Mesothelioma and Asbestos

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

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

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma, a form of cancer, that affects the lung's outer the lining (pleura). It is the most prevalent mesothelioma that accounts for up 70 to 79% of all diagnosed cases. Patients suffering from this condition feel chest pain and shortness of breath, and they may feel a sensation of heaviness in the chest.

Exposure to asbestos settlement, a group of minerals comprised of microscopic fibers, usually causes this type of cancer. The fibers, when inhaled cause irritation and DNA mutations. The pleura surrounds the chest cavity and lungs, so these irritations can affect both the lungs as well as the heart of a person. Mesothelioma symptoms typically don't show until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

Shortness of breath and chest pain are the most frequent symptoms. Some patients have coughing problems, trouble breathing, or chest tightness. Patients with this type of cancer typically have previous exposure to asbestos in the workplace. The most frequent jobs that put people at risk of developing pleural cancer are construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding. Individuals who have served 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 mysothelioma has been the TNM (tumor, lymph nodes and metastases) staging system. The stage the patient is in at the time of diagnosis can help determine the treatment plan they should follow. Patients who have pleural mesothelioma which is in stage three or four will have a worse prognosis compared to those in a less advanced stage. Stage four mesothelioma often spreads to the diaphragm, liver or even a person's heart. This makes it more difficult to treat and increases the chance of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

In contrast to pleural mesothelioma which is a lung-lining cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma is found in the peritoneum -- it is a membrane that lines the abdominal cavity and organs like the intestines and liver. Like pleural mesothelioma, asbestos exposure is the cause of peritoneal mesothelioma. There are only 300-500 cases diagnosed annually this is less than pleural asbestosis.

As with pleural asbestosis, symptoms can take years to manifest. The majority of patients suffer from abdominal pain and a mass in the abdomen. The symptoms of this kind of mesothelioma could also include nausea or weight loss, as well as fever. Many of these symptoms are similar to those of digestive problems, which can cause misdiagnosis.

Doctors can detect mesothelioma by looking over the medical history of the patient and performing a physical exam. They can also use imaging tests like X-rays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to detect mesothelioma. These tests can reveal tumors, as well as other signs of cancer that aren't visible on X-rays.

These test results enable doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and determine the stage. They can also suggest treatment options. The stage of the disease is determined based on the type of cells and whether or whether the tumor has spread to other parts of the body.

The most significant mesothelioma risk factor is exposure to asbestos. People who have worked in professions which require asbestos, such as plumbing or manufacturing, electrical work, or construction, are at greater risk of developing the disease. However, even if people do not work in these fields they may be exposed to asbestos through relatives or other sources. For this reason, anyone who believes they could be at risk should speak to an experienced doctor. A mesothelioma specialist can help those who have a experience with asbestos to understand more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos exposure is the main mesothelioma risk factor, making up as much as 80 percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos can occur as a result of work, military service, or by living with a person who works with asbestos or has previously done the same. When exposed to asbestos, particles can be breathed into the abdomen and lungs. The particles cause irritation to the linings of the abdomen, which causes 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 age. People in their 40s and 50s are more at risk of developing mesothelioma as compared to those 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 but did not work with it directly. This is referred to as indirect or secondary asbestos exposure and can be as hazardous as direct asbestos exposure.

Smoking increases a person's chances of getting mesothelioma because it causes mesothelium damage and makes it more prone to asbestos. Mesothelioma can also be caused by certain illnesses, including asbestosis and pneumonia. It is also important to know that mesothelioma is more common for men than women. Men are more likely than women to have been exposed to asbestos compensation for a longer time and work with asbestos for longer durations and to work with it. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who worked with asbestos and to carry asbestos fibers on their clothing. Women are less likely to come into contact with asbestos and don't typically carry asbestos around on their clothing.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is difficult to identify because the symptoms can be similar to other conditions. Because of this, victims are sometimes 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 detect lumps or other abnormalities, as well as evidence of past asbestos case (Going to www.itoxi.co.kr) exposure such as pleural plaques (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the buildup of fluid between the lung and the chest wall (known as pleural effusion).

Other diagnostic tests include an echocardiogram, which examines the blood vessels and the heart as well as a magnetic resonance imaging, also known as MRI, test, which uses magnets and radio waves to create precise images of the inside of the body. A surgical biopsy is a different way for doctors to diagnose mesothelioma. When a biopsy is performed doctors will remove a small part of tissue from the pleura or the peritoneum, to be tested further. A pathologist can then examine the tissue under microscopes to determine whether it contains cancerous cells.

The type of mesothelial cells involved and the benign or malignant nature of these cells and the location, type and stage of the tumour, are used to categorize the disease. 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 identify specific genes, proteins and other factors which can help them identify the characteristics of cancer and plan treatment. These results are referred to as staging.

Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnosis is terrifying. But, it is crucial to remember that the disease is treatable, particularly in its initial stages. Many mesothelioma patients live for years without the disease spreading to other parts of their body.

Exposure to asbestos can trigger mesothelioma in many ways. Asbestos fibers that are too small to be felt or observed with the naked eyes can be airborne, causing irritation to the lung's lining (pleura). In time, the irritation causes the formation of scar tissue which causes changes in the cell structure that eventually develop into tumors.

The pleura is a protective covering that protects the abdomen, heart, and lungs. 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.

Shortness of breath, chest discomfort, or the accumulation of fluid on the lungs are all signs of the pleural mesothelioma. In rare cases, the cancer can grow to the tissues surrounding the heart and reproductive organs.

If scans of imaging reveal an area of concern in the stomach or lungs doctors will recommend biopsies. In the course of the procedure, doctors remove some of the liquid or tumor for lab tests. The results will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma, and also determine the best treatment plan.

There are a variety of treatment for mesothelioma, such as chemotherapy and surgery. The majority of doctors employ combinations of these treatments. Participating in clinical trials for new mesothelioma treatment may also be beneficial to patients. To learn more about the trials, patients should speak to mesothelioma specialists who have experience treating the condition.