach. The procedure involves the removal of a small amount of fluid or tumor for lab tests. The results will confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis, and determine the most effective treatment plan.

There are many types of treatment for mesothelioma including surgery and chemotherapy. Most doctors rely on a combination of these methods. Patients could also benefit from taking part in a clinical trial of new mesothelioma treatment. To learn more, patients should speak to mesothelioma experts who have had experience treating the disease.