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Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that is found in thin, long fibres. People who are exposed to asbestos regularly are at risk of developing mesothelioma or other types of lung diseases.

It can take years before symptoms begin to manifest after exposure to asbestos. Different types of asbestos can cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer of the lung's outer lining also known as the pleura. It is the most frequent form of mesothelioma and is responsible for 70 to 79% all diagnosed cases. Patients suffering from this condition feel chest pain and shortness of breath, and they may feel an ache or heaviness in the chest.

Exposure to asbestos, a group of minerals comprised of microscopic fibers causes this kind of cancer. When inhaled, these fibers are absorbed into the lung and cause irritation which causes scarring and DNA mutations. Pleura covers both the chest cavity and the lungs, and so irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma usually doesn't show symptoms until 30 to 50 year after exposure.

Chest pain and shortness breath are the most frequently reported symptoms. Some patients may also feel tightness in their chest or coughing. They may also experience difficulty breathing. Patients with this type of cancer have a past that includes Asbestos case exposure at work. The most frequent jobs that expose people to the risk of developing pleural mesothelioma are construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding. Individuals who have served in the military are at a greater risk due to the widespread use of asbestos in Navy vessels and Army bunkers.

The most popular staging method for pleural mesothelioma is the TNM (tumor, lymph nodes and metastases) staging system. The stage that a patient is at upon diagnosis will aid their doctor in determining the best treatment plan for them. Patients with pleural mesothelioma that is in stage three or stage four will have a worse prognosis compared to those in a less advanced stage. Mesothelioma in stage four is usually spread to the diaphragm, the liver and/or a person's heart. This makes the cancer more difficult to treat, and increase the risk of complications for patients.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

As opposed to pleural mesothelioma that develops in the lung lining, peritoneal mesothelioma is found in the peritoneum - an elongated membrane that covers the abdominal cavity as well as organs like the liver and intestines. Similar to pleural mesothelioma, exposure to asbestos litigation is the cause of peritoneal mesothelioma. It is estimated that only 300-500 cases are diagnosed each year, which is less than pleural asbestosis.

As with pleural asbestosis symptoms can take years to show. Patients generally suffer from abdominal pain and may also have a lump in their abdomen. This kind of mesothelioma can also cause nausea, weight loss, and fever. Many of these symptoms are similar to symptoms of digestive issues, which could cause incorrect diagnosis.

Generally, doctors can find mesothelioma after an extensive health history and physical examination. Imaging tests such as X-rays or CT scans are a way to identify mesothelioma. These tests can show tumors, as well as other indications of cancer that aren't visible on X-rays.

These tests enable doctors to diagnose mesothelioma, identify the stage of the disease and suggest treatment options. The stage is determined by the type of cell as well as whether the tumor has spread.

Asbestos exposure is the main risk factor. People who have been in occupations that require asbestos, such as plumbing manufacturing, electrical work or construction, are at a higher risk of developing the disease. Even if an individual isn't employed in one of these fields, he or she can still be exposed to asbestos through family members and other sources. Therefore, anyone who is concerned that they might be at risk should speak to an experienced doctor. A mesothelioma specialist can assist those who have had a experience with asbestos lawyer to understand more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos is the most significant risk factor for mesothelioma. It is responsible for as much as 80% of all cases. Exposure to asbestos can happen as a result of work, military service, or through living with a person who is exposed to asbestos litigation or used to do the same. Asbestos particles are inhaled by those who are exposed to asbestos. These particles can cause irritation to the linings and trigger cancerous cells to develop in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma can take anywhere between 15 and 60 years to develop after exposure to asbestos.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and age. People in their 40s and 50s are at greater chance of developing mesothelioma to people who are younger or more. It is because mesothelioma generally lasts between 20 and 60 years from the initial time of exposure before cancer symptoms appear. It is also important to know that mesothelioma is a possibility in those who were exposed to asbestos, but did not work with it directly. This is referred to as indirect or secondary asbestos exposure, and is as dangerous as direct asbestos exposure.

Smoking increases the chance of mesothelioma since it damages mesothelium. It can also make it more vulnerable. Mesothelioma can also be caused by certain illnesses, including asbestosis and pneumonia. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than females. This is because men are more likely to work with asbestos and have an extended period of exposure than women. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who been exposed to asbestos, and to carry asbestos legal fibers on their clothing. Women tend to be less exposed to asbestos and they don't usually bring asbestos home on their clothing.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is a difficult cancer to diagnose because the symptoms are often similar to other conditions. Because of this, victims are sometimes misdiagnosed.

The first step in diagnosing mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform a physical exam and take notes on the medical history of a patient, including asbestos attorney exposure. Doctors can also request an X-ray of the chest or CT scan to detect lumps or other abnormalities, as well as evidence of previous 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 a magnetic resonance scan or MRI test, which makes use of magnets and radio waves to create a series of detailed images of the insides of the body. Another method doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma is through a surgical biopsy. In a surgical biopsy doctors remove a small piece of tissue from the peritoneum or pleura to conduct further tests. A pathologist can then look at the tissue under microscopes to determine whether it contains cancerous cells.

Mesothelioma is classified based on the mesothelial type involved, whether those cells are malignant or benign, and the location, type, and stage of the cancer. Certain types of mesothelioma may be more likely to grow or spread, so it is important to establish a definitive diagnosis to ensure that doctors are able to treat the disease before it goes out of control.

Doctors may also conduct laboratory tests on tumors to determine specific proteins, genes or other factors that will help them identify the characteristics of cancer and plan treatment. These results are referred to as staging.

Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnosis is a frightening prospect. It is important to remember that cancer can be treated particularly in its early stages. Many patients with mesothelioma endure the disease for a long time, without spreading.

Exposure to asbestos can trigger mesothelioma through a variety of ways. Asbestos fibres, small enough to not be felt or observed by naked eyes, can become airborne, causing irritation to the lining of the lung (pleura). As time passes, the irritation leads to the formation of scar tissue that eventually result in tumors.

The pleura is the area that surrounds the lungs and the heart and also the abdomen. Mesothelium is made up of cells that react to exposure to asbestos, causing it to inflame and form scar tissue. These changes can eventually result in malignant mesothelioma tumors.

Symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include breathing problems and chest pain, or the accumulation of fluid in the lungs (pleural effusion). In rare instances the cancer may spread to the tissues surrounding the heart and reproductive organs.

A doctor will request a biopsy if imaging scans reveal a possible tumor in the lungs or stomach. During the procedure doctors remove a small amount of fluid or tumor to allow for laboratory testing. The results can confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis and provide the most effective treatment plan.

There are a variety of treatment for mesothelioma including surgery and chemotherapy. Most doctors rely on a combination of these methods. Patients could also benefit from participating in a clinical study of new mesothelioma treatment. Patients can learn more about the trials by speaking with a mesothelioma doctor who has treated mesothelioma.