Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that comes in thin, long fibres. People who are regularly exposed to asbestos are at risk of developing lung diseases such as mesothelioma.

It could take a long time for symptoms to appear after exposure to asbestos. Different types of asbestos claim may cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma occurs in the lung's outer lining, or the pleura. It is the most common mesothelioma type, accounting for up between 70 and 79% of all diagnosed cases. Patients with this disease experience pain in the chest and breathlessness and may also feel an ache or heaviness in the chest.

Exposure to asbestos, a class of minerals made of microscopic fibers, usually causes this kind of cancer. Once inhaled, these fibers stick inside the lung and cause irritation that results in scarring and DNA mutations. Pleura surrounds both the chest cavity as well as the lungs, which means that 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 common symptoms. Some patients may also suffer from chest tightness and coughing, or breathing difficulties. People with this cancer have a past that includes asbestos exposure at work. The most prevalent jobs that expose people to the risk of developing pleural mesothelioma are manufacturing, construction, and shipbuilding. People who were in the military are at a greater risk due to the extensive use asbestos in Navy vessels and bunkers for the Army.

The most commonly used staging system for pleural mesothelioma is the TNM (tumor, lymph nodes and metastases) staging system. The stage the patient is in at the moment of diagnosis will determine what treatment plan they will receive. Patients with pleural mesothelioma that is in stage three or four will have a less favorable prognosis compared to those in a lower stage. Mesothelioma in stage four can be 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

Contrary to pleural cancer that develops in the lung's lining it develops in a membrane that covers the abdominal cavity, including organs like the intestines and the liver. Like pleural mesothelioma, peritoneal mesothelioma is caused by asbestos exposure. The disease is much less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma, and just 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.

As with pleural asbestosis, symptoms can take several years to manifest. Most patients suffer from abdominal pain and a mass in the abdomen. The symptoms of this kind of mesothelioma could also include nausea, weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms can be mistaken for gastrointestinal problems which can lead to a misdiagnosis.

Doctors can detect mesothelioma by reviewing the medical history of the patient and performing a physical examination. Imaging tests like X-rays and CT scans are a way to detect mesothelioma. These tests can reveal tumors and other indications of cancer that aren't visible on an X-ray.

These tests enable doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and establish the stage. They can also suggest treatments. The stage is determined by the kind of cell and if the cancer has spread.

The most important risk factor for mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos. People who have worked in asbestos-related professions, such as electrical or plumbing work or in construction, manufacturing and manufacturing, are more likely to develop the disease. Even if someone does not work in any of these areas they could be exposed to asbestos through family members or other sources. For this reason, anyone who is concerned that they might be at risk should speak to an experienced doctor. If they have any history of exposure to asbestos or mesothelioma, a specialist can assist them in finding out more about the risk.

Risk Factors

asbestos case is the primary mesothelioma-related risk factor. It is responsible for up to 80% of all cases. Exposure to asbestos can occur as a result of military service, work, or living with people who have worked with asbestos. When exposed to asbestos, the particles can be inhaled into the abdomen and lungs. These particles can cause irritation to the linings, causing cancerous cells to develop in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma can take between 15 and 60 years to develop following exposure to asbestos.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and aging. People in their 40s and 50s are at a higher chance of developing mesothelioma to people who are younger or more. This is because mesothelioma typically lasts between 20 and 60 years from the first exposure to asbestos before cancer symptoms appear. It is important to remember that mesothelioma could occur in those who have been exposed to asbestos case, but without having worked with it directly. This is referred to as indirect or secondary asbestos exposure, and is as dangerous as direct asbestos exposure.

Smoking increases a person's chances of developing mesothelioma since it damages the mesothelium, which makes it more prone to asbestos. Mesothelioma is also aggravated by certain illnesses such as asbestosis and pneumonia. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than women. This is due to the fact that men are more likely to be exposed to asbestos and endure a more exposure than women. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who been exposed to asbestos, and to have asbestos-containing fibers on their clothing. Women are less likely to be exposed to asbestos case, and they don't usually carry asbestos on their clothing.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is difficult to recognize because the symptoms can be similar to other conditions. This is why patients are often misdiagnosed.

The first step to diagnose mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform an examination and write down a patient's medical history, including asbestos exposure. Doctors can also order an X-ray of the chest or CT scan to detect lumps or other abnormalities, and also to look for evidence of asbestos law exposure in the past 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 an echocardiogram which examines the heart and blood vessels, and a magnetic resonance imaging, also known as MRI test, which makes use of magnets and radio waves to make a series of precise images of the inside of the body. Another way for doctors to detect mesothelioma is through the procedure of a surgical biopsy. When a biopsy is performed doctors take a tiny part of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum, to be tested further. A pathologist can examine the tissue with microscopes to determine if it contains cancerous cells.

Mesothelioma can be classified based on the mesothelial type involved, whether these cells are benign or malignant and also the location of the tumor, the type, and the stage of the cancer. Certain mesothelioma types have an increased risk of spreading or metastasizing and it's crucial to establish a clear diagnosis to ensure that the doctors can treat it before it gets out-of-control.

Doctors may also conduct laboratory tests on tumors to identify specific proteins, genes or other elements that can help them describe cancer characteristics and plan treatment. These results are referred to as staging.

Treatment

A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be a frightening prospect. It is important to keep in mind that cancer can be treated especially at its early stages. A lot of people suffering from mesothelioma live with the disease for a long time without spreading.

Exposure to Asbestos case may cause mesothelioma in many ways. Asbestos fibers, too small to detect or feel by the naked eye can become airborne and irritate the lung's lining (pleura). Over time irritation leads to formation of scar tissue, which leads to changes in the structure of cells that eventually develop into tumors.

The Pleura is a protective layer that covers the abdomen, heart, and lungs. Mesothelium is made up of cells that respond when exposed to asbestos. They cause inflammation of the tissue and cause it to become scarred. Overtime, these changes cause the development of malignant mesothelioma cancers.

The symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are breathing problems, chest pain or an accumulation of fluid in the lungs (pleural effusion). In rare cases, the cancer can be spread to the tissues around the heart and reproductive organs.

If scans of imaging reveal a possible mass in the lungs or stomach, a doctor will order a biopsies. During the procedure, doctors take small amounts of the fluid or tumor for lab testing. The results can confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and determine the best treatment plan.

There are a variety of treatment for mesothelioma including chemotherapy and surgery. Most doctors utilize the combination of these methods. Patients could also benefit from taking part in a clinical trial of new mesothelioma treatments. Patients can learn more about the trials by consulting a mesothelioma expert who has treated the condition.