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Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that comes in long, thin fibres. Workers who are exposed to asbestos on a regular basis risk developing mesothelioma and other lung diseases of different types.

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

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma occurs in the lung's outer lining, or the pleura. It is the most common mesothelioma type and accounts for 70% to 79% of all diagnosed cases. This condition causes chest discomfort, shortness of breath and a feeling heaviness.

Exposure to asbestos claim, a class of minerals comprised of microscopic fibers causes this type of cancer. Once inhaled, these fibers are absorbed into the lung and cause irritation which leads to scarring and DNA mutations. The pleura covers the lungs and chest cavity and therefore, these irritations could affect both the lungs as well as the heart of a person. Mesothelioma symptoms usually don't appear until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

Chest pain and shortness breath are the most common symptoms. Patients may also suffer from chest tightness or coughing. They may also experience difficulty breathing. People with this cancer have a history that includes asbestos exposure at work. The most frequent jobs that put people at risk of developing pleural cancer are construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding. People who were in the military are at greater risk due to the extensive use asbestos in Navy vessels and Army bunkers.

The TNM (tumors lymph nodes and metastases staging system) is the most popular staging system used for pleural adenocarcinoma. The stage that a patient is at at diagnosis will help their doctor determine the most appropriate treatment plan for them. For instance, patients suffering from mesothelioma pleural stage three or four have a less favorable prognosis than patients with a lower stage. Mesothelioma in stage four is usually spread to the diaphragm, liver or even a person's heart. This could make the cancer more difficult to treat and increase the chances of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Unlike pleural cancer, which forms in the lining of the lung the peritoneal cancer is a result of the membrane that covers the abdominal cavity, which includes organs such as the liver and intestines. Like pleural mesothelioma, asbestos exposure is the primary cause of peritoneal msothelioma. Only 300-500 cases are diagnosed annually which is lower than pleural asbestosis.

As with pleural mesothelioma symptoms can take years to show. Patients usually experience abdominal pain, and could also experience a mass in their abdomen. This type of mesothelioma may cause nausea, weight loss and fever. Many of these symptoms can be misinterpreted as digestive issues which can lead to a misdiagnosis.

Generally speaking, doctors can detect mesothelioma by conducting an exhaustive health history and physical exam. They can also utilize imaging tests such as X-rays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to detect mesothelioma. These tests can show tumors, as well as other symptoms of cancer that aren't visible on X-rays.

These tests enable doctors to identify mesothelioma, and determine the stage. They can also recommend treatment options. The stage is determined by the type of cell and whether the tumor has spread.

Asbestos exposure is the main risk factor. People who have worked in asbestos-related jobs, such as electrical or plumbing work, or in construction and manufacturing, are more likely to contract the disease. Even if an individual is not employed in one of these fields however, they may still be exposed to asbestos through family members and other sources. Anyone who suspects that they may be at risk should talk to an expert. 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 is the most significant risk factor for mesothelioma. It accounts for as much as 80percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos may occur through work, military service or by living with a person who is exposed to asbestos or was previously exposed to doing so. When exposed to asbestos, particles can be inhaled into the lungs and abdomen. These particles irritate the linings of the abdomen, which causes cancerous cells to grow in the mesothelium. Following exposure to asbestos mesothelioma can develop between 15 and 60 years.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and the advancing age. The people in their 40s or 50s are more at risk of developing mesothelioma compared to those who are younger or older. Mesothelioma can take between 20 and 60 years to show signs of cancer after the first exposure. It is also important to note that mesothelioma is a possibility in those who were exposed to Asbestos case but did not engage directly with it. This is referred to as indirect or secondary asbestos exposure, and is as hazardous as direct asbestos exposure.

Smoking increases a person's chances of getting mesothelioma because it damages the mesothelium, which makes it more vulnerable to asbestos. Mesothelioma can also be aggravated by certain illnesses such as asbestosis and pneumonia. It is also important to know that mesothelioma occurs more frequently for men than women. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for a longer period of time and to work with asbestos for longer periods of time. Additionally, men are more likely to live with someone who was exposed to asbestos and bring asbestos fibers that have escaped home on their clothes. Women are less likely to come into contact with asbestos and rarely carry asbestos claim home on their clothing.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is a difficult disease to recognize because the symptoms can be similar to other conditions. This can result in patients being wrongly diagnosed.

The first step in identifying mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform an examination and write down a patient's medical history including asbestos exposure. Doctors will also recommend an CT scan or chest X-ray to check for abnormalities, lumps 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 magnetic resonance imaging, also known as MRI test, which makes use of magnets and radio waves to make a series of detailed images of the interior of the body. Another way doctors can diagnose mesothelioma is to perform a surgical biopsy. When a biopsy is performed, doctors remove a tiny part of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum, to be examined further. A pathologist can then examine the tissue with a microscope to see if it contains cancerous cells.

Mesothelioma is classified based on the type of mesothelial cells involved, whether those cells are malignant or benign and the location of the tumor, the type, and the stage of the cancer. Some types of mesothelioma have greater risk of metastasizing or spreading, so it's important to establish a clear diagnosis so that doctors can treat it before it becomes out of control.

Doctors can also run tests in the lab on tumors to determine specific genes, proteins, or other factors that help them understand the characteristics of cancer and plan treatment. These results are known as staging.

Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnosis can be terrifying. However, it is important to remember that the disease can be treated, particularly in its initial stages. Many people with mesothelioma live for many years with the disease, without spreading to other organs of their body.

Exposure to asbestos case can trigger mesothelioma in a number of ways. Asbestos fibres, too small to be felt or seen through the naked eye, can become airborne, irritating the lining of the lung (pleura). Over time, the irritation leads to the formation of scar tissue that eventually result in tumors.

The Pleura is a protective layer that protects the lungs, heart and abdomen. Mesothelium is made up of cells that react to exposure to asbestos, causing it to inflame and create scar tissue. These changes eventually cause mesothelioma cancers.

The symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are breathing problems and chest pain, or a buildup of fluid on the lungs (pleural effusion). In rare cases the cancer may grow to the tissues surrounding the heart and reproductive organs.

A doctor may request a biopsy if imaging scans show a potential lung tumor or stomach. During the procedure, doctors take small amounts of the fluid or tumor for laboratory analysis. The results can confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma, and also determine the best treatment option.

There are a variety of mesothelioma treatments, which include chemotherapy, surgery, and immunotherapy. Most doctors rely on a combination of these methods. Patients may also benefit from enrolling in a clinical trial of new mesothelioma therapies. To learn more about the trials, patients should speak with mesothelioma specialists who have expertise in treating the condition.