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Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos is a mineral that naturally forms in the form of thin, long fibers. Workers who are regularly exposed to asbestos may develop lung diseases like mesothelioma.

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

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma can be found in 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% of all diagnosed cases. Patients suffering from this condition experience pain in the chest and breath shortness and may also feel an ache or heaviness in the chest.

This type of cancer usually caused through exposure to asbestos, which is a grouping of minerals composed of microscopic fibers. When inhaled, these fibers stick inside the lung and cause irritation that results in scarring and DNA mutations. The pleura covers the chest cavity and lungs This means that these irritations can affect both the lungs and a person's heart. Mesothelioma symptoms usually don't appear until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

Chest pain and shortness breath are the most common symptoms. Some patients have coughing problems, trouble breathing or chest tightness. People with this cancer often have previous exposure to asbestos in the workplace. Construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding are the most common jobs that put people at a high risk of developing pleural mesothelioma. Individuals who have been in the military are at risk due to the widespread asbestos usage in Navy vessels and bunkers for the army.

The most common staging method for pleural mesothelioma is the TNM (tumor lymph nodes, lymph nodes and metastases) staging system. The stage a patient has when they are diagnosed will aid their doctor in determining the most appropriate treatment plan for them. Patients suffering from pleural mesothelioma who is in stage three or stage four will suffer a more negative prognosis compared to those who are in a lower stage. Mesothelioma in stage four is usually spread to the diaphragm, the liver or even the heart of a patient. This can make it more difficult to treat and increase the likelihood of complications for patients.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Unlike pleural mesothelioma, which develops in the lung lining, peritoneal mesothelioma develops in the peritoneum - a membrane that lines the abdominal cavity as well as organs like the intestines and liver. Similar to pleural mesothelioma, exposure to asbestos is the cause of peritoneal msothelioma. There are only 300-500 cases diagnosed annually, which is less than the pleural asbestosis.

Like pleural mesothelioma, the symptoms can take years to show. Patients typically suffer from abdominal pain and could also experience a mass in their abdomen. This mesothelioma type can also cause nausea, weight loss, and fever. Many of these symptoms can be mistaken for gastrointestinal problems which can lead to a false diagnosis.

Generally, doctors can find mesothelioma after a thorough health history and physical exam. They can also use imaging tests such as X-rays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to detect mesothelioma. These tests can reveal cancerous tumors or other indications of cancer that aren't apparent on an X-ray.

The results of these tests allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma, determine the stage and recommend treatment options. Staging is determined based on the type of cells and whether or not the cancer has spread to other areas of the body.

Asbestos exposure is the biggest risk factor. People who have worked in professions that involve asbestos, like plumbing, manufacturing, electrical work, or construction, are at increased risk of developing the disease. However, even if individuals aren't employed in these areas, they can still be exposed to asbestos through family members or through other sources. Anyone who thinks they are at risk should talk to a doctor. A mesothelioma specialist can help those who have had a history with asbestos to learn more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos case exposure is a major mesothelioma risk factor, making up as much as 80 percent of all cases. Exposure to asbestos can happen due to work, military service or by living with someone who is exposed to asbestos or was previously exposed to doing such. When exposed to asbestos case, particles can be breathed into the lungs and abdomen. These particles irritate the linings, causing cancerous cells to develop in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma may take between 15 and 60 years to develop following exposure to asbestos.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and the advancing age. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely develop mesothelioma than those who are younger or older. This is because mesothelioma usually takes 20 to 60 years from the first time of exposure before the first signs of cancer appear. It is also important to note that mesothelioma may develop in people who have been exposed to asbestos, but did not engage directly with it. This is known as indirect or secondary exposure to asbestos. It can be just as dangerous as direct exposure.

Smoking increases the chance of mesothelioma because it damages the mesothelium. It also makes it more susceptible. Additionally, mesothelioma can be caused by certain illnesses, such as asbestosis and pneumonia. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than females. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos for longer periods of time and to work with asbestos litigation for longer periods of time. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who has been exposed to asbestos, and to have asbestos-containing fibers on their clothing. Women tend to have less exposure to asbestos and do not typically carry asbestos on their clothing.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is difficult to identify because the symptoms can be similar to other diseases. Because of this, victims are sometimes wrongly diagnosed.

NYU Langone doctors will perform a physical examination and record the patient's medical background including asbestos exposure. Doctors can also request an X-ray chest or CT scan to look for lumps and other abnormalities and also to look for evidence of previous asbestos litigation exposure like plaques in the pleura (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the buildup of fluid between the lung and chest wall (known as pleural effusion).

Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram which examines the blood vessels and the heart and magnetic resonance imaging, also known as MRI, test, which makes use of radio waves and magnets to create precise images of the inside of the body. A surgical biopsy is a different way for doctors to diagnose mesothelioma. A surgical biopsy is when doctors remove a small amount of tissue from the pleura or peritoneum to conduct further tests. A pathologist is then able to examine the tissue with microscopes to determine whether it has cancerous cells.

The type of mesothelial cell involved, the malignant or benign nature of those cells, as well as the location and stage of the tumour, are used to categorize the disease. Certain mesothelioma types have a higher chance of metastasizing or spreading and it's crucial to get a definitive diagnosis to ensure that the doctors can treat it before it gets out-of-control.

Doctors can also perform laboratory tests on tumors in order to determine specific proteins, genes or other elements that can aid in describing cancer characteristics and plan treatment. These results are referred to as staging.

Treatment

A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be an incredibly frightening prospect. However, it's important to remember that the cancer is treatable, particularly in its initial stages. Many people with mesothelioma can endure the disease for a long time, without spreading.

Exposure to asbestos can trigger mesothelioma via a variety of mechanisms. Asbestos fibers that are tiny enough to be felt or observed through the naked eye are able to become airborne and irritate the lining of the lung (pleura). Over time the irritation causes the formation of scar tissues that eventually result in tumors.

The pleura surrounds the lungs and heart and the abdomen. Mesothelium consists of cells that react to exposure to asbestos case and cause it to enflame and develop scar tissue. These changes eventually result in malignant mesothelioma tumors.

The signs of pleural mesothelioma can include breathlessness, chest pain or an accumulation of fluid on the lungs (pleural effusion). In rare instances, cancer can spread into the tissues surrounding the reproductive organs and heart.

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

There are a variety of mesothelioma treatments, including surgery, chemotherapy and immunotherapy. The majority of doctors employ combinations of these treatments. Participating in clinical trials for mesothelioma treatments may be beneficial to patients. To learn more, patients should speak to mesothelioma experts who have had experience treating the disease.