Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos, a mineral that occurs naturally in the form of long, thin fibers. People who are exposed to asbestos on a regular basis are at risk of developing mesothelioma as well as other lung diseases.

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

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma occurs in the outer lung lining, also known as the pleura. It is the most prevalent mesothelioma form and accounts for 70% to 79% of all diagnosed cases. The condition can cause chest pain, shortness of breathe and a feeling of heaviness.

Exposure to asbestos, a class of minerals composed of microscopic fibers causes this type of cancer. The fibers, when inhaled can cause irritation and DNA mutations. The pleura covers the chest cavity and lungs This means that these irritations can affect both the lungs as well as a person's 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 breath shortness. Some patients also experience difficulty breathing, or chest tightness. People who suffer from this cancer usually have a history of exposure to asbestos in the workplace. Construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding are the most frequent occupations that put people at high chance of developing pleural mesothelioma. People who served in the military are at a greater risk due to the widespread use of asbestos in Navy vessels and Army bunkers.

The TNM (tumors lymph nodes and metastases staging system) is the most common staging system used to treat pleural adenocarcinoma. The stage that a patient is in at the time of diagnosis will help determine the treatment plan they will receive. For instance, patients suffering from mesothelioma pleural stage three or four have a less favorable prognosis than those with a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma can spread to the heart, liver or diaphragm. This makes it more difficult to treat and increases the likelihood of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

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

As with pleural asbestosis, symptoms can take years to manifest. Patients generally have abdominal pain, and may have a mass in their abdomen. The symptoms of this type of mesothelioma may also include nausea as well as weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms can be mistaken for gastrointestinal problems and can lead to a mistaken diagnosis.

Typically, doctors can identify mesothelioma by conducting a thorough health history and physical exam. Imaging tests like X-rays and CT scans can be used to detect mesothelioma. These tests can identify tumors and other signs of cancer that aren't evident on X-rays.

The results of these tests allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and determine the stage. They also offer treatments. Staging is determined based on the type of cell and whether or not the cancer has spread to other parts of the body.

The most significant mesothelioma-related risk factor is asbestos exposure. People who have worked in professions that involve asbestos, like plumbing, electrical work, manufacturing or construction, are at a higher risk of developing the disease. Even if an individual isn't employed in any of these areas, he or she can still be exposed through family members and other sources. Anyone who thinks they may be at risk should speak with a doctor. If they have any history of exposure to asbestos lawsuit or mesothelioma, a specialist can help them find out more about the risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos exposure is the primary risk factor for mesothelioma making up as much as 80 percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos may occur due to work, military service or through living with a person who is exposed to asbestos or has previously done so. Asbestos particles can be inhaled by people who are exposed to it. They can cause irritation to the linings of the abdomen and trigger cancerous cells to grow in the mesothelium. After asbestos exposure mesothelioma is likely to occur between 15 and 60 years old.

Other risk factors include genetics, smoking and age. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely to get mesothelioma than people younger or older. This is because mesothelioma typically lasts between 20 and 60 years after the initial exposure before cancer symptoms appear. It is important to note, too, that mesothelioma can develop in those who have been exposed to asbestos, but without having been directly exposed to it. This is referred to as secondary or indirect asbestos exposure. It can be as dangerous as direct asbestos exposure.

Smoking increases the chance of mesothelioma developing, as it damages the mesothelium. It also makes it more susceptible. In addition, mesothelioma may be exacerbated by certain illnesses like pneumonia and asbestosis. It is also important to note that mesothelioma is more prevalent for men than women. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for longer periods of time and to work with asbestos legal for longer periods of time. Men are also more likely to live with someone who had asbestos exposure and bring stray asbestos fibers home on their clothes. Women tend to be less exposed to asbestos case and don't typically bring asbestos home on their clothes.

Diagnosis

It is difficult to diagnose mesothelioma due to its symptoms being often similar to other conditions. This can lead to victims being incorrectly diagnosed.

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

Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram, which examines the heart and blood vessels, and a magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI test that uses magnets and radio waves to make a series of precise images of the inside of the body. A surgical biopsy is yet another way for doctors to diagnose mesothelioma. When a biopsy is performed, doctors remove a tiny piece of tissue from pleura or the peritoneum to be tested further. A pathologist can then examine the tissue under a magnifying glass to determine if it is a cancerous cell.

Mesothelioma is classified according to the mesothelial type involved, whether these cells are malignant or benign, and the location, type, and stage of the tumor. Some types of mesothelioma have greater chance of metastasizing or spreading, so it's important to establish a clear diagnosis so that doctors can treat it prior to it becoming out of control.

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

Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnose can be frightening. But, it is crucial to keep in mind that the cancer can be treated, particularly in its early stages. Many people with mesothelioma can endure the disease for a long time, without spreading.

Exposure to asbestos may cause mesothelioma in a number of ways. Asbestos fibers, too small to be able to see or feel through the naked eye, can be airborne and cause irritation to the lining of the lungs (pleura). As time passes the irritation causes the formation of scar tissues and eventually tumors.

The pleura is the area that surrounds the lungs and heart, as well as the abdomen. Mesothelium is made up of cells that react to exposure to asbestos which causes it to become inflamed and develop scar tissue. Overtime, these changes result in the growth of malignant mesothelioma tumors.

The symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are shortness of breath, chest pain or the accumulation of fluid on the lungs (pleural effusion). In rare cases cancer may spread to the tissues surrounding the reproductive organs and the heart.

A doctor will request biopsy if imaging scans reveal a possible mass in the lungs or stomach. During the procedure, doctors take a small sample of the tumor or fluid for lab testing. The results can confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and provide the most effective treatment plan.

There are many types of treatment for mesothelioma, including surgery and chemotherapy. Most doctors use the 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 speak with mesothelioma specialists who have expertise in treating the condition.