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Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos is a mineral that naturally forms in the form of long, thin fibers. People who are exposed to asbestos on a regular basis risk developing mesothelioma and other types of lung diseases.

The symptoms of these diseases may not be evident for a long time 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 prevalent form of mesothelioma and is responsible for 70 to 79% all diagnosed cases. The condition can cause chest pain, breath shortness and a feeling of heavyness.

This kind of cancer is often caused through exposure to asbestos, which is a cluster of minerals made up of microscopic fibres. When inhaled, these fibers stick inside the lung and cause irritation that results in scarring 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 is usually not symptomatic until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

Chest pain and shortness breath are the most common symptoms. Patients may also experience chest tightness and coughing, or breathing difficulties. Patients with this type of cancer typically have previous exposure to asbestos in the workplace. Manufacturing, construction and shipbuilding are among the most prevalent occupations which put people at risk risk of developing pleural mesothelioma. People who were in the military are at a greater risk due the extensive use asbestos in Navy vessels and bunkers in the Army.

The most common staging system for pleural mesothelioma is the TNM (tumor lymph nodes, lymph nodes and metastases) staging system. The stage that the patient is in at the time of diagnosis will help determine what treatment plan they should receive. Patients with pleural mesothelioma that is in stage three or stage four will suffer a more negative prognosis than those in a less advanced stage. Stage four mesothelioma may be spread to the heart, liver or diaphragm. This makes the cancer more difficult to treat, and increase the chance of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

In contrast to pleural mesothelioma which is a lung-lining cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma develops in the peritoneum -- a membrane that lines the abdominal cavity and organs like the intestines and the liver. Similar to pleural mesothelioma, exposure to asbestos is the reason for peritoneal msothelioma. The disease is less common than pleural mesothelioma, and only about 300-500 cases diagnosed each year.

As with pleural mesothelioma symptoms may take years to appear. Typically, patients suffer from abdominal pain and a mass in the abdomen. This type of mesothelioma may cause nausea, weight loss and fever. A lot of these symptoms can be mistaken for gastrointestinal problems, leading to a false diagnosis.

Generally speaking, doctors can detect mesothelioma after an extensive health history and physical examination. Imaging tests such as X-rays or CT scans can be used to detect 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. Staging is determined based on the type of cell and whether or the tumor has spread to other regions of the body.

Asbestos exposure is the biggest risk factor. People who have worked in professions that involve asbestos law, like plumbing or electrical work, manufacturing or construction, are at greater risk of developing the disease. Even if they do not work in these fields they may be exposed to asbestos through family members or through other sources. This is why anyone who is concerned that they might be at risk should speak to an expert. A mesothelioma specialist can assist those who have a previous history of asbestos to find out more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos is the most significant risk factor for mesothelioma. It is responsible for up to the 80% of cases. Exposure to asbestos may occur due to military service, work, or living with someone who used to work with asbestos lawyer. Asbestos particles can be inhaled by those who are exposed to asbestos. These particles can cause irritation to the linings and can cause cancerous cells to grow in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma may take between 15 and 60 years to develop after exposure to asbestos.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and aging. The people in their 40s or 50s are at greater risk of developing mesothelioma compared to those younger or older. It is because mesothelioma generally occurs between 20 and 60 years from the initial time of exposure before cancer symptoms appear. It is also important to note that mesothelioma can develop in those who were exposed to asbestos but didn't engage directly with it. This is referred to as secondary or indirect asbestos exposure. It can be just as harmful as direct asbestos exposure.

Smoking increases the chance of mesothelioma because it damages the mesothelium. It can also make it more vulnerable. Mesothelioma is also aggravated by certain diseases, such as asbestosis and pneumonia. It is also important to remember that mesothelioma is more common in men than women. This is due to the fact that men are more likely to work with asbestos and have more exposure than women. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who been exposed to asbestos, and to carry Asbestos case fibers on their clothing. Women tend to have less contact with asbestos claim and don't typically carry asbestos law around on their clothes.

Diagnosis

It is difficult to recognize mesothelioma due to its symptoms being often similar to other conditions. Because of this, victims are sometimes wrongly diagnosed.

The first step to diagnose mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform an examination of the body and take notes on the medical history of a patient, including asbestos exposure. Doctors will also recommend a CT scan or chest X-ray to look for lumps, abnormalities and evidence of asbestos exposure. These include plaques in the pleura, thickened pleura and calcium deposits.

Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI test, which makes use of magnets and radio waves to produce a series of precise images of the inside of the body. A surgical biopsy is a different method doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma. In a surgical biopsy doctors take a tiny part of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum to be examined further. A pathologist will then look at the tissue with an magnifying glass to determine if it is a cancerous cells.

The type of mesothelial cells involved and the benign or malignant nature of the cells, as well as the location 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 so that doctors can treat the disease before it goes out of control.

Doctors can also perform laboratory tests on tumors to identify specific genes, proteins or other factors that can help them describe cancer characteristics and determine the best treatment. These results are referred to as staging.

Treatment

A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be terrifying. However, it's important to remember that the cancer is treatable, particularly in its earlier stages. Many mesothelioma patients live for many years with the disease without it spreading to other parts of their body.

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

The pleura is the area that surrounds the lungs and heart and the abdomen. Mesothelium consists of cells that react to asbestos, causing it to inflame and develop scar tissue. In time, these changes can cause the development of malignant mesothelioma cancers.

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

If imaging scans reveal an area of concern in the stomach or lungs the doctor will request a biopsies. During the procedure, doctors will remove tiny amounts of fluid or tumor for lab tests. The results will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and determine the best treatment plan.

There are a variety of treatment for mesothelioma, including chemotherapy and surgery. The majority of doctors use the combination of these methods. Patients may also benefit from participating in a clinical study of new mesothelioma treatments. To learn more, patients should consult mesothelioma experts who have expertise in treating the condition.