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Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos is a natural mineral that is found in long, thin fibres. Workers who are exposed asbestos on a regular basis risk developing mesothelioma and other lung diseases.

Symptoms of these diseases may not show up for decades after exposure to asbestos. Different asbestos types may cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer of the lung's outer lining or the pleura. It is the most common type of mesothelioma, making up 70 to 79% of diagnosed cases. This condition causes chest pain, shortness of breathe, and a feeling of weightiness.

Exposure to asbestos, a family of minerals composed of microscopic fibers, typically causes this type of cancer. Once inhaled, these fibers stick inside the lung and cause irritation which results in scarring and DNA mutations. The pleura is the area that surrounds the chest cavity and lungs and therefore, these irritations could affect both the lungs and the heart of a person. Mesothelioma symptoms typically don't show until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

Shortness of breath and chest pain are the most frequent symptoms. Patients may also feel tightness in their chest or coughing. They may also experience difficulty breathing. People who suffer from this cancer usually have an history of exposure to asbestos in the workplace. The most prevalent jobs that expose workers to the risk of developing pleural cancer are construction, manufacturing 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 mysothelioma has been the TNM (tumor lymph nodes, lymph nodes and metastases) staging system. The stage a patient is in at the time of diagnosis will help determine the treatment plan they will receive. For instance, patients who have a pleural mesothelioma in stage three or four have a worse prognosis than those in lower stages. Stage four mesothelioma can spread to the heart, liver or diaphragm. This makes it more difficult to treat and increases the chance of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

As opposed to pleural mesothelioma that is a lung-lining cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma is found in the peritoneum -- an elongated membrane that covers the abdominal cavity and organs like the liver and intestines. Like pleural mesothelioma, asbestos law exposure is the primary cause of peritoneal msothelioma. The disease is less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma, with around 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.

As with pleural asbestosis symptoms can take a long time to show. Patients generally have abdominal pain, and may have a mass in their abdomen. This type of mesothelioma may also cause nausea, weight loss, and fever. A lot of these symptoms are similar to those experienced by digestive problems, which can result in incorrect diagnosis.

Generally, doctors can find mesothelioma after an exhaustive medical history and physical exam. They can also utilize imaging tests like Xrays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to help find mesothelioma. These tests can reveal tumors and other indications of cancer that aren't apparent on an X-ray.

The results of these tests allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma, determine the stage and recommend treatment options. The stage of the disease is determined based on the type of cell and whether or the tumor has spread to other areas of the body.

Asbestos exposure is the most important risk factor. People who have worked in professions that involve asbestos, like plumbing manufacturing, electrical work, or construction, are at greater risk of developing the disease. However, even if people do not work in these areas they could be exposed to asbestos through family members or through other sources. Anyone who believes they're at risk should talk to an expert. A mesothelioma specialist can assist those with a previous history of asbestos lawyer to find out more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos is the most significant risk factor in mesothelioma. It is responsible for as much as 80percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos can happen as a result of work, military service or through living with a person who works with asbestos or was previously exposed to doing so. Asbestos particles are inhaled by those who are exposed to asbestos. These irritate the linings and can cause cancerous cells to develop in the mesothelium. After exposure to asbestos litigation mesothelioma is likely to 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 to develop mesothelioma than those who are younger or more senior. This is because mesothelioma typically occurs between 20 and 60 years from the initial exposure to asbestos before the first signs of cancer appear. It is also important to note that mesothelioma may develop in those who were exposed to asbestos but did not deal with it directly. This is referred to as indirect or secondary asbestos exposure. It can be as hazardous as direct asbestos exposure.

Smoking increases a person's chances of developing mesothelioma since it causes mesothelium damage and makes it more vulnerable to asbestos. Mesothelioma can also be aggravated by certain diseases, such as asbestosis and pneumonia. It is also important to remember that mesothelioma is more prevalent in men than women. This is due to men being more likely to work with asbestos and have more exposure than women. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who has been exposed to asbestos, and to have asbestos-containing fibers on their clothing. Women tend to be less exposed to asbestos and they are less likely to carry asbestos on their clothing.

Diagnosis

It is difficult to recognize mesothelioma due to its symptoms being frequently similar to other illnesses. This is why patients are sometimes mistakenly diagnosed.

NYU Langone doctors will perform an examination of the body and document the patient's medical background including asbestos exposure. Doctors may also order an X-ray of the chest or CT scan to look for lumps or other abnormalities, and also to look for evidence of past asbestos exposure such as plaques on the pleura (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the formation of fluid between the lung and the chest wall (known as pleural effusion).

Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram, which examines the blood vessels and the heart as well as a magnetic resonance imaging, also known as MRI, test that uses radio waves and magnets to make a series of detailed images of the inside of the body. Another way doctors can diagnose mesothelioma is by performing the procedure of a surgical biopsy. In a surgical biopsy doctors will remove a small part of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum, to be tested further. A pathologist will then look at the tissue under a magnifying glass to determine whether it contains cancerous cell.

The type of mesothelial cell involved, the malignant or benign nature of those cells and the location, type and stage of the tumor, are used to categorize the disease. Certain types of mesothelioma may be more likely to spread or metastasize, so it is important to have a clear diagnosis to ensure that doctors are able to treat the disease before it becomes out of control.

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

Treatment

A diagnosis of mesothelioma may be frightening. It is important to keep in mind that cancer can be treated, especially at its early stages. Many patients with mesothelioma survive for years with the disease, without spreading to other areas of their body.

Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma in many ways. Asbestos fibers, too small to see or feel by the naked eye can become airborne and cause irritation to the lining of the lungs (pleura). Over time irritation leads to formation of scar tissue which causes changes in the cell structure that eventually develop into tumors.

The Pleura is a protective layer that surrounds the abdomen, heart, and lungs. Mesothelium is made up of cells that react to asbestos which causes it to become inflamed and create scar tissue. Overtime, these changes lead to the development of malignant mesothelioma tumors.

The signs of pleural mesothelioma can include breathing problems and chest pain as well as a buildup of fluid in the lungs (pleural effusion). In rare cases, the cancer can spread to the tissues surrounding the heart and reproductive organs.

A doctor will request biopsy if scans show the possibility of a lung tumor or stomach. During the procedure, doctors will remove tiny amounts of tumor or fluid for lab testing. The results will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and help determine the best treatment option.

There are several types of mesothelioma treatments, which include chemotherapy, surgery, and immunotherapy. Most doctors utilize combinations of these treatments. Patients could also benefit from participating in a clinical study of new mesothelioma treatments. To learn more about the trials, patients should speak with mesothelioma specialists who have experience treating the condition.