Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos is a natural mineral that comes in thin, long fibres. People who are regularly exposed to asbestos may develop lung diseases such as mesothelioma.

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

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma is a type of cancer that affects the lung's outer the lining (pleura). It is the most frequent mesothelioma type, accounting for up 70% to 79% of diagnosed cases. This condition causes chest pain, shortness of breathe, and a feeling of heaviness.

Exposure to asbestos, a group of minerals made of microscopic fibers, typically causes this kind of cancer. Once inhaled, these fibers stick inside the lungs and cause irritation that results in scarring and DNA mutations. The pleura covers the chest cavity and lungs and therefore, these irritations could affect both the lungs and the heart of a person. Mesothelioma is usually not symptomatic until 30 to 50 year after exposure.

The most commonly reported symptoms of pleural melanoma are chest pain and shortness of breath. Patients may also feel tightness in their chest or coughing. They may also experience difficulty breathing. Patients with this cancer have a history of disease that includes asbestos exposure at work. Manufacturing, construction, and shipbuilding are the most frequent occupations that put people at high 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 popular staging system for pleural mysothelioma has been the TNM (tumor lymph nodes, lymph nodes, and metastases) staging system. The stage that a patient is in at the time of diagnosis will help determine what treatment plan they should receive. 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 can spread to the heart, liver or diaphragm. This makes it more difficult to treat and increases the chance of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

In contrast to pleural mesothelioma which develops in the lung lining, peritoneal mesothelioma forms in the peritoneum -- it is a membrane that lines the abdominal cavity and organs like the intestines and liver. Like pleural mesothelioma, peritoneal mesothelioma can be caused by asbestos exposure. The disease is much less prevalent than pleural mesothelioma, with just 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.

As with pleural asbestosis symptoms can take several years to manifest. Patients typically suffer from abdominal pain and may have a mass in their abdomen. The symptoms of this type of mesothelioma can also include nausea as well as weight loss and fever. A lot of these symptoms can be mistaken for gastrointestinal problems which can lead to a mistaken diagnosis.

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 show tumors and other indications of cancer that aren't visible on X-rays.

These test results enable doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and establish the stage. They can also recommend treatments. The staging is determined by the type of cells and whether or the tumor has spread to other areas of the body.

Asbestos exposure is the most important risk factor. People who have been in occupations that involve asbestos, such as plumbing, manufacturing, electrical work, or construction, are at a higher risk of developing the disease. Even if a person does not work in one of these fields they could be exposed to asbestos through family members and other sources. This is why anyone who suspects they may be at risk should speak to an expert. A mesothelioma specialist can assist those who have had a history with asbestos to learn more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos is the most significant mesothelioma-related risk factor. It accounts for as much as 80percent of cases. Exposure to asbestos can happen as a result of military service, work, or living with someone who used to work with asbestos. Asbestos particles can be breathed in by people 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 following exposure to asbestos.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and aging. People in their 40s or 50s are at greater chance of developing mesothelioma to those who are younger or older. Mesothelioma can take between 20 and 60 years to manifest cancer symptoms after the first exposure. It is also important to note that mesothelioma can develop in people who have been exposed to asbestos, but did not work with it directly. This is known as secondary or indirect exposure to asbestos, and it is just as harmful as direct exposure.

Smoking increases the risk of developing mesothelioma since it damages the mesothelium, which makes it more vulnerable to asbestos. Furthermore, mesothelioma is exacerbated by certain illnesses like asbestosis and pneumonia. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than women. This is due to the fact that men are more likely to work with asbestos legal (visit the next page) and experience a an extended period of exposure than women. Men are also more likely to have lived with someone who worked with asbestos, and to have asbestos legal-containing fibers on their clothing. Women tend to have less contact with asbestos and rarely carry asbestos around on their clothes.

Diagnosis

It is difficult to recognize mesothelioma due to its symptoms being often similar to other diseases. This could lead to patients being incorrectly diagnosed.

The first step in identifying mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform an examination of the body and take note of the medical history of the patient, including asbestos exposure. Doctors may also request a CT scan or chest X-ray to check for lumps, abnormalities, and evidence of exposure to asbestos litigation. These include plaques on the pleura, pleura that are thickened and calcium deposits.

Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance scan, or MRI test, that uses radio waves and magnets in order to create a series of detailed images of the inside of the body. Another way for doctors to detect mesothelioma is through a surgical biopsy. During a surgical biopsy, doctors take a small amount of tissue from the pleura or peritoneum for further testing. A pathologist is then able to examine the tissue with a microscope to see if it is contaminated with cancerous cells.

Mesothelioma is classified according to the mesothelial type involved, whether those cells are benign or malignant and the location of the tumor, its type, and the stage of the tumor. Certain mesothelioma types have greater chance of metastasizing or spreading and it's crucial to establish a clear diagnosis to ensure that the doctors can treat it before it becomes out-of-control.

Doctors can also run tests in the laboratory on tumors to determine specific genes, proteins or other elements that help them understand the characteristics of cancer and plan treatment. These results are known as staging.

Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnosis is an incredibly frightening prospect. But, it is crucial to remember that the cancer can be treated, particularly in its earlier stages. Many patients with mesothelioma survive for many years without the disease spreading to other areas of their body.

Asbestos exposure can cause mesothelioma by a variety of mechanisms. Asbestos fibers that are too small to be felt or viewed by naked eyes are able to become airborne, irritating the lung's lining (pleura). In time the irritation can lead to the formation of scar tissues and eventually tumors.

The Pleura is a covering that surrounds the lungs, heart and abdomen. Mesothelium is composed of cells that respond when exposed to asbestos. They inflame the tissue and cause it to scar. These changes can eventually lead to malignant mesothelioma tumours.

A shortness of breath, chest discomfort or fluid buildup on the lungs are all indications of pleural msothelioma. In rare instances, the cancer can grow to the tissues surrounding the heart and reproductive organs.

A doctor may request a biopsy if imaging scans reveal a possible mass in the lungs or stomach. In the course of the procedure, doctors remove some of the liquid or tumor for tests in the laboratory. The results will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma and determine the best treatment plan.

There are many types of mesothelioma treatments, which include chemotherapy, surgery, and immunotherapy. The majority of doctors employ combinations of these treatments. Patients may also benefit from enrolling in a clinical trial of new mesothelioma treatments. To learn more about the trials, patients should speak to mesothelioma experts who have experience treating the condition.