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Mesothelioma and Asbestos

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

It could take a long time for symptoms to appear after exposure to asbestos. Different asbestos types can cause different symptoms.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer of the lung's outer lining or the pleura. It is the most common form of mesothelioma and is responsible for 70 to 79% of all diagnosed cases. Patients with this disease suffer from chest pain and shortness of breath, and they may feel a sensation of heaviness in the chest.

Exposure to asbestos, a class of minerals made of microscopic fibers causes this kind of cancer. Once inhaled, these fibers stick inside the lung and cause irritation that causes scarring and DNA mutations. The pleura covers the lungs and chest cavity and therefore, these irritations could affect both the lungs as well as a person's heart. Mesothelioma usually doesn't show symptoms until 30 to 50 years after exposure.

Chest pain and shortness breath are the most frequently reported symptoms. Patients may also experience chest tightness or coughing. They may also experience difficulty breathing. Patients with this type of cancer have a history of disease that includes asbestos exposure at work. Construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding are among the most prevalent occupations that put people at high chance of developing pleural mesothelioma. Individuals who have served in the military are at a greater risk due to the widespread use of asbestos in Navy vessels and Army bunkers.

The most common staging system for pleural mesothelioma is the TNM (tumor, lymph nodes and metastases) staging system. The stage a patient is in upon diagnosis will help their doctor determine the most appropriate treatment plan for them. For instance, patients who have mesothelioma pleural stage three or four have a poorer prognosis than those with lower stages. Stage four mesothelioma can be spread to the liver, heart or diaphragm. asbestos lung mesothelioma makes it more difficult to treat and increases the chance of complications for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Unlike pleural mesothelioma, which is a lung-lining cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma develops in the peritoneum -- an elongated membrane that covers the abdominal cavity and organs like the liver and intestines. Like pleural mesothelioma, exposure to asbestos is the cause of peritoneal msothelioma. The disease is less common than pleural mesothelioma, with just 300-500 cases being diagnosed each year.

As with pleural mesothelioma symptoms can take a long time to manifest. Patients typically suffer from abdominal pain and may also have a lump in their abdomen. Symptoms of this type of mesothelioma may also include nausea or weight loss, as well as fever. Many of these symptoms could be misinterpreted as digestive issues and can lead to a mistaken diagnosis.

Doctors can detect mesothelioma by examining the patient's medical history and performing a physical exam. Imaging tests such as X-rays or CT scans can be used to identify mesothelioma. These tests can identify tumors as well as other signs of cancer that aren't visible on X-rays.

The results of these tests allow doctors to diagnose mesothelioma and determine the stage. They can also recommend treatments. The stage is determined by the type of cell and whether the cancer has spread.





Asbestos exposure is the biggest risk factor. People who have been exposed to asbestos in occupations, like electrical or plumbing work, or in construction, manufacturing and manufacturing are more likely to develop the disease. Even if a person is not employed in any of these areas they could be exposed to asbestos to asbestos through family members and other sources. Anyone who believes they're at risk should speak with a doctor. A mesothelioma specialist can assist those with a history with asbestos to learn more about their risk.

Risk Factors

Asbestos is the primary risk factor for mesothelioma. It is responsible for up to 80% of all cases. Exposure to asbestos can occur due to work, military service or by living with a person who works with asbestos or has previously done such. Asbestos particles can be inhaled by people who are exposed to asbestos. These particles irritate the linings of the lungs, causing cancerous cells to form in the mesothelium. Mesothelioma can take between 15 and 60 years to develop following exposure to asbestos.

Other risk factors include smoking, genetics and aging. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely develop mesothelioma than those who are younger or older. It is because mesothelioma generally occurs between 20 and 60 years after the initial time of exposure before cancer symptoms appear. It is also important to know that mesothelioma may develop in people who have been exposed to asbestos, but did not deal with it directly. This is known as indirect or secondary asbestos exposure and can be just as harmful as direct asbestos exposure.

Smoking increases the risk of developing mesothelioma due to the fact that it damages the mesothelium and makes it more susceptible to asbestos. Mesothelioma is also aggravated by certain illnesses such as asbestosis and pneumonia. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma compared to women. This is because men are more likely to be exposed to asbestos and endure a more exposure than women. Additionally, men are more likely to live with someone who has had asbestos exposure and bring asbestos fibers that have escaped home on their clothing. Women are less likely to come into exposure to asbestos and don't typically carry asbestos on their clothing.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is a difficult cancer to identify because the symptoms are often similar to other conditions. This could lead to patients being incorrectly diagnosed.

The first step in diagnosing mesothelioma is for NYU Langone doctors to perform a physical exam and take down a patient's medical history including asbestos exposure. Doctors will also recommend a CT scan or chest X-ray to look for abnormalities, lumps and evidence of exposure to asbestos. These include plaques on the pleura, pleura that are thickened and calcium deposits.

Other diagnostic tests include a magnetic resonance scan, or MRI test, which makes use of magnets and radio waves in order to create a series of detailed images of the inside of the body. Another way for doctors to detect mesothelioma is to perform an operation called a biopsy. During a surgery biopsy doctors take a tiny piece of tissue from pleura or the peritoneum to be further examined. A pathologist can look at the tissue under microscopes to determine whether it is contaminated with cancerous cells.

The type of mesothelial cell involved, the malignant or benign nature of these cells, as well as the location, type and stage of the cancer are used to categorize the disease. Certain mesothelioma types have an increased risk of metastasizing or spreading therefore it is essential to determine the type of mesothelioma so doctors can treat it prior to it becoming out-of-control.

Doctors can also run tests in the lab on a tumor to identify specific genes, proteins, or other factors that help them understand the characteristics of cancer and plan treatment. These results are called staging.

Treatment

A diagnosis of mesothelioma may be terrifying. It is important to remember, however, that cancer can be treated, particularly in its early stages. Many mesothelioma patients live for years with the disease without it spreading to other areas of their body.

Asbestos exposure can trigger mesothelioma via many mechanisms. Asbestos fibers, which are too small to be able to see or feel through the naked eye, can become airborne and irritate the lining of the lungs (pleura). As time passes the irritation can lead to the formation of scar tissues, which eventually lead to tumors.

The pleura surrounds the lungs and heart and the abdomen. Mesothelium consists of cells that respond when exposed to asbestos. They inflame the tissue and cause it to scar. In time, these changes can lead to the development of malignant mesothelioma tumors.

The signs of pleural mesothelioma can include breathlessness, chest pain or a buildup of fluid on the lungs (pleural effusion). In rare instances, the cancer can grow to the tissues surrounding the heart and reproductive organs.

If imaging scans reveal an area of concern in the lungs or stomach, a doctor will order biopsies. During the procedure, doctors will remove a small sample of the tumor or fluid for lab testing. The results can confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma, and also determine the best treatment plan.

There are a variety of treatment for mesothelioma, including chemotherapy and surgery. Most doctors utilize the combination of these methods. Patients may also benefit from enrolling in a clinical trial of new mesothelioma treatment. To learn more, patients should consult mesothelioma specialists who have expertise in treating the condition.