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Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos, a natural mineral, naturally occurs in the form of thin, long fibers. Workers who are exposed asbestos on a regular basis risk developing mesothelioma and other lung diseases.

Symptoms of these diseases may not show up for decades after exposure to asbestos. Different asbestos claim types can cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma can be found in the outer lung lining, or pleura. It is the most prevalent type of mesothelioma, making up 70 to 79% of all diagnosed cases. Patients with this disease suffer from chest pain and breathlessness and may experience a sensation of heaviness in the chest.

Exposure to asbestos, a class of minerals made of microscopic fibers, usually causes this kind of cancer. Once inhaled, the fibers stick inside the lungs and cause irritation that leads to scarring and DNA mutations. Pleura surrounds both the chest cavity as well as the lungs, which means that irritations can also affect the heart. Mesothelioma symptoms are usually not apparent until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

The most frequent symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are chest pain and shortness of breath. Patients may also experience difficulty breathing or chest tightness. Patients with this cancer have a past that includes asbestos litigation exposure at work. The most frequent jobs that expose people to the risk of pleural mesothelioma include manufacturing, construction and shipbuilding. Individuals who have been in the military could be at a higher risk due to the widespread asbestos use in Navy vessels and army bunkers.

The most popular staging system for pleural mesothelioma is the TNM (tumor, lymph nodes and metastases) staging system. The stage that the patient is in at the moment of diagnosis will determine what treatment plan they will receive. For instance, patients suffering from a pleural mesothelioma in stage three or four have a poorer prognosis than those in a lower stage. Stage four mesothelioma often spreads to the diaphragm, liver or even a person's heart. This can make it more difficult to treat and increase the likelihood of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

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

Like pleural mesothelioma, symptoms can take years to show. Patients usually have abdominal pain, and may also have a lump in their abdomen. The symptoms of this kind of mesothelioma can also include nausea as well as weight loss and fever. A lot of these symptoms are similar to symptoms of digestive problems, which can lead to misdiagnosis.

Generally, doctors can find mesothelioma after an exhaustive medical history and physical exam. They can also use imaging tests like Xrays, CT scans and PET/CT scans to detect mesothelioma. These tests can reveal tumors and other signs of cancer that are not evident on X-rays.

These tests enable doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and determine the stage and suggest treatment options. The stage is determined by the kind of cell and if the cancer has spread.

The most significant risk factor for mesothelioma is asbestos exposure. People who have worked in professions that require asbestos, like plumbing, electrical work, manufacturing or construction, are at a higher risk of developing the disease. Even if someone is not employed in one of these areas, he or she can still be exposed through family members or other sources. Anyone who suspects that they are at risk should talk to a doctor. If they have an history of exposure to asbestos, a mesothelioma specialist can assist them in learning more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos exposure is a major risk factor for mesothelioma, which accounts for as much as 80 percent of all cases. Exposure to asbestos can happen as a result of work, military service, or by living with someone who is exposed to asbestos or was previously exposed to doing such. Asbestos particles can be breathed in by those who are exposed to asbestos. The particles cause irritation to the linings, causing cancerous cells to form in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma can take between 15 and 60 years to develop after exposure to asbestos compensation.

Other risk factors include genetics, smoking and aging. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely to get mesothelioma than people younger or more senior. This is because mesothelioma usually occurs between 20 and 60 years from the first exposure before the first signs of cancer appear. It is also important to know that mesothelioma is a possibility in those who were exposed to asbestos but did not work with it directly. This is called indirect or secondary exposure to asbestos, and it can be just as dangerous as direct exposure.

Smoking increases the risk of getting mesothelioma because it damages the mesothelium, which makes it more susceptible to asbestos. Additionally, mesothelioma can be worsened by certain diseases like asbestosis and pneumonia. It is also important to note that mesothelioma is more common for men than women. This is due to men being more likely to work with asbestos and have a longer period of exposure than women. Men are also more likely to live with someone who worked with asbestos and carry asbestos fibers that have escaped home on their clothes. Women are less likely to be exposed to asbestos, and they are less likely to carry asbestos attorney on their clothing.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is a difficult disease to recognize because the symptoms are often similar to other diseases. Because of this, victims are often wrongly diagnosed.

The first step in identifying mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform an examination of the body and take down a patient's medical history which includes asbestos exposure. Doctors can also order a chest X-ray or CT scan to look for lumps or other abnormalities, as well as evidence of past asbestos exposure such as plaques on the pleura (thickened pleura with calcium deposits) and the accumulation of fluid between the lung and the chest wall (known as pleural effusion).

Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance imaging or MRI test, that uses radio waves and magnets in order to create a series of detailed images of the inside of the body. A surgical biopsy is another way for doctors to diagnose mesothelioma. A surgical biopsy is when doctors remove a small piece of tissue from the pleura or peritoneum for further testing. A pathologist will then look at the tissue using a magnifying glass to determine if it contains cancerous cells.

Mesothelioma can be classified based on the type of mesothelial cell involved, whether these cells are malignant or benign and also the location, type, and stage of the cancer. Some types of mesothelioma are more likely to grow or spread which is why it is crucial to establish a definitive diagnosis so doctors can treat the disease before it gets out of control.

Doctors can also run tests in the laboratory on a tumor to find particular proteins, genes, or other factors that help them understand the characteristics of cancer and plan treatment. These results are referred to as staging.

Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnosis can be a frightening prospect. But, it is crucial to remember that the disease is treatable, particularly in its initial stages. Many people with mesothelioma live for many years with the disease without it spreading to other organs of their body.

Exposure to asbestos can trigger mesothelioma in a number of ways. Asbestos fibers, too small to be able to see or feel with the naked eye, can become airborne and cause irritation to the lining of the lungs (pleura). As time passes the irritation causes the formation of scar tissue that eventually result in tumors.

The pleura is the area that surrounds the heart and lungs and the abdomen. Mesothelium is composed of cells that react when exposed to asbestos. They cause inflammation to the tissue and cause it to scar. Overtime, these changes result in the growth of malignant mesothelioma tumors.

Symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include breathlessness and chest pain, or a buildup of fluid in the lung (pleural effusion). In rare cases, the cancer can be spread to the tissues around the heart and reproductive organs.

A doctor will order biopsy if imaging scans show a potential tumor in the lungs or stomach. During the procedure doctors remove small amounts of fluid or tumor for lab tests. The results can confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis and provide the most effective treatment plan.

There are many types of mesothelioma treatment options, including chemotherapy, surgery and immunotherapy. The majority of doctors employ a combination of these treatments. Patients could also benefit from taking part in a clinical trial of new mesothelioma treatment. To find out more, patients should speak with a mesothelioma specialist who has expertise in treating the condition.