Mesothelioma and Asbestos

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

Symptoms of these diseases may not be evident for a long time after exposure to asbestos. Different types of asbestos may cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma can be found in the lung's outer lining or the pleura. It is the most common mesothelioma type, accounting for up 70% to 79% of all diagnosed cases. This condition causes chest pain, breath shortness and a feeling of weightiness.

Exposure to Asbestos Case, a family of minerals comprised of microscopic fibers, usually causes this kind of cancer. When inhaled, these fibers, cause irritation and DNA mutations. The pleura surrounds the lungs and chest cavity, so these irritations can affect both the lungs and a person's heart. Mesothelioma symptoms typically don't show until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

Shortness of breath and chest pain are the most frequently reported symptoms. Some patients have coughing problems, trouble breathing, or chest tightness. People with this cancer often 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 manufacturing, construction, and shipbuilding. Individuals who have been in the military may be at an especially high risk due to the widespread use of asbestos in Navy ships and bunkers used by the army.

The TNM (tumors lymph nodes, tumors, and metastases staging system) is the most popular staging system used to treat pleural adenocarcinoma. The stage a patient is in upon diagnosis will help their doctor determine the best treatment plan for them. Patients who have pleural mesothelioma which is in stage three or four will have a less favorable prognosis than those in a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma may be spread to the liver, heart or diaphragm. This makes it more difficult to treat and increases the risk of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

As opposed to pleural mesothelioma that develops in the lung lining, peritoneal mesothelioma develops in the peritoneum - it is a membrane that lines the abdominal cavity as well as organs like the intestines and liver. Similar to pleural mesothelioma mesothelioma is triggered by asbestos exposure. The disease is much less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma. There are around 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.

As with pleural asbestosis, symptoms can take several years to manifest. Most patients are afflicted with abdominal pain as well as abdominal swelling. The symptoms of this type of mesothelioma can also include nausea or weight loss, as well as fever. A lot of these symptoms are similar to symptoms of digestive problems, which can result in misdiagnosis.

Doctors can detect mesothelioma by looking over the medical history of the patient and performing a physical exam. Imaging tests such as X-rays or CT scans are a way to identify mesothelioma. These tests can reveal tumors as well as 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 and suggest treatment options. The stage is determined by the type of cell and whether the tumor has spread.

Asbestos exposure is the most important risk factor. People who have worked in jobs that require asbestos, such as plumbing manufacturing, electrical work, or construction, are at greater risk of developing the disease. Even if a person is not employed in one of these fields however, they may be exposed to asbestos to asbestos through family members and other sources. Anyone who suspects that they're at risk should consult an expert. A mesothelioma expert can help those who have a history with asbestos to learn more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos is the primary risk factor in mesothelioma. It accounts for as much as the 80% of cases. Exposure to asbestos can happen due to work, military service or by living with a person who works with asbestos or was previously exposed to doing the same. asbestos attorney particles are inhaled by people who are exposed to it. These particles irritate the linings of the abdomen, which causes cancerous cells to develop in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma can take between 15 and 60 years to develop after exposure to asbestos.

Other risk factors include genetics, smoking and aging. The people in their 40s or 50s are more at risk of developing mesothelioma compared to people who are younger or more. It takes mesothelioma between 20 and 60 years to manifest cancer symptoms after the first exposure. It is also important to know that mesothelioma is a possibility in people who have been exposed to asbestos but did not deal with it directly. This is referred to as indirect or secondary asbestos exposure, and is as dangerous as direct asbestos exposure.

Smoking increases the risk of developing mesothelioma due to the fact that it damages the mesothelium and makes it more susceptible to asbestos. Mesothelioma can also be caused by certain illnesses, including asbestosis and pneumonia. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma compared to women. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for a longer time and to have worked with asbestos for longer periods of time. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who has worked with asbestos, and to have asbestos fibers on their clothing. Women tend to have less contact with asbestos and rarely carry asbestos on their clothing.

Diagnosis

It is difficult to identify mesothelioma due to its symptoms being often similar to other conditions. This is why patients are often misdiagnosed.

The first step in identifying mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform a physical exam and take note of the medical history of the patient including asbestos exposure. Doctors may also order an X-ray chest or CT scan to check for lumps and other abnormalities, as well as evidence of past asbestos exposure like plaques in 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 heart and blood vessels as well as a magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI, test that uses radio waves and magnets to make a series of precise images of the inside of the body. A surgical biopsy is yet another method for doctors to identify mesothelioma. A surgical biopsy is when doctors remove a small piece of tissue from the pleura or peritoneum for further testing. A pathologist then examines the tissue with an magnifying glass to determine if it contains cancerous cell.

Mesothelioma is classified according to the type of mesothelial cell involved, whether these cells are benign or malignant and the location of the tumor, the type, and the stage of the cancer. Certain types of mesothelioma may be more likely to grow or spread, so it is important to have a clear diagnosis so that doctors can treat the disease before it becomes out of control.

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

Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnose can be frightening. It is important to remember that cancer can be treated, particularly in its early stages. Many mesothelioma patients live for a long time with the disease without it spreading to other areas of their body.

Exposure to asbestos can trigger mesothelioma in a number of ways. Asbestos fibers, too small to detect or feel with the naked eye, can be airborne and cause irritation to the lung's lining (pleura). In time, the irritation causes the formation of scar tissue which can cause changes in the structure of cells which eventually lead to tumors.

The Pleura is a protective layer that protects the abdomen, heart, and lungs. Mesothelium is made up of cells that react to exposure to asbestos lawsuit which causes it to become inflamed and form scar tissue. These changes can eventually cause mesothelioma cancers.

Shortness of breath, chest discomfort or fluid buildup on the lungs are all signs of the pleural mesothelioma. In rare instances, cancer can spread into the tissues that surround the reproductive organs and heart.

A doctor may request biopsy if imaging scans show a potential mass in the lungs or stomach. During the procedure, doctors will remove a small sample of the fluid or tumor for lab testing. The results will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and indicate the best treatment plan.

There are many types of mesothelioma treatment options, including surgery, chemotherapy and immunotherapy. Most doctors utilize an amalgamation of these techniques. Patients could also benefit from taking part in a clinical trial of new mesothelioma treatment. Patients can learn more by consulting a mesothelioma expert who has treated the condition.